Chapter 22: The Star Carvings - How the Stars Fall

A figure stood on the porch of the cottage; her silhouette framed by the warm glow of the setting sun. She watched them walk up the hill towards the home, her cool grey hair blowing gently in the light breeze. Even from a distance, Nova could see the brilliant blue shade in her eyes, like twin sapphires catching the last light of day. The woman’s posture was relaxed yet alert—she had an air of wisdom and strength about her.

As they drew closer, Nova noted the details of the cottage: it was a quaint, rustic structure, nestled comfortably against the hillside, with wild roses climbing up its stone walls and colourful flowers blooming in the garden. Smoke curled lazily from the chimney in a cloudy dance, adding to the homely atmosphere.

The woman smiled warmly as they approached, her eyes crinkling at the corners. Something inside Nova reached for her, as if she knew her in another life. Everything about her was so familiar, yet strange. Nova felt a sense of relief wash over her; they’d come to the right place. There was an unspoken welcome in the woman’s gaze, a silent assurance that they were safe here.

“You’ve travelled a great distance, young ones,” she said, her voice like a song. “Come, you must be weary. I have food warmed by the fire.”

Nova glanced at the Hound to see his complexion. His eyes darted around, making sure, likely on the alert for some kind of trap, but his posture remained relaxed. “You were expecting us?”

The grey-haired woman nodded. “I was.”

Nova was in awe. The way she moved and talked was as if she was floating through the air.

“Nova . . . you’re staring,” Ryker whispered beside her.

His voice broke her trance, and she felt warmth creep into her cheeks. “I’m terribly sorry, you’re just so beautiful.”

The woman laughed. “No one has called me that in quite some time, but thank you . . . ?”

Reaching out to clasp the woman’s offered hand, Nova fumbled over her words. “Nova . . . Nova Seraphine and this is Ryker Thornbrooke,” Nova quickly answered.

The woman smiled at them both. “I am Astrid Vespera.”

A loud ringing sounded in Nova’s ears. Her vision hollowed, distorting the image of the woman before her. Stories from her sisters in Ara hammered at her mind as Astrid’s name imprinted on her thoughts. Nova knew who this woman was, and her heart nearly fell from her chest. Yet shock held her tongue in its grasp.

Astrid ushered them inside before Nova could find the courage to speak.

The room was warm and welcoming. A fire crackled inside the fireplace and the smell of a delicious stew wafted through the air. The kitchen table was laden with fresh bread, butter, and a bowl of what looked like freshly picked wild berries.

She truly was expecting them.

The sight of it all had Nova’s stomach growling, and she couldn’t wait to eat.

Astrid motioned for them to sit as she busied herself with the iron pot bubbling over the flames. Nova took the opportunity to look around the room. She noticed a recurring theme throughout it.

Little wood carvings of stars and moons found their home upon windowsills, shelves, and the fireplace mantle. Some were painted butter yellow and azure blue. Someone very creative must have spent a great deal of time on these ornaments, and Nova wondered who.

Ryker’s warm brown eyes found hers, silently asking if she was alright. Nova smiled at him with a nod. This was the first time since falling to Earth that she actually felt like she was home.

Astrid placed two steaming bowls of stew on the table in front of Nova and Ryker before returning to the fire to dish out her own.

“Please, eat.” Astrid smiled at them. “And once you’ve had our fill, you can tell me why you’re here.”

“How did you know we would come?” Ryker murmured as he fiddled with the napkin on the table.

“I have my ways.” Astrid winked at him. “Now, eat.”

Ryker didn’t need to be told twice and hungrily dug into his food. Nova followed suit, her eyes fluttering shut as she brought the spoon to her lips. A soft sigh of delight escaped her, the warmth of the food melting against her tongue. Savoury meat and vegetables with a delightful helping of bread and butter.

“Thank you, Astrid, this is the most delicious meal we’ve had in a long time.” Nova spoke.

Astrid offered her a smile before sipping at her tea. “Tell me, what is it you two need?”

Ryker sat back and let his spoon rest on his plate, his gaze flickering to Nova before answered. “We’ve been told that there is a chance you could help Nova get home.”

Astrid turned to her. “And where is home, Nova?”

Nova leant forward and rested her arms on the tabletop. “Home for me is not on this Earth. It’s a place that I feel you might know all too well?”

Ryker’s brow scrunched as his eyes darted between the women at the table.

Astrid smiled softly. She’d never served herself a bowl of stew, instead nursing her tea as they ate. “How did you know?”

“Your name is still spoken of in Ara.” Nova lifted a hand to all the star carvings. “I haven’t felt this at home since I got here.”

The room was silent.

“You are the last star who fell to this part of the world one hundred earthly years ago, aren’t you?” Nova murmured.

Ryker’s face looked as if he’d just seen a ghost.

A smile broke across Astrid’s face, and she nodded. “I am she.”

Nova’s heart swelled in her chest. The stories flooded her mind. All newborn stars were told of the beautiful star who fell to Earth just over one hundred years ago and never returned. These stories told of how she had fallen in love with a humble farmer and chose to stay on Earth.

“What are my chances of sitting between two stars? I was struggling to believe I’d ever see one, let alone two,” Ryker murmured in dismay.

Astrid reached across and squeezed his arm. “We are as real as they come.”

“I’ve heard your story, Astrid, but I would love to hear it again from you,” Nova said softly.

The woman sat back in her chair and sighed. Her gaze drifted to the horizon beyond the small window by the front door, lost in the memories of what once was. “One night, a cosmic peculiarity unfolded, and I found myself hurtling towards the unknown expanse of Earth. The descent was both terrifying and exhilarating as I plummeted through the celestial veil, leaving streaks of stardust in my wake. It took me what felt like years to reach Earth’s atmosphere.”

A feeling Nova knew all too well.

Astrid’s brilliant blue eyes shimmered with fondness. “I landed in a large open space right here on this mountain. As I touched the Earthly soil, I realised the beauty of mortal existence. It was here I encountered a humble farmer named Eli, whose crops I had landed in. His heart resonated with a simplicity and warmth that mirrored the sun-kissed fields he tilled, and I never wanted to be apart from him again.”

A tender smile graced Astrid’s celestial features. “As a hundred years passed, I watched seasons change, witnessed the ebb and flow of life on Earth. Eli and I discovered a love that defied the boundaries of time and realms. His laughter became my celestial melody, and the tenderness in his eyes became my anchor for this terrestrial haven. When he passed, it felt as if my soul was ripped right from my body. And even though I knew I could go home; this part of the world had become such a part of me that I couldn’t bear to leave.”

With a sigh that held the weight of a century’s worth of stories, Astrid concluded, “So, in choosing love over Ara, I forsook my home to be with Eli, embracing the fleeting beauty of human existence. Here, among the emerald fields and beneath the boundless sky, I found a love that transcended the stars.”

Nova sniffed, wiping the tears from her eyes. “Oh Astrid, your story is tragic, as it is beautiful. How do you still look so young?”

Astrid chuckled, then sipped her tea. “Us stars age very slowly here on Earth. In human years, I am one hundred and twenty-five and yet I feel as if I could run and dance for miles.” A mischievous grin appeared on Astrid’s face, and Nova beamed.

“This is all so unreal,” Ryker whispered. “I heard stories from my late grandfather about a star who fell the night he was born and here you are.”

“Your grandfather was a blessed man. When stars fall to Earth, they bring with them a blessing of radiant joy for all babes born that day.” Astrid nodded and brought her cup to her lips.

Ryker went back to his stew with zeal. “In the few years that I knew him, he certainly was a joyous man.”

“So, I brought joy with me when I landed?” Nova whispered, her eyes clouding with tears once again as she looked to Ryker.

Astrid’s voice was gentle. “You did.”

Ryker’s gaze remained locked on Nova from the opposite side of the small wooden table, and she couldn’t look away. She may not know every soul that was touched by her joy, but there was one she hoped she’d given the most to.

The room was silent for a moment as all three were lost in thought.

Astrid spoke first. “Do you want to go home, Nova?”

Nova hesitated, shrugging her shoulders. “Some say it is safer for me there than here on Earth, but now that I know you live here and love it. I am beginning to wonder if I might like to stay.”

“What does your heart tell you?” Astrid asked softly.

“I’m not sure I can trust anything my heart says, we haven’t been acquainted long.”

Astrid offered Nova a smile. “I understand completely, though you will have to make the decision before you enter the pool.”

Nova’s brow knitted. “What do you mean?”

Astrid stood and cleared the empty dishes to the sink. “Once you enter the place where the two realms meet and speak the celestial saying, you will be transported right back to Ara. You won’t be able to change your mind.”

Ryker ran his hands through his hair as he leant back in his chair. “It’s that simple? How has no one discovered this magical pool?”

“Well, it’s only magical to those of the celestial realm,” Astrid answered softly. “To the people of Earth, it’s just a body of water.”

It was Nova’s turn to rise from the table. She moved to the cottage window, looking at the evening sky that had caught them unawares.

Why was it so hard to decide what to do? Surely she wanted to go home? She didn’t choose to fall to Earth. In fact, before arriving on this planet, she was happily existing in the heavens . . . Until that small rock came along.

Nova glanced over her shoulder at Ryker. His eyes met hers, unwavering, yet his expression remained serious. No smile touched his rugged features; instead, his face seemed conflicted, as if battling an internal storm of emotions beneath the surface.

As she turned back towards the window, Nova spoke. “What is the saying?”

Astrid sighed before placing a hand over her heart. “Veliar silea mynaris,” she murmured in the native tongue of elirion.

“Take me to the heavens,” Nova whispered. “And will you tell us how to get to the pool of reflections?”

Astrid nodded as she ushered them to sit on the large, soft chairs in front of the fireplace. “I will draw you a map and then you must sleep. Your journey doesn’t end here.”

The rest of the evening was spent in front of the warm fire, with Astrid drawing a map and explaining to Ryker how to get there.

Nova zoned out after a while. All this talk of going home made her feel sad. If Astrid loved living here on Earth, why wouldn’t she? Why was Ryker so afraid to let her stay, and why was she allowing him to tell her what to do? He meant no harm, he just wanted to keep her safe, but maybe safe was dreary. What if she wanted adventure? Or to find a passionate love like she’d seen from her place in the stars as she gazed down on Earth?

Maybe it was time to really decide what she wanted to do.

“Nova. . . ?” Ryker’s gentle voice touched her ears.

“Oh sorry, I was just thinking, and this fire is making me sleepy,” Nova answered as she glanced between the two faces staring at her.

Astrid seemed to agree as she snuffed out some cream wax candles sitting on the fireplace mantle. “It’s time for sleep for all of us.”

She moved towards a small closet, returning with a few folded blankets, offering them to Ryker. “The washroom is in here and the spare room is opposite. I only have one double bed in there, though . . .”

“It’s fine. I’ll sleep in the chair here by the fire,” Ryker answered before Astrid could finish. “I’d like to keep watch through the night if that’s alright?”

“No one has breached my wards yet, but you are welcome to do as you please,” Astrid said.

“Yes, that forest wasn’t keen on letting us in until Nova touched it.”

The woman nodded. “It allows only those I allow in. I saw you coming from the bottom of the mountain, but wanted to make sure it was Nova who wanted to enter before dropping a part of the ward.”

Nova hovered at the washroom door. “Do you think I could do that with my celestial powers?”

“Of course. If you decide to stay on Earth, I will teach you.” Astrid glanced over at Ryker before returning her gaze and winking at Nova.

Warmth filled her cheeks at Astrid’s insinuations.

Nova opened the washroom door. “I’ll say goodnight here then—and Astrid? Thank you for everything.”

The woman smiled with a nod. “It’s my pleasure. I’ll see you both bright and early in the morning.”

Astrid closed the door softly behind her, leaving the star and Ryker looking at each other from across the room. Nova wished he would reach for her, show her some sort of sign that he really didn’t want her to leave. She searched his eyes for a sign—a glimmer of hope. But she was met with emptiness and pain.

“I’ll wash up then,” Nova said softly.

Ryker nodded.

As she closed the door behind her, Nova leaned against the wood. Tonight, she needed to decide on what she wanted to do. Either she leaves with Ryker and goes home, or she asks to stay with Astrid. Maybe they could become spinsters in the woods with lots of cats.

Nova smiled at the thought before she pushed off the door and began to wash her face. Once she’d cleaned up, she found the space she’d left Ryker empty.

The front door was slightly ajar, and a soft breeze whispered through the gap. Nova stepped forward, catching a glimpse of him leaning heavily against the balcony post. His broad shoulders were slouched in a rare moment of vulnerability, his back curled, he carried the weight of the world. His gaze was fixed on the vast galaxy above, the starlight reflecting in his dark eyes, making him appear lost in thoughts she couldn’t reach.

Ryker turned when he heard her. “Are you all done in there?”

Nova nodded. “Are you alright?”

“Yes,” Ryker murmured. “You?”

Nova wrapped her arms around herself. “I’m scared, Ryker.”

A small hitch in her breath had Ryker pushing off the post to take one of her hands in his. He squeezed it tight, rubbing the back of it with his thumb.

“What are you scared of?” he murmured.

Nova looked up at him, a sob catching in her throat. “I don’t know . . . all of it.”

“You can talk to me . . .”

His voice was earnest. She truly felt she could talk to him as if she’d known him for a thousand years. Yet tonight, all of her words just seemed hard to articulate. Her mind was a flurry of thoughts and emotions.

Nova wiped her tears and forced a smile. “I know.”

She turned from his face to look up into the velvet skies. The moon was in its waning crescent phase, yet enough of it shone that Nova felt its pull in her blood. Her body ached to be restored once again.

She flicked her gaze to Ryker. “Watch over me while I bathe?”

His brow pinched. “You want me to watch you—”

“Under the moon, Hound.” Nova flashed him a grin.

A pink tinge flooded Ryker’s cheeks. “Do you mean right now?”

Nova shrugged. “It’s the perfect night for it.”

Ryker looked towards the field of flowers. “I will watch out for you if that is what you wish.”

Nova smiled again before turning her back to him. “Help me with the buttons?”

Calloused fingers brushed at the nape of her neck. The gentle touch against her skin made her body shiver as he dragged his fingers down her spine, one button at a time.

“All done.”

Nova glanced over her shoulder, catching his russet gaze as she pulled her brown leather boots from her feet. They clunked as she dropped them on the wooden floor. She danced down the steps, the grass cold against the soles of her feet. She dug her toes into the emerald blades and sank to her knees.

With intentional movements, Nova peeled her sleeves away, dropping the bodice of her simple gown down to her waist. She pulled the leather ties that held her diamond strands captive and shook her head, freeing them to play in the breeze.

From the waist up, she was bare. Her skin glistened under the face of the moon. Nova drew in a deep breath and tipped her head towards the star-dusted sky. Her eyes closed, and she basked in the moonbeams.

Every fibre in her body came alive as the silver light seeped into her skin, filling her blood with the magic of Ara. Her mind became clearer with every second that passed. Sounds became sharper, and the scent of the surrounding blossoms infused with the wind. Marigold, buttercups and wild basil.

Nova opened her eyes, turning her head to look over her shoulder. “Care to join me?”

A smile played on her lips when she heard Ryker chuckle.

“I quite like the view from here.”

Nova tipped her head back. “Suit yourself.”

She drank in the magic as if it would be her last. The moonbeams kissed her skin, leaving pulsing spots of vigour in their wake. Her fingertips brushed the grass at her sides. She gripped the smooth blades in her hands and grounded herself to the Earth. Energy hummed all around her as she lost herself in creation.

Blossoms dabbed at her skirts as the breeze danced through their stems. Long blades of grass reached for her as she sat back on her feet. Nova had never felt more alive than right now at this moment.

Yet, it could not last forever. Humans still required sleep, even celestial ones.

With a sigh, Nova stood to her feet and turned to face the hound. His arms were folded across his chest as he leaned against the wooden post.

Nova was fully aware of her nakedness as she strolled towards him. His face was emotionless, yet she saw the desire flash in his eyes the closer she came. His gaze travelled from her navel all the way up until it reached her lips. He lingered there a moment before captivating her eyes with his own.

Nova placed her arms into the sleeves of her gown as she slowly ascended the wooden stairs. One at a time. When she reached the top, she turned her back to him.

Ryker eased off the post and did the buttons of her dress up in silence, though his fingers remained longer than needed. Nova wished they’d stray . . . found their way entangled in her hair.

“Do you feel refreshed?” Ryker murmured.

She faced him. “I feel as if I could run down the mountain and back up again.”

He chuckled. “You’ll have to go alone—I’m pretty knackered.”

She grinned and lightly shoved his arm with her shoulder.

Both of them returned their attention to the world above. Nova closed her eyes and thought of Soleil and Tierra.

“I miss them so much, Ryker.”

“Your sisters?”

She nodded. “What I’d give to talk to them again. To drift through the starfruit orchard, picking fruits and eating them.”

Ryker shoved his hands in his trouser pockets, scuffing the toe of his boot on the wooden floor. “You could see them? If you go home, you could be with them again?”

“What if I don’t want to go home?”

Nova heard the catch in his breath. Ryker hesitated before he turned to look at her. He drew his hands from his pockets and cupped her face, wiping the tears that had formed on her cheeks. He held her there for a moment, his russet eyes searching hers. “If that is truly what you want, then we will find a way to keep you safe.” Ryker wiped a tear.

Calmness washed over Nova as she stood captured by Ryker’s hands. She nodded and nearly burst into a fresh stream of tears as Ryker leaned down and kissed her forehead.

It was the most innocent act, but it spoke volumes to Nova.

As he pulled away, she gripped one hand on the front of his shirt. The other stole its way behind his neck as she brought his head down to hers. She was done waiting for him to kiss her again. If she was leaving, she wanted to taste him. Feel his lips upon hers. She wanted to run her fingers through his inky tendrils.

Nova caught Ryker’s mouth in a tender kiss. He groaned softly as their lips moved together like a well-rehearsed dance. His hands circled her waist, pulling her tight against his body—as if they were one.

The scent of cypress and vanilla consumed her as his tongue dipped between the seam of her mouth. Nova sighed as she opened for him, melting into his taste. He was so gentle with her, yet his hands and his body held her with such strength. Everything about him was addictive, and Nova didn’t want to give him up.

Her breath became hers again as she tore herself from the kiss. Ryker’s hands still gripped her hips—the heat of his touch searing through the fabric of her gown. His eyes sought hers, yet no words were exchanged.

This was goodbye. Nova could feel it in his silence. He knew that home was safer for her. Earth never would be.

And maybe he was right.

She stepped out of his embrace—her hand lingering on his chest. “Good night, Hound.”

For a moment, she thought he would ask her to stay.

“Good night, little star.”

Nova turned on her heel, slipping quietly back inside and heading towards the bedroom. A smile crept onto her face as she discovered a large, inviting bed draped with a cheerful yellow blanket and piled with plush pillows. The window framed a breathtaking view of the mountain peaks above them, leaving her momentarily stunned. Standing beside the bed, she gazed up at the moon, its silvery light spilling softly across the room, illuminating the space in a gentle glow.

“Oh sisters . . . what shall I do?” Nova whispered to the glittering sky. It shimmered in response, and Nova smiled. Maybe going back to Ara wouldn’t be so bad—especially when it looked like that.

She pulled the blankets down, climbed into the softness and lay down, bringing the covers up to her chin. Sleep claimed her quickly, but not before her mind wandered back to the hound.

Everything about him felt so right. And there was still that lingering thought, that maybe she was already home.