Page 70 of The Starlight Savior

Saige laughed under her breath. That was an understatement. The celebration was the most people she had seen in a single space. She couldn’t imagine how Etrane would be able to support all these people if their land began to perish too.

“Why do people come from Nasala?” The fire kingdom, a terrain of sand, dunes, and scattered oases, hadn’t been touched by the mist yet. But she noticed fire-wielders scattered throughout the palace.

Niana nodded, pointing to a group of witches and warlocks with dark skin and hair tightly braided. They reminded Saige a bit of Althea and Baron. “The kingdom is pretty scattered. If they don’t live close to an oasis or reside in the Institute of Light, they travel. Some came to help Etrane though. There was a theory that a strong enough healer could heal some of the lands.”

“Did it work?”

“Not permanently.”

Saige sighed, shoulders slumping forward. “I still don’t understand how one can celebrate with so much death looming over our shoulders. The mist can take everything from us. Land can be sieged. And yet we’re here.”

“That is the golden question, isn’t it?” Conor plopped down on the seat next to Saige’s. Niana smiled brightly as another mug was placed in front of her.

“This is a celebration of hope, for the life we all desire to continue,” Niana said, her voice becoming soft, dancing over the words. “For a new Opela that won’t be tainted by past mistakes and wrongdoings.”

Conor raised his mug. “I toast to that.”

Saige followed suit. They all clanked their mugs together, laughing when they realized Niana’s was already empty. She drank faster than Baron.

“Would Etrane ever take in mortals?”

Niana laughed. “The real question is would mortals ever step foot over their borders.”

“We’ve offered aid before,” Conor explained, “but Brevil lives in their own little bubble. They wouldn’t know a warlock from a mortal soldier if they saw one. No one even suspected me in your little tavern.”

“Hey”—Saige pointed a finger at Conor—“I suspected you actually. You looked too pretty to fit in with Denholm.”

Conor flashed a wicked smile. “You find me pretty, witchling?”

She brought the mug to her lips to avoid the cursed smile bursting through her face.

“Stop flirting with my friend.” Niana turned to Saige. “If the mortals need sanctuary, we’ll take them. But most are comfortable where they are, and that’s okay too.”

If things got worse, maybe Saige could send word to Denholm. Maybe Judith and Althea could find sanctuary in Etrane too.

“They’re starting!” Niana shouted as she leapt from the table, running straight into the crowd.

Chapter 29

Movement fluttered at the edge of Saige’s attention. The crowd was beginning to disperse, heading towards the beach beside the lake. Niana weaved through the dancing square to the lake’s edge where a dock protruded into the water. Two figures swayed in the darkness.

“You don’t want to miss this.” Conor reached for Saige’s arm, hauling her up.

“I can’t tell if I’m tiring of this secrecy yet,” Saige grumbled halfheartedly.

“Your first full moon is special,” he said with a sheepish smile. He unfolded her cloak, wrapping it around her shoulders. His fingers fumbled as he buttoned the top. “Did Brevil ever celebrate much?”

“Sure. Beginning of spring. The day Terrus claimed Brevil. His birth from the ground. Not like I attended.”

“Why wouldn’t you? You don’t like to have fun?”

Saige held up her hands as if they were answer enough. But Conor looked at her expectantly, a brow raised.

“You can imagine what may happen if I start to glow. Or burn someone.”

“But it doesn’t happen all the time, right?”

“I don’t know when it may happen.”