Seren hones in on the blade, bending down at different angles to see the runes, her honey-brown eyes noticing everything. She is whispering to herself, brow furrowed in confusion or concentration, I’m not sure.
“What do you see, Little Star?” I prompt.
“I... know what these runes say,” she says, confused.
“Have you read about them?”
“No. I just... feel it... like before.” Seren looks unsettled by this knowledge she holds without understanding how. Her bottom lip begins to tremble, and she looks up at me, fear in her eyes, “What am I?Whoam I? Mavyrn told me I didn’t yet know who I was.”
She’s unraveling, losing her grip on reality. On herself. I squeeze her arms gently. “Breathe, Little Star,” I soothe.
“How do I knowthis? What is wrong with me? What?—”
“Mavyrn is a crazy old bat, little one. She’s full of shit. Tell us what you know,” Therion cuts in. For once, I agree with him.
“Exactly. Now, what do you know?” I keep my tone gentle.
Seren’s brow furrows as her hand rests against the blade. Her lips move silently, as though reciting words only she can hear. When she speaks, her voice is low, distant. “These runes—they’re more than words. They’re stories. Memories. A history that’s...forgotten.” She hesitates, then adds in a whisper, almost to herself, “But not to me.” She pauses for several heartbeats before continuing, “They’re an... introduction of sorts.”
“An introduction? Of who?”
“Of the blade itself,” Seren says with trepidation, but she grabsthe hilt with conviction, moving it closer to her, and begins to read the runes.
“I am the Starforged Blade, born of fire and celestial song.
Bound to the one who wields both light and shadow,
I strike for balance, I sing for harmony.
In my edge lies the power to sever veils,
To unite what has been torn, and to awaken what lies dormant.
Only the worthy shall command the Stars.”
“Incredible,” Kael says, and I’m not sure if he’s talking about Seren, the blade or both, but, regardless, I agree. He reaches out to the blade, moving to pick it up, but as he gets nearer, it begins to wobble and shake, as if agitated or unsettled by him. He wraps his hand around the hilt, only to recoil instantly, a hiss escaping through his teeth. His palm is red and raw, as though burned.
“Fuck!” He hisses. “It doesn’t want me to touch it,” he mutters, his voice laced with both awe and confusion.
“It’s hers,” Seren says softly, her voice trembling but certain. Her gaze is fixed on me, wide with both fear and wonder. “The blade chose her.”
“And what about you? Why does it let you touch it?” Kael’s question is soft, no accusation in his tone.
“I have absolutely no idea,” Seren answers honestly. “It’s as if it recognizes me... it feelsfamiliar.”
“Well, that makes absolutely no fucking sense. But let’s be honest, it’s a celestial blade with personality preferences—that’s enough for me to steer clear,” Ronyn chimes in.
The room fills with laughter. I rearrange my daggers, making way for the Starforged Blade to sheathe at my thigh.
Kael slides his eyes up my body from the dagger, slow and unhurried, tracing the lines of my body with deliberate intensity.
I feel exposed under his gaze, his stare taking me aback and prickling my skin.
“Beautiful,” he whispers.
A flood of warmth spreads through me, and I can’t seem to look away from him.
Ronyn clears his throat, loudly, bless him. “On that note, I could use a drink, a bath and big fucking meal, anyone else?”
