When the Stars Were Devoured (The Devoured Fates #1)

Prologue

Kassiel

Iwill find you through the veil.

Her words echo in my mind as I walk the path before me, untouched since the beginning of this realm. Deafening silence surrounds me. I should have kept my secrets. I should have moved on from this place the moment my soul seemed to collide with hers.

Chilled wind rips through my hair, obstructing the view of each delicate feature that my gaze lingers upon. Her too cold skin stiffens beneath the moons’ light that peeks between the canopy of forest branches.

Promise not to let yourself be hardened by your magic.

Those final moments continue haunting my thoughts.

How I had cradled her quickly fading body as her blood seeped into my shirt.

The way the brokenness of her voice still offered me tenderness, choosing to believe in the best of me.

The moments where her body cooled and settled, unmoving, still wrapped in my arms, sticky with her essence.

Sunset has long since passed— this time of night was always my favorite, our favorite. When the crescent of the moons is highest in the sky and the air becomes brisk, that's the time my soul finds sanctuary—that and among her stolen kisses and sacred whispers.

I do not know if my soul will ever find that great peace now, or ever will again until I greet the afterlife.

I make my way down towards the soft hush of waves, twigs snapping beneath my feet. Soft crunching from leaves underfoot create a harrowing melody to accompany the quiet crash of the waters edge.

The small lake is darker than the shadows of the night reflecting off her black sands. Holy waters beckon to be touched, if only a caress, before the freezing grasp pulls you under.

Looking up, I watch the birds that haven’t moved from their nests. It’s as if they’re observing me, mocking me for thinking I could have had a chance at love, a chance at being with the one person destined to save me from myself.

But this world is cruel. The fates are cruel, and they have no fondness for a Devourer like me. My magic is a plague. I am destined to forever be alone. Loneliness is my eternal companion. I am devourer of souls.

I pause and stare into the water, its dark void inviting me in. Her body, the one I once worshiped, is still cradled in my arms, her blood now dry and caked to my hands.

I might not have plunged the dagger into her heart, but being in my proximity was a death sentence.

I shift her down onto the bank, tucking an inky black curl behind her delicately curved ear.

Gods I loved kissing her there and whispering promises I hoped I could keep, lies dripping from my lips like nectar. And how she did long to drink the ambrosia of my love.

Swallowing, I begin to speak but my voice catches. “I won’t be gone from you long, loach. The fates think death will spare you from my love? I will find you in the next life if the fates take pity on us. I will save you next time as I rip their damned prophecies from their venomous lips.”

Hand trembling, the buttons pop from my shirt as I undress.

The movements are slow, methodical, as if I could prevent her departure.

I begin to undo the clasp on my trousers and my mind flashes to the treasure hidden in my pocket heavier than it should be.

It was hers and I guess, now it belongs to me as she pressed it into my hands when she realized she was bleeding out.

Gods I wish I didn’t have to return you.

My britches fall in a heap alongside the bloodied shirt. It’s crumpled and ruined, much like myself. The crimson soaked shirt is what’s left of her aside from my memories. The ultimate cost of her love—her life staining my hands and linens.

With one swift movement I lift her body into my arms again and I enter the hauntingly tranquil, icy waters of the lake.

Moonbeams illuminate the glassy surface, appearing as if it were a mirrored portal to wherever she’ll rest, an entrance to the very place she’ll be safest, far from me.

The water eagerly welcomes me, greedy for another lost treasure to claim, until my chest is covered by the strange dark current. It seems fitting for this sacred, mysterious lake to be where we make our departure.

Lifting her petite form closer to my lips, I kiss her hair, the smooth velvet matted with blood. I make my way to her lashes and for a moment it feels like she could open her eyes revealing the once cerulean gray orbs that sparkled with mischief.

What a wretched world that would rip you from me. We should have had our forever. Gods it hurts. My chest hollows out and the heaviness that settles threatens to cave my soul in on itself.

Gently, I release her to the reverent embrace of the depths.

Choking out the only words I can muster, I whisper, “Rest now.”

An ugly sob tears from my throat as her ivory corpse is swallowed by the depths.

“Rest little warrior, rest,” the barely audible words croak from my lips.

She will find peace now. Perhaps for centuries. Perhaps until I can enter the veil, if I’m ever so lucky and greet her on the Plains of Elmir.

The rustle of nearby branches rips me from my thoughts.

“I see you beat us here, Kassiel.” The rasp to his voice has me spinning.

He continues,“If only you had decided to attend to your sworn duty sooner, perhaps the witch’s life could have been spared. Makes no difference to me in the end.”

The dull chuckle that follows is as lifeless as the trees around the lake.

Eyes zeroing in on the commander in front of me, I can’t help but wonder what he did to find me so quickly.

I left yesterday morning during the chaos that swallowed our village, on horseback, desperate for them not to interfere with her last wishes. To be returned to this place.

My feet glide steadily to shore, even as the watery grip of the lake pleads with me to stay. The disturbing pull slows my steps as I walk further towards the black sand beach. A foreboding feeling slinks across my spine as I look to Rune, the commander that has hunted me until this very moment.

“You know what duty your King requires of you,” he says while other riders close in.

He’s come with his sword drawn, ready to bring me to my knees if needed. But that isn’t what concerns me, another man with similar inky hair to mine, who holds his head too confidently grabs my focus. Grey sharp eyes study me while his lip slowly curls.

Fuck. Fuck. “Fuck.” The curse slips off my tongue as I recognize what he’s holding as his knapsack opens. Iron bands clink together as the young man grabs them and drops the sack at his feet.

They’ve caught me and this time there’s nothing left in this realm to keep me from fighting.

“Did you think we’d be so naive this time? After what we’ve witnessed that accompanies your gift?” Rune scoffs, a saccharine smile plastered on his lips.

He continues, “What a shock it was when I realized we were dealing with someone with death-touch.”

Subtle waves gently lick my heels as I stand there watching the armed men circle in around me. I lock my stare with Rune. His eyes gloss slightly as he looks to where I had been. I can’t help but wonder how much he saw.

“Let us be on with it then.” The words sound strange coming from my lips, almost soulless.

His lips flatten against each other and he watches me expectantly.

His fingers raise, close to his face, as he presses his forefinger to his middle finger and snaps.

Men rush in on every side of me and I’m easily overtaken.

Rune’s words are lost in the scuffle, the sound muffled as the press of many bodies pushes in, holding me in place.

I’m still trying to process what he said. His eyes remain on mine.

The soft click of the culling bands shackling closed has me breaking the stare. The silver glint of the culling bands reflect sharply in the moons’ light, and I know, undoubtedly, I am doomed to serve.