I ran out into the street, Quelline shouting after me, and stared up at the dark sky overhead, seeing the residue of a silvery explosion; perhaps the collision of celestial godlings far beyond what my mortal eyes could see.
A colorful blast that reminded me of the space clouds Saiyon had shown me burst to the west, just beyond the city wall. Distant screams followed.
“Saiyon!” I screamed into the sky, hands forming fists at my sides. “Saiyon, stop it!”
But of course He couldn’t hear me.
Thunder rolled. A red streak like angry lightning rent the sky. I searched for Surril, but the smoke and clouds and lights hid her from my eyes.
At least the stars were too far away to be affected by this. We, unfortunately, were not.
Another boom! hit. I didn’t see color or light, but the ground beneath my feet shook, and I toppled sideways, nearly hitting the cobblestones. A hand grabbed my elbow, righting me.
Ristriel.
He watched the sky, the lights of war reflecting off his dark irises. Quelline remained in the doorway, Ruthgar just behind her.
Ristriel’s earlier words rang in my memory. They will tear this city apart.
“Why here?” I whispered. “Have they followed us again?”
Ristriel shook his head. “The gods war throughout the heavens. It is happenstance that we see this one.” He pressed his lips together. After a beat, he added, “They are not concerned with the Earth Mother.”
“We have to lead them away,” I whispered. “Somehow. Away from the city.”
“They do not care about either of us.” Ristriel turned from the light show. “They will not notice.”
He took a step down the road, and then another, until I caught his forearm.
“Where are you going?” Fear strained my words.
He looked past me to my family, standing in the doorway. To other faces pressed to the windows surrounding us, watching the celestial war with open terror. The city rumbled, and another far-off spark lit the sky.
“To protect the city,” he whispered.
I shook my head. “No. We’ll run. We can make it out—”
He broke from my grasp, taking my hand and interlacing our fingers. “If I am to pass as a mortal”—he looked into my eyes, and I fell into his—“I must heed the lessons you’ve given me.”
“Ris—”
“Protect those weaker than myself.” He smiled softly. Raised his free hand and drew a knuckle down the side of my cheek. “Everyone here is weaker. I will keep you safe. I promised.”
Tears clouding my vision, I shook my head. “No. You kept your bargain. You brought me to Nediah. You don’t have to keep me safe anymore.” My chest heaved as though I had run a mile. Fear clawed at me, anxiety that if he left, I would never see him again.
I realized in that moment that what I wanted more than anything was to have him by my side. To run with him through meadows and listen to his stories, as he listened to mine. To banter about needlepoint and discover the creations of the Earth Mother.
I had seen the paradise that awaited star mothers, but I was not dead yet. And now that Ristriel was leaving me, I wanted nothing more than to live beside him.
That smile remained on his lips. “But I am the one who takes care of you.”
He kissed my forehead before stepping back, just past the reach of the shadow cast by the eaves. When the next spark of light cut the sky, he shifted into a ghost and whisked away on the wind, so fast I could not discern him from the night.
“Ris!” I shouted, chasing after him. I made it halfway down the road before I stopped.
But I would not be helpless.
I stalked back to the house, tripping once as the ground shook. An explosion overhead lit the road, but I didn’t look up. Quelline and Ruthgar were outside now, watching the heavens with awe and horror.
“He’s gone to fight for us.” My tone was hard so it would not bend to unshed tears.
Quelline blanched. “Will it hurt him?”
I thought of the harpoon embedded into his leg and swallowed. There were certainly things in this universe that could tear him apart, ethereal or otherwise. “I don’t know. But if he survives, it won’t go well for him. He is wanted by them, and when they see him, they will know he is here. I need somewhere to hide him.” If he survives. If he survives. If he survives.
I couldn’t dwell on that now.
Quelline pursed her lips together in thought, barely noticing the next burst of warfare overhead. Then she snapped her fingers. “I know where we can hide him. In fact, it’s perfect.”