Page 28 of Golden Star

Riven appears seconds later, flanked by four other knights, each armed with gleaming swords. They charge the monster, their movements fluid and precise, with the kind of grace only experienced warriors can possess.

I freeze, watching in awe as Riven’s sword slices through the air, striking the creature’s back with a sharp crack that makes it howl in pain.

The other knights fan out, surrounding the monster, cutting off any chance of escape.

Zoey grips my arm tighter. “Is that?—?”

“Riven,” I breathe, my heart skipping a beat.

The monster swings its claws at Riven, but he dodges with ease, sidestepping every attack like it’s nothing.

His movements are hypnotic. Each strike is perfectly timed, every dodge effortless. Occasionally, he’ll shoot a spear of ice at the monster, although the monster seems far more adept at dodging those than the sword.

It’s beautiful to watch.

But before Riven left me at my house, he said he wasn’t a knight in shining armor.

I’m not going to sit back, do nothing, and let him act like one.

And while there might not be a stream nearby, there’s always moisture in the air. Humidity. Which means I’m surrounded by water—if I can figure out how to harness it.

So, I focus on the coolness around my skin—the mist lingering in the air—and pull on it with everything I have.

The water obeys, gathering in thick, shimmering tendrils around me. And, in that moment, I feel more powerful than ever.

But this isn’t the time to stand around admiring my work. So, I thrust my hand forward, and the water surges through the air, striking the monster from the side.

The impact knocks it off balance.

Riven jumps onto Ghost’s back, and they leap forward at the perfect angle for him to drive his blade through the creature’s chest.

It screeches and falls to the ground.

Dead.

At least itlooksdead, with its remaining eye glazed over, staring into nothing.

My heart’s pounding, adrenaline coursing through my veins like wildfire. But I can’t take my eyes off Riven.

He said he was well trained, but I wasn’t expectingthat.

Now, he’s walking toward me, his sword drippingwith the monster’s dark blood, his gaze sharp and assessing.

“Surround them,” he commands the knights, and they obey his order, forming a loose circle around Zoey and me.

All five of them are watching me and Zoey as if we’re the next threat.

My happiness about our victory against the monster disappears in an instant.

“Your Highness,” one of the knights addresses Riven. “It appears we’ve stumbled upon two summer fae.”

“Onesummer fae,” Riven corrects him. “The other one never used magic. We don’t know what she is yet.”

As he speaks, there’s only one thing I can focus on.

“Your Highness?” I ask, keeping my eyes locked on Riven’s, a million questions floating in those two words.

“Prince Riven Draevor of the Winter Court,” he introduces himself, flat and matter of fact. “And you, Summer Fae, are trespassing on my lands.”

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