Page 56 of Starlit Bargains

Now, as late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the landscape, the Thornhaven estate finally loomed in the distance. Its twisted iron gates yawned open like the mouth of something ancient and waiting, the sprawling manor house beyond partially obscured by mist that seemed to cling to the property despite the otherwise clear day.

Eliar felt his chest tighten as they approached. It had been centuries since he last set foot here, since he'd last seen this place—or its guardian.

“You okay?” Kai asked, glancing over at him. They'd borrowed horses from a farm several miles back, the elderly owner more than happy to help after Kai had fixed his collapsingbarn roof with a few well-placed spells. “You look like you're heading to an execution rather than my home.”

“I'm fine,” Eliar replied automatically, the lie evident even to his own ears.

Kai raised an eyebrow but didn't press the issue. “Well, it's not much, but it's home. Or at least, Silas's punishment that became home.” He grinned. “Exiled royalty makes for interesting roommates.”

Eliar barely heard him, his attention fixed on the estate as they rode closer. Thornhaven had changed since he'd last seen it—the grounds were better maintained, the architecture had been modified over the years, new wings added while older sections had been torn down or repurposed. But beneath those superficial changes, the essence of the place remained the same.

Old magic. Ancient protections. Power that had been sleeping in the land long before humans built their stone structures atop it.

“Briar,” Kai called to the sprite, who was flying loops around their horses, clearly excited to be back on familiar territory. “Go ahead and let them know we're coming. And maybe warn Silas not to kill me immediately for disappearing.”

“On it!” Briar zipped forward, a streak of light against the darkening sky.

“Silas is going to be furious,” Kai told Eliar, though he didn't seem particularly concerned by the prospect. “I was supposed to be gone for a day or two at most.”

“You didn't tell him where you were going?” Eliar asked, momentarily distracted from his own mounting anxiety.

Kai shrugged. “I mentioned Mistwood. The shopping list. Nothing about fallen guardians, shadow monsters, or prophecies that might tear the veil between worlds.” He flashed that crooked grin again. “Seemed like unnecessary details at the time.”

Despite everything, Eliar found himself almost smiling. Kai's irreverence in the face of cosmic significance was oddly refreshing after centuries of solemn isolation.

As they passed through the gates, Eliar felt the estate's boundary magic wash over him—ancient protections recognizing and assessing him before allowing entry. The sensation was like plunging into cool water, momentarily disorienting before he adjusted to the pressure of the foreign magic.

Ahead, the manor house rose against the twilight sky, windows glowing with warm light. A figure stood on the front steps, watching their approach.

“That'll be Silas,” Kai said, his casual tone not quite masking the affection in his voice. “Ready to rip me a new one, no doubt.”

As they drew closer, Eliar could make out more details of the man waiting for them. Tall and lean, with dark hair, he carried himself with the unmistakable bearing of nobility despite the plain clothes he wore. His sharp features were set in an expression of tightly controlled irritation, but relief was evident in his eyes as they fixed on Kai.

They dismounted at the foot of the steps, a stable hand appearing seemingly from nowhere to take the reins of their horses.

“You're alive,” Silas said by way of greeting, his tone dry as bone. “How unexpectedly considerate of you to stay that way, considering you've been gone for days without a word.”

“Days?” Kai blinked, genuinely surprised. “Has it really been that long?”

“Five days, to be precise,” Silas replied. “During which time I've had to talk Thorne out of turning the entire forest upside down looking for you at least three times.”

“I thought Briar was going to let you know I was staying in Mistwood a bit longer,” Kai said, glancing around for the sprite who had conveniently made herself scarce.

“Did you now?” Silas's expression made it clear he didn't believe that for a second. “Strangely enough, she seemed to be under the impression that you'd told me yourself.”

Kai had the good grace to look sheepish. “Ah. Well. Miscommunication happens in the best of families.”

Silas’ gaze shifted to Eliar. “And who might you be?”

Before Eliar could respond, Kai stepped in. “This is Eliar. From Mistwood. He's...” He hesitated, clearly unsure how to encapsulate everything that had happened. “...a friend. Who needs our help.”

“A friend,” Silas repeated, his tone making it clear he suspected there was considerably more to the story. His eyes narrowed slightly as he studied Eliar more intently. “You're not human.”

It wasn't a question.

“No,” Eliar agreed, seeing no point in denial. “I'm not.”

Silas nodded once, as if this confirmed something. “He's inside,” he said, his gaze flicking back to Kai. “He sensed your approach about an hour ago. Said there was something... unusual about your companion.”

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