Chapter 11: The King’s Guards - How the Stars Fall

Like clockwork, Ryker rose with the sun. His body knew when it peered above the horizon, waking him as soon as the night was done. He slowly stirred so as not to disturb Nova, wanting to bathe before she woke. Ryker stopped, caught in the way she radiated as she slept, glowing like the star that she was. Ryker reached for the soft white tendrils of her hair and brushed it from her face—the touch of it sending shivers all over his body.

“Ryker,” she softly murmured.

His hand froze at the sound of her voice, but she didn’t wake. Drawing back, he eased from the bed and tip-toed across the floor to the washroom. He would freshen up quickly, so she’d have time after him. Then they needed to eat and get on the road. There was no way King Branoc would allow her to simply be taken from him. They couldn’t stay put in one place for too long.

When he returned from the bathroom, he found Nova already up.

“Morning,” he murmured.

“Morning. Did you sleep alright?”

Ryker nodded. “Well enough. But we should get a move on.”

“Are you worried about something?”

Ryker moved to the small window and drew the curtain back, peering outside at the town below. “I just don’t think it’s wise to stay in one place too long.”

Nova nodded and moved off to use the washroom. Ryker packed their belongings before they both went downstairs to pay for their lodgings and order breakfast. The woman from the night before greeted them with her joyful presence, ushering them to a booth, promising to bring them eggs, bacon, toast and coffee swiftly.

“I don’t even remember falling asleep last night?” Nova looked at Ryker with bewilderment written on her face.

A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth at the memory of her soft snores echoing through the room. “That’s because that ale knocked you out cold. How are you feeling this morning?”

Nova rubbed her head. “Things are a little foggy.”

Ryker chuckled. “Once you eat, you will feel better. Though we must hurry.”

Breakfast was brought over, and the pair dug in. It was good, just what they both needed.

Ryker finished his last mouthful of coffee when the tavern door opened with a thud. He glanced over his shoulder, his stomach falling to the floor.

Guards stood in the doorway—three of them—their uniforms red and blue, all too familiar. Branoc’s men.

Not wanting to draw a single drop of attention his way, Ryker slowly turned back towards Nova. “Don’t move an inch. I need to get us out of here,” he whispered.

A wide-eyed Nova froze, and Ryker flicked his gaze towards the bar again. The guards had approached and were speaking to a gentleman there. He caught the eye of the woman who’d served them their meals and slowly pushed his jacket to the side, revealing a small pouch—one designed to hold gold coins—before he then looked towards the guards.

No words were spoken, but a mutual understanding was formed, and the woman nodded her head slightly to the doorway leading to the kitchen. Ryker bobbed and the escape plan was put into action.

The woman walked by them slowly and held out her hand down low by her side. He passed the small pouch of gold to her and stood. Then he took Nova’s hand as the woman moved off to distract the guards. She greeted them loudly, offering any assistance. It was the perfect distraction for them to disappear out the back, exiting out the door into the morning sun. Townsfolk were already busy moving about and Ryker pulled Nova along as they blended in with the crowd.

His makeshift plan was working well until he glanced down at his fingers entwined with Nova’s. Her skin was radiating with that delightful viridian glow, and each time he caught her eye, she would shine even brighter.

This was going to be a problem. The last thing he wanted was to attract more attention. He needed to find something to cover her body with—preferably something with a hood.

“Do you think you can control that glowing, little star?”

Nova quickly glanced down before meeting his gaze. “If you let go of my hand, perhaps I might.”

Her voice was tinged with amusement and the flecks of playfulness in her sea-green eyes kept his hand at bay—if only for a moment. He didn’t want to release it. In fact, he could quite happily hold it forever, but if he wanted to escape, she needed to keep her glow to non-existent. So, he gently dropped it, offering her a brief smile as he did so.

Ryker hugged the wall of the tavern and peeked around the front. Just as he suspected, there were three other guards on horses waiting outside.

Fuck

This was a lot more complicated than what he’d like it to be and the only way they were going to outrun the guards was with Charlie.

There was only one slight issue. The stables were located directly opposite the tavern, in plain sight to the red and blue-coated men. There was no way they would reach it at this angle. He’d have to approach from the other side.

Ryker looked in the opposite direction of where he needed to go. They’d have to circle around the town. He waited until a cart of straw and dung neared, then tugged Nova alongside it as the villager meandered along. He’d hoped the wooden structure would act as a barrier between them and the guards. Unfortunately, that was not the case. King Branoc’s guards might not have Ryker’s’ keen eye, but they weren’t completely blind and nearly everyone could see the woman whose hair was afloat and skin radiating.

“There they are!” came the cry.

“Quick, this way!” Ryker hissed, pulling Nova along. They sprinted towards the centre of the marketplace in hopes they might be lost amongst the crowds, but it was still early morning, so the sea of villages Ryker had counted on was thin.

“Stop, in the name of the king!”

“Not a chance,” Ryker grinned as they ducked down a small street.

There was very little room and nothing to conceal them. Ryker’s eyes darted around, searching for anything that might help them blend in. As they rounded a corner, he spotted a stall laden with various trinkets and accessories. Without slowing down, he snatched a wide-brimmed hat and jammed it onto his head before grabbing a cloak for Nova. She hurriedly wrapped it around her shoulders. Ryker tossed a few gold coins towards the shopkeeper as they dashed away.

The hat’s brim cast a shadow over his face, partially obscuring his features. “Keep your head down,” he murmured, pulling Nova’s hood over her head. “You need to do something about that glow, little star.”

This wasn’t the first occasion he was chased through a village, and it certainly wouldn’t be the last, but the times it had happened before, he was alone. Not carrying precious cargo.

“Ryker, I’m scared,” Nova whispered as they scurried along.

He gripped her hand tighter. “We’re going to get out of this. We just need to reach Charlie.”

The shouts of the guards grew louder behind them. “There they are! Stop them!” one of the guards bellowed. Arrows whizzed past them, embedding into walls and wooden crates with solid thuds.

Nova screamed as one flew past her head.

Ryker ducked and weaved through the streets, trying to lose the guards, but they were relentless.

A surge of heat and pain seared through his shoulder as an arrow found its mark, but there was no time to stop and pull it out—it would only kill him faster that way. He’d deal with it later, despite the pain.

“Ryker, you’re hurt!”

“Leave it be, little star, I’ll be fine. Just stay close.”

Ryker and Nova pushed through a side street, knocking over baskets of cabbages and corn, startling a group of children playing nearby. The townspeople’s protests and shocked cries added to the chaos, providing a momentary shield against the pursuing guards.

“Over here,” Ryker urged, pulling Nova into a small, darkened alcove behind a stack of barrels. They pressed close together, breath mingling, hearts racing. The guards’ footsteps thundered past, fading into the distance.

Ryker’s shoulder throbbed with pain, but he pushed it aside, focusing on the need to keep moving. Once the sound of the guards faded, he peeked out, making sure there were no threats.

“We need to get to Charlie,” Nova whispered.

Ryker nodded, grimacing as he broke the arrow’s shaft and discarded it. They waited a moment longer, making sure the coast was clear, before slipping out of their hiding place.

With cautious ease, Ryker moved, eyes scanning for any lingering threats. Finally, they reached the stable where Charlie was housed. The horse nickered softly as they approached. Doing his best to appear unhurried, Ryker thanked the stable hand before ushering the large black horse and the trembling star out the back of the wooden structure.

Pain flared through his shoulder as he mounted Charlie, then helped Nova up behind him. “Hold on tight,” he murmured, spurring the horse into a gallop. They tore through the town’s outskirts, the wind whipping around them, carrying them away from danger.

“That was so close, Ryker!” Nova exclaimed.

“Too close,” he replied.

They didn’t slow down for the rest of the day. Ryker refused to stop, despite the blood soaking his shirt. Only when the sun dipped low, and shadows lengthened did he finally relent. As the sky darkened, they stumbled upon a shallow cave nestled on the side of a hill. It wasn’t much, but it offered protection from the elements. With the last of his energy, he guided them inside, his breathing ragged.

“Are you sure there won’t be any . . . creatures in here?” Nova eyed the walls of the lowly lit hollow rock formation.

“I am certain. This area isn’t known to house Galanthors. The only other creature that could be in here would be bats, but they will keep to themselves.”

Satisfied with his answer, Nova slid from Charlie’s back. She helped Ryker gather their belongings as they both stumbled into the cave.

Ryker built a fire and made sure Charlie was safe before he finally allowed his body to feel the full brunt of the pain coursing through it. He tried to keep the grimace from his face as he sat down, but mustn’t have done the best job.

“Ryker, you’re in pain. Let me help you.”

He didn’t refuse her offer.

She knelt close and undid his shirt, surveying the damage. “I’m going to have to pull it out.”

“I can handle it. Just do it fast.”

Thunder rumbled outside and Ryker instinctively reached for the pendant around his neck—his comfort, his peace of mind.

Her small hand trembled as she wrapped it around the snapped arrow shaft lodged in Ryker’s shoulder. He clenched his jaw, bracing himself as she began to pull. A sharp, searing pain shot through his body, like his flesh was being ripped apart. The arrowhead scraped against his bone, sending pulsing waves of agony through his arm and chest.

Every nerve ending in its path felt like it was on fire. His vision blurred with the intensity of the pain, and he held back a scream, tasting blood as he bit down hard. As the arrow finally came free, the rush of relief was overshadowed by the throbbing ache that tarried.

“I want to try to heal it for you,” Nova murmured.

Ryker held her gaze as the firelight danced on her skin. This woman had already endured so much in her short time on Earth. Yet, she remained soft. Taking each experience in her stride. She was incredible.

Sweat beaded on Ryker’s forehead. The pain was intensifying, and he knew that if he didn’t get his shoulder healed soon, infection would set in.

He nodded at Nova. “Can you do that?”

Nova shook her head gently. “I don’t know, but surely my glow can do something . . . Will you let me try?”

Ryker looked down at his chest. The ruby red blood glistened in the fire’s light. It was seeping from his body with every pump of his heart. He drew his gaze back to the star and nodded. He watched as she positioned her hands over the wound.

She went still with concentration. Nothing happened for a moment, but then a blue glow began to pour from her fingertips. The floating path of light was scattered with little glowing, golden dots that made their way into Ryker’s shoulder.

Tingles began in his flesh and spread into his chest. The white glow surrounding Nova grew, intensifying until she cried out and light exploded all around them, illuminating the cave.

After the power diminished, Ryker looked down at the wound to find it completely healed. Not even a trace of blood could be found. It was surreal to experience magic from another realm. Here on Earth, there were tales of ancient magic that still ran through the Earth’s core, feeding the creatures that tarried long after the gods had left. Ryker was yet to see the proof it was real.

“You’re incredible, Nova.” Ryker offered her a grateful smile. “Thank you.”

“Might need to replenish after that one.”

“Are you alright?”

She nodded. “Nothing a good dose of moon bathing won’t fix.”

Thunder rumbled outside and Ryker turned his head towards the sound. “Is that what you were doing the night I found you?”

“Yes.” Her voice was barely a whisper.

“What powers was Branoc making you use Nova . . .”

She sat in front of the fire, hugging her knees. Ryker could see the pain in her eyes as she stared at the flames.

“The only one I managed to summon . . . replication.”

“Does that cost your strength?”

Resting her chin on her knees, Nova tilted her head to look at him. “Seems like more than the healing powers, yes.”

“What made you think you could heal my shoulder?” Ryker murmured.

Nova shrugged. “In Ara, we work together to mend those that are injured. It doesn’t happen often, but I’d hoped I’d carried that ability here with me. All things are made of stardust after all.”

The ground shook as the storm above them drew closer. Ryker did his best to ignore it by asking Nova about her gifts, but the familiar anxiety began to take hold.

He shifted closer to the fire. “What sort of things did he make you replicate?”

“More of his silly jewels and gold.” Nova shrugged. “I tried to get him to help the poor with all of his riches . . . but that didn’t turn out so well.”

“I’m sorry, Nova. Truly.”

She turned and flashed him a sad smile. “It’s behind me now.”

Outside, thunder rumbled again, and Ryker felt the shaking to his core. Cradling the pendant around his neck, he watched the flames dance, casting their shadows on the cave walls.

“Why do you always play with that when there’s a storm?” Nova’s sweet voice brought him back to reality.

“I don’t.”

“Yes, you do.”

Ryker shrugged lightly. “Habit, I guess.”

Nova stood to her feet and stretched. “I told you about my magic. Now it’s your turn to tell me about your habit.”

“There is nothing to tell. Just leave it be Nova,” Ryker murmured.

It was true, there was nothing to tell that wouldn’t bring up pain and trauma—something Ryker would rather leave buried deep in the past.

Nova spoke softly. “It’s not nothing. Every time it rains, or a storm erupts, you fiddle with it as if the world is about to end.”

Ryker pulled himself to his feet, dropping his arms to his sides. It was too painful to talk about. Even more than the wound the arrow had inflicted. It had been a very long time since anyone bothered to ask about his habit, and he liked it that way. Who was Nova to ask about it now? “I don’t need to explain myself to a star.”

He regretted the words as soon as they left his mouth. He didn’t mean to snap. This is why he kept his feelings at bay. They had no business messing up his life. “Nova I’m sorry, I didn’t mean—”

Nova flinched, and tears welled in her eyes. He wanted to pause time and pluck the words he’d flung at her from her ears. She didn’t deserve any form of pain, mentally, physically, and certainly not verbally.

“You’re right . . . I’m just a star. What would I know about humans.” Nova twisted and headed towards the mouth of the cave.

“Where are you going?” Ryker called after her. “Nova?”

Her figure dissolved into the shadows, and Ryker sighed as he followed after her. He was such a brute, there was no need to hurt her feelings with his words.

As he rounded the corner, he found the passageway empty.

“Nova?”

Thunder rumbled again as the rain fell sideways outside. The lightning illuminated the forest, and he saw her standing beneath a tree, arms folded, and eyes closed.

“Nova please . . . come back inside.”

No response.

Ryker gathered his composure. If she wasn’t going to come to him, he would have to go to her. Taking a deep breath, Ryker jogged outside, straight into the storm. Nova didn’t move when he reached her side.

“Please return where it’s safe.”

Nova shook her head. “I want to experience things as a human before I go back to being just a star.”

Ryker ran a hand through his hair, droplets of water flung through the air, losing their grasp. “Can you experience it from the cave?”

Nova shook her head again.

A fork of lightning hit a tree not far from them, followed by a loud crack of thunder. Ryker did everything he could to hide the fear that was screaming in his mind to run. Could he call himself a man if another woman’s life succumbed to nature’s anger? He refused to wait around and find out.

Ryker picked her up, throwing her over his shoulder.

“Put me down, Ryker!” She kicked and screamed. “I demand you let me go!”

Once they were safely back inside, he placed her down near the fire so she would begin to dry.

“How dare you!” Nova hissed.

Even when she was angry at him, she was still breathtaking.

Ryker reached for her face, cupping it in his hands. “Don’t ever do that again.”

“Why not?” Nova demanded.

“Because . . . I can’t . . . just do what I ask, please?”

Water droplets ran down her skin and glistened in the glow of the flames. Memories of another time when he saw her glistening with water had him feeling tight in his trousers. All he wanted to do in this moment was to kiss her and taste her skin. Flicking his eyes down towards her pouty lips, Ryker leaned forward.

“This conversation isn’t over,” Nova whispered.

“For now, it is.”

He heard the breath catch in Nova’s throat as he leaned towards her. A slight smile pulled at the corner of his mouth. Her warm breath touched his lips, and he almost blacked out at the pureness of it. The gentle glow of her skin began to pulse, mixing with the orange glimmer from the fire. With a thudding heart, Ryker’s mouth hovered above hers, just as lightning outside the cave struck another tree.

Charlie neighed so loud in fright that Nova screamed and threw herself into Ryker’s chest, burying her face against his jacket. A sudden overwhelming protectiveness came over him and he held onto her tightly, never wanting to let her go.

The feeling didn’t last long before she gently pushed against him. “Goodnight, Ryker.”

Their near kiss hung between them like a heavy weight. Ryker sighed quietly. Letting her go was easier than opening that door again. It was probably for the best. Whatever this was, there was no place for it in his life. Love had already cost him once, and he had no intention of paying that price again.

“Goodnight, little star.”

Ryker kept an eye on her as she curled up on her bed by the fire. Charlie settled. The storm outside raged on as he retired to his makeshift bed on the opposite side of the fire. Nova had her back to him, but through the flames that licked the air, the gentle rise and fall of her chest confirmed she was asleep. He should rest, too. The morning would bring fresh problems, and the sooner they reached Chester’s, the better it would be for everyone.