Wings of Starlight (Wings of Pixie Hollow)

by Allison Saft

“Your wings.” Her voice was thick with emotion. When had she begun crying? It had come on so suddenly. “Clarion.” He said her name like a plea. “Weighed against your life, they are nothing to me. I would make that trade every time.”

“Milori…I’m so sorry.” “Clarion,” he said, with some iron in his voice. “I don’t regret what I’ve done, nor do I blame you for what happened. I’d do it again if given the opportunity.”

“You didn’t even hesitate. Why?” “I think you know why, Clarion.”

I would give it all back if I could.” “Please don’t say that,” Milori murmured. “You do deserve it. You are going to do incredible things, Clarion. You already have.” “And yet, I will be alone.”

her chin up so that he could meet her gaze. “You will have all your subjects to love you. And even if I am not beside you, you will still have me. There will never be a star brighter. I will always love you.”

“Remember to be free, Milori. No more haunting this border like a ghost.” He gave her the most heartbreaking smile she had ever seen. “You, too.”

Impossible, she thought. As long as she lived, she would never be free of him. There would never be another. No matter. As the Queen of Pixie Hollow, she could shoulder this pain alone. That much was her duty.

It would call her home for the rest of her long life.