Page 170 of Starside

The dread in me tightens and twists. I fight to keep my voice casual. “A good one? Or a bad one?”

“I’m not sure yet.” She quickens her pace, her movements lithe and impossibly elegant.

I glance at her back—and there they are. Another set of limp wings, long down her spine, mixing with the ethereal fabrics of her dress.

“You can fly,” I say.

“Could fly” is all she says.

A pinch forms between my brows. “They’re … broken?”

“Something like that.” She does not elaborate.

We pass a rock face, part of the palace. There are carvings along it. I slow to study them, mouth opening, then closing. “Are these—”

“Dragons.”

Hardened into stone. Asleep. I think back to mine with a sinking sadness. Is this what she looked like, hidden below, before she saved me? Is this what she looks like now?

“They’re slumbering. We haven’t needed them in centuries.”

I frown. “There’s been peace for that long?”

“There’s never been peace,” she says flatly. “But long ago, we learned not to meddle in affairs. We keep to ourselves. It keeps us safe.”

My eyes narrow. “And the rest of the world? Do you not think it’s a crime to be complicit?”

The gods are not the only ones who forgot about us.

She must sense the anger in my words. She studies me, curiosity written across her features. “We must prioritize our own survival. It’s how we have remained, when so many other ancient beings have long been extinguished.” She tilts her head. “Tell me, Aris. Do you care about the rest of the world?”

I grind my teeth. I’m not here for the magic; I’m not here to help. I’m here to hurt. I’m here for my own selfish reasons. She seems to know it too.

She continues walking toward the gates.

There, Raker, Este, and a grinning Gallie are waiting. She keeps shooting looks in Raker’s direction, but I’m not even sure he notices. His sword is dug into the ground in front of him. He clutches its hilt with both hands. His mask is back on. Of course, it is.

As much as I liked the dress, I had to leave it behind. Finally, though, I’m in new clothing. Fitted pants, fortified at the knees. A long-sleeved shirt, tight enough to make fighting easy, without constricting my breathing, with a high collar, that I suspect was specially made after the faelings noticed my preference in style. A large pile of new undergarments that I keep in my newly gifted pack.

“The Astral Queen has blessed your journey … and so will we,” the Eldress says. I raise a brow. This is a change from yesterday, when she was about to kick us out into the demon-riddled woods in the middle of the night. I keep my mouth shut as she takes one of the many strands of her glowing necklaces—and places it around my neck. It’s made up of hundreds of tiny glass orbs, each containing a small flicker of light.

“The night creatures won’t harm you with the starlight.”

Relief rushes through my veins. We can travel at night. It will help our pace … and help us avoid enemies, since no one else would dare be out after sunset. This couldn’t have come at a better time. We’re twenty-four days into the Questral, and, according to the map, close to the Land of the Gods. We could actually reach it, and make it back to Stormside, especially now.

“Go,” the Eldress says. “Travel quickly. Avoid the Great Houses at all costs. They all have dangerous partnerships with gods. I hope you find what you’re looking for.”

I nod my thanks. Raker does too. Then the wooden gates creak open.

Before we can walk through them, I feel a light hold on my wrist. Este. I turn to see her looking conflicted. She stares at me, eyes searching for something … before finally saying, “There is no such thing as a starless night, Aris. Silver breaks through darkness. Every single time.” In her look is a quiet determination, hard as the strongest metal. A fierceness that does rival the stars. “If you need help, just reach for it.” Her gaze is on my necklace. I don’t know what she means … but she doesn’t elaborate. She just steps back into the line. The Eldress gives her a sharp look.

Birds chirp in front of me, pulling my notice. The forest beyond the gates is blossoming. Shards of morning light are piercing through the treetops. I turn to get one last look at the Traveling City—

But it’s gone. As if it never existed.

31

In the daytime, my necklace offers a faint glow. Hours later, when we’re still trekking through the woods, and the sun begins to fade, it grows into a crown of light.