“And you didn’t stop her?” It was a dumb question. Of course she didn’t stop her.
“Why would I stop her?” Her nose crinkled. “Fyn, is everything okay?”
“Hopefully,” I said as I started in the direction that Kylana pointed.
No fae would venture too close to the starlight, but Ashlyn didn’t know what it was.
I ran down the path, my sword jolting against my hip with each stride I took. The village was too quiet still. I should have been able to spot her easily, but she was nowhere to be found.
Leaves scattered where someone had stepped into the woods. Small boot prints lay beside it.
“Ashlyn!” I yelled, hoping she’d tell me to stop talking so loudly.
Starlight had carved out a silver path. It was running through the woods. Just as it had at every Verdant Alignment ceremony I bore witness to.
I followed it desperately, hoping I wouldn’t find her.
But each footprint she had stamped in the dirt only led me closer to where the starlight pooled.
Her hair spilled over the moss-covered ground.
“Ashlyn!” I ran to her, scooping her into my arms.
Her eyelids were softly closed. It looked like she was sleeping, but the shimmering light painted her lips.
I reached for her hand. It was covered in it too.
My knees sank into the soil as I cradled her. Her breath caressed my cheek as I lowered my face near hers. “Ashlyn. Please.”
I lifted her carefully. Her hand ran over my arm, leaving a glittering trail of liquid that clung to me.
“I need a healer,” I cried as I came back into the village.
The blacksmith peered out of his forge. “What happened, my lord?”
“I don’t know. She needs help. Please, if you know where the healer is,” I begged.
A girl peered out after the blacksmith. “The healer lives further down the road. I can fetch her for you.”
“You can bring her in here.” He ran his hands through his ashen hair, staring at Ashlyn nearly lifeless in my arms.
I couldn’t risk them seeing what she was covered in—who she was. “Send them to the inn. Tell her to ask for Lord Fyn when she arrives.”
“Yes, my lord.” The girl went running down the hill toward the huts that lined the village edge.
I pulled Ashlyn closer to my chest as I ran back to the inn.
“Fyn? What happened?” Kylana cried as she saw me running to the door.
I darted past her and ran up the stairs.
“Lord Fyn. What’s wrong?” The innkeeper slid out of my way.
“I’ve sent for the healer. When she gets here, please send her to my room.”
She was so pale, but her skin glittered with traces of starlight as I laid her on the bed.
“Ashlyn, please wake up.” I needed her to look at me again, even if it was with annoyance.
