Page 125 of The Starlight Savior

“That could work,” the queen said, clutching the king’s arm.

“Since you have so many suggestions, where would you release this entity of a cure?” The king cocked his head.

“Why not where Tiranos broke down the wards?” Saige’s voice was cool, but her foot tapped under the table.

“Which is where?” Carlena sneered, testing her.

“I don’t know.” She spoke honestly. “The geography of Opela wasn’t something deemed important in the mortal lands, considering we do minimal traveling.”

Carlena snorted. “And yet you’ve been allowed to join us.”

“Which is exactly why I demanded to,” Saige bit back, hardening her gaze towards the cruel witch that knew nothing of her. “My apologies that I didn’t have tutors in manors or maesters to provide magic lessons. If you aren’t aware yet, my mother and father were executed when I was barely a girl. I had nothing, and now suddenly I have everything. I’d like to think it can be excused circumstantially.” She was becoming exhausted by how they viewed her here.

Carlena said nothing, but the smirk was wiped off her face.

“King Tyrus broke the wards using ancient magic. Sydera’s magic,” Saige declared, deciding to reveal a glimpse of what she truly knew.

King Vospella’s only show of surprise was a cock to his head. “And how do you know this?”

“I’ve been studying,” Saige said sweetly, glancing at her aunt. Eva’s reassuring smile was an anchor among the suspicious stares. “Is there a midpoint we could target? Where the river touches all four kingdoms?”

Dotted lines echoed the edges of each kingdom, the four quadrants of Opela. Sydera had given a piece of land to each of the deities, yet Mara’s hunger for more probed the creation of the divine wards.

“That can’t be possible,” the king explained. “Where the river branches towards Nasala is in Brevil or Silva’s Forest. We’ll have to do with where Tiranos originally broke down the wards. I’m sure it will be adequate considering Nasala will be the final place the mist will consume.”

“Here.” Saige pointed to where Tiranos bordered Etrane and Brevil. The red ink was incredibly close to the spot, but not fully consumed. One of the handmaids looked over her map, marking it with black ink. She followed along the table, pointing to where Saige had deemed the midpoint.

General Zathos nodded in agreement. “We’ll have to scout it out first. Assess whether it is safe. I imagine the mist will begin to infiltrate that part of Brevil soon, so we may be working against the seasons.”

“I understand,” Saige said. “I know what I have agreed to.” King Vospella’s mark seared against her arm. Most days Saige tried to ignore the blood bond, hiding it with long sleeves and the protective layer of her cloak.

“Maester Tobin reports you’ve exhibited difficulties wielding water.” King Vospella turned his gaze to her. “You expect to wield a whole river?”

“I don’t need to wield the river.” Saige leaned forward, making eye contact with each council member. Hearing her suggestions taken into consideration, she felt confidence flowing through her. Her heart surged as she felt the now familiar glow of her magic. “All I need is my power. And I’ll make sure I have enough of it.”

Chapter 46

The council meeting ignited a fire in Saige that she hadn’t even realized was extinguished. Instead of specifically harnessing the elements, her focus was to create something tangible. A visible entity that could push back against the mist. Each day she trudged through the forest, she became more accustomed to her surroundings. The image of Opela’s map stuck to her eyelids. She was determined to be greater and bigger than anything Etrane expected of her.

Walking towards the meadow, she lifted a palm to the sky. But before she could feel the rush of drawing upon the stars, a twig cracked behind her.

She whirled around, palms outstretched. A flash of golden white caught her eye, even with the snowy backdrop of the castle foliage. Niana came running along the path, arms open wide. Before she could greet her, Saige was wrapped into a tight hug.

“There you are!” Hands resting on Saige’s shoulder, she inspected her at arm’s length. “Sydera’s witch! I can’t wait to hear everything.”

Saige laughed, shaking her head. “There’s not much to tell. It’s been quite boring with the castle so empty.”

“Better than being in Tiranos,” Niana sighed. “Come on, I need to send a raven to my sister. Then you can show me all your new tricks.”

Looping their arms, they walked back towards the stables. The icy air was cool against their rosy cheeks. Rabbits hobbled along the path, camouflaged with the snow. As the sound of flapping wings and scent of hay came closer, a figure stumbled into them.

“Oh!” cried Eva as she dropped a stack of letters. The parchment began to blotch from the damp snow.

Niana knelt to the ground, mumbling apologies as she gathered the letters. “So sorry! We didn’t even see you coming.”

“Oh don’t worry,” her aunt said before snatching the papers from Niana’s hand. She stuck them under her arm, looking between the two witches. “Just sending some letters! You girls have a good morning.”

Before either of them could respond, Eva was already walking quickly back to the castle, her tangled hair flowing in the wind. They stepped inside the stable, but Niana sighed before they even reached the caged birds.