Page 112 of Scars and Burns

But Prince Proteus has never shown any sign of having magic.

It is said the stars come from all the lives that have passed.

Before the Goddess wove her magic into the earth, she gathered her starlight magic and used it to bring her one true love back to life.

Her mate.

Her soul was unable to exist without his. She was not able to cope with the despair that was a world without him in it.

The history books do not speak of how he died. Just that she used her starlight magic to bring him back. Her betrothed was not pleased and killed him once again. But by then it was too late. Our Goddess’s starlight magic had gone out. Putting the last of it into the earth. She was not able to bring her love back again. It is said that his soul was the first star to light the night sky. Her soul shattered. Consumed in darkness at the loss of him. She vanished into the sky.

Many believe the Goddess became the moon. The phases of the moon are meant to be her life cycle. Starting out small, growing into the most jaw dropping light there is. At the height of her power is thefull moon. Only to fade away again. Having to relive it all again but in the end darkness always returns. Both their souls linger in the night sky. Permanent and a constant light for all to see but never once being able to close the space between. Their souls forever tortured with the distance. Wandering the black abyss, never to find each other again.

If one is able to gift a star that means they have been given a second chance themselves.

Stars allow us the ability to bring back someone we have lost or someone who is on the verge of dying.

So who brought back Prince Proteus?

I don’t have time to think about this question long before I feel an unwelcome hand graze my leg. I look down to see King Elio has placed his hand on my thigh.

The bastard.

He’s been unapproving of me since the moment he saw me and now he wishes to ignite whatever the fuck this is.

This is not a comforting gesture. Nor is it a kind hand from a Father-like figure. Though he never was one. This is a firm controlling grip. His fingers pressing into my inner thigh.

I look over at him. My body is tense with disgust. My eyes shooting venom his way. Though I keep the rest of my face neutral.

We are still in public and he is still the king.

He doesn’t remove it until a servant is coming to set our dinners in front of us.

I excuse myself. Not wanting to spend another moment next to that man. The evening will go on just fine without my presence there.

I wander about the castle. Contemplating all that has happened. Saphrina is my sister and I’ve taken on a sort of motherly role to her. Our own Mother never having the opportunity due to King Elio’s hovering and then her being taken from us too soon.

I have coddled her for far too long. Physically she is a woman grownbut mentally she is still a naive little girl. Thinking everything will fall into place just because she wills it. She has had everything handed to her. Been told she is special. Held up on a pedestal all her life.

Even when her magic training with me became too difficult she wanted to retreat and quit because I wouldn’t go easy on her.

But how do I tell her Aeron is not her mate without making it seem like I am working for my own self interest.

There is no need to inform her that there is something between Aeron and me.

However, she cannot go on believing she is blessed with a mate from our Goddess just because she believes herself to be special. She never once questioned the things she was told but her lack of power should have made her second guess.

It’s time she knew the truth.

I turn around. Determination on my face. Purpose in my step.

Taking the back staircase and hall to get back to the ballroom.

Freezing when I sense something, or rather someone, hiding in the shadows.

Odd, these passages are rarely used. Even by servants.

I’m gathering my magic. Ready to defend myself from whatever is about to happen. It can’t be good. I can sense it. Feel their malicious intentions.

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