Chapter 36: Last Ditch

Aster paced the length of his room, silent, listening intently to Nathalya as she told him what really happened that night. Her and Jace’s journey through the secret passageways, sneaking into the library, and how she was caught with the key. She recounted it just as it happened, with no embellishments, and low enough that no one outside the room could hear. Jace sat on the sofa, rubbing his tired eyes every once in a while. Eddie leaned on the mantle next to the hearth.

When she finished, Aster stopped. He stood at his window, crossed his arms, and pondered what their next steps should be.

Eddie was the first to break the silence. “She can’t stay here.”

“Eddie,” Aster shook his head. “I’ve pushed my luck far too much with the King. If she disappears from the castle, he’ll suspect I was the one who orchestrated it.”