Page 144 of Blood of the Stars

He raised his eyebrows, glancing at the clunky dagger sheathed at her hip. Her face heated, both at the way his eyes grazed over her and the truth that her dagger was a sorry excuse for a wieldable weapon.

“I’d always meant this to be yours,” Gaeren said. “I just—it never seemed like you’d take it before. Or maybe I was worried you’d use it against me.” He laughed and ran his free hand through his hair.

Aeliana couldn’t hold back her smile, and, against her will, she found herself reaching for the dagger. “It seems like a family heirloom. Hardly something you should pass on to me.”

“No, not an heirloom.” His smile turned sad. “I had it made for your dedication gift. It’s a Vendaran tradition to receive your first weapon at the end of your dedication year. I was only fourteen. A part of me thought that if I had it made, then I would find you. I’d be able to give it to you.” He shrugged and looked away once more, blinking fast.

Aeliana hadn’t meant to keep the dagger, but she could hardly give it back now. Not after he’d shared something like that. She tightened her grip on the hilt, letting the ridges dig into her skin. “Thank you.”

He unhooked the sheath from his belt and passed that over too, then settled back to sorting supplies as Riveran returned. They were almost done, and then Aeliana knew they’d be riding off through the wetlands, approaching their homes. It wasn’t a real goodbye. He’d be back the next day, hopefully with news of his ship and reinforcements. But it felt weighted enough that her ‘thank you’ didn’t seem like enough.

“May the Sun’s light always shine upon you.” The words fell out quickly—awkwardly, since she was used to the Stars’ blessing.

Both men paused, making Aeliana wonder if she’d said it wrong. Was it insulting coming from someone who didn’t know what to think about the Sun? But then Gaeren’s gaze met hers, and he reached over and gave her a fierce hug.

“And may the Stars’ light always guide you,” he whispered in her ear. He let go before she’d had a chance to process the hug or the words, before she’d had a chance to raise her arms and return the gesture.

She scratched at her palm, unsure what else to say, but Gaeren had already turned back to the supplies, and in moments, he and Riveran were mounting their steeds. Marnok hopped on the back of Riveran’s horse, looking as lost as he had the day they’d found him. Aeliana couldn’t help feeling sorry for him, wishing they’d been able to help him recover his memories. He hoped to find answers in Elanesse, but they were all just as afraid of what those answers might be.

Orra came close enough to pat the horses and give parting words Aeliana couldn’t catch, and the others all waved farewell. As soon as the three men disappeared from view, Aeliana swapped out her old dagger for Gaeren’s, testing its light weight against her hip. She couldn’t deny it felt better than the old one. She could even pull it out quicker, angling it up and out with just a flick of her wrist. She grinned as she sheathed it once more, thinking more of the man who’d given it to her than the weapon itself.

She tried to ignore the fact that Holm headed out soon after the other men, likely to track them and make sure they went where they’d promised to go, but she couldn’t pretend Sylmar didn’t call them to break camp. Several others grumbled, but they all obeyed, even an exhausted Felk.

Aeliana turned to Iris. “What are we doing?” she asked. “How will they find us?”

“That’s the point, love.” Iris gave a small smile. “We don’t want them to be able to report our location if they’re not as trustworthy as we hope they are.”

“But what about Gaeren? And his ship?”

“Holm will watch for their return. If all is well, he’ll lead them to our camp.” Iris returned to her packing, leaving Aeliana to spin Gaeren’s dagger in her palm, letting the ridges dig into the mark of her bond. She couldn’t deny the logic even though her heart wanted to trust her new friends. Sylmar was giving them a chance to prove their loyalty.

Iris glanced back at Aeliana, reaching a hand out to tug the braid she constantly encouraged Aeliana to cut. “Be careful not to let Gaeren’s presence disrupt your bond.”

Aeliana’s face heated. She glanced around before leaning in. “My bond? Gaeren and I are barely friends.”

Iris shrugged and doused the cookfire. “If you say so.” Steam and smoke sizzled around them.

Aeliana’s palm itched as she thought about her Lukai. They’d become friends, but they’d agreed that was enough for now. Still, she hadn’t put much thought into their bond, not since they’d left Islara. Not since Gaeren had joined them.

Lukai came up beside her and placed her pack on her back. Iris gave her a knowing look and went back to rolling up blankets.

By the time they’d settled in a more hidden location, the Stars were at their dance. Cyrus set up a few feet away from camp to kneel and pray before the Stars, and Orra sat on her bedroll, watching him with a slight frown on her face. After getting Felk’s weary body settled next to her bedroll, Aeliana sat by several others around the fire, eyeing Kendalyhn and Lukai, who took watch.

“Maybe Marnok will find someone who recognizes him,” Aeliana said. “Someone who can restore his memory.”

“Which is exactly why we moved.” Jasperus tapped his temple, grinning at her like a proud grandfather.

“I would have liked to be around for that,” she murmured. “See his face shift from confused to peaceful, maybe figure out where his starlock is.”

“I’m still not convinced he has a starlock.” Sylmar’s ever-present frown deepened.

“Then how did he heal himself using my magic?”

“I still think that was you.” Sylmar eyed her like she might suddenly sprout an extra appendage, one that was capable of far more impressive magic than she was. “Unless he used blood magic.”

She held back a groan. Why did it always come back to blood magic? “What if he has a starlock, and it’s disguised like Velden’s?” She gestured to Velden’s earrings. “Maybe it’s a button on his cloak or something on his shoe and he’s not even aware.”

“It’s unlikely,” Sylmar said. “The starlock gives you the greatest strength the closer it lies to your heart. Only a truly proficient progeny can get away with that trick.”

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