Chapter 3: The Celestial Encounter - How the Stars Fall

Nova Seraphine.

Even her name was beautiful.

From the moment Ryker laid eyes on his target, he’d struggled to breathe. In the last four years, no one had made his heart falter like it did when his eyes beheld the rare celestial beauty.

His gaze drifted to her hair, a cascade of pure white silk that defied gravity floating weightlessly around her. Each strand shimmered with a delicate glow, like threads of tiny diamonds suspended in the air. The sharp angles of her face carved a path to her pink lips, the fullness of them slightly parting beneath his stare. High cheekbones cradled eyes as vivid and green as the sea. Her ivory skin emitted a gentle hum of viridian light, as if she were encased in an ethereal fog.

Ryker’s throat tightened. If gravity had no hold on her, then how did she pull him so irresistibly into her orbit?

It was almost unreal, seeing someone from a different realm. The family stories were indeed true.

Too bad she was a job. Another pretty thing to sit inside Branoc’s castle.

When he had found the crater, it was empty—as he’d predicted it would be—but it hadn’t taken him long to pick up the direction she’d gone. There’d been two sets of hoofprints, so Ryker stuck to the shadows, wanting to see what he was up against before approaching the group.

It wasn’t his first encounter with the twins, and he knew from experience that a quick dose of dreamroot would knock them out for a few hours.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the rugged terrain, Ryker led the way. The rhythmic clip-clop of hooves was the only sound in the quiet wilderness around them. Nova glowering on one of the Twin’s horses—tethered to Charlie’s saddle—behind him. He’d kept her wrists bound, harnessing her to the saddle. He couldn’t afford to have her running off.

He pulled a small flask from his jacket pocket and took a swig of rum, careful to remain alert of their surroundings. He definitely didn’t need to be surprised by an owlbear—also known as a Galanthor—or worse, a Lycan. The ancient mythical creatures, remnants of gods long forgotten, still prowled the Earth, rearing their ugly heads now and then. Ancient magic didn’t seem to be in use anymore, but the effects of it still remained. One could never be too careful when venturing through the forests . . . Ryker would know.

He shifted, turning to look over his shoulder. Nova’s glow was gone. Her diamond strand hair, limp against her delicate frame. She kept slipping in the saddle, her energy clearly waning.

It was too early, and they had too far to travel before they could camp for the night. Especially when they were in an area known for odd creatures whose teeth were sharper than the blade he carried at his side. Ryker knew he needed to do something, or he was going to have damaged goods on his hands. King Branoc would not appreciate that.

Ryker slowed his pace and turned Charlie around.

“Nova,” he called, pulling up beside her. She looked at him, eyes heavy with fatigue.

“I’m fine,” she murmured, but the droop of her shoulders and the paleness of her face said otherwise.

Ryker shook his head, dismounting swiftly. “No, you’re not.”

Without another word, he offered her a hand. She felt so weak and fragile as he helped her onto Charlie’s back.

She’s just a job.

Once satisfied everything was in place, he climbed up behind Nova, his arm wrapping firmly around her waist to keep her steady. “Lean back against me,” he instructed, and she did, her head resting on his chest.

Red welts had already formed on her wrists, but he didn’t want to unbind the ropes yet. Apart from her apparent fatigue, there was no guarantee that she would stay put, so for now, they would have to remain.

They continued for a few more hours. Ryker was grateful for the silence while the star slept. Soon, they should make camp before the daylight was completely gone.

Soft whimpers slipped from Nova’s lips. Ryker glanced down at her furrowed brows, a sign that whatever images filled her dreams were far from pleasant.

“Nova . . .” Ryker nudged her.

The star remained asleep.

He pulled Charlie to a halt, brushing Nova’s hair from the side of her face. “Nova.”

She stirred and sat up sleepily. “What is it . . . are we there?”

Ryker’s heart jumped at the sound of her sweet voice. “No, but you were crying in your sleep.”

“Sorry. If it bothers you, you can just leave me here.”

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

Nova shifted in the saddle, her hands fidgeting with each other. Ryker speculated that she probably did, in fact, wish to be let go. Most of the humans he caught and took back to their rightful places—prison mainly—would probably wish the same thing.

Her body shook against his chest as a brisk breeze blew through the trees. Too long had it been since he’d held a woman against his chest. The softness of her figure melted against his muscular body like honey on a warm tongue. It was very hard to focus on . . . anything.

“You’re shaking,” Ryker voiced.

“Is it not normal to shake like this?”

Ryker shook his head. “No, you’re freezing. Here, have this.”

He shrugged his cloak off and placed it around her shoulders. “This will help until we can get you something decent to wear.”

He should have offered sooner. Of course, she was going to feel the temperature. It was still early spring, and she was only wrapped in a thin blanket that the Twins must have tied around her.

He found it surprising that they offered her that much courtesy.

Nova pulled the cloak close and nestled her back against his chest. “Thank you.”

Ryker closed his eyes, drawing on every internal strength he had to push past the smell of her hair and the way her body fit against his.

This is a business deal. Nothing more. Besides, he wasn’t interested in getting involved with anyone right now—or ever. Especially someone from a different realm.

“We are still a day or so away from the palace, but you need clothes and I need to drop these horses into town,” Ryker said as they meandered along.

It was a few hours until sunset, but with the outfit she wore, if she didn’t find something thicker soon, she could catch a cold.

Could a star catch a cold?

He was well aware of the risks he would take by entering a village with Nova. No doubt there were many people on the lookout for the star right now. But the extra horses were unnecessary and clearly she needed some clothing. Thankfully, neither her skin nor her hair was glowing like it had been earlier in the day.

She nodded softly. “I would love to wear something more than this odd design those brutes dressed me in.”

Ryker smiled behind her. The innocence that oozed from her being was like a breath of fresh air, something he knew he should breathe in, but knowing himself all too well—he wouldn’t.

The smell of smoke reached him, signalling there was a village close by. He knew this part of Emberfell well enough. Turning off the trail, he guided Charlie expertly through the forest. Moments later, sounds of metal clanging and wood chopping filled the air as the village came into view.

Goats frolicked in pastures, bells attached to their necks with rope. Logs were stacked by the side of the road, ready for builders of houses and barns. It was quite a large town.

Ryker’s senses heightened as they entered. Get in and get out. And if she glows again, wrap her in his cloak tighter. Charlie slowed to a stop and huffed his appreciation. Ryker eased from his back and slid to the ground. “Here . . . we need to adjust your makeshift dress a little so you don’t look like a . . . crazy person.”

“What’s a crazy person?” Nova asked, as she allowed him to lift her down.

“Ah . . . Well, never mind. We just need to make you look decent.” Ryker motioned towards the fabric.

With inexperienced hands, Ryker tugged, pulled and tweaked the fabric until he was satisfied that what she wore resembled more of a dress than a blanket.

“Now, let’s get one thing straight,” Ryker spoke as he stood in front of her. “I’m going to untie these ropes, but if you even think about trying to run, the next few days are going to be very uncomfortable for you.”

Nova’s face paled and her eyes darkened. “What does that mean?”

“Muck around and you’ll find out.”

He tried not to let his heart sink as her gaze dropped to the ground, where it remained until he reached for her bindings. The touch of her soft hand against his rough palm was like a soothing balm upon a cut as he untied the ropes around her wrists. It was a feeling he didn’t know he’d been craving until this very moment.

Dousing the fire that was scarcely a flicker inside his soul, Ryker steadied his breathing, and led them into town. He was painfully aware of every movement and every eye that glanced their way.

Thankfully, Nova remained close by his side. He glanced down, noticing the way she limped ever so slightly. His brows knitted. Perhaps she’d hurt herself? He’d have to ask her later.

Small wooden houses and grey stone shops lined the main street, their rooftops pitched and weathered by time. The town lacked the grandeur of the city surrounding the Emberfell Palace, but it had a quiet charm. The cobblestone paths were swept clean, flower boxes brimming with pansies and marigolds hung under the windowsills, and the air carried a faint scent of fresh bread from a nearby bakery.

Ryker’s mouth watered at the idea of a zesty lemon tart.

They stopped outside a modest stable tucked between two shops. Ryker flicked his gaze towards Nova before handing over the reins of the two extra horses they’d collected on their journey. “Keep them,” he said to the stable owner. “Consider it a gift.”

The man blinked in surprise, but accepted with a grateful nod.

“Tell me, is there a dressmaker here in town?” Ryker asked the gentleman.

“About five buildings down.”

Ryker nodded in reply before ushering Nova back into the crowds of people, his hand lightly gripping her upper arm.

Sideways glances were evident as the pair moved through the crowds with Charlie in tow. Ryker hurried them along, wanting to get Nova indoors and away from prying eyes—not that she seemed to notice any. She was too busy staring at all the colourful wares people were offering from their carts and store fronts. He felt his heart shift towards her as he watched the amazement of the human world written on her face.

Here was this innocent creature experiencing his part of the world—Sapphire Vale—for the first time, probably thinking that he was taking her to safety.

But he was taking her to Branoc.

Dread laced through Ryker’s veins, turning to a searing heat in his blood. Usually it was so easy to find his target, hand them in, and finish the job. Not with this one, though. Something deep down inside of his chest was screaming to let her go.

Was being a pretty object in Branoc’s possession better than being sold to the highest bidder that would do who-knows-what to her?

Pushing his guilt aside, Ryker quietly took a deep breath and focused on the task ahead. She wasn’t his problem to worry about. She was just a job.

Nova halted, facing the cobblestoned area that housed a large fountain. He looked in the direction of her fixation. A skilled puppeteer manipulated a marionette, bringing it to life with practised movements. The wooden puppet, dressed in colourful fabrics, danced and twirled on the small stage, its joints moving with an uncanny grace. Children gathered around, their faces alight with wonder. Ryker wished there was time for pleasantries—unfortunately, there was not.

Her eyes tore from the sight, the light in them dulling as Ryker tugged on her arm. “We must keep moving.”

The dressmaker’s shop came into view and he steered them towards it, grateful for the quiet space as soon as the door closed behind them. Nova took a small step from his side and gently dragged her fingers along the edge of something pink and frilly, hanging limply from its hanger.

“Can I help you, sir?” a cool voice greeted them.

Ryker cleared his throat and nodded. “My—friend here needs a simple gown and some undergarments, please.”

The woman—tall and slender—eyed both Nova and Ryker warily, but he couldn’t blame her. It was certainly an odd sight—a rugged-looking man stepping into the store with a woman draped in nothing but a blanket following close behind.

“If we could do this swiftly?” Ryker’s voice was smooth, yet forceful.

“You will need to give me a moment, but I think I have something out the back I could adjust for her,” the woman replied.

Ryker nodded and ushered Nova to follow the woman, who was walking towards some dressing rooms.

Nova looked at him hesitantly for a second.

He lifted one corner of a brow. “Remember . . . don’t try anything funny.”

Nova squared her shoulders, her chin held high as she twisted and followed the woman from the room, her footsteps silent on the wooden floor.

Ryker stood alone in the small room. He felt odd being surrounded by all the female attire. Beautifully folded lace undergarments sat in piles on a round wooden table. Displayed on a shelf were a few rows of dainty brown leather boots and mannequins wearing elegant dresses of silk and ribbons lined the window front. Fiddling with the pendant around his neck, Ryker sighed and sat on the settee while he waited for Nova to return.

This would be the last time he’d accept a job where a female was involved.