Chapter 26: The Golden Goblet - How the Stars Fall

“Please miss, you need to eat,” the maid serving Nova begged.

Nova took a few steps towards the balcony before glancing over her shoulder. “No. King Branoc will not have me now, nor ever.”

“The king won’t care; he will still harm you.”

“He can try.”

“Please miss . . .”

Nova shook her head at the woman’s pleas.

The maid sighed, setting the tray down gently on the small table beside the bed, the dishes clinking softly. She gave Nova a brief, almost pitying glance, then turned and slipped out of the room, the door clicking quietly shut behind her.

How could she eat after seeing Ryker so bloodied and broken? The memory of his disfigured face flashed across her mind. Nova gripped the balcony edge and squeezed her eyes shut. Branoc was a wicked, wicked man. Surely there was something she could do. But what? Guards stood outside her door’s day and night—keeping her trapped like a caged animal.

The only time she could leave her room was when Branoc summoned her. Even then, she wasn’t free. She was practically dragged to his side and forced to replicate whatever jewels and treasures he so desired.

Nova knew all too well what punishment awaited her if she didn’t.

A gentle breeze played with her hair as she collapsed to the ground. She drew her knees up and wrapped her arms around them, hugging them tight.

Ryker was here. Somewhere.

She wanted to run to him, yet Branoc had ordered his guards to never let her from their sight. Nova was surprised that there were no guards stationed on her balcony as well. It’s not like she could climb down anyway—or could she?

Nova glanced between the marble railings. It was no use; the ground below was covered in a blanket of darkness. She’d likely break a leg trying to escape. Besides, she couldn’t leave Ryker here—she wouldn’t.

Pain ripped in her chest. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be. She was going to declare her love to Ryker by the pool. She was going to tell him she couldn’t possibly step into the water because she wanted to stay.

Tears rolled down her cheeks. Silent tracks of salted drops.

She loved Ryker.

And she needed to tell him.

Her tears soon turned to anger.

How had the Twins found them? Had they been tracking them for a while? They’d laid in wait and struck so quickly Nova was bound before she could claw to Ryker’s unconscious form.

Quite frankly, she was sick of all these men telling her what to do.

The journey down the mountain with the Twins hadn’t been pleasant.

Finnian drugged Ryker with dreamroot and bound him with chains before throwing him into the back of the carriage. It was the last time she saw him until today in the throne room.

She’d wondered if she’d ever see him again at all. Her heart had fractured at the sight of his pain and exhaustion. Ryker had been brutally bashed all because she existed. She should have jumped into the pool of reflections when she had the chance. Then Ryker wouldn’t be in the situation he was in right now.

A sob caught in her throat as she lay on the cold marbled floor of the balcony—crying out as her skin stung from the cold stone.

Dante and Finnian had ruined everything. Branoc had ruined everything.

As she wiped at her eyes, Nova wracked her brains, trying to think of some sort of plan. Ryker was trapped in the cells deep below the castle. Wasting away, waiting for the moment, Branoc decided his day of death. How could she get to him? What could she do? Multiple times she’d tried to summon her powers, but the moon had not been full enough for her to bask beneath it and no matter how much she tried, her powers would not do as she bade. Either the replication drained her more than she realised, or her heart was too heavy.

It was too much to bear. Nova lay on her back, staring at the murky skies above. Too many clouds were present, making it hard for her to see her sisters above.

“Tell me what to do,” she whispered.

Tiny diamonds peeked through the grey, glittering in response, but it was no use. There was nothing they could do for her.

Another tear slipped down Nova’s cold cheek, and she wiped it with the back of her hand. Surely there was something she could do to fix this.

A low creak filled the room as the door swung open. Nova quickly sat up, brushing her tears away. She refused to let anyone catch her crying. She had to stay strong for as long as she could.

For herself . . . for Ryker.

The maid from earlier stepped out onto the balcony. “The king wants you.”

“Now? At this time of night?”

The maid nodded. “He’s in one of his moods . . . I’m so sorry.”

Nova dropped her head back and closed her eyes. What could Branoc possibly want? He never called for her in the evenings.

* * *

She sighed and stood to her feet. “Take me to him then.”

Nova’s footsteps echoed softly against the cold stone floor. Two stern-faced guards flanked her down the dimly lit castle halls. She kept her head down, her heart pounding in her chest, each step drawing her closer to the king’s throne room, a place she desperately didn’t want to go.

The torches lining the walls flickered, casting long shadows that seemed to dance with her growing dread. Nova tightly clasped her hands in front of her, fidgeting with the edge of her ridiculous dress.

She hated the way Branoc demanded she dress. Another reason to poke his eyeballs out.

Her stomach sunk to the floor as they approached the towering doors that led to the most hated man in Nova’s life. She swallowed hard, forcing her legs to move forward even though everything in her screamed to run the other way.

No one was coming to save her—not this time.

Branoc was lounging on his throne when she entered the room. The air stunk of wine—he’d been drinking. Not a good sign. Nova knew she shouldn’t test his patience, but seeing his sneering face and cold hazel eyes flicked a switch inside of her.

She ground her teeth together as she stalked towards him, her boots echoing on the stone floor. “What do you want?”

Branoc’s brow rose. His fingers danced on the edge of his golden goblet that sat on the armrest of his royal chair. “That’s no way to speak to your future husband.”

Nova stopped in front of the dais; her fists clenched at her sides. “I will never marry you.”

His brittle laugh sounded through the room. But as quickly as it erupted—he silenced it. His fingers gripped the stem of the gold cup. It was bigger than the ones she’d seen before. Glittering garnets, sapphires, emeralds and diamonds wrapped around the side in an ornate pattern. Red liquid sloshed over the lip as he stood. He took four steps towards her, gulping down the last of his drink before meeting her eye.

“You will do as you’re told—whether or not you like it.”

Heat washed over Nova’s body. The sad fact was his words were true. She knew he would do whatever it took to lock her away from the world—to own her—no matter how much she denied him.

Branoc took another step, his nose inches from hers. “Now, I want more of these.” He held the golden goblet up. “One for every seat at my table . . . Be a good star and make me some.”

The king sauntered back to his throne and placed the cup down. “I’m waiting?” Branoc turned and held out the goblet. With an internal sigh, she closed her eyes and reached for the glittering cup. She knew the very little magic in her veins would only wield a handful of gems—how would she summon gold cups? All she could do was try. Hopefully, a few would be enough for one night and she could return to her room in haste.

The goblet was heavy in her hand, the weight of it a reminder of the pain and guilt she felt for Ryker rotting away in the prison cells. “Free Ryker and I will make all the treasure you desire.”

Branoc’s brittle laugh sounded through the room again. “My advice to you, star, is that you forget about his existence. He’s as good as dead to you.” Branoc’s eyes bore into hers. “Now, make me rich.”

Nova hung her head. She didn’t have the energy to fight him. She would try her best to make the replicas. Return to her room. Formulate some sort of plan to free Ryker. Perhaps she could bribe the maid to help her. Nova could replicate some of the jewellery from the sparse collection the king had given her to make the costume she wore look more like a queen.

A faint thrum of energy built in her hand. Nova willed it into being as hard as she could, but the flutter of magic refused to produce any more than three new cups.

She faltered with the armful of gleaming metal. “Here, take these. This is all I can do.”

Branoc snatched them from her hand. “It’s not enough—make me more.”

Nova fisted her hands by her side. “I cannot make any more magic. My body has been depleted of all my magic.” The days of being abused leaking out through her words.

The king’s rough grip found Nova’s face. He held it inches away from his own. The scent of soured grapes watered her eyes and terror coursed through her veins as his fingers dug cruelly into her jaw.

Her heart raced, pounding in her ears, while her breath hitched in her throat. She could taste the metallic hint of blood where her skin had been crushed against the sharp edge of her teeth. She felt helpless, but fought to keep herself from trembling under his crushing hold.

“So, tell me, wife-to-be, how can you replenish what you have lost?” Branoc sneered.

Nova gritted her teeth and refused to speak. She didn’t want to give him any part of herself anymore. Not if he was going to take the one thing that brought her joy.

“TELL ME!” Branoc cried. Spittle sprayed across her face. The act rendered her stomach in knots. To have any parts of Branoc’s bodily fluids on her face made her stomach revolt.

Tears welled in her eyes as he gripped her face harder. “I need . . . I need to bathe in the moonlight,” Nova whispered.

Branoc’s eyes narrowed as he scrutinised her face, trying to determine whether she was telling the truth. After a tense pause, he seemed to accept her answer, loosening his grip on her momentarily. But before she could catch her breath, he seized her wrist, yanking her roughly as he dragged her from the room.

“Where are you taking me?” Nova sobbed.

The king’s grip was iron as he dragged Nova out to the balcony, her heels scraping uselessly against the stone floor. Panic surged through her as she clawed at his arm, but he was too strong.

Tears streamed down Nova’s face. “Please, stop!”

Branoc held her fast with one hand. The other ripped at her clothes, tearing them to ribbons. Clouds parted and moonlight cast an eerie glow over the scene. Though the moonbeams were weak, as soon as they touched her aching skin, a faint thrum seeped its way through her veins.

“Someone help me!” she shrieked, her eyes darting to the guards standing motionless nearby. They did nothing—no flicker of sympathy, no move to intervene. They stood there, indifferent, as if this was nothing unusual.

Nova wanted to fight, to run, but Branoc’s strength was overwhelming. Desperation filled her chest, a hollow ache that spread through her entire body. Her breath came in ragged gasps as she tried to push him away, her strength waning. Each tear of fabric in her gown revealed a new crack in her heart.

Branoc finally freed the bodice of her gown by yanking it from her arms and letting it fall around her waist. Nova sobbed, her body shaking with fear and humiliation, her mind screaming louder than her voice.

He shoved her to the ground where she met the harsh cold marble, her palms splatting against the smooth surface. Branoc stooped down so his face was near hers. “Here is your moon, star. Let’s hope your magic grows faster than my fury.”

Nova dropped her forehead to the ground, trying to hide her face and chest from the eyes of the surrounding witnesses. What would her sisters say if they saw her now? They’d cry with her.

They’d tell her to get up and to fight back.

Could she do it? Could she keep fighting?

Her body hummed with energy as the moonbeams soaked into her skin. Every echo of Branoc’s boot against the marbled floor as he paced back and forth gave her the strength to get back up. She had to. This would not be the life she’d live in this part of the world.

She refused.

The king stopped his pacing. He crouched down before roughly lifting Nova’s chin in his broad hand. He forced her to meet his gaze. Cold, hard hazel eyes. Ones filled with so much greed, Nova didn’t know how a human could live like this.

“Is that enough time under the moon?” His voice dripped with venom.

What was that word that Ryker liked to mutter sometimes? Often, he aimed it at people he didn’t like. Branoc was certainly someone Nova didn’t like.

“Fuck you, Branoc.”

The glint in the king’s eyes changed from greedy to livid. Nova knew she should have kept her mouth shut. But she was tired of being quiet. She was tired of being treated like she was nothing. Because she wasn’t nothing. She was a celestial being from another realm. It was time to show the world what she was truly capable of.

A sharp sting spread across her face as the back of Branoc’s hand met her cheek. Her head snapped sideways, pain blossoming through her head like wildfire.

Before she could gather herself, the king yanked her up by her arm, placing her on her feet. “Keep talking to me like that and there will be plenty more of where that came from.”

Tears turned to determination as he marched her back into the room and shoved her against the throne. Nova caught the edge of it just before she fell. She turned to face him with fire in her veins.

Branoc swiped at the large glittering cup on the seat of his royal chair and held it out to her. “Put your dress back on properly and make it rain gold.” His voice was low and commanding.

Nova slowly placed her arms back into her dress, never taking her eyes off the king. She calculated her next move. Tonight, she would be free of this wretched man. Branoc would no longer hold any power over her. She would see to it herself.

The sound of clashing metal and shouting erupted from the other side of the room, startling Branoc. The door flew open, splintering under the force of Ryker’s boot as he stormed inside, sword drawn. Two guards rushed him instantly, and the room erupted into chaos.

Relief at the sight of him rushed over Nova. He was here in the room. Not down in the prisons. He’d escaped.

He was alive.

Nova held her breath as both she and Branoc froze, watching the scene unfold around them.

Ryker fought fiercely, blocking blows and cutting down one guard, but another stabbed him in the shoulder.

“Ryker!” Nova cried as she lurched forward, her legs kicking into action.

Branoc, enraged, screamed orders to his men. “If he leaves this room alive, I’ll have your heads!”

A sharp grunt of pain escaped Ryker, but he didn’t falter, slamming the guard back with his free arm.

Branoc spun to face Nova and reached for her. She dodged his grasp, but his fingertips brushed her skirts as she spirited away. A sharp yank on the fabric caused her to stumble forward towards the throne.

Her eye caught one of the empty golden goblets she’d produced earlier. Nova reached for it with a surge of energy. She whirled to face the enraged king. Rage filled his face. Eyes bulged, veins erupting from his temples, wrapping around like strangler vines choking the life from a tree.

Nova held the gold cup out in front of her, aimed at the king. “STOP!” she cried.

The king halted in his steps, a wicked gleam in his eye. “You will not escape me again, star. You will do as I wish.”

“I would rather die.” Nova’s hand trembled, but her voice was unwavering.

The corners of Branoc’s mouth turned up in an evil smirk. “I need you alive, but breaking legs never killed anybody.”

Nova flicked her gaze towards Ryker as he fought multiple guards, his strength never ending despite the blood seeping from the wound in his shoulder. Metal against metal rang through the room as battle went on around her. Nova brought her gaze back to the King.

“You said you wanted it to rain?”

She held the golden cup higher. Branoc watched with monstrous eyes.

Nova’s thrum of energy pulsed more intensely, enveloping her in a glowing cloud of ethereal viridian light. Her hair lifted, caught in the electric charge, and the very air around her vibrated with power. Fear left her, replaced by something raw and unyielding that awakened deep within her.

Branoc faltered, momentarily stunned by the shift in the room’s energy, his hand frozen mid-reach. The smirk he’d worn moments before faded into uncertainty.

No more would he harm her. Nova’s fists clenched, and the surrounding energy flared brighter, crackling with her determination. No more would they treat her like one of those marionettes from the marketplace, dangling at someone else’s command.

Her gaze locked onto Branoc’s, and for the first time, he looked afraid.

Nova lifted her other hand. “Well, I hope you drown.”

She released the pent-up power coursing through her body. Golden goblets spilled from the magic in her hands, flying through the air and hitting Branoc in the face.

The room echoed with their metallic thuds as they piled up around the king, whose arrogant grin quickly twisted into a grimace of panic.

“You—stop this!” he yelled, his voice breaking as the pile grew higher. His arms flailed, trying to push the goblets away, but Nova wouldn’t stop. She couldn’t stop. Branoc cried out in anguish as the pile at his feet grew higher and higher. Rendering him helpless in movement.

Every slap across her face. Every hurtful word he spoke. Every time he forced her to use her magic. Each moment fuelled the fire erupting in her chest. Nova let out a guttural cry, her vision blurring at the edges as her magic strained against the limits of her strength. Each new goblet took more energy to replicate, and she could feel her power flickering, threatening to vanish completely.

Sweat trickled down her brow as the king became harder and harder to see. Branoc would learn his lesson.

“Never again,” Nova whispered, pushing herself even harder. Her knees threatened to buckle, her head spun, but she couldn’t give up. Not now.

She could hear Ryker still fighting guards and the thought of him losing blood gave her more determination. He would not die today. She would get them out of here and she would heal him.

The golden pile finally overtook Branoc, covering him up to his shoulders, then his chest, until only his arm remained, sticking out from beneath the crushing weight. His fingers twitched, grasping weakly at the air. The pile was massive, gleaming under the moonlight spilling into the room.

Nova swayed on her feet, her vision swimming as the world tilted. She could barely stay upright, her magic nearly gone, but she saw the arm twitch one last time before falling still.

King Branoc, buried beneath his own greed.