Page 123 of Blood of the Stars

“I know who you are.” Sylmar shifted closer, as if daring her to look him in the eye. “I know what you did. The others might think you’re too holy to lead us astray, but I know how selfish you truly are.”

Orra’s smile faded, and she blinked up at the Stars, the pain of watching their dance from the earth a welcome feeling. A grounding sensation. “Few have recognized me over the years. It takes someone who pays attention. Someone who knows what to look for—and when.”

His laugh came out harsh. “Don’t expect me to be flattered. I won’t forget your mistakes, no matter how much you pretend to help us.”

“I would think less of you if you did.” She finally turned, watching him closely.

A flicker of fear crossed his face, and he tightened his grip on his staff. She didn’t want his fear, but she appreciated his vigilance. It would serve their mission well.

“Even so,” she said, “you don’t know the whole story. So often we acknowledge that good intentions can be the difference between an action being right and wrong. But sometimes good intentions can lead to action that still has negative consequences. Someday my sins will be revealed to all, along with the Sun’s glory.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “The time is soon.” She turned back, her focus resting on Aeliana.

Sylmar shifted, following her line of vision. “You leave the girl out of your mischief.” His words came out low in warning. When she didn’t respond right away, he straightened. “Did you hear me?”

Orra nodded even though she couldn’t make promises. “I made my choices long ago. I have to bear the consequences.” She twisted the braid at her wrist. “Aeliana will have her own choices to make.”

CHAPTER 51

“Who do you think will stop glaring at me first?” Aeliana asked. “Sylmar or Gaeren?”

Cyrus grinned from beside her, his teeth flashing in the sliver of moonlight. After one day back on the road, they’d gotten stuck with night watch, and Aeliana was glad. The day had been a strained, silent one, everyone too wary to say anything they shouldn’t. Now she and Cyrus still sat mostly in silence, but it was a peaceful one with the fire crackling and Holm softly snoring.

This far from Islara, the forest no longer carried the scent of smoke, but Aeliana could still smell it on her clothes, like the ashes of the city’s residents clung to her skin and stained the fabric.

“I think most everyone has glared at you today,” Cyrus said. “Except for maybe Orra and me.”

She made a face, knowing he was right. Her desire to free Durriken hadn’t been a popular one, which wasn’t fair considering cutting out his brand had ended up being their only option anyway. She thought about sharing the memories Durriken had shown her as proof that she’d made the right choice, but she feared confirming the dragon’s magic would only fuel people’s insistence that he was too dangerous to have let live. Gaeren even gained some ground with the Recreants when word got around that he’d tried to slay Durriken.

“Do you think his story is true?” she asked.

“Whose? Gaeren’s?” He shrugged. “Kendalyhn tested him, and Iris vouched for his past. What does he have to gain by lying?”

Aeliana bit her lip. Access to her mother? Inside information on the Recreants? Sylmar, Velden, and Jasperus had held a hushed meeting after dinner instead of discussing their plans with everyone at the fire like usual. The caution didn’t surprise her. If anything, she wondered why they hadn’t been doing that from the beginning, knowing that at any point she could be branded and under Mayvus’ control.

But it still left her confused. Gaeren was arrogant and foolhardy, but he hadn’t shown any signs of being a danger to her or their mission to save her mother. Gaeren had ridden into Islara to save her from a dragon. He’d shielded her with his body when he anticipated Durriken’s fire. And his words about their childhood stirred up that same longing she’d had for home, like he was the tie she’d been looking for to her past.

What if she asked to see his memories?

She ran her finger over the fresh scabs and bruises lining her arms. She couldn’t remember getting them, but a lot had happened in Islara. She tapped into her starlock’s power, letting it feed her magic as she healed them one by one.

“Has your magic replenished?” Cyrus asked.

She shook her head. “Not completely. Sylmar said it could take a few days. It’s why they use their magic so rarely.”

“I would have liked to see your shield.”

She smiled. She was eager to try it again, too. “You know, slicing Durriken’s other wing was both wildly brave and stupid.”

He grinned. “I couldn’t let you always be the one to save the day.”

She snorted. “I never save the day.”

“I thought I was going to die when I did that.” He shook his head, his gaze unfocused, likely reliving the moment. “But I was more worried that you would.”

Aeliana’s throat grew tight. “You know you’ve already fulfilled your vow to your grandma a dozen times over.”

He smiled. “I didn’t protect you because Gams told me to. I’m not even sure I protected you because of how important you’re supposed to be to the Vendarans. Maybe that should be my motivation. It sounds more like a mission from the Stars. But it’s more instinctual than that. More simple. You’re my friend, and I care about what happens to you.”

Aeliana didn’t trust herself to speak, so she reached out and squeezed his hand in thanks.

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