Page 161 of Starside

I open my eyes to see two stunningly beautiful women. Their tan skin is glimmering, like they’ve been brushed by starlight. Their eyes are like freshly cut emeralds. Unlike mine right now, their hair shines, tied into perfectly smooth waterfall braids running down both sides of their heads, before meeting in the back to form an intricate shape. A blooming rose, for one. A bow, for the other. They’re wearing gleaming, otherworldly fabrics, one in pink, the other in purple. I blink, confused, unbelieving. The last thing I remember is gates, crafted from wood. Were we saved?

The silver woman, she—

“She’s awake!” the one in purple says. Gallie, apparently. The one who wanted to cut my hair.

“We won’t,” the one in pink says, in response to me.

If my dirt-crusted discomfort is any indication, they didn’t try to change me out of my clothes, whoever they are. I look down to see I’ve ruined the perfect, silk-soft linens they placed me on.

It makes me think of someone else who would be just as dirty as I am right now.

“Where … where is he?” I ask warily, a pinch of worry forming in my chest. I remember the poison. How we both collapsed.

Gallie smiles mischievously. “Just down the hall. Growling at anyone who goes anywhere near him.”

Yes. That sounds exactly like normal Raker behavior. Relief runs through me, far sharper than expected.

“He’s handsome,” Gallie says, smiling.

I frown. “You saw his face?”

“No,” she says. “But I can tell. Just by the way he walks.” So he’s up and walking? I don’t know who these people are … but clearly, they healed us. I swallow, only to feel my throat smooth again. As if they somehow fed me water while I was sleeping.

The one in pink shakes her head in a long-suffering way.

“He’s a demon,” I tell Gallie.

She shrugs. “Demons can be handsome.”

“And how would you know that?” the one in pink snaps, exasperated.

I blink at them. They seem friendly, but what if they’re not? “Who—who are you?”

The one in pink smiles. “I’m Este. This is my sister, Galice.”

Sister. I feel the familiar pang of sadness, seeing them together, remembering what I once had.

“I’m Aris,” I say slowly.

Then, suddenly, I feel a rush of panic. Something is missing. “Where’s my sword?” No one is supposed to be able to move it.

I’m still alive …

Did it choose someone else? Did it abandon me?

Gallie blinks, unfazed by my alarm. “The blacksmith took them. Weapons aren’t allowed here.”

“How—how did he move it?”

Este’s voice is more understanding. “Blacksmiths have ways with metal. They can move any sword, even claimed ones. Even ancient ones. It’s their power.”

My first instinct is to not believe her. I don’t believe any of them. She’s immortal. She’s glowing, though faintly.

But when she puts her hand on mine, I see something in her. Something that reminds me of the mysterious woman who led us to safety.

“The Elders will explain everything.” Este rises, offering her hand. “Come. We’ve drawn a bath.”

I blink. I should run out of this room. I should find my sword, and Raker, and get the hell out of here.