Page 26 of Of Stars and Lightning
“And thus, humans were placed on Erriadin, and each god chose their favorites to bless with their elements, forever abandoning the search for their Relics. Centuries after their creation, the Wielders discovered within all Light, Dark dwindled. That darkness took shape and grew teeth, birthing Dark Magic to rival the Light Magic their gods had gifted them. Then, after Warren’s emergence into a deity, it is rumored he constructed his own Relic, though kept hidden for himself instead of joining the forgotten game.”
She stopped reading. Would the basic knowledge from these books and stories Irene told her throughout the years grant her any advantage in Rimemere? Surely her mother had her reasons for not giving her more, including Awakening her magic.
An overwhelming sense of betrayal settled into her chest, a soft promise she would get the answers she was owed. And somehow outsmart destiny.
“How did I know I would find you here?”
Sol wiped her face with her sleeve and gave Leo a small smile as he sat beside her. “Not many other places I like to go,” she said.
He scanned her face, then looked down at the note. “Everything alright?”
She tucked it into her pocket, pulling her hair behind her ears.
“No.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“Also no.”
He exhaled through his nose and turned to rummage through his satchel. “Now, don’t get mad.”
Sol raised a brow and leaned forward. “No promises.”
A soft clang sounded as Leo retrieved a beautifully crafted iron dagger from the depths of his bag. The steel shone in the sunlight, the hilt adorned by silver vines with a small green jewel at its tip.
He held it out to her. “I was going to give it to you for your birthday in a few months, but??—”
“Leo, no.” Sol pushed the dagger back. “It must have cost a fortune.”
He chuckled, rolling his eyes as he dropped it into her lap. “Take it. You’ll need it.”
Sol stared at the winking metal. “I can’t do this. I have to, but I can’t.”
Leo wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close, his warmth easing her nerves. “I have no advice on how to rule a kingdom, Sunny, but I know if anyone would be good at it, it’s you.
Sol let Leo brace her up while they walked back to the docks. Although she felt Irene was a stranger at that moment, it was obvious her mother knew her well by leaving the note. She wouldn't have agreed to leave Yavenharrow without it.
I need you to listen. Don’t question—only listen.
With knots in her chest, Sol stopped at various merchant carts to look at her town’s exports and beauties one final time. She would visit, she would have to. But when that would be, she didn’t know.
Especially if what the note her mother left proved true.
The Hound was silent when she pushed its doors open, but a few of the upstairs guests had made their way down in search of food. And as Sol had been absent, she could only assume one of them summoned Keelin, who stood fuming behind the bar.
As soon as he spotted her, he marched forward. “Leaving the place unattended, Sol? One would think you'renew here.”
Keelin might have gotten closer, had Cas not stepped out from the shadows beside her and extended an arm to stop him. “That’s close enough.”
“And who the fuck are you?” Keelin surveyed him, then the rest of Sol’s newfound companions as they gathered up around her.
“Friends,” Sawyer said. “With bad tempers.”
Sol searched around for Lora, though her aunt was nowhere to be seen. She cast a glance to Leo, who motioned outside. “She said she’d see you at home.”
Sol nodded and turned back to Keelin. “I quit. Sorry for the short notice.”
The man’s cyan eyes blazed. “You can’t just quit!”
