Chapter 30: The 3rd Month - How the Stars Fall

“I finished the canoe. It’s been great for fishing on the lake behind the house.” Ryker kicked a pebble into the grass.

Sometimes he wandered the fields at night, trying to find some source of comfort from the ache in his heart. The only thing that eased the pain, even if just slightly, was a glass of rum. He tried not to rely on it, but tonight was one of those nights he needed to drink and wander.

“The weather has been warm, so I go out on the lake early, before the sun. Feel free to let her know we don’t need it any hotter.” Ryker smirked at himself.

The pebble skittered away from his boot once again. “Oh, I planted some sunflowers for you. I think you’d like them.”

Planting a field of sunflowers large enough she might be able to see them from the stars had cost him blood, sweat and tears. But it was worth it. The day he walked out of his house to find them blooming, their faces towards the sun, had brought him so much joy.

Just like she had.

He sipped his drink. “Branoc made a statement about you. Of course, the whole thing was a lie.” His knuckles turned white as he gripped the glass. “He said that you’d impersonated a star and that he’d banished you from the kingdom when you tried to steal all his gold. Couldn’t have been further from the truth, but at least now people might forget. Find other treasures to chase.”

The sunflowers swayed on a warm breeze. “Not that I can forget about you . . . You consume my thoughts day and night.” Ryker dragged his free hand through his growing curls, closing his eyes against the memories. “If I could do it all over again, I would . . . just to see you one more time.”

Ryker stood in the knee-deep grass, staring up at the starry velvet sky. “I’m glad you’re safe now . . . Goodnight, little star.”