Page 111 of The Starlight Savior

She clenched her fists and imagined a ball of hot energy forming in her hands. Like the flames that nursed the fireplace in the library or lit the sconces in the hallway. She didn’t allow a moment to second guess herself. She threw back her arms, flinging both of her hands wide open towards the rock wall protruding from the snowy ground. Light exploded against its surface, a crack spreading across the whole face of the wall.

A grin split Saige’s face. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so energized. Safe in her own skin. It dawned on her that this magic wasn’t meant for the simple spells and intentions of Tobin’s training. It was meant for the strongest of abilities. For war.

Her magic felt significant now that potential threats awaited every corner. Saige thought of Cecilia and all the starlight witches throughout Opela. It must’ve taken a lot of planning, strategizing, and power to be defeated if this is what their magic was made of.

Raising her hands in the air, Saige was about to see if her magic could wield a form of lightning when her body began to sway. Dizziness flooded her senses. Saige tried to reach for something, the rock wall or boulder, to steady herself, but her body lurched back. Something was wrong.

Her energy suddenly dropped as a ringing pounded in her ears. Her knees hit the ground hard. She could feel bruises blossoming on her skin. Light diminishing with each breath, it left an all encompassing numbness. Her chest tightened. Breath heavy. She tried to lift herself up, but failed. Her head cracked against the hard snow.

A thought shuddered through her. No one knew she was out here. The cost of training alone. Tobin may look for her in the clearing, but would he travel much farther? Sense her magic? Niana and Conor were on leave. Eva still kept her distance, the reminder of Oscar pulling at her. Saige tried to push herself up again, drag herself forward, but pain traveled through her chest.

Saige opened her mouth to scream, but no sound came out. The clearing transformed from hazy to black, the buzzing in her ears beginning to dim as if she were slowly falling underwater. The last she saw was the stars twinkling above before they burned out.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Consciousness slowly seeped into Saige’s body as she tried to pry her heavy eyelids open. Her head rested on something soft. Water dripped onto her forehead. As she opened her mouth, she found it was difficult to speak. Words stuck to her throat like honey. “W-What is—”

“Shhhh,” someone murmured from above, “it’ll take a moment to recover.”

Saige instantly recognized Conor, his soft voice echoing around them.

“What are you doing here?” she croaked, voice barely a whisper. Conor was supposed to be on patrol, documenting the mist’s perimeter.

“Don’t talk, just wait.”

Saige mustered a nod, forcing her eyes open to absorb the enclosed space sheltering them. Her fingers intertwined with something wet and soft. Last she remembered was collapsing in the forest, her body consumed by magic. It was difficult to decipher how long she had laid there before Conor found her.

Her senses returned slowly. Conor leaned over her body, dribbling water upon her cracked lips. The cool liquid coated her throat. Her eyes were finally beginning to adjust to the darkness surrounding them.

She was surprised to find they were resting in a shallow cave, her feet skimming a trickling waterfall. Glowworms hung from the stone ceiling surrounded by bioluminescent moss. Slick green plants draped over the entrance. The space was barely big enough for two people, but that was generous. Conor’s long legs and wide shoulders took up the majority of the cavern.

“Where are we?”

“There are caves lining the mountain range around Etrane. A mile or so from where I found you.” Conor’s back rested against the cave wall beside her. He was still wearing his uniform, now drenched with water. “What were you doing tonight?”

“I-I…was practicing.” There was nothing else she could say. She was determined to hold this secret close to her heart. In a kingdom that knew too much about her, her connection to Sydera’s magic felt precious. Seeing Conor’s worried gaze though, she couldn’t lie to him either. Not after everything she wished to build with him.

Conor’s voice was low as he spoke. “Practicing what?”

“My magic.” Saige’s head spun as she sat up, pulling her knees to her chest. The rock was cool against her back as she tugged herself up.

“Your magic?” Conor said slowly. “And do you want to explain what exactly your magic is?”

She blinked rapidly, a flush spreading up her neck. The air was dank as she drew a breath in. “Were you eavesdropping on me?”

Conor barked a laugh. “Eavesdropping? If I didn’t go looking, you would’ve frozen to death out there before anyone would’ve found you!” He held up a glass vial. “Without this, your energy and magic would’ve been too depleted to even heal.”

“What are you talking about?” Saige hissed. She grabbed ahold of the vial, noticing the liquid was halfway gone. “What is this?”

“There is a reason you were instructed to practice with someone. Tobin, myself, Niana, Eva. You don’t have an endless amount of magic, Saige. No one does. What do you think happens when you reach your limit?”

“I—” Saige hesitated. Cecilia’s body collapsing upon the broken wards intruded her mind. Is that what happened to her? Her eyes traveled from the vial and back to Conor. His eyes had hardened into a frozen, empty gaze. “I don’t know.”

“Of course you don’t because you aren’t fully trained. Whatever life force that keeps you breathing is used for your magic instead. Wielders can die, and it seemed you were very close to it. This elixir can help replenish though. But if I wasn’t here, I don’t know what would have happened!” His voice echoed around them, Saige flinching with each word. She ignored the urge to look away, hiding the tears welling to the surface. “You were supposed to be with me when this happened!”

“Stop. Please,” she whispered, “I didn’t know about this burnout you speak of. All I wanted was to accomplish something finally. On my own accords.”

Conor’s face faltered, the hardness in his gaze and jaw dropping. “I’m sorry. I have no right to get angry with you.” He reached a shaky hand towards her, but she didn’t allow him to pull her into his grasp. An ache rose in her chest that she couldn’t explain. “This is what I had meant, Saige. The pressure can steal your life just as quickly as any mist or wielder out there.”