Page 11 of Favored By the Stars

It had to be the same one I'd seen before when Thorn and his team had cleared out the corrupted fae from the village.

"Hold," a gravelly voice murmured. The corruption, which had been about to latch onto me again, froze in place.

When I had seen him before, I'd thought the mask was animalistic, and it was, but from this distance I could see that it was designed to resemble a dragon's head. The metal glinted in the light that pierced through the tree branches, making it seem all the more ominous.

The masked mage tilted their head, studying me with an intensity that made my skin crawl. I could feel the weight of their gaze even through the eyeholes of that eerie dragon mask.

"Fascinating," they murmured, their gaze scanning over me as though I was a prize hog. "You shouldn't be able to wield that power, Senara. Not here. Not now. Especially not after how weak and powerless you were last time."

My eyes narrowed. "You know my name?"

"I know many things," the mage replied, taking a step closer. The corruption behind me growled, but remained still. "I know of your bond with the sun-kissed warrior. I know of the goddess's waning power. And I know that you now stand at a crossroads."

The mention of Thorn sent a pang through my heart. I pushed it aside, focusing on the threat before me. I clenched my fists, the strange silvery-gold energy still crackling around my fingers. "Who are you? What do you want?"

The mage chuckled, a sound like grinding stones. "I am Eldric Jandath Valtoris, child. And what I want..." He paused, reaching out as if to touch my face. I flinched back, but he simply traced the air near my cheek. "...is to understand how you've done this."

The corruption creature writhed behind us, held in check by some unseen force. Eldric's mask turned slightly toward it, then back to me.

"You've rejected the Empress's offer," he stated. It wasn't a question. "Yet you channel power that shouldn't be accessible to you. Tell me, little moon-touched one, do you even know what you are?"

My heart raced. The new power within me surged, responding to my fear and confusion. "I'm Senara, Chosen of the Moon Goddess," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

Eldric's laugh was sharp and cold. "Oh, child. You are so much more than that. And so much less."

He raised a hand, and I tensed, ready for an attack. Instead, the air between us shimmered, forming a mirror-like surface. I gasped at what I saw reflected there.

My eyes glowed with an otherworldly light made up of silver and gold intertwined. The moon mark on my face had expanded, delicate lines of starlight tracing patterns across my skin. But most shocking of all was the faint outline of wings behind me, translucent and shimmering like gossamer.

"What…what am I?" I whispered, reaching out to touch the impossible image.

Eldric waved a hand, dispelling the mirror. "That, my dear, is the question we must answer. For your sake, and for the sake of all the realms."

The masked mage turned, gesturing for me to follow. "Come. We have much to discuss, and little time. The corruption grows stronger with each passing moment."

I hesitated, glancing back towards where Thorn and Kaelyn had disappeared. Every instinct screamed at me to find a way through that barrier, to reunite with them. But the power thrumming through my veins whispered of secrets and truths I desperately needed to understand.

The doubt that had been gnawing at me since my vision surged forward. I pushed it down, clinging to my convictions. "I won't be manipulated by you or the Empress."

Eldric chuckled, the sound sending chills down my spine. "My dear, I offer no manipulation. Only truth. The choice of what to do with that truth is entirely yours."

"And what if I refuse?" I asked, my voice stronger than I felt.

He shrugged. "Then you refuse. But do you have any idea what to do next? How to reunite with your bonded? He watches for you even now." He raised a hand, and the air shimmered. An image appeared, Thorn and Kaelyn slumped against an enormous tree trunk, their faces etched with worry and exhaustion. Thorn's gaze scanned the area, constantly on alert, looking for something, for me.

My heart clenched at the sight.

I reached out instinctively, my fingers passing through the mirage. "And you know how I can get to them?" I whispered, hating the desperation in my voice.

Eldric's mask seemed to smile even though the carved features didn't actually move. "The power you now wield, it is the key. Neither purely of the moon nor of the sun, but a perfect balance. It can pierce the Grove's defenses, reunite you with your companions."

My mind raced. Could I trust this mysterious mage? But then, did I have any other choice?

"And what's the catch?"

Eldric's mask tilted, the silver dragon's eyes seeming to glint with amusement. "Clever girl. The 'catch,' as you put it, is knowledge. To truly wield this power, you must understand its origins. And that understanding may shatter everything you think you know."

I clenched my fists, the strange energy still crackling around my fingers. "I'm not afraid of the truth." The energy made my skin itch, and I wanted to let it dissipate, but I was scared that if I did, then I wouldn't be able to recall it.

---