Page 53 of A Clash of Stars

I nodded at them and kissed them on their foreheads.

“All right, you two. I am going to bed. I have had a long day. You two stay out of trouble.” I smirked, knowing they were probably kissing by now, which should gross me out, but I loved their love for each other.

That night I tossed and turned with little to no sleep despite my tiredness. An anxious energy surrounded me, propelling sleep away like a forcefield.

When the morning arrived, I heard footsteps coming up the staircase.

“Good Morning, Princess.”

I could feel the warmth in his voice as citrus hit my nostrils as his voice yelled up towards my loft, “We are going out today, in the city. Wear something comfortable. Be ready in five!”

Ugh, I want to sleep in.

I stretched loudly in the bed and finally got up, ready to challenge the man who had interrupted my slumber. Madok was nowhere in sight. He probably ran away from my monstrous stretch scream. I giggled internally at what his reaction might have been. I started to get ready when I heard more footsteps.

“Hello, Ms. Clara. I have brought some clothes that belong to you.”

I immediately knew that voice, Sophia. I quickly threw the sheets off me, ran, and embraced her, knocking her off balance. It took her a second, and then she returned my embrace.

“It is great to see you, Sophia. I wondered what happened to you after they captured me.”

She pulled back from our embrace and smiled at me.

“I knew before you did what would happen. I hightailed it out of there with as much as I could grab. What would you like to wear today?” I pondered her statement and answered her.

“A dress would be great. Not the royal kind, please. Also, I lost the book in the tunnels. I tried to save it, but I couldn’t risk it.”

“Did you at least get to read some of it?” she asked curiously.

I smiled at her. “Yes, I read about the witch. It was interesting.”

“And what did you think about the story? Any insights?” Her eagerness to know the answer had me intrigued. She laughed and grabbed a light blue cotton dress with golden laced sandals handing them to me.

I decided to answer her honestly, “I think it was intriguing. Especially the part about no real separation between good and evil.”

I slid on the dress, let my wavy light brown hair flow over my shoulders, and ensured my rings were secure on my fingers.

“I also wonder what happened, were they successful, and who else was part of this Darthium world.” I snorted and smiled, sitting on the side of the bed to lace up the shoes while Sophia walked towards me and sat beside me. She had always been there, and I felt at peace with her.

“Can I tell you a secret?” she asked.

Yes, she could tell me all the secrets. I wanted to know everything she knew.

“Um, yes. I would be insulted if you didn’t,” I chuckled.

She smiled at me with her crystal blue eyes piercing into mine. “I know who the author of the book is. Maybe she would be able to answer some questions about it.”

I grabbed her hands, “Yes! I would love that.”

“Deal. Tomorrow I can meet with you and tell you about the rest.”

“I look forward to it, Sophia.” I gave her a warm smile, honestly just so full of gratitude that she madeit out safely.

She stood and walked away. I got an overwhelming sense that my questions about this land and its people would be answered sooner rather than later.

I walked downstairs into the living room, and I could see Madok’s golden eyes light up, and his smile curved into that always stunning look. His eyes grazed how the blue cotton dress hugged my curves and grazed the middle of my thighs.

“Wow, you look fantastic,” he sighed.

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