Blood and Water - The Darkling

Chapter 13: Love, Longing, and Stardust

*Unedited

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𝕸𝖞 heart is heavy as I desperately pack my things. I have two very different sets of luggage. One is nothing but a simple soldier's pack that will be put aboard the Starling. It is stocked with roughspun trousers, an olive drab coat treated to resist the rain, heavy boots, a small reserve of coins for any bribes or purchases I might need to make in Dva Stolba, a fur hat, and a scarf to cover Morozova's collar. The other set is stowed on the Kingfisher - a collection of three matching trunks emblazoned with my silver starburst and stuffed with silks and furs. Obviously, I don't think the latter set will end up being used.

Once I'm done, I venture into the halls to make my way toward the Starling. After I stowed my pack, I quickly turn around to head back to my room. Nikolai's standing at the exit.

"There's something you should see," he says as a greeting.

"Is everything all right?" I ask rather anxiously.

"Rather spectacular, actually," he peers at me. "Saints, you look awful."

I roll my eyes, "Shut up."

Nikolai just smirks and offers me his arm, "Well, whatever it is, you'll have to at least pretend to look excited. There's a miracle upstairs, and it won't wait."

I loop my arm through his, "Let's hope you aren't overselling this, Lantsov."

"Oh, I plan to deliver," he answers with a wink.

We make our way up the stairs. When we reach the top and enter the Spinning Wheel, my jaw drops. The lanterns are extinguished so that the room is dark, but all around us, stars are falling. The windows are lit with streaks of light cascading over the mountaintop, like bright fish in a river.

"Meteor shower," Nikolai says as he leads me carefully through the room. People have blankets and pillows on the heated floor and are sitting in clusters or lying on their backs, watching the night sky. Trying to find calm within the storm and fear caused by the evacuation no doubt.

"Magnificent," I whisper.

"I told you I had a lot of money."

My scoff echoes, "So you arrange celestial events now?"

"As a sideline."

I raise an eyebrow, "Let me remind you which of us actually can."

Then without another word, I make my way out onto one of the balconies. The Prince follows at my heels. My eyes meet the glittering display above us.

Are we not all things?

My hands raise up to the skies. I feel the light surrounding the meteors, feel it woven within the rocks themselves. I am it and it is me.

A flick of my wrists has one light slowing. Power courses through me. I test out the level of control. I move the meteor in a slow circle. Then one becomes two. They swirl around each other in a majestic dance.

Joyful laughter leaves my lips. When I'm done, I release my hold after sending the meteors along their natural course.

Hazel meets obsidian.

"I could promise to make you forget him," Nikolai whispers.

That look is back.

"I'm not sure that's possible."

"How you wound me," he replies. Though his voice is joking, his eyes are serious. "You're playing havoc with my pride."

Desperately clinging to the comical atmosphere, I play along, "Your confidence seems perfectly intact."