Page 185 of Blood of the Stars

“There was an apothecary in the building next to him. When I found an undamaged vial that had rolled out on the cobblestone, it seemed like the Stars themselves were insisting I bottle it up.” He pulled the leather string over his head, frowning down at the vial. “Every day it grows warm while we travel, like it soaks in the Sun’s light even through my tunic. And every night it gets cold, like the energy leaches back out. I understand now why Sylmar and Jasperus are so convinced that branding is more powerful just before the Sun’s sleep.”

Aeliana shook her head, unable to hold back her smile. “So now what? You want me to give this vial to Jasperus and tell him it’s my blood?”

Cyrus winced. “I suppose you could do that. But Sylmar might hold up his end of the bargain to kill Jasperus before checking the brand. Besides, maybe Jasperus won’t have to brand you.” He rubbed the back of his neck, the rest of his words struggling to get out until they all tumbled through at once. “Not if you first brand Durriken to you.”

Aeliana’s mouth went dry and she stood, stepping away from Cyrus. “You want me to do blood magic?”

“It’s not—” He rose as well, grabbing her forearm as if afraid she might run. “I understand if you don’t want to. You have to do what you think is right. But I can’t help thinking Sylmar’s right. The blood magic attracts the dark spirits, but you still have the choice to let them in.”

“What about the rest of what he said? Jasperus doesn’t have a history of blood magic, but I do.” She balled her hands into fists, hating both the scars and fresh cuts she continued to find on her skin. Cuts she couldn’t explain.

Cyrus shook his head. “You have a history of others using your blood for magic. You’re tempted to use it because it’s all you knew for years, but even with that upbringing, you have always refused the dark spirits. If anything, you’re the best person for this task because you’ve practiced resisting them for years.”

“And if I fail, everyone pays for my mistake.”

He shrugged, unable to counter her words.

“How does branding Durriken keep Jasperus from branding me?”

“Well, it won’t unless you can get Durriken on our side. If you can cut out his brand to Mayvus and get him to fight for us, we not only gain a dragon, but she loses one. If you can turn the tide of the battle before she brands you, Jasperus won’t brand you either.”

Aeliana bit her lip, staring at the blood still in his hand. “But if I do it too soon, it might push her to brand me earlier.”

“I didn’t say it was a perfect plan. It’s just another option for you.”

She inhaled a deep, shaky breath, then took the vial from his hands. She couldn’t believe she was even considering the idea. “How do I do it?”

Cyrus hesitated. “Jasperus explained it to me. You choose the place you want his brand marked on you, then cut yourself and pour his blood over your wound. Instead of healing the wound, you use your starlock to seal it. I was hoping that would make sense to you…”

Aeliana nodded, already imagining the difference. Healing felt more like knitting a wound together, but he was talking about covering it or encasing it.

“It forms a mark on your skin, like a tattoo, and simultaneously marks his palm, just like a bond, but it only goes one way.” Cyrus’ hands rose with his explanation, his gestures becoming wilder with his excitement over the idea. “Durriken will sense a desire to please you without you having that same feeling in return.” His description fit with the little Sylmar had told them months ago, but it also laid out exactly what she could expect if Mayvus successfully branded her.

“And then he just does what I ask,” Aeliana said. There were so many points it could go wrong. She could lose control cutting herself. The dragon’s attachment might be too strong to Mayvus. She might not get close enough to cut out the old brand. And at any point, if Mayvus branded Aeliana, it would be useless.

“I mean, that’s the theory.” Cyrus’ hands dropped, his excitement giving way to uncertainty. “You can always remove the brand when it’s all over.”

“Free him.” Somehow that made the idea more palatable, but she still couldn’t see herself using it. By the time she felt the risk was worth it, it might be too late.

“While you’re at it, you should consider cutting out your bond. Lukai kind of deserves it after that.” He frowned in the direction of the war room tent, shoving his hands in his robe pockets.

“How very… unpriestlike of you.” Aeliana laughed, and the tension between them broke. “It’s a good plan, Cyrus. One I hope not to use, but still helpful. You’re a good friend.”

He beamed at her. “Sometimes friends are better than bonds.”

Aeliana snorted. “They’re far less complicated, that’s for sure.”

“I’m always going to look out for you, even when you send me back to Lorvandas.” His face grew somber, his freckles contrasting more in the moonlight. “Just because you stopped training as a priestess doesn’t mean we stopped training together. And that’s its own kind of bond. It lasts a lifetime.”

“Thank you,” she whispered. She could never tell him that deep down, she didn’t want to send him back home. He was one of the people she felt safest with. But if she told him that, he would stay, and he needed to go back to Bartholem.

Instead, she pulled out her mother’s starlock and placed it over Cyrus’ head and tucked it under his tunic. “Now you can still trick the Zealots while safekeeping it for me. I can’t have it in my possession when Mayvus brands me.”

He patted his chest where it lay. “I’m always praying for you, Aeliana. Whether it’s the Sun or Stars out, whether I’m kneeling or riding a horse or sneaking food off the cookfire before Kendalyhn can burn it.”

She smiled at the mental image, but a lump grew in her throat at the sincerity behind his words. “Thank you. Both the Sun and Stars know I need it.”

The next day, they pushed hard as they steadily climbed in elevation toward the Myndren Mountains. Aeliana feared they were bringing the soldiers to a state of exhaustion when they really needed rest before they laid siege to Mayvus’ fortress the next day. She urged her mare through the ranks, trying to spread a little bit of her energy to each of the troops to carry them through.

---