Page 133 of Lady of Starfire (Lady of Darkness #5)

Sorin

“H ey, Tula-Bug,” Scarlett said, crouching down to the little girl’s level. “Care to join me for a walk? I have a super secret garden to show you.”

Tula’s eyes went wide with excitement. “Really?”

Scarlett nodded, taking the child’s hand and leading her to stairs that would take them up the levels. They could Travel, but Scarlett would walk, taking her time to reach the Princess’s Gardens on the top level that Sorin’s father had designed for his mother.

Rayner waited until they were out of sight before he turned to Sorin and said, “What is it?”

“We need to discuss something,” Sorin replied.

“I figured as much when Scarlett took Tula off so she didn’t overhear the discussion,” Rayner answered. “Where do I need to go?”

“Nothing like that,” Sorin said, shaking his head. Folding his arms along the bridge railing, he leaned on them. He stared out the floor-to-ceiling window, Solembra sprawled out in the distance.

“Then what?” Rayner asked, taking up a similar position next to him.

“We need to discuss Tula.”

“She stays with me.”

There was no room for discussion or negotiation in that statement. Sorin had been expecting as much. But it still needed to be addressed, and he knew he needed to be the one to do it.

“I understand, Rayner. But the Shifters have charters that need to be considered.”

“Arianna and Stellan can fuck off,” Rayner retorted darkly.

“You know Scarlett and I are on your side in this.”

“Then why are we having this discussion?”

“Because we need to take care of this before it becomes an issue with the Alpha and Beta. They will argue that Tula should be raised among her own. They will see it as their duty to protect her because of how powerful she is and will become,” Sorin said.

“No one will protect her better than I will.”

“I know, Rayner, which is why Scarlett and I are proposing something else.”

He slid his grey eyes to Sorin. They were swirling, but they were not as turbulent as usual.

They had all been completely drained after the battle in Windonelle, and Rayner always took longer than the rest of them to refill reserves.

He likely needed a Source with his Avonleyan roots, but that was a discussion for another time.

“Scarlett has created a Bonding Mark of sorts,” Sorin went on.

“It would connect the two of you. Similar to a Guardian and Ward relationship, but more of a …” He sighed.

There was really no other way to say it.

“It would create a parent-child relationship, Rayner. Until Tula was of age to decide her own fate. If at that time she wishes to pledge loyalty to the Fire Court, we will, of course, grant that, and this can remain her home. Until then, you would be responsible for her.”

Rayner straightened. “You speak of me adopting her.”

“Yes. But the Bond Mark would overrule any claims from the Shifters,” Sorin answered. “Scarlett is speaking with Tula. To make sure this is something she wants as well. But if you are ready, Scarlett can give you both the Mark right now.”

“Yes,” Rayner said without a moment’s hesitation.

Sorin smiled at his friend, creating a fire portal up to the gardens a moment later.

They stepped through to find Scarlett and Tula near the pond Sorin had asked Briar to alter to house the seastar that lived in there now. The moment they appeared, Tula was racing to Rayner, who was scooping her up.

“Scarlett said I can stay with you,” she said.

“Of course you can stay with me, Tula,” Rayner answered, smiling down at her as the child toyed with the collar of his tunic.

Her little nose wrinkled. “She said I just have to be brave one more time, but I don’t have to be brave.”

“Oh?”

“Because she said you will be there too. You never let anything bad happen to me. You are always brave for me,” she chattered, head tilting as she studied some of the embroidery on his tunic. “When we are done, can we bake cookies? The ones with the extra chocolate in them?”

“You actually bake?” Scarlett asked from where she was waiting for them near the pond.

“No,” Rayner said.

But Tula was giggling. “We make those cookies, Rayner. The really yummy ones. We can make them after you’re done being brave, right? You will let me help? Oh! Can we make that cake with the strawberries too?”

“You actually bake,” Scarlett said, her eyes shining with amusement as Sorin and Rayner made their way to her.

“What do you need for this Mark?” Rayner asked, ignoring his High Queen.

“Just some blood from each of you,” Scarlett said, pulling a dagger from her shadows.

Sorin stood back and watched as Scarlett drew the Mark that would bind Rayner and Tula, and he smiled as their family grew a little more.

“Discover anything interesting?” Sorin asked when he walked into the chamber that housed the mirror gate in the Runic Lands.

Scarlett stood before the mirror in a simple amethyst gown, her hair loose around her shoulders and shadows drifting around her.

She huffed a sigh as she crossed her arms. “No. I wish I did. I would love to meet the female who could actually speak to us through these things.”

“She was interesting,” Sorin agreed.

“So I hear,” Scarlett murmured, still scrutinizing the mirror.

He had told her of the female with deep red hair who drank from a cup made of paper.

The things she had said and how she had helped them call Scarlett back to this world.

Scarlett had spent a few hours a day here whenever she could.

The books she had hauled with her were scattered across the long table, scribbles and notes written on parchment.

“They are waiting for us,” Sorin said before she could get too lost in her thoughts again.

Her brows shot up. “Already? I did not realize so much time had passed.”

“You tend to lose track of time when you come here,” he answered, dropping a hand to her lower back to usher her out of the chamber.

When the doors were securely closed behind her, Sorin Traveled them to Shira Forest where Cethin, Kailia, and Saylah were waiting for them.

Eliza was in Avonleya the most out of all of them, but Scarlett and Sorin had a standing dinner arrangement with Cethin every week.

Scarlett made it a point to Travel over more often though, and he knew a few of those times she and Cethin had spent time at the Elshira Castle with their mother.

However, the goddess had finally regained enough strength back to be able to leave.

They had only had two of those weekly dinners, but it had been discussed at great length over those meals whether or not Saylah could remain in this world.

Halaya. That’s what he’d learned their world was called in other realms. There was an argument to be made that she could stay.

But in the end, the goddess had made the decision for them.

That didn’t stop Cethin from asking one last time, “Are you sure about this, Mother?”

“This world has faced enough because of my presence,” Saylah answered.

“Achaz will still come for us,” Cethin argued.

Saylah gave him a tight smile. “Perhaps someday, but I believe Temural and I are a higher priority at the moment. As for you two…” She turned, fixing her muted silver gaze on Scarlett.

“He will not come for you until he is prepared to face an equal. He cannot fight both a World Walker and Arius. My leaving will draw his focus elsewhere for a time.”

Still trying to protect her children, even after all this, Sorin realized.

A panther stalked from the trees, coming to sit at Scarlett’s side, and she ran her fingers through her midnight coat.

The spirit animals would be leaving as well.

Saylah had explained she had bargained for their help to fight in the battle in Halaya.

Now that it was over, they must return to the sides of the gods and goddesses they were bound to.

But Sorin had seen Scarlett’s notes. He knew that someday she would come for them as their High Queen.

Someday she would find a way to free them of the curse that bound them to gods and to their animal forms.

With a final scratch behind the panther’s ears, Scarlett moved forward, Chaos flowing from her and into the mirror gate, funneling into Temural’s symbol. The glass of the mirror swirled with darkness, embers of white light blurred as they whirled past until a male stood in the mirror.

Taller than any of them, he had long black hair that was tied back at the nape of his neck.

Twin swords were at his waist, and a crown of gilded leaves and feathers sat atop his head.

Pine green eyes narrowed on all of them before the cry of an eagle sounded and Altaria appeared, diving to Cethin’s shoulder.

The male in the mirror tracked the eagle, before his gaze flicked to Saylah, and he gave a jerk of his chin.

Temural.

Saylah would be going to whatever world her brother currently inhabited.

“He and Altaria are very close,” Saylah said, the eagle clicking his beak. “Both are anxious to be reunited.”

“Are all the bonds with the spirit animals that way?” Scarlett asked. “With the gods and goddesses, I mean.”

“Many of them are, but there are others. There are those bound to Achaz and those who fight on his side of the Everlasting War,” Saylah answered, more of the spirit animals appearing.

Scarlett started to ask something else, but Saylah held up her hand.

“This was before my time, Scarlett. I do not have the answers you seek.”

“How did Shirina and Altaria become bonded to you and Temural if that took place before you existed?” Scarlett asked.

“There are many bargains made in secret, High Queen,” Saylah said. “And those secrets become currency used when it matters most.”

“Great,” Scarlett muttered.

“I must go,” Saylah said, turning to her son. “I am proud of you, Cethin. You lead these people the same way your father did. You sacrificed much and would have given more if required of you. I am glad you found love when it was not meant for either one of you.”

Cethin bowed his head, Kailia stepping into his side a little more.

Sorin didn’t know their full story. It was one he would learn over time, he supposed.

And then Saylah was turning back to Scarlett. “And you, my daughter.” She stepped forward, cupping Scarlett’s cheek in her palm. “My wish for you is that you know no more of loss and sacrifice.” She bent, pressing a kiss to Scarlett’s brow. “Always remember, Starfire, hope is for the dreamers.”

Sorin leaned against the doorjamb as he watched her play. Her eyes were closed, fingers gliding along the keys. This wasn’t a song in minor chords. Not one of anger or loss. There was sadness to it, though. It was to be expected. Today was hard. Tomorrow would be harder.

He swirled his glass of amber liquid, the sound of clinking ice alerting her to his presence. She looked over at him, her fingers never missing a note as she smiled softly and slid down the bench a little bit.

Sorin crossed the distance, plunking his glass down atop the piano before lowering down beside her. She played a little longer, and when she finished her song, she rested her head on his shoulder.

“We face tomorrow together, Love,” Sorin said quietly into the stillness of the room. The sun had long since set, and the only light was from a few flickering orbs Scarlett had glowing above them.

“It will be different. Without …”

“I know, Scarlett.”

“Everything is different,” she murmured.

“Nothing stays the same, Love. You will watch many things come and go in your immortal years.”

She was running a finger along the keys. “But you and I?”

“Will only fall more in love.”

She lifted her head and rolled her eyes as she muttered, “Shut up.”

He laughed, pressing a kiss to her temple before he gently gripped her chin and tilted her face up to his. “We will face all the changes together, Scarlett Sutara Aditya. The ones that hurt and the ones we celebrate. We protect what is ours.”

She shifted, climbing into his lap and straddling his waist. The gown she was still wearing bunched around her thighs. “Thank you. For always coming for me. For seeing all of me and still coming for me.”

“Like the stars love the night, Scarlett,” he replied, fingers sliding into her unbound hair and pulling her mouth to his.

“All the way through the darkness.”