Page 163 of The Starlight Savior

“Stop,” he murmured, “your emotions are so strong right now. I can see…” He licked his lips. “Nothing bad happened. I promise. Give me a moment to speak before you give yourself a heart attack.” He laughed softly, but she knew there was nothing funny in his words. She needed to recover, but she couldn’t do such a thing with the past, present, and future so unknown.

“The one thing that saved you from Tiranos’s grasp was the blood bond. They didn’t know whether you’d be going against your agreement with Vospella if you were dragged to the water kingdom. For all they know, you would’ve died.” His hand rested on her right arm, where the ink remained. “I hated that you had done this. Agreed to something that could bind you to anyone but…” He laughed softly. “But this is what saved you. If you would’ve done anything against the interest and wellbeing of Etrane, it would’ve killed you. And seeing it intact was the only thing that convinced my father that you were worthy enough to keep living freely in Etrane.”

The numbness in Saige’s mouth was beginning to dissipate. Her jaw ached as it unlocked, and she moved her tongue. “B-Brevil—”

Conor smiled at the improvement but squeezed her hand in a reminder to relax. “It was not ideal, but I had to speak for you myself. I demanded a pardon from the mortal general and my father. It took time, but they granted it.” Conor explained that she could never set foot in Brevil again unless invited. “If they see anyone who even remotely looks like you, they’ve been given permission to execute on sight.” His face was pale, as if he had weighed over the very thought for days.

Another squeeze of his hand. Keep going, she urged. She needed to know the rest.

“Eva…” Shadows passed over Conor’s eyes. “We searched her room. She had been corresponding with Tiranos for many moons through letters. With plans to…trade you for your father’s life.”

The weight of his words burrowed into her chest as her heart skipped a beat, even though her aunt had already confessed her sins.

When Eva had been brought to her knees, blade across her throat, there had been no time for Saige to mourn the loss of the only other living Nerestel. But stuck in her bed, the mere memories of her aunt flooded her brain. The first moment they met. Suppers in the dining hall. Her thumb traveling across the divot between her brows, just as her father did.

How could her aunt have done such a thing?

“Originally, they wished for Lyla,” Conor said. “In exchange for a starlight-wielder, Tiranos would bring Oscar back from the dead. Eva gave your name to Tobin, brought you to Etrane, but she had no intention in letting you stay here. She planned to flee with you to Tiranos with hopes of reuniting the three of you.” A vein bulged in Conor’s neck as he clenched his jaw. “I can only assume they wished to use your magic to their advantage, in any way they could. Push back the mist. Ensure no wards are risen. Continue the war against the kingdoms.”

Closing her eyes, she took a shaky breath in. She began to see the unstable distance between her and Eva in a different light. Tears burned behind her eyelids. Waves of conflicting emotions rocked against her body. She was grateful to be here. Proud that she was able to push back the mist. Yet the loss of Eva ripped a hole in her heart. She couldn’t imagine what life would’ve been like if she was forced to Tiranos. What would’ve been done to her. Her vision turned red. She imagined the blood seeping into the ground on the starlight islands, pooled into vials for one’s gain. Of Eva’s wounds exposed before her.

And now her aunt would be known as a traitor. A villain against the kingdom.

Yet weaved into her memories, she viewed her not as the enemy, but a damaged woman worn down by years of pain. She felt that very feeling pulsing inside her.

“You’re safe.” Conor squeezed her hand again. “And your friends are too. But I believe their story is something they should tell. Once you’re recovered.”

“T-They’re here?” Saige slurred, ignoring the heavy feeling upon her tongue. She hadn’t expected her friends to return to their life and routine, but she couldn’t imagine them here in the storm kingdom either.

Conor nodded. “Of course they came. They haven’t left your side for days.”

Saige didn’t realize she was crying until she tasted salt on her lips. With a small tug of her arm, she pulled Conor into her, letting him hold her once again. The fear she once felt still existed deep in her core. After all Eva had hidden, the idea of becoming vulnerable in her relationships seemed unimaginable.

But Conor had saved her when she couldn’t save herself, even after everything she’d accused him of.

A damsel in distress indeed, yet this time Saige didn’t despise it.

He pulled away from her, his face hovering. “There is one more thing.” He reached out to pluck a lock of hair, holding it in front of her.

Her hair had always been as dark as a raven, thick and curly. Difficult to manage, but it was her father’s hair, and she loved it. The lock he held in his hand was not black though, but white. Lighter than even Niana’s hair. It felt so familiar. Like she had seen it before.

“I don’t know what happened,” Conor admitted, trailing his fingers along the two locks of hair that framed her face. “But when you healed, this appeared.”

Saige had no explanation either. Her mind was too drained to muster one.

He let the locks fall back into place, narrowing his brows. “I know I have done and kept things that have broken your faith in me. But I’d like to start over. If you let me.”

“No,” Saige choked out.

Starting fresh with Conor required putting everything behind them, ignoring the things he hid and revealed. That wasn’t how life worked. One couldn’t focus on the good if they ignored the bad.

His face crumpled. “I understand. I’ve hurt you and I…” His voice trailed off. “I understand.” He rose from the bed, dropping her hand. “I will leave you be.”

Saige’s body thrashed up.

No, no, no, she thought, stay, please stay.

The last thing she wanted was for him to leave. Her body failed her each time she opened her mouth, her throat dry as she croaked.