“You know what I think?” Astraia strode up to him, never breaking his gaze, until she could feel the warmth of his breath on her face. Her bonds responded in kind, warming her core at his closeness. “I think youareafraid. You fear failure. It’s why you blindly follow orders. Even if those orders kill innocents and are slowly costing you your soul.”
Draven chuckled, his voice rough and low. “And why do you care for my soul?”
“No one should be left alone in the dark,” Astraia whispered.
Her eyes fell, breaking the tension. She stepped away from him, the heat from her bonds plunged into cold with her retreat.
His mouth opened, but she did not wait for his rebuttal. Turning on her heel, she floated through the crowd, the sounds of dancing and music and laughter fading as she walked barefoot in the grass.
Moonlight withered away with each step she took. Her mind wandered to the edge of a steep cliff. The darkness purred beyond the edge, coaxing unspeakable horrors from the depths as it hissed from the blackness.
You are already alone in the dark, Starborne.
Chapter 15
What was once a common occurrence, traditionally passed down through generations, being blessed by the Stars became increasingly rare in the ten years post Shattering. Starborne numbers dwindled exponentially with each passing generation. Starborne abilities that had been a privilege and honor were seen as tainted stains on the people of the realm; little more than a reminder of the abandonment from the Stars.
A People’s History of Astradeon
GETTING THE HORSES READY FOR their journey to Virellia had proven more of a challenge than she wanted to admit. Visions of the men who assaulted her and her close encounter with death kept muddling her thoughts. She stood outside the half-burned stables for several minutes, trying to steady her breaths, but every time she took a step forward, her vision blurred and her skin became clammy.
“You know, we cannot actually reach Virellia if we do not leave?” Draven said impatiently behind her, his horse snorting as if in agreement.
She clenched her teeth, choking back a rebuttal. But after her third failed attempt, he sighed and dismounted his horse.
“Wait here,” he muttered as he strode past her into the stables. After a few moments, he returned, leading Orion out to her, already saddled. He stopped in front of her, holding out the reins. She begrudgingly grabbed them, nodding to him.
“Thanks,” she mumbled, pink rushing to her cheeks.
“Don’t thank me yet, Starborne. I’m still contemplating the manacles.” His eyes lingered on hers for a split second, face empty, then he walked back to his horse.
Pink turned to red as her embarrassment morphed into rage.
It is still early. Plenty of time to consider the one hundred ways I can kill him.
Sunlight broke over the horizon, warming her skin as Orion's hooves struck the stone Aquarian bridge in a rhythmic cadence. Astraia closed her eyes, breathing in that fragile moment of calm. The revelry and wine of the night before still lingered in the form of a persistent headache. Yet it was not the headache that vexed her, but the unwelcome shadow in her wake.
She could hear Draven’s horse walking beside her and blinked, letting her gaze drift sideways, and was unable to stop the fluttering of her bond sending a thrill through her. She cursed at the intruding sensation. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see his amber eyes locked on her. Draven’s gaze lingered, unreadable—but steady. As if he sensed something she had not meant to reveal.
She blinked again, setting her sights ahead, where they were approaching the other side of the bridge. Last night she had overstepped, letting herself feel sympathy toward the man who could end her life in an instant. Yet, every time she was near him, her bonds betrayed her, and she realized she did, in fact, care if he had a soul—cared if he lived or died.
Other travelers passed by them, heading toward Aquarian. Astraia kept her cloaked head low and wits about her, reminding herself that she was being pursued by other bounty hunters, not just the one who had consumed her thoughts. Orion’s ears perked, sensing her uneasiness, and he picked up his pace. Within moments, hoofbeats softened as they set foot on Virellia soil.
They would reach Volpes, the capital of Virellia, within two sunrises if they kept a steady pace. The capital was known for its lush landscapes and mystical gardens, harboring all kinds of flora and fauna, including herbs and rare plants used for healing. The Constellation Desire had chosen many of the people of Virellia as their Starborne, giving them the gift of the earth. The result was the province teeming with verdant greenery, a beauty only Desire herself exceeded.
Astraia and her brother had visited Virellia many times growing up. She remembered a glistening white manor at the capital, covered in ivy and blooming flowers. She chuckled, recalling Elion causing chaos on their visits to Volpes. She seemed to remember a host of frogs being let loose in the kitchens of the manor followed by a pointless scolding by their father.
Draven turned his head toward her, raising an eyebrow. “Something funny, Starborne?”
“I was thinking of my brother,” Astraia replied, a soft smile on her face, her stare fixed ahead as Orion walked on the grassy road. “He was always getting into trouble. Mostly to vex our parents. But he always had a way of making the days entertaining. I was so happy back then.”
“Your brother was fortunate to have your love,” Draven said without jest, his tone soft.
Astraia paused, turning her head to look at him. His face somewhat tense, those amber eyes always shocking her when they met hers.
“It still was not enough,” she replied, blinking away a tear from her eye.
“You claim fault for his death, but I wonder…” He paused, narrowing his eyes on her. “What would he say if he knew you carried that blame like a shield?”
