Page 155 of The Starlight Savior

It was jarring to see herself kneeling before the land, palms deep into the ground. Her whole body was lit up, white golden light glowing from every piece of skin revealed. Her eyes were wide open, no longer blue. Tendrils of magic were flowing through the ground, the river behind them illuminated, the roots moving past the borders and into the neighboring lands.

Soldiers were pushing through the swelling crowd towards Saige. But her friends would not let them through. Conor, Niana, Baron, and even Althea fought strongly, keeping everyone away. Sebastien’s wolf form, which was still a shock, bit down on limbs and swiped at swords. Hadeon continued to fight back, blood spitting from his mouth as his eyes focused on cutting Saige down.

As if reading her confused yet amazed face, Ameris explained. “It is amazing what the dead are capable of once we are deeply connected to our land. Opela is thrumming with magic. We just need to know where to find it. Now come here.”

Saige took a step forward, letting the queen’s hands rest on her shoulders.“My daughter made an awful mistake in tampering with ancient magic. Sydera’s blood allowed their desires to cloud their judgments. Our very souls may be built from it, but we aren’t immortal. Go correct the mistakes of your ancestors. Build a better world.”

Ameris’s glittering hands moved across Saige’s face in a gentle stroke, down the two locks of hair that framed her cheeks. Her skin tingled as her magic weaved with Saige’s. Her body surged with so much energy her limbs shook. Ameris said nothing as her hands rested at her side. She leaned in to brush her lips against her forehead.

With a small smile, the surrounding Starlight Islands faded before her. And the world descended into darkness.

Saige’s body jolted forward as she felt her magic and soul merge back into her physical form. Shapes broke through her blurred vision. Her body surged with power and control, no longer edging towards the burnout that she didn’t know threatened her moments ago.

Below her hands, she knew deep in her bones that Opela was healing. She just needed to give one more surge, one more push.

The final piece of herself.

She screamed as loud as she could, letting all of her energy out. Her body ached in the best way possible.

Finally, something broke through the surface. Her magic often felt like pricks of heat traveling across her skin. But Ameris’s power was entirely different. Her body recognized it didn’t belong to her, yet it welcomed it nonetheless. A sharp icy swell formed in her lungs as she exhaled a final breath, imagining the extension of her magic sweeping through the mist, flames and light diminishing the power that had destroyed so much.

Pain lurched through her.

Saige’s chest was splitting open with unexplainable and irresistible power. Her eyes were wide and burning, thousands of stars swarming around her, drifting through and around. The shadows and figures ducked down. As if it was possible to be struck by something so raw.

Except a single one.

Purple lightning licked at the warlock’s arms. Her mind felt too heavy to form words, thoughts, but she couldn’t stop staring at the storm magic dancing in the distance.

Her hand dislodged from the ground below, but the roots of magic didn’t dissipate. She stretched out her fingers, reaching for the only thing she saw. But before her mouth could form words, her body collapsed to the ground, and she was consumed by the warmth of her stars.

Chapter 60

Conor

Mortals stumbled back, shouting in surprise, as the ground shook below Conor’s feet. He didn’t falter at the sudden lurch of the battlefield, having worked far too long with wielders of all kinds. But such magic could’ve only come from one direction.

With a flick of his lightning, he battled towards Saige kneeling before the land. Her hands dug into hard dirt, her eyes white as snow. Baron had joined Niana’s side, swinging his sword at any being who got too close.

In the light of Eva’s betrayal, the need to protect her burrowed deep into his chest, fueling every step he took.

Saige was his.

His duty, his friend, his companion.

At all times, her safety and wellbeing was in the forefront of his mind. Every decision he made, he considered how she’d be impacted. Even if it nipped him in the arse.

The ground continued to shake. Her light increased with each breath. The impact of the wind and battle had ripped her cloak off, revealing the glowing veins of her arms and neck.

She had never shined so bright before. Her head was lifted to the sky, jaw tense and mouth slightly agape. The mess of her curls framed her face, trailing down her back. It was jarring to not be able to drown in the endless blue of her irises. She was completely encompassed by her magic.

Despite it all, she was beautiful. He wanted to kneel before her. Take her face in his hands and kiss her skin. Fuck the burn. Every moment he was allowed to trail his fingers over her skin was worth it.

“Stop her!” someone shouted.

Saige’s body jerked up as her neck contorted at a strange angle. From the corner of Conor’s eye, a figure came up behind him, face contorted into a snarl. Hadeon Brennus, the king’s nephew, was a whispered lore. The king was unable to bear heirs, but one wondered if the mortal kingdom would be passed down to his sister’s son. Clearly he had been hidden. Protected.

“Don’t touch her,” Conor shouted over the melody of battle. He held out his palm, flicking a wrist towards Hadeon, but he was quick. He dodged the strike of his lightning, swiping his sword. The blade nicked Conor’s wrist, drawing a thin line of blood. His magic barreled towards one of the northern wolves instead. Luckily, the shifting warlock leapt out of the way, the ground cracking beneath the brunt of his power.