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“You go to them, now,” I said. Cypherion’s heart broke in his eyes, but I swallowed back my tears. “You go, and then come back for me.”

When he kissed me, I savored it. Memorized the taste of him, the way his lips commanded mine expertly, and the feel of his heart hammering beneath my palm. Remembered how it had felt to be with him one last time in my bedchamber and how he’d held me.

“I’ll be back for you, Stargirl,” he whispered. “I promise. Not even all nine of your Fates could keep me away.”

“I love you,” I said.

“I love you, too. Guard up, Stargirl.”

And then, he grabbed the scrolls and left, not looking back, because we’d both buckle if he did. As he disappeared, a hollowness filled my chest. A chasm his presence had repaired, one that fear sank its claws into once I no longer had to maintain a front to force him away.

And a sob fought out of my throat as the bars of my cage slammed shut once again.

But this time, despite my dread, they rattled. Fissures pierced their iron reign over me in the shape of a captor’s lies, an ally’s schemes, a warrior’s love, and the absolute power of nine Fates.

“Come, Vale,” Titus said, turning to the table. “Let’s eat.”

Harlen eyed me warily.

“As we must,” I muttered.

Now that I’d been out—now that I’d experienced the truest form of desperate, all-consuming love—the weaknesses in this enclosure were evident. I noted each, and I began to plan their demise.

Titus might have shattered every promising bit of starlight within me—might have broken me—but now, I’d return the favor.

Now, I would become the breaker.