Burning Star

Amelia paced back and forth in front of her bed. She was nervous, and to pass the time she decided to think of anything else but what were about to happen. This was the first time in two days that she’d even had time to be alone with her thoughts and that fact alone scared her.

The trip home had been relatively painless. They’d all been too happy to notice the time, and it wasn’t until they’d acquired the rest of the soldiers abandoned horses at their camp that Amelia found a moment to herself. It hadn’t lasted long, though. Eric had walked over and asked her for a walk. She’d been on the verge of cracking down from her exhausted state, and he’d promised to wait until they were home.

Now, here they were in Yildun, the capital of Astron, where the magnificent Star Temple raised its spear high above the rest of the city. And she couldn’t postpone her talk to Eric much longer.

Amelia had done everything she could to be on her best behavior and appearance. Nothing should compromise their talk. Her white temple dress was of the finest material, just the way it should be. Her best was needed when it came to Eric, and she’d be darned sure that she delivered. She’d brushed her hair countless of times, ensuring its shine and volume.

All she needed now was her man.

Her man… She liked the sound of that. It would be what she’d always refer to Eric as from this day on—at least she hoped so. Technically, Eric could still call everything off, and ask her to stay at a distance, and the doubt settled deep in her stomach. Her insides were mush, and her knees turned out to be weak, almost causing her to stumble, but she had to keep on until she’d heard what he had to say.

When he knocked three times at her door, she could have sworn that her heart stopped.

“Come in,” she called, her voice shaking with excitement mixed with fear.

He walked in, his beautiful blue eyes meeting hers. “Hi,” he said.

Amelia let out a deep breath; she hadn’t realized she’d been holding it until then. Now when everything had calmed down, she remembered him saying that he loved her. A tingly sensation spread inside her stomach.

She’d wanted to touch, kiss and hold him tight ever since she hit puberty. He was her hero. Many nights she’d been tossing and turning, shivering by the thoughts of him while she lay in her bed. She’d wished him to desire her, just as she’d wanted to make him shiver with just one touch.

All of these thoughts were new to her, and she gawked at him while she tried to form any thought. “H-hi,” she managed to say.

He walked the short distance across the marble floor. Amelia listened carefully to the sound of his footsteps, and then she reached her hand out to meet his.

Their fingers intertwined, and he tugged lightly. She took a step closer to him, forcing her eyes to stay focused on his face.

“There’s something I have to do,” he said.

She rose an eyebrow. “And what might that be?”

He pulled her closer, pressing his body against her while wrapping his arms around her waist, keeping her in place. Her hand landed on his chest, and she could feel his heartbeat following her own.

“Eric…” she whispered.

“Mnn?” He moved a hand to her head, his mouth edging closer to hers. “What is it?”

“I—“she looked up at him through her eyelashes—“love you.”

She didn’t get to say anything else before his lips touched hers. At first, Amelia didn’t know how to react. Was she supposed to open her mouth? This was her first kiss, and all at once, the thousands of butterflies in her stomach took off, fluttering inside her.

When all of her initial feelings settled, she started to move her lips carefully, returning the kiss to her best ability. She loved being this close to him. Moreover, she wished it would never stop.

Amelia could feel him smile against her lips, and she pulled slightly back, wanting to see his expression.

“You’re mine,” he murmured, his lips tickled hers as he spoke. His hands found their way to her hair, and she could feel him entangling locks of her hair with his fingers. He breathed against her lips, the heat causing her heartbeat to race. “I love your hair,” he said. “It’s so beautiful.”

Amelia could feel the heat rising to her cheeks when she heard his words. She remembered the picture currently laying beneath her bed, and she praised herself lucky for thinking of every possible angle to catch him.

“I’m afraid this might be a dream,” she whispered. “This seems to be so surreal to me—I’ve dreamed of this exact thing for years.”

He smiled. “It’s real.”

“I like it,” she replied.

“Good,” he said, snaking a hand behind her back again, pulling her closer. “Because I have no desire to stop.”

With that, he kissed her once more.

Joshua stared at Vega. “What?”

He’d heard her words, but he found it hard to comprehend. In retrospect, he should have foreseen this coming. It seemed to be a reasonable solution, but he didn’t like it.

Vega took a seat on his bed. “You heard me. I traded my powers to be with you—Solem and the other stars agreed and accepted my choice.”

Staring at her, Joshua still found it hard to focus. “So… You’re not a Star any longer?” he asked.

Vega’s eyes widened. “That’s a scary thought, but yes… I’ll always be a Star, that’s my pure essence. I just…” she paused and looked to the floor. “I just won’t be in the sky any longer, and I’ll have my powers taken away.”

“All of them?” Joshua asked.

“Does it really matter?”

He nodded. “Yes.” Although, he couldn’t explain why it mattered—it just did.

She shrugged. “I don’t know, Joshua. I don’t think so, but I don’t mind.”

“How can you not mind?” He frowned. “This is your body, your powers and your legacy. I can’t live with you giving that up—“

She stopped him by placing a hand over his mouth.

Meeting her eyes, he relaxed. He reached out for her with his right arm while removing her hand with the other. He pulled her closer. “Vega,” he said.

“Please,” she muttered. “This is my choice.”

He could feel her breathing on his neck as he hugged her close. Memories of their past together rushed through his mind, and he recalled their one night together.

It was odd—being in such a close proximity to her after all this time. So many things had happened by now, and Joshua felt at a loss for words. She was here, and for the first time since he saw her return, he allowed himself to relax and just feel her.

“I don’t ever want to let go,” he said.

She pulled back and smiled at him. “You won’t have to.”

Joshua felt a huge chunk being lifted from his shoulders. He closed his eyes, and felt as her fingers trailed across his collarbone. Shivering from her touch, he opened his eyes and saw her study his jaw along with her fingers.

“You’ve matured so much,” she muttered. “I regret not being able to see it close up.”

He took her hands. “No regrets, alright?”

She nodded.

“We have to go see Garnet,” Joshua said. “We’ll need to explain everything to him.”

Not long after they stood before the Elder, who greeted Vega once more with open arms. “My dear child,” he said. “Every time you walk through those doors, my old heart is filled with joy.”

Vega hugged him with a smile. “I’ve missed you too, Garnet.” Her face changed, and she gestured to the table, prompting everyone to sit down.

Joshua glanced around and was about to ask where Eric and Amelia was, when both of them ran into the room, hand in hand. It pleased him to see them so happy. He reached below the table, fumbling to get a hold of Vega’s hand, which he squeezed once he finally had it in his hand.

“I didn’t hear much of what exactly happened,” Garnet said. “You were all so tired but excited.”

“Yes,” Amelia answered. “Maybe I should start.”

As Amelia relayed all of her journey, Joshua listened carefully. He’d never stopped to think of the losses the world had suffered for them to succeed. He knew that some causalities were unavoidable, but he’d never thought of the people who came close to you.

Amelia spoke with loss in her voice as she told them of Orianna, or Thomas Scar Son. Both which had died in the battle. Joshua glanced at Eric who was staring at the table.

‘How you holding up?’ Joshua asked.

Eric didn’t move. ‘I said some horrible things. But here we are, and I can’t stop but wondering if we’d succeeded if I hadn’t been a jerk.’

‘I doubt we’ll ever find out, mate,’ Joshua replied. ‘Maybe just be happy for the outcome?’

‘I’ll try. But what about the families of those who died?’ Eric thought. ‘I can’t help but to think of those. Is their death on my hands?’

‘No. They’re on Errai’s.’

Joshua tuned back to the conversation. It was Vega’s turn to explain her side of things. Joshua’s part would come next, but he couldn’t stop thinking about what Eric said about the families.

Family… Joshua had wished for a family once. He’d promised his father to try his best at the mission, but also do his best at living their life. Now when their enemy had been defeated, there was only one goal to be.

Absentmindedly, he rose from his chair, the legs scratching against the floor. Vega stopped talking and looked at him. “Joshua?” she said, her eyebrow cocked.

His heartbeat was racing, but he couldn’t stop to think about it. Dropping to one knee, he took Vega’s hand and met her eyes. “Vega,” he said. “I’ve loved you for years. You were my best friend, and my first love. When you sacrificed yourself I was certain that I’d lost you forever.” He gulped. “I don’t ever want to lose you again.”

Her jaw dropped as Amelia reached something over to him. Joshua took the small silver ring and held it between two fingers. “Vega. For as long as you’re on earth…” He held up the ring. “Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

The whole room was silent, time slowed down, and Joshua could feel his courage falter. What if she said no? He averted her eyes to the floor, not wishing to see her refusal.

“Yes,” she whispered.

His head jerked back up, and he looked at her with wide eyes. Were his ears deceiving him?

Tears were filling in her eyes, and she nodded to him, her head bopping up and down repeatedly. “Yes. Yes. Yes. Oh, Solem, Yes,” she said and laughed.

Joshua placed the small silver band on her finger and rose from the floor. Standing before her, he pulled her up. And then he kissed her. It started out gentle, but as the initial shock wore off, the kiss deepened. He’d waited too long for this to happen, and he didn’t want it to end yet.

All of the past years’ agony was released in that kiss, and he enjoyed the way his lips moved in accord with hers. They would be forever united now, and Joshua couldn’t be happier.