seul’s Reviews > The Sun and the Starmaker > Status Update

She had been frustrated with him for so many reasons since they met, but perhaps the biggest was that she was no longer interested in keeping space between them.

"Yes, it seems you can." He paused. "You should get some rest."

Aurora lay back on her pillow, and the Starmaker pulled up her quilt, even though she was sufficiently covered. His move. ments were slow, and he took his time tucking the quilt beneath. her shoulders. His hands lingered there as it he was unsure what he wanted to do next, and Aurora's breath caught in her throat as
she watched him.

"I was worried for you, too," she said quietly. "You were the first thing I thought of when I woke, and when Farren told me the light had come while I'd been out, it was the sweetest relief I'd ever felt. I wanted nothing more than to get to you and make sure you were okay."

"A stark change from seeking me out to argue with me." The Starmaker laughed, a low rumble that began in his chest.

"I can do both."

Assoon as he said it, the space between them became charged, as if the words had changed the chemistry of the air itself and every particle was reacting to them the way Aurora's stomach was. Her heart picked up speed, and the Starmaker's eyes were so intense that she had to force herself to keep her gaze steady, not wanting to look away.

Assoon as he said it, the space between them became charged, as if the words had changed the chemistry of the air itself and every particle was reacting to them the way Aurora's stomach was. Her heart picked up speed, and the Starmaker's eyes were so intense that she had to force herself to keep her gaze steady, not rating to look away.

"I was not worried for my successor," the Starmaker said, practically spitting the word. "I was worried for you, Aurora." He swallowed hard. "You."

The Starmaker stood and began pacing again, taking several turns around her room before coming to a halt beside her bed. "I was worried about you, Aurora. It was torture not knowing where you were or it you were safe. I didn't like it."

Aurora almost laugned at the way he said the final sentence with disgust. "I'm sure it was very hard for you not knowing if your successor was safe."

Aurora thought that was it, that the conversation was over and the Starmaker would leave the room, but instead he stayed seated beside her and looked her in the eyes. "I grew up in a very devout home, Aurora, and I have never believed in anything as much as I believe in you."

He nodded but still looked concerned. His brow was furrowed, and the tension he'd carried yesterday still pulled at his shoulders and spine, stretching him into a too-tight version of himself, one that might snap in half at any moment. His normally shimmering hair was dull, and the skin beneath his eyes was dark. Aurora tried to push herself up, but the motion caused the room to spin, and she slowly lay back down.

Adrenaline coursed through the Starmaker's veins as he carried Aurora back to the sleigh. His heart pounded in his chest, slamming against his ribs in a frenzy.

He had never felt more alive.

He scowled, but he could not bring himself to loosen his hold on her.

This was very bad indeed.