Chapter 29: The 1st Month - How the Stars Fall
By Sarah C. Davies
The porch groaned softly beneath Ryker’s weight as he stepped outside. The sun had already dipped below the horizon, and fireflies flickered through the distant meadows, casting tiny sparks of gold. A gentle breeze swept through, stirring his curls and brushing against his skin.
Ryker looked up to the heavens where his eyes met a sea of glittering stars. “I hope you’re happy back in Ara.”
There was no way to tell which star might be Nova, but if there was even the slightest chance she could see him standing on the porch, searching the sky for her, he’d come out here and talk to her every night.
“I hope you’re safe,” he murmured.
The toe of his worn boot scuffed at the wooden deck. “I hope you haven’t forgotten me already.” Ryker managed a smile. “Although I wouldn’t blame you if you had. You’ve probably got more important things to worry about up there.”
He leaned his forearms against the porch railing, swirling the rusty tinted rum in his cup. The breeze continued to play with his hair. “I couldn’t bear to live near Branoc’s castle, so I moved.” Ryker took a sip. “You’d like it here, little star. It’s far from the noise and clutter of the city, but close enough that you don’t feel isolated.”
He’d bought the quaint little cottage in Sunriver, to be further from Emberfell and closer to his family. It felt like the right thing to do after Nova left. He’d been gone from his loved ones too long. He knew that now.
Ryker sipped his rum again. “I think I’ll finish the canoe I’ve been working on.”
He’d paid a handsome price to have it shipped from the old house to his new one. At first, he’d considered leaving it behind, but the idea of having a mind full of pain and empty hands had him paying the cost and not thinking about it again.
He was glad he’d done it. It was the perfect distraction.
Anything to keep from dwelling on the absence of her.
The galaxies glittered across the expanse of the black velvet sky. Ryker offered a smile; it was all his heart could muster.
Ryker finished his drink as his eyes drifted to the skies. “Goodnight, little star.”