Page 103 of The Starlight Savior

She had never been anywhere else in her kingdom, but she believed deep in her heart that Oswan was the most beautiful place she had ever seen. The tall mountains could be spotted in any part of town, protective giants shielding them from harm. Sometimes she dreamt of climbing those very mountains, waving to all her friends and mother and father from above. Right behind their home, a stream rushed alongside. She ran past her mother’s bustling gardens. A family of bunnies ran past her, hiding in the nearest bush. She loved to play alongside the stream. The mud closest to the edge was the gooiest, squishing through her fingers. Even if her mother always made her spend an extra chunk of time scrubbing the dirt from her fingers.

She danced alongside the rocks jutting from the edge of the stream and through it. She sang a hymn she’d heard at school. Her mother and father didn’t go to the temples like her friend’s family, but she liked the simple songs about Terrus. One foot over the other, she stared up at the stars above. Some said Terrus lived in the stars. Some said he lived in the earth. She preferred the stars. They shined so bright. Her father would point out the different shapes they made. A sword, a bird, a scatter of lines that her father said would always protect her if she could find it.

Saige leapt to the next rock, but her eyes still trailed above. The sole of her boot hit the wet moss, her ankle slipping out from under her. She threw her hands out, reaching for the edge of the stream.

Crack. Sharp pain spread through her arm as she landed hard. A broken scream escaped her lips, echoing in the night. Tears streamed down her face. Her eyes squeezed shut, her arm cradled against her chest. She felt something wet against her wrist.

“M-Mama!” she screamed, “P-Papa!” Her head flew from side to side. The path from their home to the stream was empty. She was alone out here.

She sobbed into the empty air. Her mother was going to be so angry. She wasn’t supposed to be out here alone. And now look what happened! Look what she did! She rocked her arm back and forth, waiting for someone to realize she had slipped out the door. A bright light flooded the back of her eyelids. Her eyes flew open, but she saw nothing but white. Was it her mother and father? Lanterns swinging in their hands?

She tried to get up, but her head spun and her boots slipped against the mud. Bloody Terrus! The tears kept coming, and now she was stuck out here. “Papa!” she screamed again, hoping he’d hear her. But no one came.

She didn’t know how long she sat there, light burning and singing Terrus’s hymn quietly under her breath. Her arm had stopped bleeding, but the blood stained her dress. Her wrist ached, but she could move it.

“Saige!”

“Papa!” she screamed. Her father’s voice was coming closer. She used her left hand to push herself up, but it was still too slippery.

“Oh Gods, Oscar!” her mother cried. “What happened to her?”

“Mama?” she whimpered, not understanding what she was speaking of.

Arms were suddenly under her body, swooping her into the air. The familiar smell of smoke and soot filled her nose. Her father! Her father was here, and she was okay. But why couldn’t she see? Why was it still so bright?

“Why can’t I see?” she murmured against his chest, breath coming in quick sobs.

“It’s okay, my girl. Just try to breathe. Try to calm down.”

“Oscar, why is she glowing like that?” her mother asked with a shaky voice.

“It’s too early,” her father said, “but it must be strong.”

Her mother was suddenly close to them, the smell of the simmering stew reminding Saige of what was waiting for her at home.

“Magic?” her mother asked. “I thought we had more time.”

Her nose scrunched. Magic? The nice ladies at the temple always spoke of how magic was dangerous. If they saw anything that seemed scary, they were supposed to tell someone right away.

“Look at her glow,” her father cooed, a laugh vibrating her body. “I’ve never seen such a thing. Bright as her soul.”

“This is not time to admire!” her mother snapped. “We must protect her. You must do something.”

“P-Papa,” Saige murmured into his chest. Her body was beginning to feel heavy. Her wrist, dried with blood, ached against her chest. The light was dim, but too bright for Saige’s tired eyes. She could barely make out the shadows of her parents’ bodies surrounding her. Her mother put her cloak around Saige. The sound of the fire crackling filled her ears, cooked herbs tickling her nose. But her father didn’t return her to the main space. Her back rested against the softness of her parents’ bed. Her eyelids burned at every attempt to open them.

“What are you doing?” her mother demanded. Metal clattered against the floor.

“Silencing her magic,” her father said softly. “I need more time. We all need more time.”

Something wet slid across Saige’s forehead. A calloused finger moved in a circular motion, up and down, just like her finger paintings. The brightness surrounding them dimmed, like a candle burning through its wax. When she opened them, her father loomed over her. Something red dripped from his fingertips. When their eyes met, he spoke melodically.

“You will not remember—”

Saige’s eyes flew open. “F-Father,” she said, surprised to see the twin of her own gaze peering down. Icy blue, gray rimming the edges. But it was not her father looking at her, compelling her to forget the moment her magic had come forth. It was Eva.

Her father was dead, leaving a pit of anger burning in her belly.

“W-What happened?” Resting her hands on the bed, she attempted to sit up. Bandages were wrapped around her arms. Her stomach screamed in pain, skin tugging against a wound she didn’t know existed. She was back in her quarters, and Eva sat in a chair beside her bed.