Astra’s lips ticked up into a wicked grin. “Careful now, that’s almost a compliment, Mother.”
“Almost,” Oestera agreed.
“What of the Mercurians?” Astra asked, curious if they were attending. Their proximity to the Solar Court was always a spot of fear when it came to allegiances, but it had worked against Solan during The Flare. His outburst hit them hardest.
“Ah, yes. The Mercurian king will be here. He took over the crown a few years ago after his father Descended. I’m not sure if he’ll be much of a strategic alliance, what with the size of their armies still so depleted, but leave him to your father. The king served in the Intercourt Army at the Earthen camps for years after his schooling. They’ll have plenty to talk about.”
“Well, then,” Astra huffed, clapping her hands together to stand. “You have it all figured out as always, Mother.”
“We have to move quickly and quietly, Astra. Before things take a turn.”
“When do they arrive?”
“They’ll trickle in as early as this evening. We’ll hold a birthday ball in your honor on the Solstice. I’ve arranged for a new wardrobe for your approval. Ameera mentioned you arrived with nothing from Celene.”
“I hadn’t planned on staying,” Astra reminded her. “I know you think my coming home for good is the right thing to do, but I’ve built a home in Celene. A community. I would like to return after this alliance business is settled.”
Oestera studied her daughter, eyes scanning the face she’d known in many lifetimes. When she was quietly raging the way Astra was now, she looked so much like her ill-fated sister, it was hard to breathe.
“If war breaks out… when war breaks out, I can’t risk having you in Celene. You’re safer here. If someone were to get their hands on you?—”
“Ah,” Astra snorted. “Of course. It’s not about my safety, but your ability to leverage me.”
“That’s not what I mean,” Oestera insisted. “You are a target, Astra. That’s all.”
The worry in her tone unsettled something inside of Astra as she turned to leave, catching her off guard. She’s always been set aside in her mother’s eyes, meant as a conduit to whatever ends Oestera saw fit, but rarely had she expressed a fear for her well-being.
“Best behavior,” Oestera repeated.
“Would I ever disappoint you, Mother?” Astra asked, notes dripping in bruised anger.
Oestera did not reply, for both their benefit.
Chapter
Five
The Empyrean Sea inhaled, held her breath, and then sighed as Astra stared across her shadowy waves.
Pale crests shimmered under a full Moon. Salt stuck to her lips and hair, transforming her gentle curls into a wild tangle of fire. Surely she wasn’t the first Lunar princess to sulk on these crystalline shores, wondering what the fuck was even the point of trying to change the minds of those that came before her.
“I think this is the longest you’ve ever gone in my presence without speaking,” Lunelle laughed, lying beside her sister in the sand, her hair floating in celestial streaks on the breeze.
“Sorry,” Astra mumbled. “It’s been a long time since I had to go up against the queen.”
“Not even a full day back and you’ve already given up on her, then?” Lunelle picked at her nail beds, unwilling to risk a glance at her sister and see the pain in her eyes. The way her lips pursed reminded Astra of many of the paintings in the halls of great rulers in their lineage.
“That’s not fair,” she protested.
Lunelle chewed on her lip, weighing her loyalties. “I know it’s hard for you to be back here after… well, after everything. But she’s not a monster, As. She just has to prioritize in ways we don’t understand.”
“Sure,” Astra scoffed. “She could at least pretend to care about the world outside of these walls. Celene is not the only city crumbling under her neglect. There are entire villages falling apart, or gone now. The optics have always mattered more to her.”
“She cares,” Lunelle insisted. “She sees a bigger picture than we do, As.”
“I appreciate that she’s trained you well,” Astra returned. She said no more on the matter, plagued by her uncertainty about what was true. Perhaps it all was. Her mother hadn’t led a charmed life in the palace by any means. She grew up under the heavy stare of a woman even less tolerant than she was. When Leona died, she was plucked from her peaceful life in hiding in the Earthen Court and forced onto a throne she’d all but sworn off. She never even got a chance to mourn her dear sister before she was shoved into her dresses and jewels.
Astra could understand that, couldn’t she?
