Page 150 of The Starlight Savior

Two water-wielders stepped away from the army, joining the mortal king. Saige noted the way King Brennus’s jaw tensed at the idea of being so close to magic.

Myles’s hair was bundled at the top of his head, dangling aquamarines swaying in the night wind. He smiled at Saige and Conor, eyes lingering for a beat on Conor’s hand, possessively gripping her waist.

The woman beside Myles hadn’t aged a day. Pearls and blue crystals were weaved in her long golden hair with strands pulled back into intricate braids of endless waterfalls. Around her neck sat a pulsing amulet, a deep blue opal encased in intricate metal. It rested upon her armor, the light shimmering off the silver water-like carvings. Her hooded eyes narrowed upon them.

“I told you, little witch,” Myles taunted, “Queen Anya will not stop unless she collects what is due.”

A spark of lightning flickered off Conor’s skin as he outstretched his arm in front of Saige. She shook him off, leveling her gaze on the newly arrived army of water-wielders.

“Who in the Gods is that?” Baron choked. Heat reverberated off his body as he steadied himself, raising a sword in the air.

“Queen Anya of Tiranos,” Saige responded, a chill traveling down her spine. She had only heard of the queen from stories, but gazing upon her was something entirely different. This woman had murdered her family. Cut her siblings’ throats in cold blood, just to gain access to the throne.

Althea picked up her brother’s discarded daggers, her shoulder brushing Saige’s. She hoped her friend could use them properly, considering Althea never touched anything sharper than a needle.

“We have a surprise for you.” Myles held out his arm. Through the crowd, two wielders dragged in a woman. Her wrists were encased in water. Curtains of midnight hair covered the bruises blossoming across her skin. Her sharp blue eyes met Saige’s, widening upon the sight before her.

“Eva,” Conor called, “what are you—”

“The witch’s aunt struck a deal,” King Brennus interrupted, stepping beside Queen Anya. It was jarring to see the two kingdoms melting together, as if they weren’t just calling Saige magic-wielding swine. Her blood boiled at the hypocrisy.

“What is this?” Saige shouted, the light inside her sputtering with every shaken breath. Wind whipped at her hair, drying the tears threatening to spill upon her cheeks. “Eva!”

“I-I’m so sorry, Saige,” her aunt cried. A water-wielder pushed her to her knees. “This wasn’t how it was supposed to happen. You weren’t meant to leave Etrane. Not without—”

“What the fuck did you do?” Conor shouted, running towards Eva.

Before he could reach her trembling figure, the Tiranos queen held up a smooth palm. “I don’t think so,” she cooed. A wall of water was crafted in front of Conor, barring his way to Eva.

Saige grabbed hold of his wrist, tugging him back towards her. The water descended to the ground, seeping into the soldiers’ boots. Her thumb trailed across Conor’s skin, ignoring the jolt of pain his lightning brought forth.

Conor leveled his gaze on Anya. “Is this about territory? Resources? If you want land so bad, why not Brevil? Their borders sit wide and open. No wielders to stop you.”

“Silly boy,” King Brennus snarled, “we’ve forged a treaty. Tiranos promises protection from the aftermath of your petty wars. With marriage-sworn alliances, there will be no need for rations when the two of us rule trade routes and dominate land.”

“What happened to banning magic?” Saige cried, a hand flying to her chest. “I thought Terrus was coming to save you.”

“From the mist. But no deity would involve themselves in heedless wars. And unauthorized magic is still punishable by death. But in trying times, we must do what we can to keep ourselves alive. You know that feeling quite well, don’t you?”

“If this isn’t about land, then what is it?” Conor’s eyes trailed across the mortals and wielders standing before him. “Saige is the only one who can defeat the mist. Allow us to continue and move on with your treaty.”

Queen Anya stepped forward. Her gaze was like daggers drilling into Saige’s body, face smooth and impassive. She outstretched a hand towards Eva. “Give her to me.”

Her aunt’s body was thrown towards the queen. With her wrists bound, there was nothing to catch her from the barren dirt scratching her face and limbs. One hand gripped Eva’s shoulders tightly, the other tugging at her hair.

“Shall I share the conditions of your trade, or do you wish to hear it from your blood?”

“Trade?” Saige whispered. A hollow feeling spread through her chest as she watched her aunt’s body rise and fall, broken sobs retching through her.

Eva’s words were choked. “She promised me Oscar.”

“But he’s dead,” Saige seethed. “I watched as his head was hacked from his body. I felt his blood upon my skin as it seeped into the floorboards. I saw life leave his eyes.”

“Tiranos has many secrets, little witch,” Myles said. “Our land is closest to the veil.”

“What did you promise her?” Saige demanded, ignoring the twirl of Myles’s dagger.

“You,” Queen Anya said, the only smile seen on her too perfect face.