Page 84 of Blood of the Stars

Gaeren’s entire body tensed at Orra’s accusation. He wanted to deny it, to say that Enla would only dissuade him from something that wasn’t safe. But wasn’t Enla trying to control what he did back in Elanesse? She was the future queen, and she would make sure that his actions protected Elanesse, not just him.

He glared up at the others until they took several steps back, giving him the privacy he needed. He bent forward once more with a heated whisper. “Why did you tell me Daisy was with a human and the couple using blood magic when she’s with progenies?”

Orra gave a light laugh. “She was. Back on Bamboo Island. But now I suspect…she’s with many progenies. I can’t say for certain.”

Gaeren frowned.

“But to answer your question…yes. We can still help her. If we go. Now.” She stood, using Gaeren’s shoulder to push herself up.

He followed, but while Orra seemed reinvigorated and ready to move forward, Gaeren felt even less confident. Going after Daisy felt right, but it would mean going back on his promise to Enla, which always felt wrong.

Orra turned once more to face him. “You think you’re torn between two decisions. But you don’t realize they’re connected.”

He stiffened. Was she reading his thoughts? When a noetic tried using their skills on him, he usually sensed the prick of the invasion, but he hadn’t felt a thing.

“You’re right not to trust Mayvus.”

Gaeren stiffened. “Mayvus? What does she have to do with Daisy?”

“Mayvus is more of a threat to Enla than even you realize.” Orra’s gaze softened. “And Aeliana’s the only one who can save your sister from Mayvus.”

Gaeren’s throat felt raw with his breath, his fears exposed. “So by protecting Aeliana I can protect Enla?”

“I can’t guarantee that. There are always other factors.”

“How do you know all this?”

She sighed. “We share the same power source. While you grow into your magic, mine is fading. But it’s still stronger than yours. For now.”

He nodded. It was one of the clearest truths she’d told him. “Are you still tracking the starbridge? Or do you track Daisy?”

“I track Daisy to find the arrow.”

Gaeren frowned. “It’s an arrow?”

“All four need to be found. Not just to help Aeliana and Enla. But to fix what’s broken in the world."

Her words were as vague as always, but they made his heart pound. He’d always felt deep in his bones that his drive to protect Daisy was more than a childhood promise, that finding Daisy and the starbridge would lead to bigger things. He’d never imagined it would connect Daisy to the bigger things waiting for him back home. Or even bigger things that went beyond his family’s rule. His family had never seen Mayvus as a threat, had never wanted to. Knowing his instincts held merit gave him validation, but it also made the threat feel ten times more real.

It was possible Orra was still leading him on, saying the things she knew would matter even if they were lies. But even without trying to tap into his second spoke, he sensed her words were true. He couldn’t live with himself if he gave up now and crawled home to Enla without answers. He had to see this through.

He would find Daisy and protect her, but he would also find the golden arrow. He could even search Lovers’ Falls for the cutlass while they traveled past it. Even if Orra was wrong about its location or importance, it was worth checking. Especially if it could all help him find proof that Mayvus couldn’t be trusted.

His sister’s warning flashed through his memory as if his starlock intentionally summoned it. Trust Riveran to have your back. And stay away from Lovers’ Falls. Enla wouldn’t approve of any part of this plan.

“So we head for Lovers’ Falls, and you’ll pick up their trail again?” He pursed his lips, mapping out the travel in his head. The road from Valorian would go through thick forests that might slow them down. At this rate, it would be better for Gaeren to travel inland from Lovers’ Falls to Elanesse instead of trying to take Daisy back to Starspeed. Larkos could take the ship home.

The idea didn’t sit well with him. Larkos was the one he trusted most. He’d much rather have the older man by his side than Riveran. But Larkos was also the only person he trusted to get Starspeed home safely.

Now he’d be fulfilling the worst of Enla’s visions. The ship would return without him. Would it ease her fears to learn he stayed behind for a purpose? Probably not.

Gaeren would likely miss the dignitaries, but if he brought back proof of Mayvus’ threat or aid in the form of starbridges, all might be forgiven.

“If we move fast enough, we should intersect their path before the trail has gone.” Orra scanned the nearest buildings before letting her gaze fall on a large inn, then spoke loud enough to include Riveran, Thallahan, and Breeve. “They’ll have horses there.”

“You aim to steal them?” Riveran rubbed his forehead under his cap, and Gullet squawked, shifting as he sensed Riveran’s nervousness. If they were caught stealing, even Gaeren’s status couldn’t save Riveran. He’d be hanged.

“Let me get coin from Starspeed while I give Larkos orders,” Gaeren said.

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