"You fell from the sky. I saw it—and you wish for me to leave? Where did you come from? Why are you here?"
When she was only an arm’s length away, the air grew charged. That white light sparked, lingering in the air, drifting over her arms as if tasting her.
Her Stella rushed to the surface, unbidden. Blue light raced over her arms, rising to greet his magic. When their magic touched, everything stilled. Peace enveloped her.
Then he turned and gave her his full attention.
His throat dipped. Ash streaked his golden skin.
"Who are you?" he asked quietly.
"You won’t harm me if I tell you?"
She knew what happened to girls who spoke to strange men. Her reputation was already stained—an outcast due to her Stella.
She knew no others who held the power of Aether as she did. People hated what they didn’t know.
His lips twitched, as if holding back a smile. "I will not," he said simply.
She swallowed, fingers twisting in her skirts. "My name is Vesperin Vox."
When he didn’t speak, she rolled her bottom lip between her teeth. His eyes dipped to her mouth. Two bright spots of color warmed her cheeks as she remembered his indecent state.
He nodded, then turned to leave again.
She tried to follow, but his legs were far longer than hers, his pace quicker. She tripped over twigs and rocks.
"Leave me be."
"But will you be alright? You—you need a healer. You are injured," she called after him.
No one survived a fall like that—yet he stood, walking,talking.
Strange exasperation lined his features as he faced her once more, tree limbs swaying behind him.
"Do not have a care for me, Vesperin Vox. I will survive."
Before she could speak, he turned and left, vanishing into the forest.
He never told her his name.
The next day,she went back to the meadow. She held a wicker basket in her hand, stuffed with bread and cheese, as well as blankets, bandages, and salve.
Her father had caught her sneaking into his apothecary, but she’d claimed she found an injured fawn in the woods. He’d warned her to be careful. The woods were dangerous. Many a monstrous creature resided within.
Her hands shook as she crested the small knoll. Would the crater still be there, or had it been a dream?
As the sun cut through the clouds above, she saw the charred edges of the crater—still there. She breathed a sigh of relief.
Standing before it, she couldn’t believe it had been real. She knew better than to tell anyone.
This was something just for her.
The ground around the crater was dry and pocked. She retraced her steps to the willow tree, spreading out a blanket and picking at bread as she watched the meadow, waiting.
She stayed until the sun dipped and the air grew chilly.
Her stomach rumbled. She hadn’t let herself eat more than a few bites, wanting to save the rest in case he returned.
