Page 7 of The Starlight Savior

She hoped she wouldn’t find out.

Hadeon turned quickly, body straightening. His chin rose in the air. “Yes, sir.”

“Hurry and finish up here. We have dozens of properties to visit and sundown is approaching.”

“Yes, sir.”

Saige fought the urge to retreat from the cottage. Panic slithered through her body, familiar and cold.

Would she ever live a life where she didn’t fear herself or the world around her? She was suddenly grateful for the outburst the day before. Without it, she knew her skin would be tingling with power, light escaping through shaking fingertips.

“I hope to see you tonight, Saige,” Hadeon said quietly.

She didn’t give him an answer, just a curt nod before he scooped up the box full of bread Saige had baked, dried meats from the butcher, and Judith’s fruits and vegetables into his arms and exited out the open door.

Chapter 4

Saige sat until each soldier left the cottage. Judith refused to move, gaze darting back and forth to survey every item confiscated. As the dust settled, the space became too quiet. There were no more boots stomping across the floor or cupboards slamming shut.

Rising from the chair, Saige strode to the corner of the kitchen and grabbed the tea kettle. She ladled water in and sat it atop the wood burning stove. One of the perks of Judith’s expansive land was there were an endless amount of practical plants waiting to be cooked or dried. Luckily, the soldiers hadn’t taken the jar of herbs sitting on the counter. They’d grind them into small bits to soothe the belly or awaken the mind. They needed the latter.

Handing her caregiver the mug of steeped herbs, she sat once again. A spoonful of sugar was added to each of their cups, just how Judith liked it. It was uncommon divulging in such delight, especially with the risk of scarcity. But they hadn’t discovered their concealed jar either.

“Things are getting bad, aren’t they?” Saige murmured.

“Of course they are.” Judith sighed. She inhaled deeply, bringing the mug to her lips. “And it won’t get better. You know that. I heard the soldiers discussing the mist getting stronger. Moving quicker.”

Her knowledge of the politics beyond the Brevillian borders was sparse. But things had been tense for many years. The terrifying mist emerged in the east, traveling through Tiranos, the water kingdom. It killed land. Decimated crops. Over a quarter of Opela was uninhabitable with no perceivable cure.

“They questioned me,” Judith murmured.

Saige sat up straighter. “About what?”

Judith let out a slow breath, setting the tea down. Hot water splashed over the edge onto the table. “Everything. They’re trying to understand the people here. It’s now required to supply verification of household and occupations so they divide rations correctly. Signatures from employers too.” Saige nodded along to each word until Judith paused. “They asked about you.”

A flush spread up Saige’s neck. “I see,” she replied.

Judith shook her head. Reaching into her apron pocket, she pulled out a handful of loose papers and smoothed them out on the table. Saige recognized the king’s sigil, a twisting bow and arrow, stamped at the bottom. The inky letters burst from the page as her vision swirled.

Birth Name. Origin. Occupation.

Saige couldn’t answer any of them honestly. Restlessness took over as she rose from the table. Pacing back and forth, she listened to the echo her boots made on the wooden floor.

“I cannot claim you as my own,” Judith continued, “because you are not my own. I love you like a daughter. But now my hands are tied. You must go off on your own. I have lied to my neighbors, my friends, my foes. But lying to my king is an act against Terrus. It goes against every bone in my body.”

With closed eyes, Saige sat, listening to the steady sound of her breath, mirroring Judith’s. She always knew this day was coming, but hadn’t expected it to approach so soon. Brevil believed they were safe from such turmoil. King Brennus was believed to be blessed by Terrus directly, coming to him in a dream as a boy. Terrus protected them when the storm and water deities abandoned their people and land long ago.

But Saige knew there was no such savior coming forth.

“I understand.” Her vision blurred with tears she would not let fall. Judith had done so much for her. It could no longer be on her caregiver’s shoulders to figure things out. Saige was twenty, a grown woman. She needed to move on or disappear.

“You’ll need this to eat tomorrow morning, so please fill it out. Maybe go back to the manor to sign off on your papers—”

A tear slipped down Saige’s face, halting her words.

Judith froze, blinking quickly. “What happened, my dear?”

“They let me go.”