Page 300 of Lady of Starfire

“How did Shirina and Altaria become bonded to you and Temural if that took place before you existed?” Scarlett asked.

“There are many bargains made in secret, High Queen,” Saylah said. “And those secrets become currency used when it matters most.”

“Great,” Scarlett muttered.

“I must go,” Saylah said, turning to her son. “I am proud of you, Cethin. You lead these people the same way your father did. You sacrificed much and would have given more if required of you. I am glad you found love when it was not meant for either one of you.”

Cethin bowed his head, Kailia stepping into his side a little more.

Sorin didn’t know their full story. It was one he would learn over time, he supposed.

And then Saylah was turning back to Scarlett. “And you, my daughter.” She stepped forward, cupping Scarlett’s cheek in her palm. “My wish for you is that you know no more of loss and sacrifice.” She bent, pressing a kiss to Scarlett’s brow. “Always remember, Starfire, hope is for the dreamers.”

* * *

Sorin leaned against the doorjamb as he watched her play. Her eyes were closed, fingers gliding along the keys. This wasn’t a song in minor chords. Not one of anger or loss. There was sadness to it, though. It was to be expected. Today was hard. Tomorrow would be harder.

He swirled his glass of amber liquid, the sound of clinking ice alerting her to his presence. She looked over at him, her fingers never missing a note as she smiled softly and slid down the bench a little bit.

Sorin crossed the distance, plunking his glass down atop the piano before lowering down beside her. She played a little longer, and when she finished her song, she rested her head on his shoulder.

“We face tomorrow together, Love,” Sorin said quietly into the stillness of the room. The sun had long since set, and the only light was from a few flicking orbs Scarlett had glowing above them.

“It will be different. Without…”

“I know, Scarlett.”

“Everything is different,” she murmured.

“Nothing stays the same, Love. You will watch many things come and go in your immortal years.”

She was running a finger along the keys. “But you and I?”

“Will only fall more in love.”

She lifted her head and rolled her eyes as she muttered, “Shut up.”

He laughed, pressing a kiss to her temple before he gently gripped her chin and tilted her face up to his. “We will face all the changes together, Scarlett Sutara Aditya. The ones that hurt and the ones we celebrate. We protect what is ours.”

She shifted, climbing into his lap and straddling his waist. The gown she was still wearing bunched around her thighs. “Thank you. For always coming for me. For seeing all of me and still coming for me.”

“Like the stars love the night, Scarlett,” he replied, fingers sliding into her unbound hair and pulling her mouth to his.

“All the way through the darkness.”

Chapter55

Scarlett

“Those are my daggers,” Scarlett groused, watching as Nuri shoved a set of blades into a pack.

“No, they’re not,” Nuri scoffed.

“Yes, they are,” Scarlett said, stalking forward. “They have an ’S’ on them.”

“Yes. That stands forShadow,” Nuri drawled, pulling the pack away when Scarlett reached for it.

“It does not stand for Shadow, and even if it did…” Scarlett smirked as her shadows burst free.

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