Page 223 of Fallen Stars

“See you around, witch,” he said as he walked past her and through the arch.

“Oh, you will.” She smirked, and his gaze flicked to the freckle above her full, wicked lips.

He forced himself to give her his most disdainful look as he brushed past though his throat had grown tight.

Must be the cigarettes, he thought to himself.

Ophelia winked as the group began to file through after Eli, giving their thanks to the witch as they did.

“You staying here too?” he called to Lias, still on the other side with Ophelia and Sagitton. The Star grinned, shrugging. “Why not? I may as well enjoy the celebrations for a few more days.”

Eli sighed. “You know the heavens will be in a shambles? Ariete’s still not been spotted up there for months.”

“Not my problem.” Lias yawned, linking arms with Sagitton. “I’ll see you in a few weeks.”

Eli could already feel the headache forming from the mess he’d have to clear up with Lias rampant in Kaos. So he sighed, turning and leaving the three, and ignoring Ophelia’s twinkling brown gaze as it bore into him.

Soon enough, they reached the docked ship, other stragglers making their way back from Kaos’s celebrations too. The harbour was packed, the in-between stretching ahead back into Altalune.

His ship loomed before them, beautiful and gleaming. He lingered by it as Elara caught up to him.

“Don’t tell me you’re not coming either?” she said softly, nudging him.

He turned, chest hurting a little. “I wish I could, but I need to go back to the heavens and see what mess it has been left in, what state the other Stars are in. Half were likely oblivious that Piscea was even waking at all. And it will seem suspicious if I’ve been gone for too long.”

Elara sighed, hugging him, and he held on tightly. “So you’re going to miss my wedding?”

“I’ll try to make it,” he said into her hair.

“If you see Ariete, try to convince him not to hunt me down until after the wedding? In fact, convince all the Stars, would you?”

Eli chuckled, ruffling her hair as he let go, and Enzo came and embraced him, slapping him on the back. “Thanks for everything, Eli. We’ll see you soon?”

Eli nodded. “As soon as I can get away again. The heavens are yours. I haven’t forgotten that. We’ll form a plan. If we can avoid war, we will strategise in every way we can to do that. Oh, and Lorenzo?”

Enzo looked up, brow raised.

“Congratulations. Nothing makes me happier than to see the two of you together.”

Enzo’s smile was like dawn breaking as he shook Eli’s hand. “If you can make the wedding, please do. It would mean the world to El.”

“I’ll try,” Eli said again.

“Oh, fiancé?! Hurry up!” Elara sang down, already clambering across the boardwalk. Lorenzo chuckled. “Thank you again for everything,” he said, clambering aboard too. Eli waved him off as the rest filed past.

Adrian gave him a nod, Leo winking, Isra and Merissa both embracing him as they all stepped aboard.

“Adrian!” Eli called once the titan had set foot onto the deck. “You can keep the ship.”

Adrian let out a disbelieving laugh, bounding up to the ship’s stern. “You’re not serious?”

“When do I ever joke?” Eli replied.

“Thank you,” he shouted. “My gods, thank you!” Adrian shouted as he began to wave his hands, his ocean magick taking control of the ship.

Eli watched the chains rattle as the anchor was dredged up, a familiar sadness settling over him as the group began to retreat, the sails unfurling. Elara stayed by the rail, waving to him until she was nothing more than a speck.

Then with a sigh and a glance to the skies, Eli went home.

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