Chapter 24
The mistress waits for her lover. She waits in the coolness of the winter and the warm rain of the summer. She waits with hands outstretched, reaching for the owls and the wolves. She waits, dressed in velvet. The mistress of night waits; she waits for her starlight lover.
Starless Night
ASTRAIA OPENED THE DOOR TO her stateroom, drenched from the summer downpour.
She had lingered for an hour beneath the willow tree, allowing tears to fall unseen, rain eventually seeping through the curtain of branches and soaking her through.
Her navy cloak dripped water onto the pristine cream carpets, a steady rhythm matching the cadence of her heartbeat.
The stateroom was empty, the bed freshly made, the glass doors to the balcony closed—no hint of the bounty hunter. Not even his scent of smoke and pine lingered in the ostentatious room.
She slumped against the door, feeling the latch click as it closed. He left. To keep me safe.
If Draven really was sent from the regent king to hunt down any Starborne, she would have been the ultimate prize. The only known dual-bonded Starborne. Her death would have been swift at the evil king’s hand.
But he chose to let her go and gave her freedom—freedom for which she would have gladly burned.
She gritted her teeth, shoulders tensed. The king had stolen everything from her. Her small life in Tenebris had been ripped out from under her with just his word and ink on paper. Then the only person who cared that she burned, he had been taken from her as well.
She unclenched her fists, trying to focus on the empty room around her. It was too large, too open, and too quiet. She had become accustomed to the bounty hunter always by her side—his hulking form towering over everything and everyone.
Yet, he was gone. He left. Astraia would have to accept it.
Just the thought of dismissing Draven from her life made her throat dry, and she choked down more tears.
A light tap echoed in the cold stateroom, jolting Astraia from her thoughts.
“Yes, come in,” she managed, swallowing the lump in her throat.
A petite young woman edged into the room, curtsying and bowed her head as she spoke. “My lady, I am Savi. I am to be your lady’s maid. I was sent to help you prepare for dinner with Lord Vireaux.”
“Stars help me. He knows I hate this kind of frivolity.” Astraia rolled her eyes, running her hand through her hair.
She froze, realizing she had just mimicked Draven’s exasperated trademark.
Quickly, she lowered her hand and fidgeted with her shirt. “Right, well, let’s get this over with,” she said, clearing her throat. “And for stars' sakes, stand up before your muscles are stuck that way.”
The young woman stood immediately, raising her head, and followed Astraia into the washroom.
Astraia could not help but indulge in all the soaps, oils, and perfumes that were spread before her. She might be a fugitive Starborne, but that did not erase the urge to want to feel clean. If she never slept on moss again, it would be too soon.
After hours of scrubbing and primping had passed, Savi was finally satisfied with Astraia’s appearance. The lady’s maid had smoothed her dark hair into a luxurious shine that would make even Desire envious.
Another knock sounded at the door, and Savi sprang from the washroom to answer, returning only a moment later with a large black box in her arms.
“A present for you, my lady.” She curtsied, placing the box on the marble vanity in front of her.
Astraia’s eyebrow rose in suspicion. Pulling the lid off, she gasped. Inside lay a gorgeous gown. On top lay a note with handwriting she knew intimately.
For you, Starlight. Yours forever. C.
“May I?” Savi motioned to the dress, averting her eyes from the note.
Astraia only nodded, folding the note and holding tightly as Savi helped her slip into the gown. After a few moments of cinching the gown and placing delicate silk shoes on her feet, the girl stepped back from Astraia and smiled.
“Magnificent, my lady.” Savi’s eyes beamed as she gestured toward the mirror in the washroom with a small bow of her head.
Astraia turned her gaze and halted. She did not recognize the woman staring back at her.
This woman had glistening dark hair, a reflection of the ebony heavens, glittering with stardust in her navy strands.
Savi had braided half of her hair into a crown, while the remainder of her tresses cascaded down her back.
But the dress…it stole her breath away. The base of the dress was navy-blue and flowed out around her.
On top of the base was a sheer navy overlay adorned with hundreds of Starlight crystals that scattered from the bodice and faded down the skirt.
The bodice was form-fitted, with no straps, forming perfectly to her waist and featured a plunging neckline, almost to her navel.
It gave the appearance of the Stars falling down her body.
Astraia turned, noticing the back of the dress was also cut wickedly low, revealing her Power lumenmark plainly.
She was likely wearing the fortune of the entire province on her skin.
Starlight crystals were rare, even more so than stardust. Said to be the result of lightning colliding with stardust, only the ancient families of Astradeon were gifted with Starlight crystals and passed them down through generations.
A small cough interrupted Astraia’s gawking.
“Will that be all, my lady?”
“I would hope so, Savi. Thank you.” Astraia smiled at the young woman.
With a quick curtsy, the maid quietly left the stateroom.
“Stars, what am I doing?” Astraia whispered as she stared at her own reflection. The blue of her eyes peered back into her soul. A small part of her wished amber eyes were staring at her instead.
Sighing, she left the washroom and decided waiting around in the eerie silence of the stateroom would only drive her insane. She strapped her Celestial dagger to her thigh and wrenched open the door.
Caelan stared back at her. A smile bloomed across his face. “Stars, Astraia. You look incredible.”
Astraia eyed Caelan, noticing he had traded his captain’s attire for a tailored navy suit. He was resplendent. A truly alluring smile spread across his face.
His green eyes stared at her, longing pouring from his gaze.
“You clean up pretty nice yourself.” Astraia smiled, letting her shields drop a little more around him. He made her feel wanted, at home, safe. She decided at that moment, she would not live in fear and pain tonight. She would allow a sliver of joy to permeate the darkness of her thoughts.
Caelan beamed at her, a look of pure satisfaction and elation. “I see you got my gift,” he said as he eyed her dress, lingering on her lumenmark just near her collarbone.
“Very subtle of you,” she quipped. “You do not seriously think I’m going to let you parade me around your entire court with dual lumenmarks on display just so I can be captured?”
“Maybe only a small cavalcade.”
She knew he was baiting her, but quarreling with him made her feel normal, as if she was eighteen again and her brother was not dead.
She crossed her arms, staring at him in the doorway.
Caelan chuckled. “You are simply no fun. You know I would not put you in harm's way. Which is why I brought you this,” he said as he pulled a small round wooden box from his jacket pocket. Carefully, he twisted the top of the wooden box and opened it to reveal a clear, thick paste.
“And what, exactly, is that?” Astraia wrinkled her nose.
Caelan dipped one finger into the paste, a small amount sticking to his skin. “Trust me.”
Slowly, he brushed a few loose strands away from her Sacrifice lumenmark. His hand paused as his fingertips brushed her collarbone, and Astraia had to stifle a shudser from running down her spine.
“This is called ‘metamfiesi.’ When word of the king’s decree reached Virellia over a fortnight ago, I decided to take preemptive action. I have been working with some of the healers at the university to create a way to hide lumenmarks.” He paused, his voice low. “May I?”
Astraia nodded tentatively.
Caelan brushed the paste across her lumenmark near her collarbone, gently smoothing the substance until it was spread evenly on her skin. Heat rushed to her skin at his touch, making her stomach flutter.
“I will need to apply it to your second mark,” he whispered closely to her ear, making her hair stand on end.
Without a word, Astraia turned, allowing him to see her Power lumenmark on her lower back. His movements were deliberate, familiar, calming as he massaged the metamfiesi into the marks on her spine. Astraia fought the urge to close her eyes and soak in the caress of his hand.
Warmth left her as he pulled away his hand and cleared his throat. “Finished.”
She turned around to face him once more just as he replaced the wooden box inside his jacket, a tinge of pink on his cheeks. Astraia blinked, forcing her mind to clear as she peered down at her Sacrifice lumenmark.
“What? How?” She marveled at her skin, no longer marked with the map of the Pegasus constellation.
“Starblooms and a lot of patience. We have managed to produce enough to ration to the Starborne of Volpes and are starting distribution to the rest of Virellia secretly. It will not solve the problem of the king’s proclamation, but it will provide some momentary protection.
” Caelan’s face fell, the realization of the monumental task of protecting his people weighing heavily on his shoulders.
Astraia reached out and grasped his hand, desperate to relieve some of his burden. “It is incredible, Caelan, truly.” She smiled, squeezing his hand.
He smiled in return, lifting her hand and pressing a gentle kiss to her pale skin. “Now, will you join me for dinner?” His green eyes danced in the lamplight as he placed her hand on his arm, leading her away from her stateroom.
“It would appear I have no choice,” she said, eyebrows raised.
“Of course not.” He smirked, and escorted her to the dining hall.