Page 48 of Blood of the Stars

“Is it safe for me to stay with the group?” she asked the progenies. “If Mayvus uses my blood to brand me, is there risk of me turning on you at any point?” The question felt ridiculous, the idea of her being used as a weapon against these people almost arrogant, but it had to be asked.

“Of course there’s risk.” Sylmar’s straightforward answer made Aeliana’s stomach drop. “But that could happen even if you strike out on your own. At least if you’re with us, we’ll have the hope of restraining you or even cutting out the brand mark on your skin to reverse it. The safest place for you to be is with us.”

Aeliana chewed on her lower lip, still not convinced.

“The brand can be reversed that easily?” Cyrus let out a long breath, his body slouching.

Velden winced. “Reversed? Yes. Easily? No. Everything inside Aeliana will fight us, including her blood and that starlock she just earned.” He tapped her fist, reminding her it was clenched so tight her palm had grown numb.

She relaxed her fingers, then tucked the charm in her pocket and rubbed the feeling back into her hand. When she scratched at the mark on her palm, she couldn’t help glancing at Lukai. His left arm was wrapped in seaweed, and he limped as he approached Kendalyhn. Aeliana was starting to feel a pull, a heightened awareness. Not exactly the attraction Velden had suggested, but a desire to help and a need to prioritize him. Was that what Mayvus’ brand would feel like?

Probably a lot worse.

“When can she use my blood?” Aeliana asked.

Sylmar’s brow furrowed. “Once she has it in her possession, she could use it at any moment, but my guess is that she’ll wait for Summer Solstice. It’s what she’s done in the past because with the longest hours in the Sun’s light, the brand will be the strongest.”

“Many bonding ceremonies are held then for the same reason,” Velden said.

“Plus, they’re not aware Aeliana’s already had her Awakening,” Sylmar said. “They’ll want to give her time to earn her starlock to make sure her magic is worth stealing.”

Aeliana bit her lip, watching the others disappear from view as Jasperus led them around the dwindling flames toward another rocky path. It would take them back to their cave and away from the smoke and stench of dragon. And based on Iris’ earlier directions, it would also take them toward the other Recreants in Valorian. Toward unknown dangers and threats.

Only Iris and Lukai remained at the path’s edge, a faithful servant and bondmate, as if their roles held them there, unable to move on without her. It made her want to be worthy of their devotion.

“You know we’re the good guys, right?” Velden cocked his head, then sprayed her face lightly with water from his hands.

She wiped her face. “You just killed a woman. I don’t know what to think of you.”

“Hmm.” He glanced across the clearing as if Vera’s body might be just beyond their view. “Fair point. Does it help if I remind you we’re in a war? She was the enemy, whereas you”—he gestured toward her and Cyrus—“are not.”

“I could become the enemy, with or without Mayvus’ brand. There’s something wrong with my magic.” Aeliana glanced at Sylmar, who didn’t disagree. Was she the only one who felt the pull of darkness? It was less about whether she trusted these people and more about whether she could trust herself.

“Then let us help you,” Sylmar said, both hands balanced on his staff. “You let me teach you about your magic, wean you from the blood magic, and then, if you still want me to get rid of your magic, I’ll teach you that too.”

“Sylmar—” Velden started to protest.

“Do we have a deal?” Sylmar held out his gnarled hand, the thick scars drawing Aeliana’s curiosity once more. She glanced at Velden, who glared at Sylmar but said nothing.

“What’s in it for you?” she asked. “Why did you bother waiting for me in the first place? It can’t just be a favor for a priestess everyone loved.”

Sylmar’s hand hung in the air, but his confidence didn’t wane. “Just like your mother is the key to defeating Mayvus, you are the key to rescuing your mother. The way Mayvus uses her brands, well, it leaves them imprisoned in their mind almost as much as their body. After all this time, if you aren’t with us when we find Emeris—if you aren’t safe—I’m not sure she’ll ever escape that prison.”

Aeliana stared at Sylmar’s outstretched hand for a moment longer.

“Deal.” She grasped his forearm, surprised by his strong grip as he returned the gesture.

Without further deliberation, he turned, passing Iris and Lukai, clearly expecting them all to follow.

Lukai stepped forward, rubbing the back of his neck as though flustered. “I’m sorry I couldn’t come fast enough. I sensed your pain—I wanted to be there, but my injuries needed tending. Plus the injuries of the others around me.” He closed his eyes. “I should have come to you first.”

She placed her hand on his arm. “No. Never abandon someone else in need to save me. Regardless of our bond.”

His brow furrowed, but instead of commenting, he turned her hand over, gently running his fingers over her forearms and palms. The motion felt surprisingly intimate until she sensed a coolness over her burns and her pain receded to something far more tolerable. Her heart raced, but she couldn’t tell which made her more anxious—his magic or his touch. He repeated the motion over her face and neck, but this time her cheeks were too warm for the coolness to ever come.

“Ready?” He reached for the bow and quiver, but instead of taking them back, he helped her strap them on like she was a child. “They suit you better anyway.”

The gift was extravagant, and she should thank him, but she was still too flustered by his touch. She adjusted her hair where it got caught under the straps, wincing as he tightened them on her back where Arvid had carved his message.

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