“Does your father wear it all the time?” Altair asked.
“Not all the time,” Zane said. “Only to important meetings or… Fuck.”
Altair’s brow furrowed, and he chewed on his lower lip.
“Anyone care to let the rest of the class in on this possibly life-changing news?” Talon asked.
“This clasp then,” Emmeric said, “is the astmina?” He connected with her gaze, his blue eyes worried, and then a flood of warmth and relief spread through her chest. That sealed it, then. Once was a fluke, but twice? Emmeric was helping calm her down through their bond. Iyana thought back to their argument in the woods, and the sudden hurt and anger filling her that she did not recognize as her own. Were these Emmeric’s emotions? Was the bond strengthening, or was this always something it was capable of? Regardless of their fight and current feelings towards each other, it was something she needed to be aware of, and so she made a note to ask him about it when they had a moment.
“I believe it is,” Altair said.
“What is an astmina?” Iyana asked.
“Astminatranslates directly to ‘star core.’ It’s the heart of a star. An actual, literal heart wrenched out from one of my people and smelted down intojewelry.” Altair’s lips pulled into a sneer. “That bastard is using it to hide his movements from us.”
Air curled around Altair, swirling faster and faster, until, with an anguished yell towards the glass ceiling, the wind whipped outward with a gale force. Everyone stumbled several steps back, and they leaned forward against the squall, attempting to shield their faces from the broken pieces of glass and wood flying. The owls in their roosts hooted in alarm and flew to a more sheltered area of the library. Creaking and groaning of wood alerted Iyana that the bookcases were seconds away from toppling over, spilling all those precious tomes.
“Altair!” she yelled. His head was raised toward the ceiling, neck muscles straining, his arms stiff at his side, hands clenched into tight fists. He appeared to be in pain. And he couldn’t hear her. “Altair!”
Harnessing her own magic, she silently thanked the gods that air was one of her better elements. Iyana created a shield of her own wind and forged forward, determined to get to Altair before he destroyed the entire library. She had to force herself through a thick barrier surrounding the star where the winds were the strongest, but once she was past, she stumbled with the sudden lack of wind. She’d made it to the eye of the storm. It was eerily silent.
Iyana reached for Altair’s straining face, smoothing her thumbs over his cheeks. “Altair, my love,” she said. “Come back. Come back to me.”
His taut body relaxed ever so slightly, face slackening, urging Iyana forward. “Altair, I’m here. I’ll be here for you always. Your astalle.” The wind died down on the edges of Altair’s storm, and she saw her friends gaining their feet out of the corner of her vision. “Please, my love,” she whispered, closing her eyes.
Then Altair’s warm thumb traced her lower lip. As she glanced up at him, the first thing she saw were his eyes—the brightest gold they had ever appeared. The wind had stopped completely, but there was no physical way she could turn away to survey the damage. His brilliant, shining gaze full of adoration had entranced her, and she was his. Only his.
“Come,” he murmured, grabbing her hand and leading her to a secluded room where he closed the door behind them. The room appeared to be a sitting or meeting area with scattered chairs, tables, and even a couch covered with a drop cloth to protect it from dust. Without warning, Altair slammed Iyana against the wall and crowded into her space. She gasped and was about to admonish him for the amount of force he used, but then noticed the intensity with which he was looking at her.
“What?” she asked.
“You called me ‘my love.’”
Had she? Butterflies filled her stomach. Altair edged closer, wedging his knee between her legs—a hint of pressure at her core.
“I—I was trying to get your attention.”
Altair huffed a laugh. “Well, you have it. You not only named me as your love, you named yourself as my astalle.” His eyes dipped to her lips. “I understand it means nothing to you, but it iseverythingto me.”
Her breathing quickened as Altair rested his brow against hers. He took one of her hands and placed it on his chest. His heart was beating out of control.
“You make me crazy, astalle. Ever since I fell to the earth and saw your glee in looking towards the night sky. I see how fiercely you protect those you claim as yours, and how much compassion you hold for strangers. You are unafraid to reprimand me for some perceived slight, or throw me a rude gesture. You’ve never once judged me for my weaknesses, instead making me feel wanted despite and because of them. Ever since you let me kiss you that first time, you have been my astalle. Mystarheart. Iyana, I…”
She held her breath.
“Iyana, I love you. I think I’ve loved you since we lay on the desert floor together, watching the stars spin above us. The vast majesty of the night sky surrounded us, and all I could see was you.”
Her brain ceased to function, the extra energy being funneled to her heart beating faster, and her stomach tying itself in knots. Altair loved her. He lovedher. A nobody from a little village hardly anyone knew existed. This gorgeous star who could have his pick of anyone he wanted loved her. It was outlandish. Unbelievable.
“Please say something,” he whispered, his forehead still resting on hers.
“I love you too,” she blurted. Her eyes widened. Iyana hadn’t meant to say that. Especially in such a blunt, unromantic way. But Altair didn’t seem to mind because he was looking at her like she was the center of his universe.
Then he was kissing her, showing her how much love he had to give.
Chapter 39
Emmeric
