When Stars Fall(The Last Star Trilogy #3)

Chapter 1-Annabelle Virgo

I woke to the sound of whispering. Someone was calling my name. My eyes fluttered open, the person hovering over me was still blurry and I rubbed my eyes, smudging them. Then the realization hit me: I had gone to bed in my gown and jewelry.
I glanced at the window next to my bed, it was huge and gave a perfect view of Hydrus and the Lawn. I pushed past the figure, and went to the closet to change. I put on a robe and brushed my hair, awake all of a sudden.
Alec was sitting on one of the sofas when I came back. There was a small cake with pink frosting sitting on the table in front of him.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, surprised. He was still dressed, he had taken off his blazer, his shirt was unbuttoned at the top and his hair was a mess. Alec still managed to look attractive.
"Ready just in time, Virgo," he said, checking his watch. "Almost midnight."
"Huh?"
"Don't tell me you forgot your own birthday," he sounded disappointed. I bit my lip, trying not to smile.
"With all the wedding festivities I forgot and I don't want to celebrate," I said. 
"Too bad," he said with a grin. I looked down. I counted the candles, eighteen. In the centre the cake was decorated with the symbol of Virgo and Ophiuchus. There were two forks sitting on a tray along with a plate of sandwiches. 
Milady, you're awake, Rasal said in my head. Is everything alright?
I looked over my shoulder, Rasal was sitting on his "snake bed" next to mine. He kept an eye on me each night to make sure I wasn't screaming or crying.
Everything is fine, go back to sleep.
I'm awake, he said and curled in a ball. His stones turned green and his eyes watched us without blinking.
"Isn't there any privacy in this place?" Alec asked, eyeing Rasal. 
"I don't understand why you'd want privacy anyway," I straightened up.
I cleared my throat. Alec checked his watch again. "You didn't have to do this," I muttered.
"Why not?"
"Because...it was unnecessary."
Alec snorted, turning it into a laugh. "I wanted to do something nice to show you that I'm not all bad."
Oh, you're not?" I teased. As much as I hated him, there was something about him that always cheered me up. 
"I understand that you don't like me but...can't we at least be friends?" he pleaded. I couldn't say no to those big green eyes.
"We can try," I smiled.
"Thank you," he sighed.
"Do we even have anything in common?" I asked after a pause.
"Hmm...." he thought. "Let's see...we're both from powerful Constellations. We're almost the same age?"
I stared at him, "The first one doesn't really count," I told. "And the second one is untrue."
"Oh, come on," he said. "You're eighteen...in a few more minutes. I'm..." he hesitated. Was he actually trying to remember his age?
"Twenty-six?" I suggested.
"Twenty-four," he corrected.
I shuddered. "It's not so bad," he comforted.
"No, no. It's not that. It's just..." I sighed. "Unbelievable."
"Only six years," he said.
"Oh, yeah." I joked. "Six years, not a big gap at all."
He made a sound in between a groan and a laugh. "It's time," he said, checking his watch again.
"Do I have to blow out the candles?" I hesitated, feeling childish.
"No, the snake has to," Alec said, his voice dripping sarcasm.
I'd prefer if his Royal Belligerence would call me by my name, Rasal hissed.
Alright, Rasal.
I blew them out, making sure no saliva got onto the frosting. I took a bite and so did Alec. He picked up the plate of sandwiches and offered it to me.
"I'll have one if you will," he said. I took one. Alec separated the two bread, opening the sandwich and ate it one by one.
"Why eat it like that?" I wondered.
Alec shrugged, "I like it like this. Though it doesn't taste different."
"By the way, Rasal would appreciate it if you'd stop calling him snake and learned his name."
Alec set down the plate. "Does he even like me?"
I hesitated. Rasal answered before I could confirm. 
No, milady.
I nodded my head, "Sorry, he blames you for killing off the Ophiuchus."
Alec looked upset and hurt, "That wasn't me. that was my father."
"I know, but still." 
"Do you blame me?"
I really wished he hadn't asked me that. I gulped. Opening my mouth once or twice, but no words came out.
Excuse me? Rasal hissed.
"I'm just...confused. I guess," I finished.
"About what?"
My feelings, I added in my head. I didn't mean for Rasal to hear that but he did.
Milady...
"About all this," I exhaled.
"It's a tough life, I know,” he agreed. "But, you'll be fine."
"I already have Granny watching my every move and telling me what to do,”  said.
"Yeah...sorry about that," he said, trying to smile. "Father said she offered to help out with you and let her move in."
"For how long?" 
Granny had been living here since before I escaped the dungeon. Now, she was my teacher and supervisor.
"Can you please send her back?" I begged. Alec shifted.
"She told Father that she would leave once you're settled in," he coughed.
"I've been here for three weeks," I reminded. "I'm doing everything her way. The way everyone wants me too. What more does she want?"
Alec stared at me, "It's complicated, Annabelle."
"Thanks for the cake," I said. 
"No problem.”
"You should go to sleep," Alec said, standing up. "I'll see you in the morning.”
I dragged myself over to the bed. I dropped the curtains, turned off the lights and closed my eyes. Rasal's stones were the only light and he was curled on top of me tonight.