Page 129
Story: Lady of Starfire
“I am more dark than light,” Scarlett murmured. “My stars are my light.”
“Retrieve the lock, Scarlett, and I will tell you more,” Saylah said, gracefully rising to her feet.
“Oh, Saylah. You were so close to actually being a mother,” Scarlett drawled, eyes going back to the sea.
“I have not survived this long by sharing all my knowledge at once. Secrets are the currency of the gods,” she replied, silver gaze fixing on Scarlett as the first light of dawn touched the sand. “But you already know the value of cunning secrecy. That particular trait, Scarlett, did come from me.”
Her words echoed in Scarlett’s mind long after her mother had disappeared amidst her shadows.
Chapter24
Talwyn
“She needs to eat more,” the High Witch said, her violet eyes studying Ashtine intensely.
“I am getting her to eat as much as I can,” Talwyn replied tightly. They’d had this same conversation multiple times over the past few days.
They had flown for nearly two days straight when they’d left Siofra. They’d only stopped twice, pushing their griffins to their limits, and finally arriving at the High Witch’s residence at twilight on the third day. Another Witch had taken Ashtine from atop the griffin and brought her to this room. The princess hadn’t left it since. She was curled on her side, head in Talwyn’s lap, where she gently ran her fingers through Ashtine’s silver hair. Talwyn had convinced her to wash up at one point, the princess allowing Talwyn to use a cloth and warm water, but she had refused all suggestions of a bath.
Hazel Hecate, the High Witch herself, was overseeing Ashtine’s care. In the four days they had been here, it wasn’t until the second day Talwyn had convinced Ashtine to eat anything. The princess had hardly eaten anything on the flight here. That was also the day she had sent a message to Scarlett with Nasima. Ashtine needed Briar. There was no way around it anymore. As if the stress of a Fae pregnancy coupled with all she had been through these last months hadn’t been enough, Sawyer’s sacrifice had pushed her over an edge. Talwyn didn’t know the first thing about being a decent friend, but she knew that without Briar, Sawyer’s sacrifice would be for nothing. Even if Ashtine hung on until the babes were born, if Briar did not survive this war, neither would the Wind Princess. Talwyn refused to let that be the outcome after everything the princess had forsaken.
Hazel came forward. Nasima gave a soft, warning cry from where she perched near the window. The High Witch placed her hands on Ashtine’s rounded stomach. Soft light flared, and Talwyn held her breath like she did every time Hazel did this.
“They are still fine, but she needs to eat more,” Hazel said again. “Their power drains her. She needs to keep up her strength, or these last months of carrying them will be even more difficult.”
“I know,” Talwyn gritted out, fingers stroking through Ashtine’s hair again. Ashtine didn’t acknowledge either of them. When her eyes were open, she stared at nothing, but for the most part, she slept.
“She needs to siphon off power too,” Hazel added.
“I know,” Talwyn snapped, before taking a deep breath to ease her temper.
Hazel stepped back, leveling Talwyn with a cool glare. “I have news for you as well.”
“What is it?”
“We received word that King Callan and Prince Azrael have returned to Windonelle. They have found their way to some of the rebel camps. Arantxa leaves to travel there at first light tomorrow. If you wish to go, this is your chance.”
Go.
She could go back to Azrael.
But she couldn’t leave Ashtine. Not until Briar found his way back to her.
“I will stay with her,” Talwyn said.
Hazel nodded at the same moment there was a quick knock on the door. A Witch with bright red hair entered, her pale violet eyes scanning over Talwyn and Ashtine. “The tonics, my Lady,” she said, holding out her hand. There were three vials in it.
“Are more being prepared?” Hazel asked, the glass tinkling as she swiped the vials from her hand.
“Yes, my Lady.”
“With Arantxa going to be with Juliette, I want you to take over her patrols, Jetta,” Hazel said, moving to a side table.
“Already done,” the Witch answered.
“Is there any other news from Juliette?” Talwyn asked.
“The Oracle said nothing else,” Hazel replied. “And we have not received any news from Death’s Shadow.”
Table of Contents
- Page 1
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 4
- Page 5
- Page 6
- Page 7
- Page 8
- Page 9
- Page 10
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 14
- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 31
- Page 32
- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 35
- Page 36
- Page 37
- Page 38
- Page 39
- Page 40
- Page 41
- Page 42
- Page 43
- Page 44
- Page 45
- Page 46
- Page 47
- Page 48
- Page 49
- Page 50
- Page 51
- Page 52
- Page 53
- Page 54
- Page 55
- Page 56
- Page 57
- Page 58
- Page 59
- Page 60
- Page 61
- Page 62
- Page 63
- Page 64
- Page 65
- Page 66
- Page 67
- Page 68
- Page 69
- Page 70
- Page 71
- Page 72
- Page 73
- Page 74
- Page 75
- Page 76
- Page 77
- Page 78
- Page 79
- Page 80
- Page 81
- Page 82
- Page 83
- Page 84
- Page 85
- Page 86
- Page 87
- Page 88
- Page 89
- Page 90
- Page 91
- Page 92
- Page 93
- Page 94
- Page 95
- Page 96
- Page 97
- Page 98
- Page 99
- Page 100
- Page 101
- Page 102
- Page 103
- Page 104
- Page 105
- Page 106
- Page 107
- Page 108
- Page 109
- Page 110
- Page 111
- Page 112
- Page 113
- Page 114
- Page 115
- Page 116
- Page 117
- Page 118
- Page 119
- Page 120
- Page 121
- Page 122
- Page 123
- Page 124
- Page 125
- Page 126
- Page 127
- Page 128
- Page 129 (Reading here)
- Page 130
- Page 131
- Page 132
- Page 133
- Page 134
- Page 135
- Page 136
- Page 137
- Page 138
- Page 139
- Page 140
- Page 141
- Page 142
- Page 143
- Page 144
- Page 145
- Page 146
- Page 147
- Page 148
- Page 149
- Page 150
- Page 151
- Page 152
- Page 153
- Page 154
- Page 155
- Page 156
- Page 157
- Page 158
- Page 159
- Page 160
- Page 161
- Page 162
- Page 163
- Page 164
- Page 165
- Page 166
- Page 167
- Page 168
- Page 169
- Page 170
- Page 171
- Page 172
- Page 173
- Page 174
- Page 175
- Page 176
- Page 177
- Page 178
- Page 179
- Page 180
- Page 181
- Page 182
- Page 183
- Page 184
- Page 185
- Page 186
- Page 187
- Page 188
- Page 189
- Page 190
- Page 191
- Page 192
- Page 193
- Page 194
- Page 195
- Page 196
- Page 197
- Page 198
- Page 199
- Page 200
- Page 201
- Page 202
- Page 203
- Page 204
- Page 205
- Page 206
- Page 207
- Page 208
- Page 209
- Page 210
- Page 211
- Page 212
- Page 213
- Page 214
- Page 215
- Page 216
- Page 217
- Page 218
- Page 219
- Page 220
- Page 221
- Page 222
- Page 223
- Page 224
- Page 225
- Page 226
- Page 227
- Page 228
- Page 229
- Page 230
- Page 231
- Page 232
- Page 233
- Page 234
- Page 235
- Page 236
- Page 237
- Page 238
- Page 239
- Page 240
- Page 241
- Page 242
- Page 243
- Page 244
- Page 245
- Page 246
- Page 247
- Page 248
- Page 249
- Page 250
- Page 251
- Page 252
- Page 253
- Page 254
- Page 255
- Page 256
- Page 257
- Page 258
- Page 259
- Page 260
- Page 261
- Page 262
- Page 263
- Page 264
- Page 265
- Page 266
- Page 267
- Page 268
- Page 269
- Page 270
- Page 271
- Page 272
- Page 273
- Page 274
- Page 275
- Page 276
- Page 277
- Page 278
- Page 279
- Page 280
- Page 281
- Page 282
- Page 283
- Page 284
- Page 285
- Page 286
- Page 287
- Page 288
- Page 289
- Page 290
- Page 291
- Page 292
- Page 293
- Page 294
- Page 295
- Page 296
- Page 297
- Page 298
- Page 299
- Page 300
- Page 301
- Page 302
- Page 303
- Page 304