Sighing, she opened the door to find the bounty hunter asleep on the bed, his massive frame taking up every inch of space on the mattress.
Unbelievable, she thought. He must have an unnatural ability to separate his emotions from his actions—hunting down Starborne in exchange for solas and still managing to sleep like an infant.
A flicker of hope fluttered in her stomach. She crept toward his hulking form, standing just beside the edge of the bed. She stared at his face, his brows no longer furrowed, his mouth in a relaxed line. His beard had grown since their first encounter in Orastrea, more than a shadow now. A small strand of his golden-brown hair fell over his forehead, obscuring one of his eyelids. She fought the urge to sweep it to the side of his face.
The realization hit her like a wave. He was beautiful. She hated him for it.
Shiny metal caught her eye as she stared at the sleeping captor. The room key peeked from beneath his shirt, hung loosely on a cord around his neck.
Her hand extended toward his chest, her eyes trained on the key. Freedom was within her reach. All she needed to do was take it.
Warmth emanated from his skin as she lowered her fingertips toward his chest. Her breath hitched.
“I wouldn’t do that, Starborne.”
Astraia’s hand snapped back as she stifled a cry.
Draven’s eyes remained closed, a smirk on his lips. “But I applaud the effort,” he said as he opened one eye to look at her.
Blood rushed to her face, embarrassed at being caught and equally vexed. “Stars, you are insufferable,” she seethed, stomping over to the chair and collapsing into the worn cushions.
“Good,” he replied, closing both eyes once more.
Chapter 9
The stone masonry appears to have been buffed; the etchings no longer raised on the walls. The ancient language is also no longer visible on the columns, making it appear washed clean – as though the temple is an omen to an unknown Constellation.
Ruins in the Celestial Wastes: Volume 1
THE NIGHTMARES VISITED AGAIN.
This time, she was staring at Elion and her father shouting, the sound of their voices muffled behind some sort of barrier as her mother crept from a corner of the room toward Astraia.
The woman’s eyes filled with rage. She jabbed a finger at Astraia and yelled, “You did this! Stupid, selfish girl!”
Astraia tried to scream back at her, but no sound left her lips.
She turned to Elion just as thunder rumbled the stone beneath her feet. An ear-piercing shrill filled her ears, breaking the muffled sound barrier.
Elion looked at her, those green eyes wide with fear. “You are Starlight, Astraia. You will not fall.”
Bright light erupted in the room, whiter than snow, brighter than the sun. It pulsed and engulfed Elion.
“No!” A blood-curdling scream tore from Astraia as she reached for Elion.
Blackness consumed her.
“Traia! Traia! Wake up!” someone was shouting at her.
Her eyes flew open, and within the span of a breath, she had pulled her dagger hidden under the chair cushion and pointed it under the dark figure’s chin.
A soft white glow radiated from her body, her bond awakened, as the light illuminated Draven’s face. Panic filled his eyes.
“Traia, it’s me. It’s just me.” He spoke softly, not retreating from the tip of her blade.
She blinked, clearing the fog of her dream. She eyed her hand, clasping her Celestial dagger.
“It’s okay. You’re okay,” he said gingerly.
