Heir of Stardust and Secrets (Mythic Spark #1)

1. A Sunrise of Farewell

Chapter 1

A Sunrise of Farewell

D awn was breaking, though the sun hadn’t breached the horizon enough to show evidence of its presence. As I lay in my tiny bed contemplative, the sweet singing melody of the birds drifted in through the open window—so beautiful, as if their song could coax the sunlight into warming the chilled air a little sooner.

Breathing in the deep scent of the dewy morning, I slipped back into my thoughts. Yesterday I’d fallen asleep a child; today I’d awoken as an adult—whatever that meant. Strange how, overnight, society had changed the definition of who I was based on my age.

Twenty-one years old.

It’s not like being an adult would intrinsically change anything for me. No, I was stuck in the ever-dying town of Leighmullan, where my grandfather had abandoned me. The same town he’d founded and named as an homage to our forefathers, then left.

Shaking the notion from my mind, I rolled out of bed and wrangled open the tattered curtains, which made their customary dry, rasping sounds of protestation as they snagged on the splintering dowel that held them aloft .

Kaleatia, the third moon, nestled herself behind the eastern mountains, letting me know that daybreak was imminent.

Gooseflesh rippled across my skin as the cool spring air cut through my nightshift. Rubbing warmth back into my arms, I reached for the layers of clothing I’d left out, well aware of the Nettorian Mountains’ capricious climate this time of year.

My rucksack sat ready for today’s outing with food and supplies, making it easy to slip out the window without waking my parents. I didn’t want to disturb them, having learned at an early age that being around them on my birthday was…unpleasant.

For me, today marked my birth, but for them, it signified the loss of my twin sister. A perennial reminder of the catalyst they’d deemed responsible for the successive events that’d ripped their comforts and dreams away.

I’d never begrudged them for not observing my birthday. I hadn’t known any different. Besides, I had Eithan to celebrate with, and he was more than enough.

Dressed and ready for the day, I pushed the window up, wiggling it a little to avoid the loud screeching sound it would make if I wasn’t careful. Home free, I tossed my rucksack below and crawled through the opening.

After an hour of hiking up-mountain, the trees gave way to a meadow that Eithan and I had long since claimed as our own. My chest filled with a sense of warmth from the fresh life speckling the land in purples and blues and whites—as if the Mother herself had offered the tiny blossoms unseasonably early for me, for my birthday. To me, this place was the sacred ground that imbued me with the deep sense of tranquility I often craved. Blessedly, few ventured this far up the mountain. In fact, the only souls Eithan and I had encountered here were the roaming creatures of the wild.

Smiling, I stepped past the tree line’s cover and ventured to our usual spot in the center of the meadow. Lowering myself to the patch of tamped down grass, I rested my head on my rucksack and waited for Eithan .

One moment I was drifting in and out of consciousness, the next I was swinging my hunting knife through the air above me toward the hulking shadow that had awoken me.

Heart pounding, Eithan’s laughter hit me with teasing warmth as he jumped back from my blade. “A little jumpy this morning, are we?” he said.

I looked up at him with feigned annoyance and re-sheathed my dagger. “Move, you’re blocking the sun,” I groused, trying to hide how startled I was—I couldn’t give him that satisfaction.

With a playful pivot, he closed his eyes, tilted his palms to the heavens, and basked. “What, this sunlight?”

Without a second thought, I swung my legs along the terrain and swept Eithan off his feet. A sharp exhale escaped him as his bulk collided with the unforgiving ground. In a blink, he rolled over and pinned me beneath his weight.

“You wicked little thing.” He chuckled, then leaned in. His soft lips met my forehead for a moment before he pulled back to look at me. “Happy birthday, Ny.”

The kiss, his body pressed against mine, his voice, those damn perfectly pouted lips—damn, I hated how my traitorous body tingled in his presence. Eithan’s eyes dipped to my mouth, and I realized then I’d been biting my lower lip. I swallowed, forcing myself to focus on anything but the hunger in his eyes.

“Thanks,” I finally managed.

A shadow flickered in his eyes before he smirked, then rolled off me and stood in a fluid motion. He extended a hand, which I gladly accepted, making him do the lion’s share of the work to get me up.

“Umph,” Eithan groaned as he pulled me up.

I rolled my eyes at him and flashed a smile. “You’re so dramatic, you know that?”

“Yeah, well…” He shrugged, then turned away to retrieve his bag. “Close your eyes and put your hands out,” he said over his shoulder.

I obeyed as flutters of anticipation filled my chest, their tremors reaching the tips of my toes.

He took his sweet time rummaging through his rucksack, and I almost peeked before an object was placed in my open palms, its weight wrapped in what felt like a muslin cloth.

I waited for all of a heartbeat before excitement got the better of me. “Can I open my eyes yet? Now? How about now?” The words tumbled out of me as if they were one.

“I forgot just how impatient you are,” he said, voice choppy from laughter. The familiar sound enveloped me, filling me with a comforting warmth. Clearly enjoying my anticipation, he allowed another painstaking moment to slip by before he stepped into me, his warm breath caressing my ear. I suppressed the shiver that wanted to run down my spine, almost forgetting the mystery that lay idle in my hands. “Now,” he whispered, then stepped away.

I opened my eyes and found an oblong object wrapped in a dull gray cloth. Carefully, I rolled the fabric away from the item.

A sharp breath filled my lungs as it finally revealed itself. I looked at Eithan with wide eyes, then down at the dagger resting on my palm. Tears obscured its beauty, and I looked up, catching Eithan’s gaze. He stared back at me with uncertainty, as if waiting for me to respond before he knew what to feel.

Still stunned, I tucked the cloth away and examined the dagger. It was…exquisite. Its balance was flawless, and the shape of the handle melded to my grip. Adorning the bottom of the hilt was a sizable, sphere-shaped gem of deep sapphire blue. The rich color faded as I raised the stone to the sun, and it fractured the light, casting tiny, rainbow-colored specks in every direction.

Lowering it back down, my fingers delighted as they explored each delicately etched swirl and detail that journeyed from the base of the handle to the tip of the midnight-black blade.

I’d never seen such extraordinary craftsmanship before. It must have cost a fortune. Eithan couldn’t afford it. The dagger was beautiful, but it was too much.

Prying my eyes from the dagger, I met Eithan’s gaze. “Eithan, it’s… I… You shouldn’t… ”

A half-smile tugged at his lips as he closed the gap between us. “I showed the blacksmith the size of your hand,” he said, taking my idle palm and placing it on his. “The stone was my grandmother’s, and it has always reminded me of you—how its colors shift in different light, like your eyes. And with the dowry coming in…” he trailed off.

My heart sank as I realized the dagger wasn’t merely a birthday present but doubled as a farewell gift—a token of our friendship and love.

“Thank you,” I breathed, the quiet words nearly swallowed by the soft rustling of the meadow.

Eithan pulled me into his warm embrace, and I drew in a steadying breath to dispel the heaviness surrounding us. I didn’t want today to be consumed by thoughts of his imminent departure—the one I’d recklessly refused to acknowledge.

I looked up at him and forced a smile. “Thank you,” I said, a little stronger this time.

Eyes locked on mine, Eithan’s fingertips traced the contours of my face before his thumb and forefinger coaxed my chin upward in a silent command. Rising to my toes out of pure habit, I met the familiar touch of his velvety lips. Soft, gentle, reassuring kisses pulled me into the moment with him. My heartbeats quickened as his tongue slid across the rim of my mouth, asking for permission, for more. I welcomed him in, unable to stop myself. The caress of his mouth, the strokes of his tongue against mine, had my body coiling with desire.

As Eithan’s hands began mapping my torso, I blindly tossed the dagger toward our bags and wove my fingers through the silkiness of his burnished auburn hair. Stars, how I’d missed this. Eithan let out a low moan and his exploring grip firmed on my hips, drawing me against the bulky evidence of his desire. Oh gods, save me, I silently pled, knowing my restraint was about to shatter as a burning frenzy began consuming my every thought.

I didn’t want gentle caresses and wordless goodbyes—I wanted more of him, all of him. I reached for his length and wrapped my hand around the thickness that waited for me beneath his garments.

“Fuck, Ny,” he rasped against my mouth before nipping at my bottom lip.

“Eithan,” I moaned, half for him to take me, half for him to stop.

He pulled back just enough for our eyes to meet, and I saw the same warring emotions within him that plagued me. A heartbeat later, his mouth crushed against mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and Eithan caught me as I sprang up and locked my ankles around his torso. Grip tightening, he lowered us to the ground.

Straddled beneath my thighs, Eithan faced me, our chests rising and falling with heavy breaths. Tucking a wayward strand of hair behind my ear, Eithan continued trailing his fingers back until he took purchase of my bound hair, tugging gently to expose my throat. I closed my eyes and placed my hands behind me, giving in to him. Leaning in, Eithan traced the sensitive skin at the base of my neck as he kissed and nipped and sucked his way downward.

I took in a shaky breath as his warm hand navigated its way under my garments and cupped my breast, then rolled the tip of my peaked nipple between deft fingers, lightly clamping. A deep, longing sigh escaped me, and my hips instinctively rocked against his. Eithan tugged a little tighter in response and sucked the side of my neck before releasing my hair and locking his lips on mine.

How many times had we done this before, in this valley, release washing over us? But as Eithan drew out desire with every touch, my body crying out for him, I sought any thread of restraint that would anchor me to reality—for the primal feeling rushing through my core, readying for him, was about to consume me, and I wouldn’t be able to stop.

With great effort, I tore my lips from his. “We can’t,” I rasped.

His tongue slid up my neck, and I arched into him, my core burning for his magical tongue to be occupied much, much lower.

“Eithan,” I breathlessly pled .

He didn’t stop. And I didn’t want him to. Yet, I placed a hand on his chest, garnering a fraction of distance.

My body continued to obey his touch, not my thoughts, as he pulled me toward the path of no return. Damn, I wanted, needed him. But we’d sworn to each other to abstain—he was betrothed now, and on the brink of leaving. It wasn’t fair to her, or us.

But curse the gods for that burning desire threatening to consume my resolve, my sanity, my ethics.

Eithan finally broke away, and I instantly ached from his absence. His gaze met mine, understanding as I did that this wasn’t right. His shoulders drooped, and the heartbreak in his eyes almost made me reconsider.

He leaned in, and I relinquished the small distance between us as he rested his forehead on my chest, the steady rise and fall of his body matching the rhythm of his deep breaths as his firm hands held me.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, his voice carrying an apology that extended past that moment.

Sighing, I placed my chin atop his head and traced the contours of his back in long, soothing strokes. “Me too, Eithan. Me too.”

With considerable effort, I eventually rolled off Eithan, and we lay side by side, getting lost in our own thoughts as we faced the cloudless sky.

“Ny?” Eithan said, breaking the silence first.

“Hmm?” I asked, cracking an eye open and watching as he propped himself up on an elbow to look down at me.

“Talk to me,” he urged in a soft, almost pleading voice.

I stiffened. It had only been a month since Eithan told me his father had arranged for him to marry the daughter of a wealthy merchant, and since the initial shock, we’d never talked about it.

Eithan’s father had always been silver-tongued and strategic, yet I couldn't piece together how he’d managed such a feat—and perhaps a part of me hoped the deal would crumble so I wouldn't have to confront it. Eithan was handsome, and his family hailed from a respectable lineage, or respectable enough, but he was undeniably marrying outside his class. The union would bring him and his family lands and riches beyond our wildest dreams. Unfortunately, those lands and riches were located far, far away.

“I’m not sure what you want me to say,” I finally said, feeling the weight of his golden-brown gaze upon me.

“Gods, Nyleeria. Anything,” he said, sitting up and running his hands through his hair—the telltale sign of his frustration.

I stilled. Eithan had never used my full name. Ever.

Heart pounding, I stood up and stared down at him. “Don’t you dare take that tone with me, Eithan Amaris.”

Eithan rose to his full, towering height, and I braced myself.

“You know what, Ny, it’s like you don’t give a damn that I’m leaving. I’ve been bartered like some sort of prized stallion to marry a stranger when I’m in lo?—”

“Stop,” I said, raising my palm outward. I couldn’t risk him saying that word, couldn’t risk going down the perilous road he wanted this conversation to take. “ I… am not…the one…leaving. By the gods, Eithan, you act all shocked and shaken, as if you never saw this coming. This was never going to happen,” I said, gesturing between us.

Eithan stepped back as if struck, and the hurt that shadowed his features sent a searing pang of guilt through me. I hadn’t intended for my words to cut, but they needed to be said—we couldn’t keep pretending.

Perhaps his feelings bordered on love, but allowing him to voice it felt like teetering on a precipice—a risk I was unwilling, or possibly unable, to take. Besides, love or not, my family’s financial standing made me an unsuitable maiden. It was acceptable for us to be friends and have our dalliances, but his parents wouldn’t abide by anything more serious. If Eithan were to press the issue, his parents would disown him, and we’d be forced to live in destitution. With our skills, we could manage, but it wasn’t a future to reach for, especially not when he had options .

Softening, I took his hands in mine and looked up at him. “Eithan, please don’t make me the reason you stay. I might be what you want now, but in ten, fifteen, twenty years from now, you’ll regret it. I know you will. Think of your family and your future children. Besides, I’m sure your fiancée will fall in love with you—she’d be blind if she didn’t.”

Eithan’s eyes darkened, and I understood then what he couldn’t express to me, and possibly to himself. His reluctance to leave wasn’t born out of a fear of the unknown, or of a burning desire to stick around, but out of concern for me, and perhaps a sense of duty to protect me.

Taking a half-step forward, I brushed a thumb across his stubbled cheek. “I’ll be okay,” I promised.

His eyes mined mine for the truth in my words, and I allowed him to burrow deep for what he sought. An invisible burden seemed to evaporate from his shoulders as he unearthed the assurance he needed—one I wasn’t entirely convinced existed.

After a few heartbeats, a familiar grin tugged the corners of his mouth as if to dispel the tension, and I couldn’t tell if things were truly settled within him or if he couldn’t bear us fighting before his departure. Either way, I was grateful.

He collected the gifted blade from the ground and handed it back to me, and a broad smile bloomed on his features as I wrapped my fingers around the custom hilt.

“Let’s go test that new dagger of yours, shall we?”