Page 57 of Frozen Star
“Then let’s both live the life we choose,” I tell Zoey as I unstrap the Star Disc and hold it in my palm, feeling its familiar weight, the thrum of its magic connecting to my soul. “Here. You can use it to escape.”
Aerix’s posture changes, surprise crossing his features that are undeniably similar to Riven’s. “You would give up your celestial weapon?” he asks. “For us?”
“No.” I laugh, which makes him frown. “I’m letting youborrowmy weapon. When it’s done what I sent it to do, it will come back to me, like it always does.”
His eyes narrow. “And how, exactly, is a throwing weapon supposed to help us escape?”
“It’s not just a throwing weapon,” I start to explain. “It can also work as a glider.”
Zoey steps forward, her eyes fixed on the glowing sapphire at the center of the Disc. “I’m not following,” she says. “Do you want us to hop on and ride it like a hoverboard?”
I can’t help smiling at her reference to one of our favorite movie trilogies,Back to the Future.
“You’re not going to hop on,” I tell her. “You’re going to raise it above your head andholdon.”
“So, it’s not like Elphaba’s broomstick, either,” she mutters, the words feeling like they’re ripping my heart out of my chest. Because who am I going to watch all those movies with in the future? I don’t see Riven as the type to sit down and watchWicked, Phantom of the Opera,andMoulin Rougeback-to-back.
Well, he would if I asked him to, and he’d enjoy the time spent with me, even if he didn’t like the movies. And isn’t thatalso the point? The time spent with each other, no matter what you’re doing together?
I don’t know. What Idoknow is that my spiraling thoughts aren’t doing me any good. I need to snap back to the present and focus.
“Aerix.” I force myself to look at the Night Prince instead of at my best friend. “You’ll hold Zoey securely from behind.”
He crosses his arms defensively. “Why?”
“Because your wings will help propel you forward faster,” I explain. “And you’ll need all the speed you can get.”
Zoey looks uncertainly between Aerix and me. “How do we know it will hold both of us?”
“I’ve used it to carry both Riven and myself,” I say, the memory of our escape in the Cosmic Tides flashing through my mind, when we glided from the celestial tower down to the spectral ship. “You’ll need a running start. When you reach the edge, I’ll use my air magic to give you extra lift during takeoff. Then Aerix will spread his wings and propel both of you over the forest border of the Night Court.”
Aerix’s wings twitch with anticipation. “And then what?”
“Once you’re safely on the ground beyond the Night Court’s territory, release the Disc.” My voice hardens as I add, “If you don’t release it within a reasonable amount of time, I’ll rip it back with my magic. And trust me, it won’t be gentle.”
Water swirls around my fingertips to emphasize my point, the droplets catching the light like tiny, threatening daggers.
“You wouldn’t hurt Zoey,” Aerix says, his hand tightening protectively around her waist.
“I wouldn’t need to.” I call my magic back inside myself with perfect control. “The Disc responds to my magic. It’s bound to me by Celeste. Trying to keep it from me would be like trying to hold back the tide with your bare hands.”
A heavy silence falls between us, broken only by the whistling wind, and none of us move. It’s like we’re all suddenly aware of the weight of this choice—of letting enemies escape, of saying goodbye to best friends, and of choosing love over duty.
I meet Zoey’s eyes, searching for any hint of doubt, any flicker of the girl who used to stay up all night with me talking about our dreams of the future. But all I see is the steady resolve of a woman who knows exactly what she wants.
Riven steps forward, ice crackling along his blade. “Before you go,” he says to Aerix, his voice carrying the quiet authority of a prince born to command, “there’s something else you need to know.”
Aerix’s wings fold closer to his body. “And what would that be, Brother?”
The word hangs between them, sharp as a blade and twice as dangerous. But this time, Riven doesn’t flinch.
“If you join the Blood Coven,” Riven continues, “know that they will fall. The star touched warriors, the combined forces of the Winter and Summer Courts, the vampire clans, the wolf packs, and whoever the next and final star touched gathers will defeat them. If you’re fighting on their side...” He pauses, something almost like regret crossing his features. “I can’t promise your safety. Either of you.”
Zoey’s fingers twitch against her stomach, her gaze sliding to Aerix.
Aerix, however, remains calm.
“Is that a threat?” he asks, ice gathering at his fingertips.
