Page 28 of Burning Star

Fantastic.

“Celeste,” I say, drawing in a breath and smoothing my hair like it’ll somehow give me back my dignity.

“Sapphire,” she says with a knowing smile. “And Riven Draevor, Prince of Winter. What you two have created transcends even my expectations.”

“That’s quite the compliment coming from someone who createdthis.”I raise the Star Disc, admiring its beauty all over again—and desperately needing to switch the topic away from celestial PDA before I’m embarrassed to death.

I’ve already died enough for one day.

“You proved yourself worthy,” she says, either ignoring—or not caring—that Riven and I were about to rip off each other’s clothing while the Star Disc was still in my hand. “You proved that you understand the balance between power and love. That you’re willing to tear through the cosmos to save the ones you care about.”

“I didn’t do it to prove anything.” I tighten my grip on Riven’s hand, frost and water spiraling along our skin, from our palms to our elbows. “I did it because I care about keeping the people I love alive. And I’ll tear through the cosmos again if that’s what it takes to make sure theystayalive.”

“And that’s why the cosmos bends for you.” Celeste’s gaze lingers on me, something knowing in the way she watches. “Because you don’t seek power. And yet, you claim it as if you were forged from it.”

Riven steps closer, the space between us crackling with protective energy.

“She wasn’t just forged from power—sheispower,” he says to Celeste. “And gods help whoever forgets it.”

I prepare myself for Celeste to launch an attack on Riven for being, well… Riven.

“You’re lucky, Winter Prince,” she says instead. “Not just to have her, but to know what she’s worth. I approve.”

“Smart choice,” Riven says, already sliding into that insufferable tone that means a one-liner is coming. “I’d hate to have to overthrow a goddess for underestimating my wife.”

“I’d love to see you try.” Celeste raises a delicate brow. “But considering you were dead less than an hour ago, perhaps you should pace yourself on the divine vengeance.”

He lets out a low, amused laugh. “Fair enough.”

I glance between them and huff, forcing them to return their focus to me.

I am, after all, the reason we’re gathered here today. Or tonight. Or whatever time it is in the cosmic void.

“As much as I love this whole family reunion moment, maybe my celestial godmother and my infuriatingly devoted soulmate can hold off on the bonding session?” I ask. “Because I just claimed a cosmic death frisbee and have no idea how to use it.”

“Then allow me to show you what power looks like when you wield it,” Celeste says, and a vision forms in the air between us—me throwing the Star Disc like a weapon. It cuts through the air with deadly precision, leaving a trail of stardust in its wake, and returns to my hand.

The vision version of me looks like an avenging goddess.

“As you see, it will always return to you,” Celeste says to me, now in full mentor mode. “The Disc is bound to your soul, just as you’re now bound to his.” She nods toward Riven, then turns back to me. “But it’s more than just a weapon. It’s a conduit for your star magic, your water magic, your air magic, and the ice magic you share with your prince. The Disc will amplify it all.”

I exchange a glance with Riven, who raises an eyebrow—his subtle way of telling me he’s impressed.

“So, I just... throw it?” I ask Celeste, feeling both empowered and slightly underwhelmed by the simplicity.

She nods. “Throw it with intention. It can cut through nearly anything—even materials that should be impossible to break. And reaching for it with your air magic will return it to you, as air magic tends to do with weapons bound to their wielder’s soul.”

I give it an experimental spin in my hand, feeling how naturally it balances on my fingertips, admiring the stardust it generates as it moves.

Then, I hurl it across the platform.

It whistles through the air, trailing a comet’s tail of shimmering light. For a heartbeat, it becomes the only star in the sky. Then, I reach for it with my magic to bring it back, and it curves and returns, slapping cleanly into my palm with a hum that echoes in my bones.

Celeste claps, her smile radiant. “You’re a natural.”

She walks me through a few more techniques, and it comes easily—like brewing potions always has, only faster and deadlier. Each time the Disc returns to me, it feels more familiar, like an extension of my body.

“Fantastic,” she says after it returns to me again. “And now, that about covers our lessons.”

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