Page 57 of The Starlight Savior

“Oh, Kira. No!” Saige exclaimed, waving her back down. “You have the rest of the day off. Even a week. Gods, I’m so glad you’re okay.”

Kira blinked slowly as she sat. Otto and Saige sat alongside her as the healer’s soft hands traveled across her skin. The bruises faded on Kira’s tear streaked cheeks as Otto’s hands glowed pink. Cuts mended together seamlessly. Yarrow burned Saige’s nose as she grabbed a glob of salve. She spread it over Kira’s wounds gently, ignoring the rigidity in her handmaid’s body.

“T-Thank you,” Kira murmured, barely able to meet her eyes. “I hope this isn’t rude, but may I ask something?”

“Anything,” Saige said quickly, realizing she meant it. Sitting before the servants, she felt more at home than ever. Every word uttered cracked open the wall shaped around Saige’s heart, even in the wake of Esme’s death.

“Why did you come to the servant quarters?”

Saige blinked slowly. “I was worried. And a bit hungry. No one had been to my room yet.”

“Most royals would’ve waited. Half of them were probably still deep in slumber.”

“There is nothing stopping me from fetching my own food and clothes.”

Kira’s head fell, hair curtaining her freckles. “They asked for one of us to retrieve you, especially since most were still in their quarters. At first, no one would. Not even when they began…but then you showed up and…Esme was so brave.”

Saige’s face paled. “Yes, she was.”

“They offered us so much coin. Land even.”

“Why didn’t anyone take it?”

“What will land and coin even be worth once Opela is gone? We need you for that, my lady.”

Their savior.

The title prickled under her skin.

“Well,” Saige said, emotion sticking to her throat, “thank you. Even if I did end up coming anyway. I wish I could’ve done more.”

A silence swept over the library as the large wooden doors blew open. Stomping footsteps signaled the arrival of armored witches and warlocks. Etrane’s soldiers dispersed across the library, approaching the many servants and healers. Most held parchment and quills, documenting what everyone had experienced. Conor led the group, giving a single curt nod towards Saige.

Sighing, she rose from the table, looking from Kira to Otto. Her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Thank you for letting me join.”

“You were a great help, my lady. I’d gladly welcome you back into the infirmary.”

As she approached Conor, they walked quickly into the main hall. Every corner of the castle was thickly guarded with wielders, armor glistening and swords sharpened. Their footsteps echoed as they turned back towards the eastern wing.

“Where are we going?” Saige asked.

“Your quarters,” Conor responded.

“Already?”

“Of course. We need to make sure you’re actually protected. Unless Tiranos crawls through your window, you’ll be safest there.”

“I’m sure everything will be fine,” Saige said, more for herself than anyone else. She wouldn’t know what to do if Tiranos came back. Her little light trick wouldn’t work twice.

A muscle twitched in Conor’s neck as he looked back at Saige. “I know I swore you’d be accompanied at all times, but clearly our guards have been lacking. One of the water-wielders pretended to be a servant and enchanted last night’s supper. Including the guards. Security will be increased throughout Athalos.”

Once they reached her quarters, they both collapsed into the worn chairs. “What a morning.” Conor exhaled, running a hand over his face.

“Indeed.” Saige nodded, picking at loose skin around her thumb. “How did they even get in? I thought the castle was guarded.”

“Tiranos is getting quite crafty.” Conor sighed. Reaching for a carafe of wine, he filled his chalice to the brim. “The attack on the village was a setup. Clearing it out of any citizens gave them full range to find the correct sewers to reach the castle.”

“So they were under us this whole time?” The idea left Saige breathless. All Etrane spoke about was how Athalos was a sanctuary, a beacon of a refuge. But to discover that danger could lurk around any corner…