Page 158 of Starborn Husbands

The Gods? Or one God whose penchant for trouble I might have inherited. “If that were true, they didn’t need to go through the Guild to take me.”

“That’s what I said.” She stares through the transparent roof as stars streak across the sky in glittering streams. “But they wanted your sunstar removed, and it had to be the Guild’s decision. I think they didn’t want anyone else to notice what they were doing. Better if you’re just a criminal. People ask less questions.”

“Framing me as a criminal would have been the nicer thing to do. I was framed for murder.”

“Indeed,” she says. “But I don’t think that was the original plan. I suspect they’ve been colluding for a while. This was your fourth botched mission in a row, and I don’t think that was a coincidence. You were set up for failure, Treyu. It would have been grounds to have your sunstar taken.”

“It would have been more than that, I was almost killed. If not for Zhang …” Zhang knew to be suspicious. That’s why he became my shadow. They were subtle about it until the last time. Zhang’s the only one who could have known.

He just couldn’t say a fucking thing.

My heart pangs, and I rub it hard.

She nods. “The girl was a gift through the eyes of the Guild. I’m not sure they know how she got there either, but it worked for them.”

“Why bother going through the proper channels when they had everything they needed to hand me over to Heaven?”

“They are bound by rules too, Treyu. A sunstar rune isn’t just any rune, taking something like that is bound to be controversial.”

“I didn’t think Heaven cared.” My teeth mash. I’m sick of Heaven and Gods and dirty dick angels.

“They are not exempt from public favor. They aren’t slaves to it like royalty is, but they have some accountability.”

“So, thewaythey went about it was for show, but ultimately they wanted me without my sunstar.”

“That’s what I believe.”

“And there was nothing that could be done?”

“A number of us tried, Treyu. A greater force was at work. It’s not the first time, and it won’t be the last.”

I guess she’s seen a lot. “I wish the evidence hadn’t been burned. I would have liked to try again.”

“The body has been incinerated, but it’s recorded like everything is. Now that the full sentence has been carried out, including the wedding, the records have been updated to include your trial and punishment. Your prince has access to them and can view them at any time, but it’s a fruitless endeavor. They knew you were innocent and cast you as guilty anyway. Besides, dear, it was never about the girl.”

“The marriage?”

“The king talked the Guild into it. Originally, they wanted you executed.”

“Not the angels, the Guild?” She nods. “Why?”

“The vibration of fear can infest even the most enlightened minds, my boy. Everyone is susceptible.”

So, the angels wanted my sunstar gone. The Guild was afraid and just wanted me gone. I scrub a hand over my face. I bet the angels didn’t count on the marriage thing, they would have preferred to swoop in and take me off the Guild’s hands prior to my execution so they could use me for their own agenda.

“Who put the body there? The angels?”

She shakes her head. “Couldn’t have been.”

Then we’re back to the Mercury theory, and if that’s the case, he knew I’d be there. He knew when I’d be there.

The only other person who was there that night was—fuck—Timothy. Thinking of him as a spy is laughable. He’s too innocent, and the opposite of conniving. At the same time, I’d never suspect him of spying, which gives him the best cover ever.

She squeezes my hand. “If you want my advice, let it go, Treyu. You got off without becoming stardust.”

Let it the fuck go. How many times is the universe going to hammer me with that nifty little piece of wisdom tonight?

Luella’s thin fingers crush my hand with bruising strength I didn’t think she was capable of.