Page 126 of The Starlight Savior

“Someone is already sending mail to Tiranos,” Niana murmured, clutching the letter. “I’ll have to come back later.” She turned to Saige, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. “Come on, let’s see your ancient magic.”

Past the castle gates and into the forest beyond, Saige and Niana walked along the makeshift path towards the mountainside. Niana spoke expressively of her travels to the water kingdom as representative of King Vospella. From the moment she stumbled through the portal, Niana felt on edge. The capital of Tiranos sat on a massive island in the middle of the lake. Niana met with Queen Anya. She used no family or surname, deeming herself an independent of the Tyrus family. Niana’s goal had been to reach a sort of agreement on taking more refugees into their capital, learn about any movement on fighting the mist, and to ensure Saige’s safety.

She wasn’t sure how she felt about the last bit.

“What was it like being in that shield?” Saige’s eyes were wide. Etrane hadn’t been able to replicate the shield forged by Tiranos, endless magic protecting the capital and their strongest wielders.

“Terrifying,” Niana said honestly. “I didn’t like the feeling of having my own safety in the hands of others.”

“Any luck on forming a treaty?” Any mention of me? Saige wished to ask, but didn’t want to open that box too soon.

Niana shrugged. “At most, they were curious about my magic. Not many ice-wielders on their island, considering they value pure bloodlines. Queen Anya agreed to share any knowledge on being able to reverse the mist, including the ability to create a shield at such a large scale.”

“That sounds…promising,” she said slowly.

Her stomach lurched at the thought of Tiranos’s capital being reserved for the strongest wielders. It left the other citizens to be devoured by the mist. No warning, no sanctuary.

If Etrane created their own shield, would they do the same? She didn’t want to think about who would be sacrificed when Etrane’s sanctuary was no more.

“It does. They also claimed they knew nothing of the infiltration in Athalos, claiming it was Myles’s own doing. He still stands in her court though.”

Saige bit her lip. “Interesting.”

“Your safety has been promised. No more hidden armies or holding captives hostage.” Niana sighed. “Enough with all the politics. Tell me about you.”

Saige thought back to the days Niana was gone. Her time in the castle was incredibly monotonous. It was as if she was making up for lost time, exploring and building her magic. Niana listened silently as she explained the recent council meeting for the remainder of their walk.

Since then, she was uncreative in forming a tangible depiction of her magic. All she could muster was light. But the light obeyed her in ways that were unexplainable. Sometimes it burned; sometimes it healed, and sometimes it created walls of hardened power like the earth shields she had forged moons ago. But when she tried to infuse it with water or storm, it wouldn’t hold.

When they reached a clearing of the unexplored forest, Niana brushed a gloved hand on a mossy log, snow falling onto the ground. They both plopped down, the chill in the air cool against their faces.

“Honestly,” Niana said, tugging at a strand of loose moss, “I think you’re overthinking it.”

“Really?” Saige eyed her wearily.

“We all forge magic into something tangible. It needs to be visible, and it needs to cause an impact. If we were to break it down based on the purest forms, it’s the energy that runs through our veins. That’s all. Sometimes we’re just better at forging it into different elements, objects, intentions, emotions. If I were in your position, I’d focus on how my magic simply exists. You need to learn to work with yourself, not push something that you’re not.”

“When did you get so wise?” Saige teased, but her friend’s words sank heavy in her chest.

With yourself.

She had always tried to push parts that simply weren’t her. In Brevil, she tried to blend in. To fall into the shadows. Shutting herself away from her true desires. She became the embodiment of her curse, creating protective walls that not just kept the dangers out, but her happiness too.

In Etrane, she felt similar. There was an expectation to mold herself into someone who could tackle the impossible. Be one of the last standing Nerestels in the kingdom.

Couldn’t she simply exist in the middle of all of that? Why did she need to be tugged to the extremes? Mortal versus witch.

“I see my words struck true.” Niana’s shoulder bumped against hers. “Speak your mind.”

She tried to dig through her thoughts, to find the right way to communicate the tides of her emotions. There wasn’t a single one that felt right to share. “I suppose it’s difficult always trying to adapt. Especially to the expectations placed upon me.”

“Conor did try and warn you.” Niana’s voice was light and teasing, but her hand patting Saige’s knee reminded her of the truth.

He did. He tried to protect her from this feeling. But he didn’t know it already existed.

“You’ve needed to protect yourself for so long. Of course you try to adapt to every situation.”

“You speak as if you know the feeling.”