Page 125 of Blood of the Stars

“But he won’t remember us?” Aeliana asked.

Velden hesitated, glancing at Sylmar.

“He followed us once already,” Sylmar said. “Do you want to take the risk? For all we know, there are dozens of eggs planted between Valorian and here. We don’t need an army at our front and another at our back.”

“He had fewer winex with him than the last time he attacked,” Aeliana said. “And clearly these weren’t a problem. He doesn’t seem like much of a threat.”

“Things might have gone differently if the moon were full,” Sylmar said.

“Might have?” Felk’s eyes squeezed shut, and he threw his head back in that all too familiar laugh, a tinkling sound like a wind chime. It left everyone in the group momentarily stunned. Aeliana’s mind felt fuzzy, and her actions slowed. Felk used the distraction to bolt away from Lukai, but Holm and Jasperus each grabbed an arm, holding him back despite his even louder howls.

“What was that?” Cyrus asked.

“A laugh,” Sylmar said. “They often use it to reel in their prey.”

“Let’s tie him up,” Aeliana suggested. “Let him loose in the morning.”

“Whatever for?” Sylmar huffed out, then stalked off toward his bedroll, mumbling under his breath.

“It does seem…unwise,” Velden said, rubbing his webbed hand over the back of his head.

“I’m curious about their transition,” Aeliana said. Cyrus’ eyes lit up with his agreement. “I’d like to watch it. And as a newborn, he won’t be a threat to us.”

Felk’s tongue slipped out from between his rows of teeth to swipe across his lip. “I might not even survive.” His interest in her plan probably confirmed it was a bad one.

“Maybe we’ll make sure you don’t survive,” Lukai muttered, following Sylmar. The others slowly dispersed as well, not bothering to hide their disapproval. Jasperus and Holm forced Felk to the ground before tying his hands and feet.

“First the dragon, now a winex.” Kendalyhn shook her head.

Gaeren and Riveran stayed, the faithful friend taking his cue from the prince.

“Is he a threat to your crown, too?” Aeliana asked, unable to stand the judgmental silence.

Gaeren ignored her question, holding out her dagger, grip first. “This is a terrible weapon for you. You need something light with a sharper edge.”

She yanked it from his hand and shoved it in her belt, nearly missing its sheath. Gaeren smirked, the laughter in his eyes far more condemning than his earlier silence and stares. He turned back to his bedroll, and Riveran followed.

At the edge of the group, Orra stood, a serene smile on her face. She gave the slightest nod to Aeliana before finding her bedroll as well.

“I bet they’ve all done it once in their life,” Cyrus said quietly. He and Aeliana remained, watching the winex squirm.

“Done what?” she asked.

“Caught a winex before a new moon and watched it be reborn. It’s probably a rite of passage as a child here.”

Aeliana smiled, then pulled out some dried meat, offering it to Felk.

“Wait a—that was supposed to be our snack.” Cyrus glared at Aeliana, snatching the remaining meat from her hand.

Felk grinned as he chewed, his eyes closed to mere slits.

They dragged Felk to their original lookout, watching for more intruders while also watching for his transition. As the night wore on, Felk grew more still, his breathing turning shallow. Even his skin turned an ashy grey instead of silver.

“Are you sure he’s not dying?” Cyrus asked, nudging Felk with his boot. Felk no longer moved, and Aeliana couldn’t be sure he still breathed.

“Maybe it was the arrow in his arm.” She bit her lip. She should have healed it, but she’d been worried it would make him too strong.

Exhaustion seeped in as Aeliana realized in their desperation to see Felk’s transition, they’d never woken the third watch. The others stirred around camp. Kendalyhn rebuilt the fire, and Holm began packing supplies. Lukai led the horses to a new place to graze while they prepared to move out.

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