Page 12 of Starlit Bargains

“No.”

A reluctant smile tugged at Kai's lips. “Fair enough. The baker gave me a map. Seems there are some people in your village who don't subscribe to the whole 'fear and isolation' philosophy of these Keeper folks.”

That got Eliar to turn, his expression a mixture of surprise and resignation. And yes, his eyes were indeed glowing—not just reflecting the moonlight but emanating their own soft blue radiance, like stars seen through a thin veil of clouds.

“Marla,” he sighed. “I should have known. She's always been too curious for her own good.”

“A trait I can appreciate,” Kai said, climbing the worn stone steps to enter the temple proper. Up close, the mosaic floor was even more remarkable—the patterns weren't random but deliberate, depicting what appeared to be a star chart of incredible complexity. “So, this is where you come to communewith the cosmos? Very on-brand for the mysterious village recluse.”

A flicker of something that might have been amusement crossed Eliar's face. “Is there a purpose to your intrusion, or do you simply enjoy putting yourself in danger?”

“Can't it be both?” Kai countered, moving closer. “I have questions. You have answers. Seems like a natural arrangement.”

“What makes you think I have answers?”

“Well, for starters, your eyes are literally glowing, which suggests you're not exactly the average village hermit.” Kai gestured to the temple around them. “Plus, there's... this. Whatever this is. Ancient temple to forgotten gods? Your personal meditation spot? Excellent place for clandestine stargazing?”

To Kai's surprise and delight, the corner of Eliar's mouth twitched upward—the barest hint of a smile, there and gone so quickly he might have imagined it.

“You talk a lot,” Eliar observed.

“Defense mechanism,” Kai admitted easily. “Plus, someone has to fill the conversational void when faced with tall, brooding, and mysterious types who communicate primarily in cryptic warnings and significant silences.”

This time, the smile lingered a fraction longer. “Has anyone ever told you that you're exhausting?”

“Frequently. I take it as a compliment.” Kai took another step closer, noting with interest how Eliar didn't back away. “So, are you going to tell me what's going on? Why the village is on edge? Why plants bloom when I walk past? Why your eyes look like they've swallowed stars?”

Eliar studied him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. When he finally spoke, his voice was softer, almost reluctant. “Some questions are dangerous, Kai Everwood. Notbecause of the answers themselves, but because of what happens once you know them.”

“I'm not afraid of dangerous knowledge,” Kai said, finding that he meant it. “I'm not afraid of you, either, if that's what you're worried about.”

“Perhaps you should be.”

The words held no threat, only a sort of weary sadness that made something in Kai's chest tighten unexpectedly. Without thinking, he reached out, his fingers brushing lightly against Eliar's arm.

The contact was electric—literally. A spark jumped between them, bright enough to momentarily illuminate the entire temple. Kai felt it like a shock wave through his system, magic responding to magic, power calling to power. From Eliar's sharp intake of breath, he'd felt it too.

“What was that?” Kai whispered, his hand still outstretched though no longer touching Eliar.

“A resonance,” Eliar replied, his voice rough-edged. “Your magic responding to...” He hesitated. “To what remains of mine.”

“Your magic doesn't feel diminished to me,” Kai said honestly. The power radiating from Eliar was unlike anything he'd ever encountered—ancient and vast, like standing at the edge of an ocean at night.

Eliar laughed, a sound so unexpected and yet so beautiful that Kai found himself momentarily speechless. It was a laugh tinged with bitterness but genuine nonetheless.

“You have no context for comparison,” Eliar said. “What you sense is merely an echo of what once was.”

“Then it must have been terrifying,” Kai murmured. “Because even the echo is...” He trailed off, unable to find words adequate to describe the sensation.

A silence fell between them, not uncomfortable but charged with unspoken questions. Around them, the temple ruins seemed to breathe, the strange constellations in the floor shifting imperceptibly beneath their feet.

“You should go back to Thornhaven,” Eliar said eventually, though with less conviction than his earlier warnings. “This isn't your concern. This village, these dreams, me—none of it has anything to do with you.”

“Except it does,” Kai countered. “My magic reacts to this place. To you. The land itself responds when I pass. I don't understand it, but I can feel it.” He met Eliar's gaze directly. “And I think you can too.”

Eliar looked away first, his jaw tightening. “Whatever connection you think exists, whatever answers you're seeking—they won't bring you peace. Only complications. Dangers you aren't prepared for.”

“You know what your problem is?” Kai asked, stepping closer again, close enough that he could feel the warmth radiating from Eliar's skin. “You're so focused on all the terrible possibilities that you can't see any other outcome. Maybe, just maybe, there's a reason I'm here. A reason my magic responds to yours. A reason the village is dreaming of falling stars right when I happen to show up.”

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