Page 12 of The Starlight Savior

Hadeon leaned back, pulling his arm from Saige’s chair. His long fingers splayed out across his chest, brows furrowing as he listened to Althea speak. “Careful there. For a second, I wondered if you were a magic sympathizer.” Hadeon smiled, but his eyes were hardened emeralds, the green of his irises darkening.

“Well I guess I’m just being practical,” Althea teased. “You can’t deny the way magic exists in our world. Whether we outlaw it or not, it is still what keeps us breathing.”

Normally, one wouldn’t speak this way. Conversations surrounding the kingdoms and their abilities were layered with fear, not with awe. Althea was not the average Brevillian though. She was a natural healer, which came with the consequence of curiosity, a thirst for knowledge. Sometimes it came with tiptoeing in conversations where not many ventured.

“And yet, mists travel across our land, devouring everything in sight,” Hadeon snapped. “All created by magic-wielders. The same selfish bastards who dismantled our wards. Enough of this.” Hadeon quickly stood, his chair scraping against the wooden flooring. He held out a hand towards Saige, his lips tugging into a dimpled grin.

Even with the booze numbing her veins, Saige could not smile back.

“Dance with me?”

She swallowed. Her body was heavy in the chair, either from the drink or the way Hadeon spoke. He knew Althea was no magic sympathizer, and yet he let the words hang in the air with Baron glaring between them. As if he wasn’t sure who to hold onto.

The boy she’d grown up admiring was funny and kind. His natural ability to make anyone feel welcome was what drew her to him. The soldier who stood in front of her was far from the Hadeon she’d dreamt of. He was hardened into something different. An echo of fear gripped her gut as she looked up at him.

Finally, she mustered a smile. “I’ll have to pass.”

Hadeon’s dimple disappeared as his lips fell into a frown.

Even though there was minimal risk, she couldn’t take his hand. Because taking it, letting his body be pressed close to her, was walking down a path that wouldn’t exist when the sun rose and her humming curse returned. She couldn’t imagine a soldier like him would choose her over Brevil.

“Maybe the next song,” Saige said quickly, hoping to smooth the lingering tension. “I-I’m feeling a bit ill.” She pointed to the now empty glass. She hadn’t noticed she drained it during Althea and Hadeon’s horrid conversation.

“Ah,” Hadeon said, his smile returning, “I’ll fetch you some water.”

“That’s okay! You dance. I’ll get it. A walk will do me good anyways.”

Baron rose from his own seat, clapping loudly. “Let’s find some nice ladies to dance the night away! I’d rather die than dance with my sister.” He looked towards Althea, noticing the scowl on her face. “No offense.”

“None taken.” Althea huffed.

The soldiers left to the dance floor nearby, a quick song picking up speed. Saige exhaled slowly as she and Althea were finally left alone.

“Now, why don’t you tell me what’s actually going on?” Althea’s eyes were wide and determined as she held Saige’s gaze, not allowing either to falter.

Chapter 6

“W-What are you talking about?” Saige grimaced at Althea’s curious stare, her smile lopsided. Warmth built in her belly as the liquor gripped her tightly. Her body teetered between distant fear and overwhelming bliss, unsure which one to hold onto.

“You’ve been acting weird all night. Your cheeks are red as a tomato, and you declined to dance with Hadeon, the very man you’ve crushed on since we were thirteen! Spill it.”

Saige sighed. If there was anyone in Opela who could see past Saige’s mask, it was Althea. No one else showed interest and patience the way her friend did. When they were children, Althea wasn’t satisfied with the minimal vague details of Saige’s life. She pried about everything: her parents, their occupations, favorite foods and colors, which card game she preferred, what God Saige worshiped.

“Saige?” Althea tapped her finger against the wooden table.

“Lizabeth fired me.”

Althea gasped, hands flying to her face. “That wench!”

“Althea!” Saige hissed, but she was already laughing, a guttural sound coming deep from her belly.

“Oh it’s true. That whole family is spoiled and simply ungrateful! You know, one time their son needed some healing? A simple tonic that I could brew up in minutes. They refused because I wasn’t trained in Yethor! They made a healer come all the way from the harbor to tend to them. It was blasphemous.”

“Gods.” Saige put her face in her hands. “They really are the worst.” She couldn’t believe she worked for them for so many years, only to be tossed aside like rubbish.

Althea placed her hand on Saige’s arm. “What happened then?” she murmured. The humor and laughter dissolved between them.

Saige’s voice was thick as she explained everything she told Judith, including her caregiver’s expectations for her to wed. It was strange saying it all aloud. Somehow it made it so much more real. Tomorrow the sun would rise, and she’d have nothing to awaken for.