It’s been about three weeks since I was rescued from the pit, and I still can’t see in the sunlight. Indoors, it’s a little improved. As a result, I find myself between wanting to spend time with Astralux and be outside in the summer sun, and wanting to open my eyes and look at things.
I stand in front of a full-length mirror, set in one corner of my recovery room. My body temperature has finally risen enough that most days I only wear one long-sleeved shirt and a sweater over that, and thicker slacks tucked into boots. Every now and then I get chilled and put a cloak on.
But right now I’m without my sweater, and I unbutton the top of my shirt. There, in the middle of my chest, is an eight-point, shimmering mark, starkly white against my cool dark skin. Just like Ariadna’s Star, if it had been laid flat. I rub a finger over it—it even feels different than the rest of my skin, smooth like metal, and a little warmer than the rest of me.
The question on my mind, though, is how do I get Ariadna’s Star out?
I close my eyes and hold my hands over the mark. I imagine pulling Ariadna’s Star out of me, of it coming back to my hands.
Nothing happens.
I peek an eye open. The mark is glistening in the soft light that filters through the dark blue curtains drawn over the windows of this room to aid me in being able to see. And still the Star burns within me.
Ariadna, shouldn’t all of Zoi see your Star?
The mark shimmers, as if from a light of its own. But it remains. There’s no crystal.
Perplexed, I button my shirt up, slip my blue sweater over my head, and then don the Verlassen cloak that I had been gifted. I really want to spend time with Astralux. And, I want to talk to the Wards about how to get Ariadna’s Star out of me.
Pulling the hood over my head, I walk out of the room and down the hall, admiring the landscape paintings as I make my way. I never realized how much my vision meant to me until it was taken away, and how much I missed without it.
I want so badly to see the sun, but as I near the entrance doors, my eyes hurt at the sunlight pouring through the two-story windows on either side. I give in at last as the doorman reaches for the door handle, and close my eyes.
“Honor to you, Ward Estelle,” the doorman says. “Shall I call for assistance?”
“Yes, please,” I say.
The door unlatches. “Honored Wards,” the doorman calls out. “Ward Estelle wishes to join you.”
Quick footsteps on cobblestone approach. “Good afternoon, Estelle!” Volkan calls.
Afternoon? I’m still sleeping in quite a bit. I accept Volkan’s arm and he leads me out without hesitation. “How is the planning going?” I ask.
“Well enough, but I want to know how you’re feeling?”
“Better,” I say.
“But not well enough to see outside yet,” Giftigbun says from nearby, his deep voice carrying over us.
“No,” I say. I feel the presence on my heart grow stronger, and smile when Astralux gives a happy roar from above. She lands with a heavy thud and bounds over to me, hugging me tight—our customary greeting for several days now. “How are you doing, Astralux?”
“Every time I see you, amazing!” Astralux nuzzles my head. “I just keep wishing you could open your eyes.”
“In time,” Veremund says. I hear footsteps approaching, and feel the powerful aura of kindness and goodness from him near closer, until at last he gives me a gentle embrace. “It’s always good to see you, Estelle.”
“It always feels good to be out and about with you all! Where is Thorn and Mortimer and their dragons?” I ask.
“Thorn and Vitegadium are out scouting the perimeter,” Neil says. “Mortimer and Undabouclier went to check in with Voxebellum and Lyssa. We want to remain diligent, in case the Vladykars attempt an attack on Adytol or even other parts of Amenyl. We dealt them a sound blow, here at Brixton,” he adds. “But we don’t want to take chances, stretched thin like we are.”
“Oh, good idea.” I look up at where I sense Veremund. “By the way, I was trying to call Ariadna’s Star out of me, but it won’t come. I don’t know why. Do you?”
There’s a pause, long enough that I realize the Wards have no idea.
“To be honest, we know very little about Ariadna’s Star,” Veremund says.
“You’re not saying it’s going to be stuck in Estelle, are you?!” Tikokaftos asks.
“I’m not sure that ‘stuck’ is the right word,” Kalteratem says. I feel the cool mist from his nostrils as he nuzzles me gently. “I think the Star has chosen to reside in Estelle.”
My mouth drops open. “Um. For how long?”
“That, I can’t say.” Kalteratem hums. “Thorn brought us some insight from the Vladykars, yet even their knowledge didn’t extend much farther than what we know now—that the Star can embed itself into a follower of Ariadna, and that the natural death of such a follower causes the Star to be dropped beside them, while forcing their death causes Ariadna’s Star to appear elsewhere on Zoi.”
“But doesn’t Ariadna’s Star make your magic stronger?” Astralux asks.
I hope no one of Amenyl is too close to overhear us. I have no idea how they’d react after finding this out. “It did before,” I say. “I’ve been so exhausted I haven’t tried since then.”
“It would be best not to test that just yet,” Veremund says.
“So…so what do I do about Ariadna’s Star?” I ask. “Surely Ariadna doesn’t mean for her Star to hide within me? It’s too beautiful to keep it contained!”
Neil chuckles. “Estelle, I’m not even going to pretend that that would be my first thought if Ariadna’s Star was in me.”
I puzzle over his words but remain quiet as I hear many footsteps headed toward us.
“Good afternoon, your Majesty, Generals,” Veremund says besides me.
“Good afternoon, Honored Wards!” King Mahlir says. There’s a pause. “And Honored Ward Estelle, it is a joy to see you up and about, even if your vision is still not completely healed.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” I say in the direction of his voice.
“We have heard tell that you carry Ariadna’s Star within you, now?” General Norman says.
“Yes,” I say. “I was just asking Veremund and the others why this was.”
“At any rate, this is great, great news,” General Easton says, his cheery voice carrying over us. “You managed to retrieve Ariadna’s Star from the Vladykars!”
“With help,” I say.
“Yes, and we thank all of you Wards for your bravery,” King Mahlir says. “All of Amenyl is grateful for your efforts—news of the Wards, and of your recent actions to retrieve Ariadna’s Star, have spread amongst the people.”
I wonder what he means. What aspects of retrieving Ariadna’s Star do they know? I also wonder if anything about my magic has come out yet. I don’t think that part of the story would go over well with them.
“Though we are in the midst of war, I would love to recognize you after this, Wards, for your alliance,” King Mahlir says.
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Veremund says.
Distantly, I hear the beating of wings. “Your son returns, Your Majesty,” Neil says.
“Ward Estelle!” Prince Philander’s voice filters over us from above. I hear Oneiro land, a bit heavily compared to the other dragons, and then footsteps toward us. “It is good to see you up!”
I feel a slight bit of irritation rise from Astralux, and I hide a small smile. “Thank you, Your Majesty,” I say, echoing Veremund.
To my surprise, Prince Philander takes my hand and gives it a quick kiss, like I was a lady of the court, not standing out here in simple, cold-weather attire with my eyes closed, no doubt looking quite unpresentable. “How do you fare?”
“Stronger every day,” I say.
“And your vision?”
“Better indoors,” I say. “The sunlight is still painful.”
“That is a shame. Yet I am certain you will recover even from that,” Prince Philander says. “You did agree to a dinner with myself upon your return. Would you be well enough for one this evening?”
I hesitate, mostly because I’m surprised given that I can’t look that put together. “If you don’t mind me retiring early. I still wear down easily.”
Prince Philander laughs, although it sounds a little sad. “Ward Estelle, do not fear—I know you are still recovering. It would be only a simple meal together.”
“Oh, sure,” I say.
“Wonderful!” Prince Philander kisses my hand again, and then I hear him step back. “I look forward to seeing you again.”
Astralux’s dislike is still strong, and I reach out, stroking her cheek, trying not to smile.
“We should start our strategy meeting,” Veremund says. “Estelle, you’re welcome to join us if you feel up for it.”
“Whatever Astralux wants to do,” I say.
“I like the strategy meetings,” Astralux says, “but I think some fresh air would be good for you.”
Smiling, I feel along her side until I find the nub on the back of her leg to push up, giving me a boost to the lower rung attached to her saddle. Someone must have put her saddle back on. Astralux told me the other day that she had gone without it during most of my recovery. I’m not as strong as my best, but I’m still able to pull myself up, and I settle into the saddle with a sigh.
Astralux gives a happy growl, and I hear the other dragons chuckle. Growling at them under her breath, Astralux turns and bounds off, her wings only beating a couple of times before we lift. Joyful feelings flood through me from Astralux, and I smile as I bury my face into her neck, careful to avoid her scales as they flex back and forth. The wind blowing past is cool but refreshing, the smell of summer in the air here above Brixton. The sunlight is warm on us, and once she’s high enough Astralux coasts, which reduces the intensity of the wind and helps it to feel a little warmer.
“How have you been?” I ask over the wind.
“Relieved,” Astralux says. “Feeling your fear, feeling your life just fading, and not charging in after you….” The dragon shudders. “That was terrible. I felt like I was abandoning you.”
I can’t even imagine Astralux’s position. Especially given that she had fled when her last bonded Tristin was attacked. No doubt it was running through her mind. I hug her as tight as I can. “Thanks for keeping your calm. And, for your strength—I needed every bit of it.”
“Veremund told me in greater detail about your imprisonment.” Astralux sniffles, loud enough to be heard over the wind. “Ariadna above, I never should have let you go down those stairs. I should have trusted my gut that something was off and left, with you.”
“We did the best we could with what we knew.” I rub Astralux’s neck. “I don’t blame you in the least. And Ariadna—and you—sustained me until Thorn got there.”
“I love that human, by the way. He’s my best friend after you now.”
I grin. “Surely not as much as you love Voxebellum?”
Astralux growls at me, her mix of sorrow, regret, joy, and relief turning into a singular embarrassment, and I laugh.
