Page 138 of The Starlight Savior

“Saige—”

“I came here to see my cousin and warn her. And that is what I’m going to do.” She turned to walk through the front gardens, avoiding Hadeon’s gaze, but she could feel him trailing closely behind.

“How do you even know about the mist? Our king says it’s far from Brevil. That it won’t cross our borders. Wherever you have been, you must come to the temple with me.” His hand stretched towards her wrist, tugging at her arm. “You know I don’t want to use force. I could never hurt you. Just as I know you’ve never meant to hurt anyone else.”

Saige tried to pull on her arm, ignoring Hadeon’s pleas, but his grip tightened. Beneath her cloak, she felt the heat of her veins glowing softly, but she urged it to retreat.

Not now, she told it, soon.

Hadeon pulled her arm hard, tugging her against his chest. “Fine, if you’re going to be difficult,” he barked into her ear. “Judith is dead, Saige.”

Her body went rigid against him. “No,” she said, “that can’t be true. I—” Her voice faltered.

Slowly looking up, she faced her old friend. Wrinkles were beginning to form around his eyes and forehead, accentuated by the worried furrow of his brow. She searched for the truth in his cold gaze. There had been so many lies recently she couldn’t bear to believe another.

Judith couldn’t be dead. She just couldn’t—

“She gave herself up. Claimed the storm-wielders had come to take her prisoner. Since she refused, she requested a pardon for her devotion to King Brennus.” Laughing bitterly, he tightened his grip on her arm. A jolt of pain traveled up her joints. “This house is now under protection of King Brennus and the Brevillian army. No one resides here. If you break into this house, you’ll be trespassing.”

“I-I don’t understand,” Saige said with a shake of her head. Her knees buckled, body swaying against Hadeon’s. His other arm wrapped around her back, holding her up tightly. Etrane had come and offered her sanctuary? Yet Judith had said no.

“I’m going to tell you nicely one more time.” Hadeon tugged her up, forcing her gaze to meet his. “You need to come down to the headquarters with me. General Kadence—”

“No!” Saige tugged back with all her strength. Hadeon’s grip faltered. She landed on her behind, her trembling hands unable to save her. Her throat constricted as tightness in her lungs spread. “I-I can’t. I won’t.”

With a hand on his hip, Hadeon pulled his sword from his scabbard. “I’ve been kind about this, Saige. I cared about you. But you’re a danger to our society. Magic should’ve stayed with the deities. Because of you, Judith is dead.”

The words were a stab to her chest, final and true.

Once she would’ve believed him, but now, she knew she was no such thing. The Brevillian kingdom had isolated themselves from the magic-wielders. It was why Judith was dead. It was not only her fault, for leaving in such a way, but the demonization of the wielders before her. Judith’s fear to accept sanctuary and help.

She rose to her feet, lifting her chin to stand as tall as possible. The anguish of losing Judith was heavy in her chest, but she didn’t let it take over. Not yet.

“I won’t be going anywhere with you. I’m leaving. I hope you can find safety from the mist.”

Hadeon cocked his head as he stepped forward. The tip of the sword dragged against the dirt. “I can’t let you do that.”

Lunging forward, he raised his sword. The tip dragged across Saige’s cheek. A thin line of blood trickled down her face. With a flash and raise of her hand, white flames swelled from the ground, surrounding her. Hadeon flinched back, eyes widening.

“I won’t hurt you,” Saige cried from behind the wall of starlight, “but I will defend myself if I must!”

His sword fell to the floor. Hadeon shook as he retreated slowly, never looking away. When his back hit the side of the house, the flames lowered to a mere dim. The moment Saige stepped forward, Hadeon lunged towards her, a pair of daggers showing in his hands.

“No!” Saige’s arms lifted without thought. Hadeon flew across the garden, slamming into the side of Judith’s cottage. A loud crack echoed between them. His head slumped forward. Saige cried out, running forward, but before she could reach him, the slam of a door startled Saige. One of the neighbors must’ve heard the commotion.

Saige took one last look at Hadeon, praying she hadn’t killed him, before she turned to run towards her never ending search for safety.

Chapter 52

Making her way along the outskirts of Denholm, Saige knew she couldn’t be anywhere close to Judith’s home or Hadeon’s crumpled body. She kept to the shadows, the echoes of distant shouts startling her with each step. But she continued moving forward. There was only one other place she could possibly find safety, even just temporarily.

The memory of Judith blazed to life. How could her friend not accept Etrane’s help? Judith had always been an honorable woman, but she was also wise. If she knew her safety was compromised, she should’ve sought sanctuary.

Part of her wondered why King Vospella didn’t tell Saige. Maybe he didn’t know.

Or maybe they knew the loss of Judith would crush her.

With each breath, Saige tried to push down the memories and swarming thoughts. If she allowed herself to fall into her grief, wallow in the sorrow and pain that always followed, the mist would take over, and it would all be for nothing.