“What I feel for you is real.”
Iyana’s insides lightened. A small voice told her he might simply be telling her what she wanted to hear in order to keep her complacent, but her heart ached for him. His expression made her want to believe he was telling the truth. But then she plummeted back to the earth as another thought occurred to her. One that had haunted her for weeks.
“This can’t last though,” she whispered. “You’re immortal, and I’m still a mere human. Imagine the scandal it would cause when I’m old and wrinkled, and you still look like this.” Iyana attempted a laugh, but it died in her throat. Altair’s expression never changed. He stroked her lower lip with his thumb.
“If it were up to me, Iyana, I’d stay with you forever. You’re my astalle.” She heard what he wasn’t saying.
“But I’m mortal.” Her heart sank. She always knew it was going to be temporary, but she’d allowed herself to hope.
“Astalle, no,” he said, turning her face towards him. She dropped hergaze. “Look at me.”
Iyana didn’t want to. She didn’t know if she could watch his mouth form the words that would break them apart.
“Look at me,” he growled. Tentatively, she peered into his eyes. “I would love you forever, wrinkles and all. And when you die and Altea takes you into her arms, welcoming you to the Everlands, I would follow right behind. There’s nowhere you could go that I wouldn’t follow. If my sins sent me to the nine hells, I would battle my way back to you for an eternity. I would battle Phaedros himself to free myself of his pit, and I need you to believe me. Please trust me, even if it’s only this vow—death would never be a barrier for us. But that may not be necessary.”
His declaration stunned Iyana. Nobody before had loved her so intensely. She almost missed his last sentence.
“Wait. What may not be necessary?”
Altair turned again to the horizon, where the sun setting.
“Altair?”
He sighed. “I found some interesting things of my own in Elena’s library, and I think I understand what Uther wants me for.”
Iyana’s interest was fully piqued. “Well, don’t leave me in suspense.”
“On the night of the winter solstice, there’s a spell that can be performed. If a star and human exchange blood exactly at midnight, then the star shares their immortality. The human would then no longer age, nor die of disease. Of course, they could still be killed, like a star can, but it would be more difficult, and their healing would be quicker. Uther wants to be immortal.”
“Then we can’t let him have you.” She placed a gentle palm against his cheek, and he leaned into her touch. “How does that work exactly? This could happen on accident if there was a battle or if a human ambushed a star to make themselves immortal. How are there not a bunch of immortal humans from the time of the stars?”
“There were probably a few, but in order for the blood to be exchanged, it must be ingested.”
“So…”
Altair nodded. “They must drink of each other’s blood. The ritual then ties the star’s life to the human’s. Were one to die, so would the other. Which I’m sure was adeterrent for many.”
Iyana scrunched her face.Gross.Something dawned on her. “You want me to do this.” Altair said nothing. “You want to make me immortal?”
“It’s the only way,” he murmured.
“The winter solstice is only one moon away.”
“I would need your decision before then.” He stroked a finger down her face, but she pulled away from him.
“Altair, that’s a big decision with not a lot of time. Besides, I’m kind of busy with trying to save all of Arinem; there’s not exactly going to be a lot of opportunities to think about it. Can’t it wait? There will be another winter solstice next year.”
He rested his brow against hers and sighed. “You’re right, my star. With all the dangers you’re bound to face, I only want you to be as safe as possible. It would be easier if you were immortal. I wouldn’t worry so much, and I want our forever to start now.”
Iyana’s face softened. She brushed back Altair’s bright blonde hair. “I understand. I’ll think about it.”
“Thank you,” he whispered. Iyana wanted to touch and kiss him, but she also knew they needed to have another serious conversation. So she slid off his lap to sit next to him. It was difficult to concentrate on anything other than him while their bodies were connected. A flash of hurt passed over Altair’s face, but he schooled his expression quickly.
“Altair…” she started, but then the words died in her mouth. She sighed. “I need to know the truth. Emmeric and the others brought up excellent points, and it would make sense for you to want revenge against humans.”
The setting sun created a glowing corona around the star. He really was beautiful. Iyana recognized that was part of his danger.
“Everything I said was true. Yes, I wanted revenge at first, but I’ve been stuck in the sky orbiting without direction for hundreds of years. I simply wanted to be back here, even if it meant I was the only one of my kind in Arinem. I never meant to get caught up in this business with Uther, and there would be nothing the other stars could do about it. Without you, none of the others would fall, and I was content to let your magic stay buried. Now I’m invested in you and your survival, sohere I am.”
