Page 17 of Starlit Bargains

“No,” Eliar agreed with a sigh. “I gathered that much.”

They stood facing each other in the moonlight, the air between them charged with unspoken questions and possibilities. Kai was acutely aware of how easy it would be to close the distance between them, to reach out and touch this enigmatic being who had literally fallen from the stars.

Before he could act on the impulse, Eliar took a deliberate step backward.

“Be careful in the village,” he warned. “The Keepers will be watching you now. Don't give them reason to act against you.”

“What about you?” Kai asked. “Where will you go?”

“I have places,” Eliar said vaguely. “I've survived this long by knowing when to make myself scarce.”

“Will I see you again?” The question came out more earnest than Kai intended, and he immediately tried to recover with a grin. “I mean, we still have the whole 'our magic creates dangerous interdimensional incidents' thing to figure out.”

Something softened in Eliar's expression. “Yes,” he said simply. “You'll see me again.”

And then, between one blink and the next, he was gone—not with any flash or magical effect, but simply as if the shadows had swallowed him whole, leaving Kai and Briar alone at the forest's edge.

“Well,” Briar said after a moment, landing on Kai's shoulder, “he's certainly got the dramatic exit down to an art form.”

Kai laughed, though it sounded slightly hollow even to his own ears. “Apparently that's a celestial specialty.”

“Along with being cryptic and frustratingly good-looking,” Briar added. “You really know how to pick them, Everwood.”

“I didn't pick anything,” Kai protested as they began walking toward the village. “Cosmic coincidence, remember?”

“Mmhmm,” Briar hummed skeptically. “Just like it was 'cosmic coincidence' that you got tangled up with royalty back in Thornhaven?”

“That was different. Silas needed a friend, not...” Kai trailed off, unsure how to define whatever was developing between him and Eliar.

“A magical catalyst that awakens his dormant celestial powers and attracts interdimensional monsters?” Briar suggested helpfully.

“Exactly,” Kai agreed with a snort. “That's definitely not what Silas needed.”

They reached the village proper, slipping through the same gap in the wall they'd used earlier. The streets were mostly deserted, though a few windows still showed lamplight despite the late hour. Kai headed for the tavern where he'd rented a room, keeping to the shadows out of habit rather than necessity.

“You should probably get some sleep,” Briar said as they approached the building. “You look exhausted.”

“I feel exhilarated,” Kai corrected, though he couldn't deny a bone-deep weariness was beginning to seep in. “Magic surges, celestial beings, shadow monsters—it's been the most interesting day I've had in years.”

“Only you would find nearly being eaten by a void creature 'interesting,'” Briar muttered.

“It's a talent,” Kai agreed cheerfully.

The tavern was quiet when they entered, only a few patrons still nursing drinks in the dim corners. The innkeeper nodded sleepily as Kai passed, too accustomed to travelers keeping odd hours to question his late return. Soon enough, Kai found himself in the small but clean room he'd rented, collapsing onto the bed with a grateful sigh.

Briar settled on the windowsill, her tiny form silhouetted against the night sky. “What's the plan for tomorrow?” she asked. “Back to Thornhaven like the star-boy suggested?”

Kai snorted. “Don't let him hear you call him that. And no, definitely not. There are too many unanswered questions here.”

“You mean you're too interested in him to leave,” Briar translated.

“I'm interested in the mystery,” Kai insisted, though the protest sounded weak even to his own ears. “Fallen stars, village dreams, shadow monsters—you have to admit it's intriguing.”

“Mmhmm,” Briar hummed again, unconvinced. “Just be careful.”

Morning came too quickly and too brightly, sunlight streaming through the window and directly onto Kai's face with what felt like deliberate malice. He groaned, throwing an arm over his eyes.

“Rise and shine, sleeping beauty,” Briar chirped from somewhere above him. “The village is already awake and buzzing with gossip.”

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