Yanking open the wooden door, she froze. Draven was sitting in the chair facing the fireplace, a few embers still glowing. He had made sure the fire remained lit all night as she healed.
But the flames were not what caught Astraia’s eye. It was the sealed scroll in his hand. This scroll was smaller than the letter he had received previously, but the wax seal was identical—another correspondence from the Celestial Court.
Astraia did not breathe as she stood in the doorway, looking at her fate literally held in his hands. The bounty hunter sat on the edge of the chair, his elbows resting on his knees as he held the scroll with both hands, and his fingers traced the edges of the wax seal.
He did not raise his head, but Astraia could see the furrow between his brows, and the muscles in his jaw clenched.
Hours passed in a matter of seconds before Draven finally rose from the chair, glanced down at the unopened scroll, and flung it into the embers. It took a few moments before the parchment caught fire, but as the wax melted and the words burned, Astraia’s heart thundered out of her chest.
Draven watched the fire lick the ink clean from the scroll before he turned to face her. The glow of the flames flickered against his face, catching the golden flecks of his eyes and reflecting them back at her. She still had not moved from the doorway, afraid of what answers lay beyond the threshold.
The bounty hunter held her gaze as he spoke, his voice commanding and resolute.
“I will take you to Volpes.”
Astraia’s eyes widened, perplexed. “I don’t understand.”
“I said, I will take you to Volpes.” He cocked one eyebrow at her, as if annoyed by her question.
“And what of your reward, bounty hunter? Your king will be expecting his pound of flesh. You expect me to believe you would defy your master?” she sneered, slamming the door behind her as she strode toward him. Her boots thudded on the floor with every flustered step.
Draven did not falter, keeping his eyes trained on her as she approached him until they were only an arm’s length apart.
“No,” he replied, a challenge in his stare.
“Then why should I trust you? Why take me to Volpes?” Astraia hissed, her fists clenched by her sides, her bonds stirring just beneath her newly healed skin.
“Because maybe, I have realized that you would rather burn than be taken prisoner.” His voice lowered to a hushed whisper. “And maybe, I would rather face the wrath of a false king than see you burn.”
Astraia blinked, stunned at the bounty hunter’s confession. Her mouth opened, then snapped closed, words escaping her.
A small curve tipped the side of his lips, forming a subtle smirk, a look of satisfaction that he had rendered her speechless.
“We will leave at first light,” he said as he turned away from her, making for the door. He did not utter another word as he closed it behind him.
Chapter 14
Remnants of pottery and the hilts of daggers were discovered among the northern outskirts of Stellasaltus, now Celestial Wastes, during the excavation in the fourth year of King Haluropa’s reign, fifty- and six-years post Shattering.
Ruins in the Celestial Wastes: Volume 1
ASTRAIA SAT ON THE EDGE of the bed for several minutes after the bounty hunter left her, puzzled by his treasonous admission. Her mind did not have much time to wonder before she heard a light rap on the door. Slowly, she turned the handle and cracked the door, peering into the eyes of the young servant girl once again.
“Pardon me, miss,” the girl said softly, a smile on her face, “but I thought perhaps you could use this for tonight.” She held out a bundle of folded fabric in her hands.
Confused, Astraia took the fabric, letting it unfold as she held it up. A simple dark blue dress unfurled as she held it beside her.
“My thanks, but”—Astraia turned to the girl, bewildered—“what would I need this for?”
The girl laughed, then beamed at her with excitement. “ Tonight is the Festival of Pouring to honor the town’s namesake,the mighty Aquarius. He was said to be a mighty warrior during the Celestial War and—”
“Defended the rivers from Dominion. Yes, I am well aware of the tales,” Astraia cut her off, sighing.
“There will be a great feast and dancing in the field. You simply must come!” The girl spun around the hallway, eyes closed as she daydreamed.
Astraia chuckled, envying the girl’s carefree spirit.
A flush of red bloomed on the girl’s cheeks as she stopped spinning, then met her eyes once more. “I was not sure you had a dress to wear, so I brought one of my older sister’s. You appear to be the same build.”
