Page 25 of Blood of the Stars

Another distant glow of fire shone at their backs, briefly lighting up the night and forest before them. It revealed a lanky man with black hair sheared close to his head. Aeliana gasped, and Cyrus tripped, falling to his knees. The stranger leaned against a set of particularly thick vines a dozen feet away.

“Where do you two think you’re going?” His voice was smooth, like a storyteller’s polished timbre. A lazy grin split his face. “Honestly, I leave Sylmar alone for mere moments, and he gets himself into all sorts of trouble. I’m gonna enjoy holding this over his head for years to come.”

He pushed off the vines and ambled their way, his manner easy and unthreatening. Still, Aeliana backed away, tugging Cyrus with her. If the stranger was with Sylmar, he probably didn’t intend to kill them, but that could just mean they wanted her alive for something far worse.

Striking blue eyes stood out from laugh lines even in the low light. Fish hooks hung from his ears, and despite the rebellious tilt to his smile, he seemed old enough to be her father. His tight breeches and simple vest over a bare chest and deep brown skin seemed more suited to a sailor. When he clapped a hand on Aeliana’s shoulder, water immediately soaked through her cloak and tunic, and he removed his hand with a suction noise.

“The name’s Velden, but I should really go help our friend before we finish introductions. He might come in handy someday.” His words held a soft lilt, like his consonants were lighter and his vowels longer. Even Sylmar’s throaty rasp had held the same strange enunciations. It was a tiny difference, but Aeliana realized if Arvid’s and Vera’s voices hadn’t been so harsh and overbearing, she might have caught the hint of an old accent, further proof that she’d been brought from this foreign land.

Cyrus struggled to rise with his injured arm, and the man held out webbed fingers, easily pulling Cyrus to his feet. A slimy, wet residue clung between their hands as the man let go.

Cyrus made a face and rubbed his hand on his cloak. “Thanks?”

Before Velden could run off, Sylmar hobbled their way, leaning on his staff far heavier than he had when he’d first arrived.

Aeliana tensed, peering around him for her guardians to follow, but for now, he came alone.

“Where in Rhystahn did you go?” Sylmar’s rasp made Aeliana’s skin crawl. He drew closer, his glare resting on Velden. “The one night I truly need you, you’re nowhere to be found.”

“Ah, so you do like having me around.” Velden beamed at him. “I’m never sure with all your grumbling. Kendalyhn’s stew didn’t agree much with me.” He made a face and rubbed his belly.

“Oh, for the Sun’s fire,” Sylmar muttered. “Just lead the way back to camp.”

“Of course, Wise One.” Velden’s low bow matched the drip of sarcasm in his tone.

“What about Arvid and Vera?” Aeliana asked.

“They gave up after you left. Rushed for the valley.” Sylmar’s furious glare didn’t fade. “But who knows what kind of reinforcements they have?”

“They just left?” Aeliana frowned, her gaze still scanning the forest behind Sylmar. She supposed that was what Vera had said she’d do if she got Aeliana’s blood, but it wasn’t like them.

“Probably to get help,” Sylmar reiterated.

It made sense, but it still seemed too easy.

“Come on,” Velden called as he wound his way deeper into the forest. Sylmar gestured for Aeliana and Cyrus to follow.

“You want us to go with you?” Cyrus asked, hunching over his injured arm.

Velden turned, his amusement contrasting Sylmar’s impatience.

“Of course,” Sylmar said.

“You’re the reason we came here,” Velden added, his gaze resting on Aeliana.

CHAPTER 12

“How can you be here because of me?” Aeliana asked, stepping back from Sylmar and Velden.

“You’re the daughter of Emeris Wyndren, the high priestess,” Sylmar said. “After fourteen years missing, she’s still the hope of the Vendaran people, who have been under tyranny for far too long. We’ve all made a promise to protect you for her sake.” He glanced back over his shoulder as if expecting Arvid or Vera at any moment. It was a legitimate concern, but following strangers into the woods seemed equally concerning.

Still, what if he could tell her more? Aeliana let her mother’s name roll around in her mind, trying to decide if it fit the woman she couldn’t remember. She joined it with Rildan as if their names alone could bring back knowledge lost long ago.

“She sounds… important,” Aeliana said.

Sylmar studied her but didn’t expand on her family history.

“She’s also just a really nice person. Everyone loves her,” Velden added, then frowned. “Except for the king and queen. And Mayvus. And anyone who serves them.”

---