Render Me Starless

♛ | Chapter 24 - "teen crew"

Hours after my shower, I find myself back outside. This time, not exactly voluntarily.
The Lords were quite persistent it seems. The wind had quickened like it usually does when I read the stars. I take in a deep breath, looking up. The clouds were parted now, almost as if the lords were giving me a window to the stars, the script I have to read.

I was acutely aware that Orion had joined my side but I can't focus on my mate.

My eyes sweep over the stars.

The scorching sun. A single sunflower. Blue eyes. A crowd of people- no, a crowd of mages. Technology and magic. The sun on a flag.

The clouds sweep back in, taking away the window to the stars. The wind settles back in and I let myself be taken away by the gentle darkness, trusting my mate as I fall.

✦✧✦✧

"Ah fuck," I gasp, sitting up. My mind instantly recalls the images only I as a Preserver receive. The Day Throne was more of a threat than I thought. "Fuck," I curse, my heart working double time as I throw myself out of the bed. I step out of the room and find Orion instantly within the small cabin. He stood with his back to me in the kitchen cooking Lords know what.

"Orion," I all but yell, making my way over. He turns and his eyebrows scrunch up as his eyes give me a onceover. "What's wrong? Are you hurt?" He asks.

"The Day Throne is a bigger threat than we thought. The images, the visions, they were all about the Throne," I explain, pacing in front of his patient form. "We should go back, inform your father."

Orion rests his hands on my shoulders and simultaneously turns me to him. I still, looking up at him. "Relax Astraea," he says. I force myself to take in a deep breath, looking down at my bare feet. He nods, satisfied at this. "My father knows of this threat already and he is not a foolish man. He's king for a reason."

I take in the words and nod. "You're right," I murmur and slacken under his touch.

"When am I not?" he deadpans and I chuckle, rolling my eyes. When I look up, I notice for the first time how close we actually were. My eyes land on my mate's lips and in turn, I bite my own. All I had to do was stand on my toes.

I look back up at his eyes when his hands travel down my arms. I instantly regret putting on the long sleeve, aching for his skin on mine. My mate's hands finally land on my hips and my breath catches as he pulls me closer.

This was it. I was finally going to kiss this hunk of a man that was all mine.

The liquid stars join in, pooling at the pits of my stomach to create a sensual warmth. My arms clasp at his neck and just as I stand on my toes, he pulls back. "Smoke," he murmurs, his brow furrowed as he looks up.
I refrain from letting out a groan. "I know I'm smoking but can you just kiss me already?"
Instead of doing as I say, his hands loosen on my waist and he takes a step small back. I frown, deflating. "Hey man, this is totally your lo-" I don't finish my sentence as I too look up to see smoke.

Orion is already rushing over to the stove, turning it off and opening up the window. I shake my head, my frown still in place. Way to ruin the moment. "Is it salvageable?" I ask and he frowns down into the pot. "No."

"We can always just make good ole sandwiches," I say, walking over and taking the charred pot to the sink. I don't let him argue. The visions had taken too much energy and I was starving. I glance out of the window. Night had fallen. "How long was I out for?" I ask, taking out the ingredients to make chicken sandwiches.

He leans against the counter, facing me. "Not that long. Only two or so hours."

My eyebrows rise at this information. My... naps after the visions usually went for most of the night. "The human grows resilient," I all but declare, letting my frown go. I had all week to seduce my mate, it's fine. I glance back at said mate to find his lips lifted in the smallest of smiles. I still at the sight, my own smile growing.