Chapter 14 – When A Star Loses Its Sheen

The Fyrges have a peculiar mourning custom reserved for the members of the Royal House of Valhades. When a royal dies, each member of the family leaves a keepsake in the burial shroud, before their coffin is laid to rest. It is believed that the spirit remembers the memory attached to the keepsake and carries that memory into the eternal afterlife, should Demiurge grant them entry to his haven. Those that end up in the fallen angel’s pit are said to be tormented by that memory every second they spend there.

— The Foundation of Fyrgen Archives, The Great Hall of Learning

The day seemed to stretch longer than usual and Uliya was grateful for it. After training “extensively” with Luminara — her words, delivered gravely to Agatha upon returning to her chamber — she had bathed and changed. Agatha had laid out a hand-woven amaranth lace gown, boat-necked, with a spider-web skirt falling just below the knee.

“Oh my, what a pulchritudinous dress, Agatha!” Uliya exclaimed dramatically, still wrapped in her thick white bathing robes.

Yer tilted her head.

“What! I am simply expanding my vocabulary. I do not want anyone at the Noctilune Ball to think me dull mid-conversation.”

“They will if you use that word, Ul. And it is not the correct usage — the word is reserved for living things.” Yer corrected sweetly.

She rolled her eyes. “So I cannot use it to describe you if I kill you first for being so condescending, is that right?”

The dove lowered her head. “It was only funny once. If you threaten me with abuse one more time I shall withdraw my counsel for the remainder of the day.”

Uliya immediately ran over and began caressing the bird’s head. “What — no! Please do not do that. I am sorry. You are the finest companion in all our generations.”

Agatha, who had been struggling to suppress a laugh, cleared her throat and stepped in. “Your highness, would simple diamond earrings suit this attire? Since I kept the hem slightly shorter per your instruction, I also set out black stockings and low-heeled lace-up shoes in polished black leather.”

Uliya nodded enthusiastically, still placating the dove. “Yes, perfect. And please put my hair in a loose bun with daisies.”

Agatha smiled. “Of course. I will fetch some from the garden.”

Yer turned her head back. “I will assist now that Uliya has corrected herself.” The princess grinned.

Sometime later,

Luminara made her way from the eastern wing toward the Valhades’ private dining chamber. She wore a sleeveless cerulean blue silk gown with dainty platinum jewellery — small studs at her ears and a sleek cuff at her wrist. The singular pink opal ring gleamed on her right hand. Her long hair was freshly washed, falling in loose waves down her back with two thin ceremonial braids framing either side of her face. She had chosen black leather boots with a low heel to stay comfortable for shopping later.

She hummed to herself as she passed a cluster of younger guards who looked at her as though she had materialised after several sincere prayers, and actively chose not to notice. She did stop, however, to thank the palace maids warmly when they called compliments through the kitchen window.

She stopped again only at the doors of the dining hall, knocking once on the open double doors to make sure she was not interrupting a private conversation between Lena and Uliya.

“Come in, Luminara.” The queen replied and she entered, surprised to find Lena alone. Nysleon was sprawled in the corner catching up on his afternoon nap.

She gave a respectful bow and pulled out the chair to Lena’s left. “I trust you have been keeping well, your majesty?” The queen was radiant as always, dressed in a lush amber gown with silver embroidery across the long pleated sleeves. Her hair had been woven into an intricately braided bun that resembled a carnation even from the front.

The queen dismissed the question with a light wave. “Not especially. Moronic Counsel business. But I will be now that I get to have lunch with two of my lovely daughters.”

Luminara laughed and poured the queen some blueberry wine from the bottle already on the table. She decided to wait for Uliya before pouring her own. “Of course. Though it is a shame Kushiana could not join us.”

The queen took a considered sip before responding with a new ease. “I suspect she is seeing someone. I deliberately invented a non-existent gentleman and mentioned him to her last night, hoping she might simply tell me herself.”

Luminara raised an eyebrow. She had never thought of Kushiana as someone with a secret affair — purely because she had always seen her occupied with something else entirely.

She shrugged. “Perhaps you are right. It would be interesting. She hardly seems to have the time for gathering suitors.”

Lena smirked and took a longer sip. “Who said anything about a suitor? I merely meant a sexual escapade from her otherwise structured days.”

Luminara choked on the cucumber water she had acquired seconds before. The queen often caught her off guard with her candour, but this was by far the most unexpected she had ventured.

“Oh dear, are you alright?” The queen fussed over her with a cloth napkin that Luminara accepted gratefully.

“I am perfectly fine, your majesty — I simply did not catch the direction of the conversation before it changed so abruptly.”

The queen started to answer but stopped when she spied Uliya’s mist making an appearance near the door. The princess then materialised out of thin air in her corporeal form.

“Well well, someone’s late to lunch again.” The queen offered as hello, tilting her head slightly.

She sighed dramatically before settling into the seat to Lena’s right. “Training with Nara was exhausting, mama. As you must be able to tell, even the walk up here was a burden.”

Luminara rolled her eyes. “She merely did a warm-up, by the way.”

“It was almost an attempt to assassinate me!”

The queen cleared her throat, feigning seriousness. “Don’t say such vile things, Uliya. Who would attempt to assassinate a princess with no political understanding.”

Luminara roared with laughter and Uliya stuck her tongue out.

“If the two of you are done tormenting me, can we eat please. I am starving.” The princess said with a pout.

The duo nodded and the queen rang for the kitchen maids while Luminara poured wine into all three glasses.

Lunch was a generous spread — broccoli and cream cheese tarts, glazed chicken and turnip salad, roasted fish with lemon and herbs, buttered baby potatoes dusted with dill, warm honeyed carrots, crusty rosemary loaves, and a platter of ripe figs, grapes and soft cheeses drizzled with chestnut honey.

Luminara was busy buttering a piece of bread while Uliya savoured the tarts when Lena asked “So any exciting romantic adventures I must learn about?”

Uliya shook her head lightly — she was in the habit of sharing her romantic conquests with her mother. “No, I haven’t met anyone since coming back. Though an attractive auburn haired female did keep looking in my direction the other evening at the tavern. But I couldn’t place her intention as she never approached.”

“Why didn’t you?” Luminara asked casually.

“A male had his arm wrapped around her waist. So I presumed they were together.”

“Could’ve been a friend. You must always ask.” The queen said thoughtlessly while sipping.

Uliya shrugged and turned to Luminara in anticipation. A single look cast at the pink opal ring was enough to raise the silent question.

“Oh I have nothing either. That’s a gift from Zir.”

The queen scoffed. “Then it’s clearly something. He’s certainly in love with you.”

“Oh no mama, don’t go stating the obvious it makes Nara murderous.”

The moonborn glared at her. “He’s not. He’s always gotten me jewellery. It doesn’t have to mean anything romantic.” She retorted with furrowed brows.

“Absolutely my darling, just like it wouldn’t when you two are standing at the altar kissing as we all throw white petunias in your direction.” Lena said with a mischievous wink and Uliya burst out laughing.

Luminara shook her head lightly, attempting her straightest face. She knew them well enough to know even a hint of amusement would only make them tease her more. “You lot are insufferable.” The other two continued laughing.

Zir didn’t stay long after handing Sylveline the medicine. Just a brief catch-up between two old friends. They parted ways and he began walking the path back to the entrance of Lejonet, his raven companion perched on his shoulder in punishing silence. That is until an eagle’s squeaky chirp echoed through the woods. Cecil cawed loudly in response.

The prince ignored it and continued walking. But a few steps later another unrecognisable bird made a sound and Cecil did the same thing again. This continued for some fifty steps — the blue raven responding to every single sound in the forest.

Zir halted and sighed. “What is it, Cecil? Is there something you want to say?”

“Something? I want to say many things! Beginning with why in the fallen angels’ pit did you agree to visit her again?!”

Zir continued walking. “I was simply being polite, Cecil. Did you expect me to say no directly to her?”

“Yes. Like you do to everyone else without thinking twice. You’re still weak for her, Zir, and it shows. This might cost you someday.”

“Well maybe I don’t require your counsel on this particular matter. I’m anyway tired of you butting in—”

He didn’t get to finish as the blue raven flew off his shoulder onto the ground and began shooting pebbles at him with unnatural speed. “Don’t need my counsel! After everything I’ve done for you. You arrogant moron, I’ll give you counsel right now!” The blue raven was absolutely livid. Zir had to duck behind the large banyan tree nearby to shield himself. It was only when the pelting stopped after five minutes that Zir leaned out slightly and said softly. “I’m sorry.”

Cecil was back to normal, the raw anger out of his system. “Fly us back fast. I do not wish to spend another minute in this cursed forest.”

The prince nodded sincerely and picked him up.

Soon they were back in the private courtyard of Ivorvale.

“I am going to see Luminara. Do you want to come?” Zir asked, turning to Cecil now perched on the fountainhead.

“She’s not in the palace. She went to Terracinder with Uliya. Yer informed me.” For long distances the companions usually connected telepathically, though they avoided using the ability often to keep fatigue at bay.

The prince nodded, visibly deflated. He had desperately needed to see her.

“I am going for a hunt. I’ll see you in two hours.” Cecil replied and flew off in the direction of the city.

Zir scoffed and muttered “That lying raven. I know he meant on the hunt for Yer” before heading toward his own chamber in the western wing.

The misery weighed heavy on his shoulders as he collapsed onto the long sofa in his antechamber and pulled a piece of paper from his pocket. The ink had smeared slightly from being held too tight but the words were clear enough.

“Help my family find a way out. Otherwise I’ll be left with no choice but to make yours fall apart with the truth.”

“Stop it right now!” Kushiana called in Caelen’s direction for the third time. The northern prince had zero intention of stopping.

On their walk back from the restaurant Kushiana had made the terrible mistake of asking what fruit hung from one of the giant exotic trees they passed on the path back to the villa. It was far up the mountain, even from where the villa sat some fifty steps away. But Kushiana had been blessed with extraordinary vision since birth — her secondary magical gift. She could view anything at a distance as clearly as if it were directly in front of her. Distance was a non-existent variable in her boundless field of sight.

“You’ve never tried vixenfruit!?” was the last thing Caelen said before he ran up a diverging path to the left, toward a narrow stairway up the snow-covered peak.

“Why didn’t he just use his portal?” Agnes asked from her shoulder.

“Who knows. There’s no way he was raised by Xerata and Lloyd. My guess is some kind of mountain ape took him in.” Kushiana responded with an eye roll.

“He’s so full of life though. And thoughtful. Attractive too.” Agnes cooed and Kushiana pulled at her tiny scarf.

“So I am not allowed to appreciate his beauty but you get to gawk endlessly at his dead father!” The phoenix complained, adjusting the scarf back with a touch of her wing.

The princess seethed. “For the last time, I was not gawking. His eyes were hypnotic. I tried to look away but couldn’t for some reason.”

Kushiana awaited a retort but felt movement on her shoulder instead.

Agnes had turned to look behind her.

“Hello? Stay at a respectable distance.” The phoenix said sharply and Kushiana immediately turned — to find four Xerakeet males staring at her in the way she loathed and feared in equal measure. All towering, hardly an inch or two shorter than Caelen, dressed in refined winter clothes. Nothing extraordinary in their appearance except the smell of liquor coming off them and the fact that one held a traditional coyote snare ribbon in his fist, already folded. It was a banned hunting tool used to trap holy coyotes — the only magical beings outside of Fyrges and Xerakeets — by neutralising their magic. It had unfortunately been discovered that it worked on the other two species as well, and had been used on several occasions before its eventual prohibition.

They were barely ten steps away. The one holding the snare moved fast.

It was only around four in the afternoon, but the sun would soon begin to set and they happened to be on the empty middle ground between the housing lane and the otherwise bustling highland.

Kushiana wasn’t certain how far up Caelen was or whether he could hear her. She summoned lightning quickly and launched it in their direction — but the redhead at the back raised his palm and absorbed it entirely. Hinjk had once told her that her power was rare and formidable, but the only time she could truly lose was in the presence of null magic if she wasn’t prepared. The said male was harbouring exactly that.

So Kushiana did what she knew best. She took a step back and ran toward the villa. Agnes soared above her. The phoenix would ordinarily have attempted to burn them with whatever fire her small physique could produce, but the null magic had shifted the situation too quickly.

The males followed, not far behind. Kushiana subdued her fear and focused only on the path ahead. She didn’t waste her breath calling for Caelen. Even a second was precious — if they managed to get the snare ribbon anywhere on her body, her powers would be neutralised completely.

Run. Run. Run — a soothing male voice whispered in her head. One she had not remembered in a long time. She swallowed her fear and picked up her pace.

She had run perhaps twenty steps further when she ran directly into an unmistakably strong male body that emerged in her path. She would have fought against it, had her nose not been immediately enveloped in the familiar scent of cedarwood.

“I see some of the locals don’t share my enthusiasm for hospitality.” Caelen’s voice was heavier than usual as it cut through the silent air. A soothing hand came to rest behind Kushiana’s head.

She lost a breath and turned just in time to see the males go pale and attempt to retreat — but the prince tilted his head pleasantly and moved his free hand in their direction, and suddenly they could not move. They struggled with everything above the waist while their legs remained fixed to the ground.

“No, no. Stay. I have always prided myself on my manners. Wouldn’t you like a private lesson from your sovereign’s prime?” He said with the sweetest smile, moving gently past Kushiana toward his target. But when she looked up as he passed, his eyes had turned a bloodshot red devoid of any other colour.

Agnes flew back and perched on Kushiana’s shoulder.

“Let us go!” “Please!” “We are sorry!” echoed across the empty land. A waste of breath. Caelen stopped directly in front of them. He said something in Xerlin that Kushiana made out as “Pitrym Resquevir” before raising his other palm toward them and snapping it shut.

All four heads simultaneously exploded into a thousand or more red lustrous beads that rose upward before pouring back down like droplets of rain, spreading across their decapitated bodies and the snow-covered cobblestones.

Kushiana watched with wide eyes, effectively stunned into silence. Not because of what he did — she had intended to do the same with her own lightning. But because of the raw power that emanated from him. She had seen nothing like it before. It was something beyond magic. It seemed to be a part of him.

Agnes said nothing either.

Caelen, however, seemed entirely at ease as he stretched his arms and turned back. His eyes and expression were already restored to their naturally neutral state.

He walked over and reached into his wide coat pocket, producing four maroon fruits with coconut-like shells, each about the size of a mango. “It took some effort not to strip the whole tree bare, I won’t lie. I love vixenfruit. But I picked what I believe are the sweetest ones for you, because nobody should be deprived of its taste.” 

Kushiana nodded lightly and took two, still too stunned to thank him. The prince gave her hand a gentle squeeze and they walked back in silence.

The youngest Valhades found herself back at Andedod again, this time alongside Luminara. It was more lively tonight as the skies were clear. The two had sat down at the bar after a long day of shopping, exploring coffee shop desserts, and walking, lots of it to Uliya’s dismay.

The bartender appeared with two tall glasses of silverwheat. “Your highness, lady Luminara” He bowed respectfully to both. And Uliya could swear his polite smile extended a little as he turned to Luminara. He’d also stretched on her name a little. As if he’d love to say it more. 

“Are you greeting her or claiming her Gus?” Uliya said to poke fun with a click of her tongue.

 Luminara snorted while he struggled to explain himself, his face a tinge of red. “Your highness I—”

“She’s just messing with you, thank you Gus.” Luminara raised her glass and the two females toasted before they began drinking. The bartender quickly disappeared to serve others. 

“Oh my Nara, you wouldn’t believe it. I met this foreign male here last night. He was absolutely magnificent.” Uliya randomly burst out and Luminara raised an eyebrow.

“Well probably, since you remember him. You usually reserve your gaze for the females.” 

The princess nodded incessantly. “Yes. He was breathtaking, he had stunning silver hair. The most gorgeous silver-lavender eyes and crimson lips, But that’s not even it! He spoke with such an easy cadence, his voice was deep and slightly accented. He seemed to be in his third decade or younger. And he was so towering! Like think four inches on Zir.” 

Luminara gaped “All of that and so tall really? Oh my he sounds like a dream.” 

Uliya squeaked “Right! Plus he was nice enough to get me red liqueur when Gus refused because of mama’s meddling. And he didn’t even let me pay! Oh my. I wish I could meet him again. I would introduce him to Kushiana. They’d look positively heartbreaking together.”

Luminara returned the excitement. “Oh yes! And think about all the beautiful babies they’d make! We’ll get to play with them.” 

“Yes Demiurge, help me! It’d be wonderful. I’ll show him to mama in my mind. If he’s not married or betrothed to anyone. I assume he wasn’t. I could totally play the matchmaker for Kush.” The lightness of her manner died down towards the end of the sentence though. As Uliya recalled the time where she wouldn’t have to. 

“Hey what’re you thinking?” Luminara asked, noting the change in her expressions. 

“I just remembered Kushiana before…She was content with him.” Her eyes turned moist. 

The words clenched at Luminara’s own heart. “They were, weren’t they?” The question didn’t need an answer. 

The duo remained quiet for a moment, drinking slowly. Before Uliya regained her composure and downed the rest of her beer at once. “Nara let’s go dance!” The moonborn nodded and did the same, soon the two rushed giggling towards the dancing arena. 

Luminara parted from the golden head at the great twin archway of the palace after a long day of shopping, indulging in desserts and dancing at the tavern. She’d avoided too many drinks though, to make sure both of them reached back safely since Uliya doesn’t like being flanked by guards even on such occasions and Luminara worried for the princess’s safety.

She hummed to herself while walking back to the otherwise empty eastern wing. The yellow light of the red oil lamps soothed her as she walked the lit hallway to her chamber. To her surprise, she saw a shadowed figure waiting at her door as soon as she reached the turn. For a moment her heart stopped. But the rotating lantern hanging from the entryway ceiling turned and the figure was clearly illuminated. She breathed in relief and walked faster toward the male.

“You made my heart stop beating for a fleeting moment, dimwit!” She stopped before him and half yelled.

But when Zir, clad in a loose onyx cotton pullover, finally looked up, a different sort of worry made its way back to Luminara. His eyes were red and swollen.

“What happened?” The words left her mouth abruptly and before she could lean down beside him, he stepped up and hugged her. “I got myself in grave trouble.” The words were barely above a whisper. She didn’t move, just wrapped a comforting arm around his neck.

Unaware of how long they stayed like that, the prince eventually pulled himself together enough to break their hug. In doing so their eyes met again. And for a moment he debated if he actually wanted to let go, but managed to persist.

“Let’s talk inside, Zir.” Luminara said and unlocked the door with her thumb. The locks in the palace were forged with a unique touchbinding magic that allowed the owner to lock their chamber with their preferred object. She’d chosen her own thumb for fastest access.

When they were inside Zir had told her he’d wait while she cleaned up after the long day. Luminara hadn’t retorted with “Are you implying that I smell bad, Ziruth?” like she usually did to fluster him, but simply nodded. Reading his mood.

Soon the moonborn emerged with a clean face devoid of any rouge, lip stain or dusted glitter from earlier, clad in a loose violet pyjama shirt and pants. “No Cecil today?” She asked softly, settling on the opposite end of the large velvet sofa.

Zir had sat comfortably, turned toward her. “Can’t have him find out before we speak. He will not take it well.”

Luminara matched the gesture, crossing her legs over the couch to maximise comfort.

“You’re worrying me, Zir. What is it that’s so bad?”

He bit his lip and remained silent for a moment before meeting her eyes again. “Remember that herb I asked you to make?”

She nodded.

“It was for Nivun. Sylveline’s—”

“Father, yes.” The moonborn completed. Her expression registered no change.

Zir stared in surprise. “You don’t look shocked?”

She simply shrugged. “I read between the lines. Mysterious herb. Nivun’s chronic ailment that everyone often talked about back then. You having it made by me instead of any other healer in the capital. Not wanting the majesties to learn of it.” She refrained from mentioning the part where Sylveline is also the only person capable of making Zir keep a secret even from Luminara. It wasn’t the first time this had happened and it stung, but she didn’t let it show.

He nodded lightly. “Right. I forgot you’re smarter than I am. Of course you figured it out.”

“Mhm.”

“So. I went to Lejonet with Cecil this morning thinking I’d hand it over and quickly take my leave but—”

A quick flash of anger crossed the prince’s eyes and his tone sharpened. “It’s Sylveline of course. I had been a fool and that wasn’t her only intention. Cecil was sitting at a reasonable distance from us. She passed me this in the middle of an outwardly pleasant seeming conversation.” He uttered through a clenched jaw while pulling a piece of paper from his black pants and handing it to Luminara.

“Help my family find a way out. Otherwise I’ll be left with no choice but to make yours fall apart with the truth.” Luminara repeated the cursed words back to him.

He felt an emerging flare of tension in his head along with the urge to break something. He couldn’t hear Luminara for a passing moment or two — but the moonborn moved closer and pulled his large callused palm into her soft tiny one, effectively enclosing it, and suddenly all the rage dissipated from his body. His focus returned to the present. The ice that had begun spreading toward his fingertips retreated, her soothing warmth seeping in.

“Zir, are you okay?” She asked, the worry returning to her soft brown eyes.

“Ah yes, moonbug. I’m fine. Sorry I got lost in my thoughts. What were you saying?” He replied while caressing her hand lightly and she eased up.

“What truth is she talking about? If you could tell me?” He could hear the bite in the second question even though Luminara tried to conceal it. He knew he had been in the wrong when he’d kept the whole Sylveline situation from Luminara in the past. She’d been wounded when she overheard palace servants gossiping — especially considering the prince had mulled over the heartbreak alone and avoided her for a few days to avoid breaking down about it. He hadn’t wanted to burden her with his pain, despite knowing she was the only one who wouldn’t have judged.

“Who else would I ever tell? That’s what I am here for.” He said seriously, and something softened in her eyes as she nodded.

He cleared his throat. It was a heavy topic to bring up. Something everyone in the family — even Luminara had refused to speak about because of the tragedy of it.

“Remember Evan?” The words came out quieter than he intended and Luminara’s own gaze lowered slightly, but she squeezed his hand as she responded. “How could I forget?”

Evan was Kiev’s most trusted guard and had been present the day Luminara was rescued from the throng of hateful males. But most importantly, she and Zir remembered him as Kushiana’s betrothed, her safe space, before she became guarded.

The prince continued. “Father told us that he died fighting in the Kirkshire battle with the resistance army back then and shifted responsibility for it toward the Havburths once they’d been caught. But that wasn’t the case.”

The moonborn raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“Since the Havburths hadn’t been charged with political upheaval and creating resistance by then, Sylveline and I happened to be together one night. By the gardens in the back courtyard.”

He hesitated slightly and she understood, but remained silent.

“We were in the greenhouse. We heard someone coming so we got quiet and laid low under the small window. Assumed it might be the guards or some servants. But it was father, speaking to a male shrouded in black. They spoke in hushed voices but it was clear enough given our proximity. The male said ‘I took care of Evan, now you take care of your half of the deal.’”

Luminara couldn’t believe what she heard. Evan had always looked out for her like a brother. “No, Zir. No. Please don’t tell me the king was behind his—” She stopped mid sentence as the words sank in.

The prince remained still and let her absorb it.

Soon a tear slipped down her cheek.

“He didn’t deserve to die like that. Evan of all people. Why him?”

She could almost see him standing beside her then — the tall, charming male clad in his royal blue tunic and dark trousers, polished black boots and the broad belt that forever sat a little crooked because he tightened it in haste.

His short golden hair always shone beneath the sun, and there was that smile — that easy, lopsided smile that had made everyone adore him.

He had always looked so impossibly proper, right up until he grinned. Then the image shattered and he became simply Evan again. Teasing. Charming. Entirely too fond of stealing pastries from the kitchen and claiming it was his sacred duty to ensure they weren’t poisoned.

She could still hear his laugh rumble through a room. How he was the only one who could convince Kushiana to ease up a little. The way the princess’s eyes lit up every time he crossed the distance between them and picked her up. Uliya, Zir and Luminara had often watched them together and talked amongst themselves about how much he adored her.

She could still see the way he stood half a step behind her, as though protecting her had become second nature.

And now he was gone. The rest of the world had moved on from him without even knowing the truth.

Luminara’s eyes stung. There was a flicker of anger in them as she looked up at Zir again. He tried to wipe her tears but she slapped his hand away. “How could you keep this a secret, Zir? He was innocent. Your sister’s true love. Did you not think of Kushiana at all?”

The prince dipped his head in shame. Tears descended his own cheek as well. “I couldn’t bring myself to. I know I should have. I still should. But I discovered this two weeks after he’d already been buried, and Kushiana was so grief stricken she wasn’t talking, eating or moving, Lume. If she found out then, she would have been completely shattered. You know how much she looks up to Father. I was worried she might do something to herself.”

Luminara dipped her head back in frustration before rising. “Fuck!” She yelled. The crystal figurine sitting on top of the desk was thrown against the wall, shattering splinters across the floor.

Zir didn’t react or attempt to calm her down. The prince of stars may have made some bad calls, but he was still sensible enough to know — you don’t try to calm a female forged with the twin moon’s potency.

Especially when you were the reason behind the eruption.

She settled beside him again and picked up her balm jar from the center table, inhaling the scent to steady herself. After a few minutes of breathing she finally looked toward him. Zir hadn’t moved at all, his gaze still lowered.

“Zir.” She began softly. “I am so—” She stopped. Eyes widened. “Oh no!”

“What happened?” Zir replied in confusion.

She turned sideways. “Demiurge help me, a crystal shard has lodged itself in the nape of your neck. You’re bleeding! Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Oh.” He straightened and pulled it out from behind his neck without thinking, then shrugged. “It’ll heal. I didn’t want to interrupt you.”

The moonborn clicked her tongue. “You are such a moron. Stay still.” She quickly got up and stood beside him, inspecting the gash. Soon some vials and herbs were brought out, along with a bandage.

Zir frowned. “Is a bandage necessary? Didn’t you already clean it and fill it with the ointment?”

Luminara smiled sarcastically before replying with a straight face. “Not if I kill you with my own hands right now. Then it won’t be.”

He scoffed and looked ahead again, letting her work. 

As she calmly worked her way around cutting the bandage to a smaller size the realization slowly settled inside the moonborn, he’d sat in silence so that she could take a moment to come to terms with her own grief and let the feelings out. It made her happy and grateful when she learnt that Zir had gone out of his way to pick the ring for her. But right now, she felt an unfamiliar emotion rise towards him. It made her wonder if Lena and Uliya’s comments this morning weren’t all that far-fetched.

“Lume, please don’t gather a large fragment of that bandage. Ilias already thinks of me as a weak princeling. He would tease me mercilessly when we train again.” Zir said with a huff and she laughed.

“It doesn’t help that your neck just so happens to be your frail point, does it?” 

“What!? That’s how he’s been defeating me? That sneaky commander. I will-”

He doesn’t complete the rest of the sentence as the moonborn leaned in and planted a kiss on his cheek, finally rendering the chronic complainer speechless.