My fingers sifted through the contents, stumbling upon random items until I grabbed the three I wanted. When I pulled out Celeste’s portraits book she gave me and my parents’ journals, I nearly broke down into tears.
Opening the book of art, I flipped through the portraits, my heart beating slowly but fiercely in my chest. Mama. Celeste. Me. Me. Dad. Mama and Dad. Celeste and I. Me again. Mama in the apothecary with greenery surrounding her and the biggest smile on her face. Dad cooking and sticking his tongue out. All four of us.
We looked sohappy.
Closing the book, I picked up Dad’s journal, letting the pad of my finger glide across the deckled edges until I got to the last entry.
He, like Celeste, had written the day of his death.
I think we’ve failed Nova. Perhaps we’ve even pushed her into this. She becomes more of a shaytan every day, and I fear what that means for her future. When magic pours from the sky, what will come of the histories? Of the truth? I should tell her them. Not only to save her soul from the barbaric nature of the stars’ magic, but to explain my own stance. To be honest about what happened all those years ago. Maybe even to explain what lurks below. I think that I
The sentence ended abruptly, forcing me to imagine what he might have said next. What had he meant bythe truth?Itreminded me of what Dad had said to me that night. That there was so much he needed to tell me. Was this the same thing?
Sighing, I opened Mama’s, flicking to the last entry. Again, it was the night of their deaths. My family was nothing if not consistent with our love of writing things down.
Instead of her feelings or thoughts, the last entry was a letter. Not just any letter. One toAz.
Az,
You know, I had a bit of a suspicion about you. Maybe I didn’t outright guess you were from a core family, but my gut was telling me that something wasn’t right.
Sorry, no, that’s not what I meant. I could tell you weren’t in a good situation. But, I stand by what I’ve said. I know you’re a good person. And the way you look at my Nova…well, I don’t think even you understand it yet. Seeing as it’s the exact way Seamus looked at me when we were young, I have a feeling you aren’t going anywhere any time soon, regardless of this Talon boy.
With that being said, I’m going to ask you for a favor. A rather big one. I need you to fight against whatever has been taught to you in the name of cruelty and power. Nova isn’t a mistake. She’s one of the most extraordinary people to exist on all of Dajahim. Don’t let the world convince you otherwise. Don’t let them ruin your chances at the happiness I know you can find with my daughter. Don’t let your ancestors choose for you. Fight for something better. You’ll never regret it.
Love,
Octavia
As I lifted the journal, tears streaming down my face, a folded uppiece of parchment fell out. Sucking in desperate breaths, I set the journals down and opened what looked like a letter.
Octavia,
I hope the three of you are well. I know you probably don’t want it, but the attached bag has gold. Maybe you could spend it on a decent healer from the Star District for your husband. I can probably source a good connection for you if you’d like. Or you could fix that broken shed you mentioned in your last letter. Do whatever you’d like with it. Please. I was just going to waste it anyway.
How are you feeling after that cold? I can send a tonic if you need one. Or maybe I can mention it to your daughter? Let me know.
Also, yes, Nova is well. She recently ran her fastest course yet. She’s easily in the top half of our trainee class. Don’t worry about anything over here. We’ve got it handled.
All my best,
Az
Of course he was sweet and considerate with my mother. It was so very him to woo everyone in his presence—if he wanted to that was. No, that wasn’t fair. He did care about Mama. I knew that much.
Gently, I lifted the bound pages and kissed the leather spines of each, wishing I could hold my family one last time. My parents, that was.
I might still hold my sister. That was no longer an impossibility.
I just had to find her.
“Okay,” I said, pulling a deep breath down my throat before standing and pivoting their way. Neither had moved, both staring at me with half-lidded eyes and quivering lips. “Our first step has to be speaking with the commander. We need to know what Celeste’s mission was and why she hasn’t responded to your letters. From there, we need to get her back.Immediately.”
“Nova, I think we should talk first,” Az said, stepping my way.
“No.” I wasn’t ready. Probably because I knew I couldn’t blame him. Not when he’d agreed before we became…whatever we were. But I didn’t want to be rational or understanding. I wanted to be angry and determined and focused.
“Please?” He held out his hands, reaching for me as if he could will me to fall into his grasp.
