Opening my eyes, I gently ease from Javen's mouth, my breath still mingling with his. His eyes swirl with cyan, something that doesn’t happen as often as it once did, but today is a day of high emotion, joy, excitement. Despite him saying that we should not make a big deal out of his Luminary ceremony, I am well aware that he thinks a great deal of the privilege.
Javen was destined to be a great Alku guide. A Luminary in the true sense of the word.
Today he takes his place on the Planet Council with Alina. He’s one of the leaders, both here and on Earth, who will continue to move us forward in harmony and peace.
Peace. The word dances in my mind.
Gently, I graze his face with my hand. His recently shaved cheek is smooth on my palm.
“You are everything to me,” I whisper. “The sun, the moons, the stars.”
“You’re everything to me,” he returns, as he does every time. “The galaxy, the keeper of my heart, the warrior, the mother of my children.”
With a smile, I clear my throat. “I guess we should be getting back to them.”
Javen shrugs. “Beda and Anzo are with my father.”
I smile. Vihann loves letting them get away with things he never allowed Javen to do.
Little Beda’s sweet face flashes in my mind. Her big, brown eyes and flowing dark hair remind me every day of Javen’s cousin, and my friend. That, and the way she cares for her brother while challenging him at every opportunity. I’m quite sure that my daughter will make an even better Luminary than Javen or Vihann . . . if that is even possible.
Javen knows it too. He’s mentioned it to me many times.
I interlace my hand with his and then take one more look over my shoulder at the sky. The warm hues of the sunset have disappeared entirely, leaving the stars to sparkle more brightly in the atmosphere.
“Such a clear night,” I sigh.
“I hate to drag you away.” Javen taps his Connect. “But your parents have just arrived at the portal station in Primaro. They say they’ll be here soon.”
Frowning, I check my device. Nothing shows on the screen. “They told me they couldn’t make it.” My stomach whirls with excitement. We haven’t seen Mom and Dad for a few months. Their latest project has kept them locked in the lab.
Javen squeezes my hand. “They just wanted it to be a surprise.”
“Now everyone will be there.” I grin at the thought. “Irene from LA, your parents, and Max is taking time off from Galaxis.”
Javen raises a brow. “I’ve noticed Max takes a lot of time off from Galaxis to visit Yaletha in Primaro lately.”
I chuckle. “Well, it took her a long time to come around.” I tug him toward the path and we leave the beautiful mountain view behind.
Excitement for everything to come builds in my chest as we walk. The white flowers on the trees surrounding our way flicker with cyan light, seeming to sense my anticipation. The dark branches appear as if a galaxy formed on them, and the sight never fails to fill me with wonder.
The path leads us to overlook Azmar, Javen’s home village, and it glows with blue-green Starfire energy.
I pull Javen to a stop.
“What?” he asks.
Peering up at his face, I notice his eyes returned to brown and sparkle from the town’s light.
“You go ahead. I’ll be home in a minute.”
He angles his head in curiosity but nods and continues on to Azmar.
Once he’s out of sight, I jog back to the trees and tear off a few branches. I raise the still-glowing flowers to my nose, and the light fragrance fills my senses. Mom will like these next to her and Dad’s bed.
Branches in hand, I walk to the overlook again, tipping my head up to the moons.
Taking in the now.
Taking in the past.
Wondering what’s to be.
Sometimes to become the person you were meant to be, to live the life you dream of, takes sacrifice. Sacrifice for those you love, and for those you don’t love yet.
It’s painful and the risk is high, but if you come out on the other side, life may become everything you’ve ever wanted.
I take a step, and then another, and another toward Azmar, my navy dress billowing behind me.
These days, I’m just not satisfied keeping my feet on the ground. I would rather mingle with the stars.
THE END
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Other Books by Jenetta Penner
The Configured Trilogy
Configured
Immersed
Actualized
Betrayal of Magic
Crown of Lore
The Fall of Lore
Spellcaster Academy
Magical Realism
The Dark Curse
Fire & Lightning
Shadow Pack
The Terran Sea Chronicles Duology
Reckless
Limitless
The Starfire Wars- The Complete series Box Set Page 65