Page 141 of The Starlight Savior

Before Saige could respond, she jumped at the sound of footsteps crunching in the grass. She tumbled into the kitchen, peering through the dusty windows. Althea and Baron crested the hill behind Moore Manor, the twilight sky lighting up in the distance. Baron was clean cut in his uniform, hair cropped to the scalp. New pins adorned his chest. A sword and a pair of daggers were looped through his belt. Althea had not returned empty handed either and had a lumpy leather knapsack on her back. They spoke quickly as they ran, Baron’s brows furrowed.

Saige emerged into the garden, squinting against the lowering sun. Once Baron saw her, his pace quickened until she was folded tightly in his arms. Unlike Althea, he reserved affection for the rarest of moments. But her body eased into the feeling of his hands tightening on her back.

“You’re alive,” he murmured against her shoulder.

Saige barked out a dry laugh. “In the flesh.”

Althea emerged beside them, a small smile on her lips. It was becoming easier to breathe with them by her side. The walls that once kept Saige small had dissipated, her confidence rising with control under her skin.

Who knew such a thing would make it easier to accept this love and support with open arms?

“Come on,” Althea said, “let us say our goodbyes.”

Judith was already waiting in the kitchen as they strolled in. She gave Baron a quick hug before returning to the middle of the room, hands shaking.

Saige halted as she approached. The skin on her neck rose as a breeze drifted through the air, despite the backdoor being closed. The broken pane was covered with a plank of wood. It lifted up her hair, bringing forth a familiar smell. Dust danced in the air in front of them.

“What is it?” Baron asked, worry in his voice.

Saige looked around the kitchen, trailing past the hallway, and into the sitting room. “Something’s different…” Outstretching her hand, she drifted her fingers through the dust floating around them. “I-I think someone was here.”

“I guess our goodbye will be a lot quicker.” Althea laughed nervously. She pulled Judith into a hug. “Be safe, my friend. Go into the cellar.” She turned to Saige. “The cellar seems to have extra precautions. Once the door is closed, it can’t be opened from the outside. She’ll be safe.”

Saige nodded anxiously before stepping forward. She couldn’t shake the feeling of eyes on her, but she tried to smother her nervousness and stepped into Judith’s arms. Her body felt so small and frail in her grasp, as if she’d crumble underneath her fingertips.

Judith pulled away, swiping at stray tears. “I’m so proud of you. I know things have always been so difficult for you. But I will never regret being by your side through it all. Whatever you need to do, you must find your peace. Your joy. You deserve it.” Her lips trailed against Saige’s cheek.

“Thank you,” she said, choking on her words, “for becoming my mother.” She pulled her back in for a hug, gripping her tightly. This made up for all the times Saige was denied touch and warmth. She relished in it, allowing herself to finally bask in it.

Eventually, Judith pulled back. “Go,” she said, waving them off, “or you’ll break an old woman’s heart. May Terrus guide your paths.”

Saige couldn’t look back as they walked into the night, knapsacks and weapons hanging tightly against their bodies. Her shoulders fell forward with every step she took, farther from Judith and the manor. It felt more than wrong leaving her behind. But she had no other choice. She had to keep reminding herself of that. When all of this was over, she’d return for Judith. She couldn’t allow herself to be separated from the people she loved again.

The three of them were silent as they walked on. It was too risky to speak when soldiers could be patrolling. Saige led them from Denholm, away from the Redolf Mountains, wondering if she’d be able to find the portal again. But then the scraggly building came into sight, sitting peacefully on its own hill.

“There it is.”

“The portal?” Baron asked.

Althea had whispered bits and pieces to Baron, updating him on what to expect. He had asked no questions, nodding along to each word his sister uttered.

“Just in the cellar.”

The abandoned cottage’s door was open, not even a speck of dust out of place. Baron and Althea wasted no time in descending the stairs, Saige close on their heels. As she reached the last step, her hand shot to the back of her neck. The drift of air and crackling energy sent a buzz against her skin.

“Saige?” Althea hissed, “come on, we have to hurry.”

Saige shook the feeling off, stumbling in front of the mirror.

“How does this work?”

“Ah, well”—Saige winced—“it’s a bit of an out of body experience, going through. I have to open the portal with—uh—blood magic.”

“Blood magic?” Baron scrunched his nose.

Saige explained the process of opening a portal as best as she could, but the confused expressions on the twin’s faces deepened with each word. Magic was barely a concept she could grasp in her head. It made sense, what she could do, but the external workings of Opela still felt so foreign. “The mirrors were gifts from the deities. Only the strongest of bloodlines can use them.”

Althea waggled her eyebrows. “And Saige has very strong blood.”