The stars above the river shimmered with unnatural clarity — not just light, but watching. Aelira felt their gaze on her skin, like warm fingertips brushing across her soul.
She sat on a mossy stone, trying to catch her breath. Her heart still raced, and her glowing hands pulsed softly with starlight that refused to fade.
"I don't understand," she whispered again.
The masked man stood across from her, silent and still, as though carved from shadow. The silver half-mask glinted in the moonlight, hiding everything but his jaw and the line of his mouth — calm, unreadable.
Aelira's voice broke the quiet. "Who are you?"
He looked at her for a long moment. Then said simply, "Kaelen."
She waited for more. A title. A house. Anything. But nothing came.
"Kaelen," she echoed. "Why were you in the forest?"
"I was sent to find you. Before they did." He nodded toward the trees, where traces of black mist still curled and vanished.
"The wraiths," Aelira said, her voice tight. "What are they?"
"Veilborn," he replied. "Creatures of the in-between. They serve the Queen of Shadows — and she wants the last Starborn silenced before the prophecy can awaken."
Aelira swallowed. "The prophecy?"
But Kaelen's head turned suddenly — sharp, alert. His hand dropped to the hilt of his sword.
"Something's coming," he said. "Hold out your hands."
She did — hesitantly — and he reached into his cloak, pulling out a small, carved stone. It was shaped like a crescent moon and glowed faintly blue. He dropped it into her palms.
"What is this?"
"Your magic is raw. Untamed," he said. "This will help you focus it. Just… don't lose it. It's Starshaped stone. There's only a few left."
She looked down at the stone — it was warm to the touch, humming softly in rhythm with her pulse.
A crackle behind them.
Kaelen spun — sword drawn.
Aelira turned just in time to see the river ripple — not from water, but from light. Threads of silver danced along its surface, and from the center, something rose: a glowing blue flower, blooming from nothing, swaying in a wind that didn't exist.
Aelira gasped.
Kaelen didn't speak. His sword lowered slightly.
"Do you see that?" she asked.
"Yes."
"It's beautiful."
"It's a warning."
Before she could ask what he meant, the flower burst — not into flame, but into stars. Tiny, spinning motes of light shot out in every direction, and in their wake, the river went still.
Kaelen stepped in front of her protectively.
"The Veil is thin here," he murmured. "Too thin."
"Are we in danger?"
He glanced back at her — and though half his face was hidden, his voice softened.
"You've always been in danger, Aelira."
She shivered. Not from fear. From the way he said her name — like a vow. Like he'd known it longer than she had.
"So what now?" she asked.
Kaelen sheathed his sword. "We leave the valley. Tonight. The Queen knows you've awakened. Others will come."
"Others?" she asked.
He nodded. "Not just enemies. Allies. If we're lucky."
Aelira rose, holding the glowing crescent stone tight.
Something in her had changed — snapped open. The fear still lingered, but beneath it, a new feeling stirred. Not power. Not yet.
Purpose.
She looked toward the stars — the same ones she'd gazed at her whole life. But now, they weren't just beautiful.
They were calling.
And she was ready to answer.