Page 86 of The Starlight Savior

“What of the girl?”

Saige’s interest peaked as a murmur swelled across the room. The voice came from a tall woman standing next to Niana with similar white hair cropped short to her neck.

“The girl needs more time,” Tobin said. Saige hadn’t even noticed the older warlock standing behind the king and his court.

“I hope there is no disrespect in my words, Maester,” Queen Leana said from beside her husband. Her voice was quiet in the same compulsive, alluring way King Vospella and Markus spoke. “But what of Sydera’s magic?”

Blood rushed to Saige’s head.

Sydera’s magic?

Anytime she brought up the Mother Goddess, Tobin and Conor claimed it was impossible to test for such a thing. If that was what they were looking for, wouldn’t Conor have spoken so?

“Tobin, you theorized in front of Etrane’s court that Sydera’s magic could be the key to the mist. That the Nerestel girl could heal the land. We have heard nothing of her progress,” the queen continued, black eyes boring into Tobin.

“I need more time,” Tobin declared. “Testing her magic has not been fruitful. We—”

“Dammit Tobin!” the general shouted. “We used expendable energy to retrieve this girl! All based on your skepticism! An unknown magic in a mortal village!”

“Sir—” Tobin began, but King Vospella raised his hand.

“Etrane’s queen is right. We have seen minimal progress. The only reason we extracted the Nerestel was because of your claims of ancient magic, similar to displays of Sydera’s witches. We have seen no such thing in her so far.

“You have until the next full moon to prove her worth. That should be enough time to ensure adequate training,” the king said, louder than all the other voices in the room. “If she fails, we will move on from your unrealistic claims.”

“Yes my lord,” Tobin surrendered, bowing his head.

An ache spread across Saige’s face as she frowned. Conor’s gaze remained on her, the coldness softened. But she was tired of everyone’s unspoken apologies. She couldn’t decipher whether her companions had kept this meeting from her to shield her or if they were simply following orders.

Either way…if the king’s court suspected she possessed something else, something stronger than the average magic, she deserved to know.

She deserved more than everything presented to her.

The king looked out across his people, raising his chin and standing tall before the crowd. “As the mist continues to decimate Opela, crop sizes will be increased in the west. Negotiation trades have begun with Nasala and Brevil. Until we cannot stay here, we will layer our capital with protections and spells similar to Tiranos. We will do everything we can in order to ensure our people’s safety.”

“What if she can conduct Sydera’s magic?” said a timid voice a few individuals away.

“Then we will train her to fight the mist. She is our only hope.”

She stumbled back as the king’s words struck her. A servant gripped her shoulders, steadying her rocking body. She couldn’t believe his words. Was she the only individual who might expel the mist?

As the voices swelled, heads turned. Eyes widened as the servants and guards took in Saige’s reddening cheeks.

“Until the next full moon,” was all the king said. His eyes bore into hers with such intensity it left her feeling numb before the room erupted into chaos.

Chapter 34

Saige flew through the dining hall doors before anyone could speak another word. Her thundering heart drowned out the sounds of the never-ending questions and demands of the wielders before her. She knew she’d been retrieved for her magic, yet she honestly believed she was recruited as simply another hand, especially once they discovered who her father was. Strong magic to add to the bunch.

But now her body was heavy with shifting expectations.

They thought Saige could dispel such a wicked thing as the mist. With Sydera’s magic of all things.

Gripping her tangled hair, she pulled. Hard. Relishing the pain spreading across her scalp. Every breath she drew in ached through her suffocating body.

Barreling onto the grand hall, Saige swung her head left to right. The floor was still empty. Everyone was in the dining hall, debating her purpose or listening to the king swear he’d protect them.

Why had he thrown a gala in honor of Markus and Sebastien, who truly bore no good news besides more recruitments to fight an unfathomable battle?