Starkeeper of the Fractured Crown

He said he had been following me for a year, but had he? Because since ‘discovering’ him, it seemed like he was gone more often than he was around.

But why did I care? Why did it matter? I still had no idea what his true intentions were.

“He’s made it clear.”

I shook my head, looking towards the window. He was a liar. He was the High King of the Fallen, obviously he can lie whenever he pleases.

He struck me as the type to lie until I was caught in his web. Until I was consumed by him, and then he would take me back and kill me.

I felt the burning on my left wrist at the thought.

I wasn’t sure why the shadows hadn’t tattled on me. Maybe they had and he just didn’t care. It didn’t make sense, but maybe I just hadn’t pushed enough to warrant them to fetch him.

That had to be it.

Although that couldn’t really be true either.

If I took off my clothes now, people would think I went through a storefront window. There was a reason my shadow curled around my wrists or my hips.

She had tried to stop me at first, but I guess she gave up because she had stopped fighting me.

What was wrong with me?

Was it because Mark was safe? Was it because Cole knew what to do if I died?

Was it because I had been on death’s doorstep, and Ihated Trick for keeping me alive?

I chewed my lip as my eyes fell back to the parchment.

If he was going to kill me and I wanted to die, what would be so wrong with signing my name? Cole would take Mark to Aelyria, and he’d be safe.

But…I…I didn’t want to keep doing this anymore. I was selfish. I kept fighting forsolong and Mark saw Mom almost kill me, which scarred him for life. I had failed.

I should have died that night. I…I wanted to die. Iwantto die.

I was justsoexhausted, and I didn’t want to keep fighting. I wanted, needed, everything to just stop.

I read through the words again and again, but I already had them memorized. I knew what this would entail. I understood the rules. My only question was how long would it be until he was convinced I was consumed by him. Until he finally took me away to kill me.

I swallowed and reached for my pen. Mark would be safe. He would have so much fun in the Fae Court. He would love it there.

So, I released a breath and signed myself away to the High King of the Fallen.

~~~

Trick

I picked up the parchment she had left on her nightstand and stared at that signature with a racing heart.

Why?

Why now?

My eyes fell to where she slept, her blanket pulled up to her neck, her mouth slightly parted, her snoring soft.

Her shadow slept by her head like a cat would, the other shadows resting over her stomach, watching me, waiting for a command, a request, and although I wanted so terribly to take advantage of her signature, I couldn’t.

Not tonight.