Chapter 5- Asterin

Asterin Black was in trouble, a very deep one. There was a boy in front of her, on the bed that her patients always laid. The boy had had red hair and even though his eyes were closed, Asterin could imagine their frosty green shade. She knew, because she knew the boy too well.

That was exactly why was she was in a trouble as deep as oceans could be. Because she knew the boy, because the boy on the bed waiting to be cured by her had once been her servant. Because he was Luke, and Luke was the exact reason Asterin had been banished from the court. Because what they had, what they were, had ruined both of their lives.

And he was here once more, and at her mercy.

Two years ago, when Asterin had been only thirteen and the joy and pride of her parents, she’d met him in the gardens while practicing a dance. He was fourteen, and they’d been both young. No one had paid them any heed for why would they? They were kids, no harm could be done. But they’d been wrong.

Because Asterin and Luke had grown closer than they should have, because he’d watched her dance from afar and because he’d grown fond of her.

Because months later, her father had seen them embracing each other in a way only lovers did.

Her being in her current position, in the healers’ care and to become one of them, was the result of their mistake. Asterin’s father had been furious, but the again could he even tell anyone that he’d found her own daughter kissing a servant? Surely, he could not. So he’d shipped the boy to the Army and Asterin to the healers before any other person could know of them.

During her time in Star-spire, the healers’ tower, she’d occupied herself with so many responsibilities that she’d almost forgotten how bright the flames of their so-called love burnt. But only almost. She’d made herself a shield with her occupation and patients that she had to attend to. She had overworked herself so much that at nights her mind did not have the ability to wonder into places that she did not allow.

Now, with her eyes on Luke who was unconscious, her shield was shattered into a dozen pieces.

Her day had been frustrating enough when Monika-the head healer- announced that a group of soldiers were to arrive for treatment. Before that Asterin had helped a woman give birth to a pair of twins. She’d saved the children, but not the mother. So when Monika assigned her to the new group, she almost wanted to poison the old woman with a tonic of her own.

The soldiers had arrived, some in good shape and the rest bloody and wounded. She’d not paid them even a glance while leading them to the main hall and telling them to bring their worst conditioned member to her rooms.

How hilarious that they’d brought in Luke.

Good thing he was not awake, or Asterin would completely lose herself.

Regardless of who he was, Asterin knew well enough what she had to do. She took a breath and tried to steady her mind. “Heal first, ask questions later.” That was what she would do. She inspected his body, no sign of infections- thank the gods- but an open wound to his side. It seemed he had gotten it from an arrow that was clearly pulled out carelessly. If not, then he would not have lost enough blood to lose consciousness. But altogether it was a regular wound and nothing she could not mend.

So despite the turn in her stomach, she got to work. Asterin had to save him.

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"There was only one reason that despite Serrina’s wise nature, Asterin was called the jewel of House Black. And that was her extreme talent in dancing. Serrina sure was knowledgeable, but why would woman need knowledge when she could make men fall on their knees with only a glance?

At thirteen, Asterin Black had managed to complete that glance alongside her outstanding dancing skills.

Both sisters were beauties, one however was scheming and never gave herself away to boys who asked for her hand. And the second one was always in the dance floor, changing partners and making her father proud. Asterin was the perfect daughter, and she was well aware of it.

That had given a few advantages over Serrina. It meant she could spend more time outside while Serrina had to attend classes on etiquette. More time meant more dancing, and nowhere was better than the gardens where she could impress young lords with her practice.

She knew how graceful her moves were, and she knew at times men stopped and watched her from afar. She was determined that one day emissaries of Danion would arrive with their prince and she’d be swept away to be his queen. Queen Helia had used the same method when he’d met their current king. She’d been a noble girl just like Asterin, and she had made a king fall for her. If she could do it Asterin could as well.

But the problem, was that today, no one was in the gardens. A prince be damned, even young lords and ladies had all gone to see Serrina recite her blessings to the king.

Serrina was not the jewel of her house, but she was the first woman to ever be accepted in king’s council, and she was only fifteen. Asterin was surely not jealous. Why would she be? She was perfect, way more perfect than her older sister. That was obvious to her….and to everyone else.

Instead of letting her thoughts she knew that she had to dance. Because dancing was the modern form of magic, and if her moves were the spells then she was the enchantress. She moved without a music and started to dance. But rather than her usual routine that kept men glancing, she went for the one that calmed her own heart. Because no one was watching, and when no one was watching there was no one to impress.

So Asterin moved with the wind and did see the boy with cheap clothes and shabby hair that was hiding in the bushes, watching her.

She did not see his cold green eyes or his flame-coloured hair.

She did not see him, but he was clearly watching her."

Asterin Black woke up with a scream shattered in her throat. Her nightmares were back.

She was doomed to suffer the same fate she had suffered two years ago.