Page 49 of Favored By the Stars

Thorn's jaw tightened as he listened intently. "What do you mean by limits?"

"Artifacts like the Diadem often come with a cost," Van explained, running a hand through his unruly hair. "The balance you've found might attract even more dangerous forces."

A knot twisted in my stomach at his words. "So, what should we do? Just sit here and wait for trouble?"

"No," Thorn interjected, determination igniting in his gaze. "We prepare ourselves and confront whatever comes next."

I felt a rush of gratitude for his unwavering resolve. With him by my side, I could face anything, even the darkness threatening to consume me.

I turned to Volker, our ally, who had been listening quietly and seemed to barely ever speak. "Do you or Wyn know how to enhance the Diadem's power? We need to ensure it can protect us. I had to reforge it to claim it, but something isn't quite right. When I used it, the power felt like it was oscillating between the light of the sun and the light of the moon when it should combine the two."

Volker stepped forward, his brow furrowing in thought. "There are rituals that can strengthen its magic, but they require focus and intent." He glanced around the clearing as if assessing our surroundings for safety.

"What do we need for it?" I asked, all too eager to jump on the chance to give myself an edge over the Empress.

Volker glanced at Wyn and she nodded him on encouragingly, which caused a slight flush to rise on his cheeks. "Something representing each element. Fire, water, air, earth, spirit, sun, moon."

"Then we'll find what we need to represent everything and perform the ritual here," I declared, surprising even myself with the conviction in my voice.

"Here?" Wyn echoed softly.

"It's secluded enough," I replied firmly. "If we're going to stand against the Empress and her minions, we need every advantage we can muster."

As I spoke those words, energy surged within me, a sense of purpose swelling alongside my fears and doubts.

"Let's gather what we need," Thorn said decisively. He moved toward the center of the clearing where soft light pooled like liquid silver.

With renewed determination sparking in my chest, I joined him and began collecting elements from around us, twigs that shimmered like stars and petals that glowed with an otherworldly light as they gently cupped the dew that had gathered in their centers, feathers that seemed to be made of darkness and shadow, and anything else I thought could work, while keeping one eye on our surroundings for any signs of danger lurking in the shadows.

Thorn crouched nearby, inspecting a small brook that trickled with shimmering water. "This should work," he said, filling a small empty potion vial with the liquid that somehow made me think of the stars dancing with each other. I watched him, marveling at his determination despite the exhaustion that clung to him like a second skin. He cast me a sidelong glance and smirked, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "You sure you're up for this?"

I wanted to change that, to have him smile at me again and have it reach his eyes. For his fingers to touch me with the passion they once had. I didn't know if it was just my imagination or not, but it seemed like ever since I'd been pronounced the Eclipse Child, he'd been hesitant to touch me.

I was his soul bonded. His touch was like taking a deep relaxing breath and before I knew what I was doing, I was reaching for him.

My hand found his arm, fingers wrapping around the firm muscle. He turned to me, surprise flickering in his eyes, but he didn't pull away. Instead, his gaze softened, the hard lines of his face easing into something gentler.

"Senara," he murmured, his voice a low rumble that sent a shiver down my spine. He stepped closer, his hand covering mine, the warmth of his touch seeping into my skin. "What's wrong?"

I swallowed hard, trying to find the words to express the turmoil inside me. "I just... I need you, Thorn. I need to feel grounded, to know that we're in this together."

His eyes searched mine, a mix of concern and understanding, all of which echoed through our bond straight into my heart. He lifted his hand, cupping my cheek, his thumb brushing softly against my skin. "We are," he said, his voice steady and sure. "I'm right here with you, Senara."

I leaned into his touch, closing my eyes briefly as I drew strength from his presence. When I opened them again, I saw the reflection of my own fears and hopes mirrored in his gaze. I stepped closer, my body pressing against his, feeling the steady beat of his heart against my chest.

"I'm afraid," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "Afraid of what's coming, of what I might have to do."

Thorn's arms wrapped around me, pulling me tight against him. "We'll face it together," he said, his breath warm against my ear. "Whatever comes, we'll stand side by side."

I tilted my head up, my eyes meeting his. The intensity of his gaze sent a wave of heat through me, igniting a spark deep within. I reached up, my fingers tracing the line of his jaw, feeling the rough stubble beneath my touch. His breath hitched, and I felt a tremor run through him.

"Senara," he whispered, his voice rough with emotion. "The others…"

"Have wandered off," I murmured as his hand slid down my back, pressing me closer, and I could feel the tension in his body, the restraint he was exercising.

I rose onto my toes, my lips brushing against his, a soft, tentative touch that sent a jolt of electricity through me. Thorn's arms tightened around me, his lips parting as he deepened the kiss, his tongue meeting mine in a dance that was both fierce and tender.

In that moment, everything else faded away, the fear, the doubts, the looming darkness. There was only Thorn and me, our bodies pressed together, our hearts beating as one. I clung to him, my fingers tangling in his hair, my breath mingling with his as we lost ourselves in each other.

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