Page 43 of Darkness Births the Stars #1

CHAPTER

Rad a

P oppy neighed softly, giving me a long-suffering look with big brown eyes as I adjusted her bridle for what felt like the hundredth time.

My aging mare was reluctant to leave her comfortable stable for the two-hour journey to Dalath.

My nervous fussing around her and the small wagon hitched behind her probably did not help.

Once again, I was seeking refuge in keeping busy, all to avoid the gaze of the man loading the goods on the wagon for the farmer’s market.

After our intense argument yesterday, the most severe since his arrival, we had hardly spoken.

When I’d mentioned during breakfast that I would drive to Dalath today, Noctis had simply grunted, eyes fixed on his plate.

Yet he had offered to help me get the wagon ready.

I was lucky he had little farming experience. Otherwise, the pitiful amount of goods—some vegetables and two wheels of cheese—would have made him question my decision to undertake the journey. But perhaps he was just as eager as I was for a few hours of solitude.

I needed to escape the house, to put some distance between us before I snapped and either plunged a kitchen knife into his chest or tore off his clothes to ease the unbearable tension between us.

The heat coiling low in my stomach as I watched him secure everything on the wagon, his elegant, long-fingered hands swift and sure, told me which option my traitorous body preferred.

I climbed onto the wagon and picked up the reins. “I’ll be back in the evening,” I said with a terse nod, ignoring the peculiar feeling of seeing him stand in my doorway as if he belonged there.

A demanding meow made me scoot over, making space for Bane. The tomcat jumped up, his little body a warm, reassuring presence. Bane loved going to the village with me, enjoying all the attention—and treats—he received from his admirers.

I urged Poppy forward. The brown mare settled into a steady pace, pulling the wagon out of the courtyard and onto the road. Resisting the impulse to look back was harder than I liked. The impossible man hadn’t even said goodbye, his gaze cold and unreadable.

What if he leaves? The thought struck me with piercing force.

Nothing was keeping him here. He was healed, his horse and weapon within reach.

He had no reason to stay and help me, a goddess who had lost her powers and could offer him nothing if he really intended to restore his magic.

As he had said, I had betrayed him. More than once.

To save the world, because it was my duty, but still, still…

No judgment between us. The one thing that had always held true. I had thrown those words in his face when he’d raged at me yesterday, his dark eyes brimming with fury and heartbreaking vulnerability.

That terrible day when he had been stripped of his power, I had believed he was too consumed by insanity, driven solely by his hatred, to care for my feelings.

But I couldn’t deny the truth any longer.

He had cared. Me being among those who had judged him had destroyed him—as much as it had destroyed me .

Had he hoped I would save him? Had he prayed for my intervention when the power of the Ten tore into him, ripping away his magic?

Back then, he had been all defiance, snarling at us like a savage animal, his face twisted with pure hate. But I knew he was always at his most vicious when he reached his breaking point. I had seen the fear behind the hostile facade. I had always seen.

Anguish filled me, and I instinctively tightened my grip on Poppy’s reins, causing her to stop abruptly. I breathed in deeply. Just one glance. If he really left, I couldn’t bear it…

“Rada!”

The voice behind me was closer than expected. I swiveled around on the wagon. And there he was. Breath quickened after sprinting to catch up with me, face carefully composed as he leaned against the fence, rattling it as if checking it was the reason he had come here.

He cleared his throat, his eyes flitting to the spear at my side before fixing on me with sudden intensity. “Be careful.” His lips curled into a smug grin. “We both know you have an unfortunate tendency to get into trouble.”

I couldn’t help but smile back. “You mean letting you tempt me into trouble. I should be safe this time, then.” I motioned to Bane, purring contentedly in my lap. “And I am not alone. Bane will look after me.”

Noctis’s gaze softened. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of the farm and your animals while you’re gone.”

“Be careful as well,” I said. “You never know what lurks in the wilderness and may suddenly knock at your door.”

He laughed, the spring sun catching the warm highlights in his dark hair. “I am the most cautious man in all of Aron-Lyr, saeraery . As you well know. ”

My eyes narrowed at the Aurean endearment.

I didn’t appreciate it when he casually called me my love .

We had been both enemies and lovers for centuries, baring our bodies and souls to each other, sharing the heights of ecstasy and the crushing darkness of despair countless times.

He had never told me he loved me. Many, including Aramaz, believed he wasn’t capable of loving another being.

At least not in the way I had wanted, needed, him to be.

“You should have stopped while you were ahead,” I said.

Ignoring the chill in my voice, Noctis stepped closer, covering my hands on the reins with his larger ones, pulling one toward him.

“And when have I ever done what I should, my gracious queen?” he said, lifting my hand to his lips and pressing a kiss to my knuckles as if we were at court.

The faint touch sent a thrill through me.

“Bring me a surprise from the market. I think I’ve earned a little reward for my good behavior. ”

My sarcastic laugh sounded far too breathless. “I doubt they have anything worthy of your interest.”

“Then buy yourself a new dress.” He shrugged, still holding my hand, pulling me forward until our faces were level. His eyes sparkled. Bane tensed on my lap, growling in warning. “I really enjoy seeing you in those flimsy ones you wear around the farm.”

Oh, I had noticed. How could I not when his eyes followed my every move, filled with barely concealed hunger that made my blood heat in response?

“You know it will never happen again, don’t you?” I said, leaning closer daringly. “You and me.” My eyes flicked down to his lips. A man should not have such pretty, inviting lips. It was unfair. Especially since I knew how good they would feel against mine.

“Never,” he answered, not daunted by my words in the slightest, “is a very long time for the immortal.”

“We are gods no longer.”

The way he bit the corner of his lip, as if restraining himself from revealing his darkest secrets, was sinful. “And yet I find myself so eager to worship at your feet once more.”

I stole back my hand and sat up straight before I could do something irresponsible. Like dragging him into the lush grass beside the road for a passionate tumble, the warm spring sun caressing our naked skin as we gave in to the pull between us.

“You are impossible.”

“It’s one of the things you like most about me.” His grin showed no remorse as he moved back toward the house, giving me a cheeky wave. “Among my many other virtues.”

Did he know his little innuendos would make me think of him, of the temptation of his lips on my skin, for my entire trip to the village?

As surely as the sun rose in the east. The man had worn down the defenses of whole realms with his relentless audacity.

He knew how to lay siege to the most daunting fortifications.

“You are also delusional.” I snapped the reins, urging Poppy to move on. The only answer was a cheerful whistling.

The smile stayed on my face as I steered Poppy along the road, her gait more spirited, the wagon rattling behind.

Lasgallen was always stunning, but it truly shone in early summer.

The rolling green hills were adorned with countless flowers, ranging from the purest white to the richest blue.

Nature had sprung to life, the air filled with birdsong and a crisp, invigorating fragrance.

I took a moment to savor the sun’s rays on my face, closing my eyes, confident that Poppy wouldn’t stray on the straight road.

At times, I could sense my friend Tanez’s presence woven into the world’s fabric, a comforting thought.

No wonder that many of her children, the good-natured Brownies who found joy in working the land, had found a home here.

Dolores, I recalled, hailed from a big family living in a settlement west of Rasga.

My thoughts drifted back to Noctis. They always did, like birds of passage called to their ancestral home at the end of a long, bleak winter.

He had sent me off laughing. Just this morning, I had been consumed by anger and frustration, eager to flee his presence. Now, part of me couldn’t wait to return to him. Clever, really.

I hadn’t questioned him about his plans involving the power of Chaos. A self-deprecating grimace twisted my face as my fingers sank into Bane’s fur at the realization. The beauty around me suddenly offered comfort no longer.

I had used Noctis’s desire for me to control him for a very long time—a dangerous game that had backfired spectacularly.

Unable to guard my heart, I had fallen so quickly and deeply that there was no turning back, no matter how often I tried to bury my feelings for him.

It seemed he had picked up a few tricks from me over the ages.

Curse it! I gripped the reins, ignoring Bane’s questioning meow. My mind raced. I needed more information about the situation in Aron-Lyr to determine if there was a threat.