He was lying. No bounty hunter in all of Astradeon could fight the way Draven effortlessly dispatched the wraith. Granted, the demon had been wounded, but the sheer force and speed by which Draven executed his judgment was otherwordly.
Most importantly, it was assuredly not a bounty hunter’s style.
He leaned forward in his chair, clasping his hands in front of him, elbows resting on his knees. He was just inches from herface—his breath warm as it caressed her arm, sending a shiver through her.
“The Constellations spoke to you.” It was not a question but a declaration.
Astraia’s eyes widened, recalling the faint dot of light in the storm of her mind. The melodic voices that called to her, commanding her to live.
“How do you know that?” she whispered, uncertain if she wanted to know the answer.
“Only the constellations themselves could have pulled you back from the brink of total burnout like that.”
“But the constellations are gone—were gone,” she stammered. “How can I hear them? Where have they been since the Shattering?”
“You are Starborne. Chosen by not just one, but two of the Constellations. You are not like most. The Stars chose you for a reason. And now, you can hear them.”
“Why?” she yelled. Her entire body was shaking. Her hands gripped the sheets so tightly her knuckles were white. A flutter of her bonds awakened, quickening inside her with the shift of her emotions, but swiftly dimmed from fatigue.
Astraia glared at Draven. “Why now? Where have they been, Draven? Where were they five years ago when my entire world burned to ash from the cursetheygave me?”
She was crying.
She had not meant to cry, but the overwhelming sense of betrayal and pure exhaustion was too unbearable. Her vision blurred from the tears, but she could not stop them.
A rough, warm hand closed around hers, gently coaxing her fingers to relax.
“Traia, breathe.” His voice was low, calm, caring even.
She blinked several times and stared at Draven, focusing on her breath—in for three seconds, out for three seconds.
Draven took deep breaths with her until she was no longer clenching the sheets and her vision cleared from crying. He continued to hold her hand, willing her to relax further.
“I do not know why they have chosen to speak now. If I knew the Stars’ intentions, believe me, I would be leagues away from here. All I do know is that you bested a steward of Dominion, a feat most warriors could not achieve. And you did not burn out while flaring two bonds, which no average Starborne could possibly have survived.”
He narrowed his eyes at her, fierce determination in his gaze as he spoke. “You are meant for more. You are meant for the Constellations’ purpose.”
He relaxed his hand, pulling it away, and ran his fingers through his hair as he stood. “I am going to go check on the horses. There’s a washroom through that door. I’ll send some food up for you. You should eat.”
He grabbed his cloak from the back of his chair and made for the door.
“Draven.” Astraia shifted in the bed, wiping the remaining tears from her face. “Thank you.”
He simply nodded and closed the door behind him.
Astraia’s body was pathetically weak as she made to stand from the bed, her legs threatening to give way. How she was supposed to ride the remaining way to Volpes without falling off Orion, only the Stars knew.
The Stars… They were really alive.And they answer me.
She exhaled loudly, unsure how she should feel about this revelation.
A light knock on the door disrupted her thoughts. Shuffling slowly to the door, she opened it cautiously. A young girl stood with a platter of food in her hands.
“Hello. I was asked to bring you some food,” the girl said, smiling at Astraia.
“Oh, yes, thank you.” Opening the door wider, Astraia let the girl bring in the tray and thanked her again as she left. She hungrily devoured the soup and bread and decided a scalding bath was the best way to clear her head and wake up her body.
She gathered, based on the sounds coming from downstairs, that they were at an inn. They must be close to the lavish city of Volpes because despite the modest furnishings of the room, the washroom had running water and a large tub.
