I watch him get undressed,the way he claims he always sleeps and get into the massive king bed. Something that costs more than my entire salary, everything in this room is an insult to my pay; but I do it. I need to.

“Are you really going to sit there all night?” He asks, raising an eyebrow. 

I shift slightly in the wooden chair, hearing each creak and groan knowing I’ll be sore tomorrow. He doesn’t need to know that. 

“Your father hired me to keep you safe and after six assassin attempts I hardly blame him.” 

“Seriously? Ever thought I don’t want you watching me sleep every night?” 

Now it’s my turn to raise an eyebrow, “and you think I do?” We stare at each other for a long moment, he’s challenging me. Challenging my presence here. Good; feed into that prince Alec. 

He looks away first; sighing and rolling to his side still with a perfect view of me. “Aren't you going to wish me goodnight?” 

“Seriously?” What's with this guy? I know princes like to be pampered but he needs a goodnight?

“Well if you're going to be here might as well make yourself useful. You work for me.” 

“I work for the king.” I say trying to keep my tone calm. 

“Which I will be soon enough.” 

“If you don't get yourself killed first.” 

“Are you going to do your job or what?” His gaze is no longer just a challenge, it's an order. One that leaves no room for retaliation because he's right.

“Good night prince Alec.” I say, a fake sweetness to my voice. 

He scoffs, "That's the best you could come up with?" 

"How do you want me to say goodnight to you? Tuck you in and read you a bedtime story?"

I see his grin and silently kick myself for giving him that amo. "A bedtime story would be great, actually." He rolls onto his back, looking up at the ceiling. One hand behind his head. 

"I'm not reading you a bedtime story!" 

"Why not?" He half laughs. "Do you not know any?" I open my mouth to talk back but it just ends up hanging there. His eyes dart over and study me. Truth be told I never liked bedtime stories so I don't know any. "I'm right aren't I?"

"What does it matter if I don't know some stupid children's tale?" I hiss.

"Well, how did your parents ever get you to fall asleep? Ignore your whining until you wore yourself out?" I hate this guy. 

I take in a deep breath, saving myself at least thirty seconds so I don't blow my fuse. I can't afford to look for another job, especially a position like this one. Stay calm Valery, you can do this. I think back to my early childhood, the sound of my mothers voice as I drifted off. It's a sweet memory and it brings a small smile.

"She would begin by describing the night, the next morning and would talk me through each step of sleep." I look up from my lap, prince Alec is looking at me. Genuinely looking at me. His brows have a slight crease in the middle and his face is soft, there's no wonder he's so adored. 

 I barely get a moment to study that face before he turns back to staring at the ceiling, as if nothing happened, as if he felt nothing. 

"Fine. Start with that." 

I swallow the dryness in my mouth, it would've been easier to make up a story. I look out the window, I see the stars.... It's a start. 

"She would say... the reason the stars hide up in the sky was not because they never wished to be held but because they were born leaders. As long as you could see the stars, you could see every single person in the world. That stars are the guardians of heaven, when the gods are too tired or forget about us we can still sleep easy; knowing that every single one of those stars watch over us. They find the lost, the forgotten and the unworthy and they bring them home. Sometimes you don't need an omnipotent being or an eternal wish to solve your problems. Sometimes you just need a little guidance." 

I look away from the window, still feeling like I can see the stars dance along my vision. Alec is now staring at me, those same curious eyes with that same soft expression. 

"And then what?" He asks, his voice gentle, barely a whisper. 

I might regret these words. I am speaking to the future king after all but somehow I don't think he'll mind. "Then you kiss death for one blissful second. Feel the drowsiness of sleep without any of its pain. The day catches up to you, your eyes are tired and can barely keep themselves open. Your limbs and body fall sleep before your mind does, you lie awake wondering about tomorrow, about yesterday, about tonight.” 

He looks back over at me, maybe he never stopped but his gaze is somehow comforting. “Do you believe that?” 

“I don’t know it was just something she always sai-“ he cuts me off. 

“No. That thing… about the stars; do you believe it?” 

I sit with the question, really sit. I could so easily shrug this question off or come up with a response but this response needs an answer. A good answer. For some reason I want him to know how I really feel about this. 

“I think everybody needs something to guide them.” 

“Or someone?” My heart skips at his words. Whoever he chooses as his queen will be lucky. 

“Or someone…” I agree. We stare at each other, neither of us moving. I realize how inappropriate this is becoming and look away first. “Goodnight my prince.” 

He turns to his side, his back now to me. I can’t see his face but I hear his voice. “That will be all. Thank you.” 

Two years later

Everyone is silent. The only sound is the crackling of the fire and the few spoons dragging at the bottom of bowls. Most of us lost the appetite to eat but some still attempt to keep down the stew. The night air feels cold and isolated despite there being tens of camps scatter on the forest floor. I only let four sit with me, I can’t bear keeping the facade that I’m alright. Truth be told the only thing I can think about is her, the questions as to why I ever let her go on that mission, why I never went with her. Why I never told her how much I love her. 

“My king.” I glance over at my general. He and sixty of my men are all that survived this god forsaken mission. Sixty men. My stomach turns at the number. I couldn’t even count how many men and women I sent to their graves, how many families I left broken.

The magic world has always invaded our lands and left us haunted. I wanted so badly to protect my people, I should have listen when Valery spoke, should’ve accepted them, should have tried harder. I should’ve been a better king.

My father died two years ago and I’ve already started a war, lost my queen and sentenced my people to death. He’d be so ashamed.

“Listen… Alec,” not using my title is strange for my general. He clearly thinks so too. “I want to find her just as much as you do but…” but what Trent? It’s impossible? I’ll never get to see her again? Never get to hear her voice? It’s been one week since I married her. Just one…. And I’ll never get to hold my queen again?

“We’ve lost over half of our men… we couldn’t accomplish this mission even with every last one of them. Now… It would be a death sentence to go back…” I look over at my men, loyal soldiers that are only out here because of me. 

I can’t bear to look at them. My gaze drops to the fire, watching its kindling fly up into the night sky. 

Oh, how I love the night. I count every star staring back at me. I am both the lost, the forgotten and the unworthy so why won’t they show me? Perhaps they dare not help a fallen king. Perhaps I am more broken than they can help.

I hear my voice painted to sound like hers; deep down I know that isn’t true. Deep down I know the only reason they have forgotten me is because I have forgotten them.

I found a new star to follow and they’re angry.

I’ll find you. I’ll follow these stars till the ends of the earth if I have to.

“Go back. All of you go back to the kingdom. If I am not back by the  second moon cycle announce my brother as king.” 

“You can’t possibl-“ Trent stands up, horror painted on his face. The rest stay sitting but with identical expressions. 

“I am not leaving my queen!” I shout, standing to challenge him. He immediately shrinks a little, when did I gain so much confidence? When was I capable of doing that? “I am giving you all direct orders. Go back.” 

I feel her… I know where she is… the stars will guard me, guide me, be my light until I find her. 

My Valery. My queen. My star.

I’m coming to find you.