Page 36 of Bound By Stardust
Standing by his side, I watched the horses speed away into cloud and mist. “Do you think they’ll return?” I asked.
“Perhaps,” Drazhan said, taking my hand. “The islands are empty now, and I expect more wildlife will make this place their home.”
“I have a question for you, Drazhan.”
He faced me, an eyebrow raised.
“About your magic.”
“You assume I have magic.”
“Don’t all Masters have magic? Or is that another falsehood, like iron?”
He sighed. “Truthfully, I do have magic, but not the kind you’re thinking of. Mine is for simple, everyday use, like lighting a fire or making water boil. I am stronger than mortals, and at times, magic gives me incredible speed. That is all.”
I pressed my lips together, glancing at the cascade of colors in the sky. “When the Masters turned to stone, I felt a surge of power, and I thought it might have come from you.”
Drazhan’s golden eyes turned serious. “I have a theory, Asira, about your power, your magic. You have fae blood, which makes you unique, and you’ve worked with stardust daily. Stardust has magical properties, and you’ve absorbed so much of it, the magic is within you. While stardust slowed down the demons, your touch was more powerful. That’s why you woke me in the boneyard, and why I healed so quickly. We both believed it was stardust, but all along, it was you. You’re the magic of Terrin, and as long as you dwell here, stardust will never truly be gone.”
A lump swelled in my throat. Drazhan had so much faith in me. I squeezed his hand. “I believe you’re right. It’s quite a revelation. I wanted to come here to discover the truth, and I did. Still though, some of the Masters escaped.”
“I’ve been thinking about that too. I must go hunt them down. It is my task, after all, to hunt down evil, vanquish demons, and bring freedom to the oppressed.”
I hesitated. “When do you leave?”
“The sooner the better.” Drazhan drew me into his arms, cupping my face with his warm hands. “But I’m not ready to leave you behind just yet. As I recall, I promised when I finished my task up that I’d return for you.”
I smiled at him. “I do worry about you going off alone, fighting to defeat evil without a healer by your side.”
“You? Worry? Thought I’d never hear those words from you.”
I giggled. “I did find you half dead in a boneyard.”
“This is true. There’s only one way to keep me safe. I need a healer by my side at all times. Would you like to come with me? I think you’re rather adept at the task.”
I smirked. “Will there be more demons?”
“Probably.”
“I’m assuming there will be lots of danger and darkness.”
Drazhan shrugged. “I can’t help that.”
“Doesn’t sound safe for a woman like me,” I teased.
“No, I can’t promise you safety. Only adventure, magic, kisses, and my heart.”
I blinked, my words faltering. “Your heart?”
Drazhan lowered his voice. “Yes. After all, love is a powerful magic. Now, are you coming or…”
I laced my fingers around his neck and rose up on my tiptoes. “My answer was yes all along. I was just testing you.”
“I knew that.”
I smiled. “Did you? You started to get teary-eyed.”
“Actually, you’re the one who got teary-eyed when I told you how I feel about you.”
“Well,” I countered, “I’ve lived alone for a long time. It’s not every day I find a stranger who changes my perspective.”
“So, you feel the same way?”
“I thought it was obvious.”
When his lips brushed mine, my chest tingled, like wings fluttering against my ribcage.
Stardust would no longer fall in Terrin, but the people were free, and I’d discovered my power, a purpose, and best of all, Drazhan.
