Page 12 of Born of Starlight
But Firose had asked me to prepare to use the moonstone during our next meeting. I feared the look of disappointment in her eyes when she realized that I couldn’t.
* * *
I was sprawledacross a chaise on the balcony in the shade, deeply caught up in reading. I was engrossed in a text that hovered inches from my nose—a common sight at this time of day.
All the discussions of power transitions in the realm had sparked my reading selection. This volume detailed how the Great Wars had begun.
The Old World had been a united land, much like Henosis. Then, the Kingdoms of Phynx and Brennax slipped into a civil war that divided the lands into two opposing forces. Brennac rulers grew weary of the fast-rising civilization in Phynx and attempted a failed coup that turned the realm against them. Once Brennax fell, the Order was enacted—magic was no longer allowed in the realm.
The Order still held strong.
Reading about it made something churn in my stomach.
A dove on the balcony railing let out a jovial coo that startled me upright. The history volume fell to the ground next to me as I noticed a scroll attached to the dove’s delicate claw.
“What do you have there?”
It flapped its wings with excitement, feathers fluffed, as I approached. Carefully, I untied the rolled parchment from the bird’s leg.
“Thank you, off you go.” The dove flew up into the canopy of trees.
I unraveled the scroll—it had a faint scent of lilac. That sweet floral smell was a welcome contrast to the herbs and leather of the foyer as I stepped inside.
Dearest Lady Asterie,
Accept my apologies that this note is brief and comes by dove instead of hawk. I didn’t want to draw attention, and this seemed a fitter way to honor your request for secrecy. I have only told the most trustworthy member of my court about the contents of your letter. He will arrive soon to escort you on your journey. Pack only essentials—and do arm yourself.
Your escort carries with him a request I cannot put in writing for the risk that it will fall into the wrong hands.
I look forward to the honor of meeting you,
Queen Sybilla
P.S. I wish I could say differently, but I believe your words. I know it to be true.
My mind raced as I re-read the Queen’s penned words silently no fewer than ten times.
A request. “Pack only essentials.”
And then, more cryptically,“I know it to be true.”
Was the young Queen an Oracle?It couldn’t be. My kind had become so rare after the Great Wars—it was one reason Firose insisted that I stay in the towers unless as a last resort.
But this was a last resort, wasn’t it? What good would I be in this tower if the realm crumbled?
“Pack,”I repeated.Then, finally, the reality of my actions took hold.
I was leaving the tower. I would pack andleave the tower.
The world outside didn’t frighten me. I’d read countless books and learned everything possible about the dangers out there.But that was all hypothetical. It felt wrong to be excited at such a time—so much was at risk. But my mind wandered to what the city of Luz would be like, to its people, to its palace. My duty was to the Order. And,Peace Prevail, I’d serve the realm to my dying breath. But at least I’d get to see a sliver of the realm I’d served first.
The voice of the prophecy echoed through my mind.“You will not survive this war.”
Already contemplating which weapons to bring, I held the Queen’s letter between my palms. Blue flames formed there and seared the scroll to ash.
* * *
The Queen wastrue to her word. That afternoon, hoofbeats confirmed that a traveler approached. An enormous figure rode a large black horse with feathered legs into the clearing, ponying a smaller red horse behind him.Did they expect me to ride that?
