His hand moves to the small of my back, pulling me closer as the rest of the world fades away. Before long, his magic stirs—a subtle drop in temperature, and mine answers in a ripple of air that swirls with growing humidity around us.
My fingers find the fabric of his cloak, clutching it tightly, as if I’m anchoring myself to him. Because that’s what Riven’s become throughout all of this—an anchor. One that holds me steady, even in stormy seas. It’s a love that doesn’t demand or rush, but that simplyexists,powerful and undeniable.
When we eventually break apart, he rests his forehead against mine, our breaths mingling in the cold.
“Sapphire,” he says, and my name on his lips is like a vow—a promise that he’ll support me, no matter what.
“Thank you,” I find myself saying. “For everything.”
With that, he stills, surprise crossing his eyes.
My stomach drops as realization crashes over me.
“You thanked me.” His eyes narrow in that calculating way of his, as if he’s already three steps ahead and weighing the consequences.
“I didn’t mean—” I start, but he cuts me off, holding up a hand.
“It doesn’t matter if you meant to or not.” His tone is serious, but there’s something beneath it—a glint of amusement. “Intent doesn’t factor into it. You said the words.”
I blink, unsure if I want to scream or groan. “So, what does that mean?” I ask. “Do I owe you now?”
His lips twitch, and I realize with growing horror that he’s fighting back a smirk. “You do.”
I gape at him. “You’re kidding.”
“Oh, I’m not.” The smirk finally breaks free, and the guardedness melts away, replaced with that infuriatingly cocky expression I’ve come to know all too well. “You thanked a fae, Sapphire. And now, you owe me. But don’t worry. I’m sure I can come up with something that’s… mutually beneficial.”
Heat rushes to my face, and now that the relief’s settling in, I glare at him. “You’re impossible,” I say, even though my heart’s already racing with anticipation about whatfavorshe might ask of me.
“And you’re predictable,” he shoots back. “But I’m going to wait until the time is right to tell you what the favor will be. It’ll be far more enjoyable that way. Plus, I think I’m going to like seeing you squirm.”
The tension between us crackles like the frost underfoot, but instead of feeling strained, it feels alive. Electric.
His grin turns wicked, and he steps back, his hand still holding mine. “Now, come on,” he says. “Let’s see what this Midnight Star of yours has in store for us.”
With that, we walk forward together, with Ghost trailing behind us.
My breath catches the moment we step into the clearing. Because in its center sits a pond unlike anything I’ve ever seen—a perfect mirror of the night sky, so pristine that it’s impossible to tell where the reflection ends and reality begins. Especially because the stars shimmer brighter here, creating twin constellations both in the sky above and the water below.
“It’s beautiful,” I say, immediately drawn to the pond’s edge.
Riven follows, joining me as I kneel beside the pond. He doesn’t speak right away, but I feel his eyes on me, watchful and calculating as I reach out to skim my fingers along the surface.
I close my eyes and reach out with my magic, trying to connect with the pond’s energy. The water responds, swirling gently around my fingers, but it feels… resistant. Like it’s holding something back.
Frustration prickles across my skin and into my bones.
This isn’t working.
“It’s not giving me anything,” I say, opening my eyes as I pull back my hand.
Riven leans closer, scanning the surface of the pond, as if he’ll be able to see something I didn’t. “Maybe it’s not the water we’re supposed to focus on,” he eventually says. “Maybe it’s the stars.”
I tilt my head back, looking at the endless expanse of night above. The stars are brilliant, their light piercing the cold darkness, but they give me nothing—no pull, no guidance. The song I felt earlier is still there, faint and elusive, but it refuses to sharpen into clarity.
“I don’t think they’re telling us anything, either.” I huff, lowering my gaze back to the water.
Riven exhales slowly, his frustration written in the tightness of his jaw. “Then what are we missing?” he asks.
