Jade Goldlight's Arc

Chapter 10 of 20

Morning came clear over the fort. Jade stood on the saffron brick path where Raihan had held his ground the night before. The stones still held a faint scorch mark, a dark print between her boots and the dead tree. She pressed her fingers to the choker at her throat — the spiked band her brother had given her years ago — and felt the spade emblem warm under her skin. The villagers were already gathering at the gates. They came with bread and flowers. The mayor lifted his hands and called her their hero. Children pointed at Raihan and grinned instead of hiding. Jade smiled back, but her hand stayed on the choker. She knew the truth of last night. Raihan had moved first. Raihan had bitten. She had only stepped aside. She walked alone to the lightning scar tree while the crowd watched. No wolf at her hip this time. The trunk stood quiet now, its orange cracks faded to gray. Jade laid her palm flat against the charred bark. She tried to call her stone magic the way she had against the shade days ago. A small tremor answered. A pebble lifted. Then dropped. Her hand shook. Without Raihan beside her, the power came thin and slow. She closed her eyes and made herself stay there until her breath evened out. The gap was real. She could feel its shape now — what she was alone, and what she became when he stood between her and the dark. She walked back to the saffron bricks where the villagers waited. She did not pretend. "I am not done learning," she told them. "Be proud of me when I have earned it twice." The mayor bowed his head. An old woman pressed a sprig into her palm and told her they were already proud — proud that she had not run. Jade tucked the sprig beside the choker at her throat. The spikes pricked her thumb, a small private sting. She looked at the brick where Raihan had stood and made herself a quiet promise. Next time the dark came, she would move first. The village cheered as she lifted her hand. The choker stayed cold against her skin, reminding her the work was not finished yet.