Page 166 of The Starlight Savior

“I’d like to say something too,” Conor said.

He broke away from Saige, pulling out a handful of items. She recognized one of them as her aunt’s sapphire necklace that always adorned her neck.

His eyes met hers as he spoke, swimming with emotion she couldn’t decipher. “Oscar and Emery Nerestel were murdered ten years ago. There was no burial. No funerals. Their legacy lives on in each breath their daughter draws. I’d like to honor their lives too. For sacrificing themselves not just for the mist, but also loving and raising the only being capable of saving Opela.”

The charcoal coating Saige’s eyes smudged across her cheeks as tears finally broke through. Warmth expanded across her chest as she peered at Conor. He was right. There hadn’t been a single moment to truly honor her parents. Not in the way they deserved. When their bodies fell, Saige ran. From Oswan. From herself. From the fear that enveloped her every time she thought of a future. But now she no longer needed to run. Not when she was so supported.

Conor revealed the other two items in his palm. One was a thick ring Saige could only assume was meant for a thumb. Carved on the front was the sun and moon sigil dedicated to the Nerestels. The other was a letter, the handwriting unmistakably her father’s. Making out the words, Saige knew it was one of the first letters he wrote of his time spent with Emery.

“These items are not just representations of the Nerestels, but their spirits. Eva never went without her necklace, passed down from generations of the strongest women in Etrane. Some say it was forged by Tonirus himself.”

Gripping the lantern with one hand, Conor passed the necklace to Saige. The crystals were cool to the touch as she wrapped it into her palm.

“This ring was your father’s. It’s his house sigil, but I imagine he didn’t want anyone to stumble upon it in Brevil.”

The ring was heavy in her palm as he placed it next to the silver and glittering blue gems of Eva’s necklace.

“Lastly, this is the first letter Oscar wrote informing Eva of meeting Emery. I remember when she first read this to Sebastien and me. Neither of us admitted it, but we were always so excited to hear about this love story a kingdom away. I’m grateful to be able to know and love the woman who came forth from that.”

Conor’s gaze was heavy upon hers. His veins glowed softly as he handed over the letter too. One hand was filled with the belongings of her family while the lantern threatened to break loose from her grasp.

“You can bury these if you’d like, or keep them as reminders of the people who will always be with you.” A thumb brushed against her cheek as Conor wiped a stray tear.

“Thank you so much,” she breathed, “all of you. For being here. When I left Denholm, I never imagined the path I’d be taking. All I wanted was to get rid of my magic. I found the opposite. I found acceptance. A place where myself and my power can exist freely.” Her eyes met each individual staring back at her. Some were crying. Others’ cheeks were flushed with pride. The only person missing here was Judith. She couldn’t imagine her caregiver surrounded by magic and power.

“I’d like to keep these.” Saige placed the three items into her bag, her hand feeling empty and cold without them pressing into her skin.

“At the full moon festival, I learned these lanterns honor the deities above and below and the power they provide us. Tonight though, these lanterns are for all we have lost and all we have gained.”

One by one, each of them let go of their lanterns. A swirl of white, purple, and blue power ascended into the sky. A wind brushed through the clearing, sending a shiver down Saige’s spine. Her head craned up as she watched starlight power her lantern, carrying all the grief and love that consumed her. The weight that had settled upon her shoulders began to loosen as her companions moved towards her, tugging her into an embrace.

“Thank you,” she whispered into their bodies, even if there were no words to describe the gratitude that flooded her system.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Citizens lined the roads leading to the capital square as Saige and her group walked into Athalos. Kira and Mika had wiped away the smudged charcoal and rouge staining her cheeks, fixing up her hair and attire to embody the starlight witch she was presenting herself to be.

The people clapped and flung white petals into the air. As Saige peered up at Conor, brows furrowed, he explained that where her skin touched the land by the river, white luminescent morning glories had grown. To Etrane and even Brevil, it became her signature.

A sigil of hope.

King Vospella’s squire announced her arrival loudly. “Please welcome the arrival of Lady Saige Nerestel, daughter of Oscar and Emery Nerestel, starlight-wielder and savior of Opela!”

The thunderous roar of claps and cheers muted her pounding heartbeat. She squeezed Conor’s arm as they stepped through, surprised when she was escorted to the front of the square. A long table was set before them, Saige’s chair right next to the Vospellas’. The full moon reflected off the lake behind her.

“You’ll be alright,” Conor murmured, sensing the terror shaking through her. When she reached her chair, right between Markus and King Vospella, she didn’t want to leave Conor’s side. But he slid his arm out, giving her a tight, reassuring smile.

Saige’s eyes trailed forward as the feast began. Baron and Althea had taken seats next to Niana’s family, sporting the green of Brevil. Endless amounts of food were brought out, perfect for the great guestlist. It seemed all of Athalos had been invited to celebrate Saige’s achievement and recovery. Tables and chairs flooded out into the streets. Glowing lights hung from the wooden rafters, resembling the stars.

At the front of the square, directly parallel to Saige’s table, were nine task forces, one of them still traveling. She prayed to Sydera that they arrived with good news. It was the only thing to justify the ridiculous amounts of food and resources for such a celebration.

When the plates were empty and goblets drained, King Vospella rose. The square hushed into silence. Looking out across the waves of his people, he truly smiled. Not the vicious cold gaze, but warm and hopeful.

“We gather here to honor the great efforts in healing not just Etrane, but Opela. I’m pleased to announce that our task forces were quite successful in surveying accessible territories. There has been notable growth in Etrane where the land was once uninhabitable. We will continue sending our warriors to rebuild and conduct studies on the magic that impacted not just the land, but beings as well. Some have been captured alive. Some deceased.”

The crowd clapped ferociously. Saige’s chest tingled in gratitude and relief at the sound that it had worked.

Her magic had worked somehow, and she couldn’t even describe what she had done.