Page 115 of Goddess of Light

I pick up another book, my hands steadier now. Rasmus works beside me, muttering incantations, his quiet presence a strange comfort. And for the first time since the Magician disappeared into the stars, I let myself hope that maybe, someday, this ache will be something I can carry—a shadow, yes, but one that doesn’t swallow the light entirely.

For now, it’s enough to keep rebuilding. To put the pieces back together, one fragile step at a time.

That night,I stand by my window, staring out into the inky darkness. The world beyond Shadow’s End is quiet, cloaked in stillness, the sea crashing beneath us. For a long while, I see nothing but endless shadow and the faint outline of the distant mountains. My breath fogs the glass as I lean forward, my forehead resting against it.

Then, faintly, something catches my eye.

A shooting star.

Then another one, lighting up the sky before disappearing.

The stars are brighter tonight, as though the heavens themselves have been scrubbed clean. They glimmer like shards of silver, scattered across the black canvas. I stare at them, my chest tightening as I recall his voice—the Magician’s steady words, his infuriating not-smile.

And for a heartbeat, I swear the stars wink at me.

I stare, breath catching. My hands curl against the windowsill.

It’s him. I don’t know how, or why, but I know it.

He’s up there, watching.

He’s all of it, everything.

“You always knew, didn’t you?” I whisper to the night.

The stars don’t answer. They just gleam, constant and eternal. But it’s enough. A small smile tugs at my lips, the ache in my chest easing ever so slightly.

“I miss you,” I say softly, the words carried away by the wind.

The stars shimmer once more—a silent acknowledgment, a promise that he’s not truly gone.

And for the first time in days, I don’t feel so alone.

CHAPTER 43

HANNA

“My queen,”Raila says, appearing in the doorway to the solar room where I’m sitting by the massive windows and savoring the last of my morning coffee in the sunlight. “There’s someone approaching the castle.”

I twist to face her, suddenly alert. The snowbird chirps in alarm from its perch in the corner of the room.

“Who? Where is Tuoni?”

“He’s already gone to meet them. I came to inform you.”

I slurp back the precious dregs and place the cup down before rising, a flutter of panic in my chest. It’s been a few weeks now since we claimed back Tuonela and it’s been quiet, if not busy as we rebuild, all threats seemingly eradicated. And yet, I’m still as jumpy as ever.

“Well, do you know who it is?” I ask.

She dips her chin beneath her veil. “Your father said it’s the disgraced shaman, Ilmarinen.”

What the hell?

“Thank you, Raila.”

I gather up the ends of my burgundy dress and hurry out of the room, the snowbird flying behind me. Ever since it returnedto Shadow’s End in the middle of the night, it’s been following me and Tuoni everywhere. I don’t really speak bird, despite my nickname, but I have the distinct impression that when my husband sent it to find his sister, Ilmatar, that the bird ended up staying with her until the coast was clear and Tuonela was back in order. Can’t say I blame the thing. At least it’s not attacking Tuoni like it used to do, as funny as it was.

Damn this castle is big, I think to myself, descending staircase after staircase as I race to the bottom. Sometimes when I’m truly lazy, I find Sarvi and ask the unicorn to fly me down, broken horn and all. What good is being a queen if you can’t have a flying unicorn transport you from time to time?

---