Astraea and David sprinted into town, their hearts racing as they approached the edge of a dense forest. They exchanged anxious glances before plunging into the thick underbrush. As they dashed through the trees, Astraea's leg became ensnared in a vine, sending her tumbling to the ground and scraping her knee.
"Ugh!" she cried out in pain, but she quickly rose, pushing through the sting. Tears welled in her eyes as she fought to keep them at bay. Ignoring the pain, she surged ahead of David, fear urging her to flee without checking if he was still with her.
She stopped abruptly, turning to glance back. David was sprinting towards her with alarming speed, his face contorted in urgency. "Run, Princess, don't stop!" he yelled, his voice echoing through the trees. Panic surged within her, and she turned, racing onward.
After what felt like an eternity of running from their pursuers, Astraea stumbled upon a quaint cabin nestled deep in the woods. Her lungs burned, gasping for air as she took in her surroundings.
Dusk settled over the landscape, and strands of crystal-like vines jingled softly in the breeze, shimmering in the moonlight. The little hut radiated an otherworldly charm, its inviting glow beckoning her closer.
Astraea scanned the area, anxiety gnawing at her as she realized David was nowhere to be seen. She hoped he was safe and would find her soon.
Tentatively, she approached the cabin, uncertain if anyone resided there. She knocked gently on the door, which creaked open without resistance. Hesitating only a moment, she lifted the hem of her dress and stepped inside, her eyes adjusting to the dim light.
As she moved further into the room, candles flickered to life, illuminating the shadows. Astraea jumped back in surprise but quickly felt grateful for the warmth of the light. Just then, a mouse darted past her feet, causing her to squeal. After a brief moment of panic, she took a deep breath, reminding herself that it was just a tiny creature.
With curiosity piqued, she reached for one of the glowing candles on a nearby shelf.
"Who are you?" a voice echoed through the room. Astraea dropped the candle in shock, but instead of falling, it vanished from her grasp, reappearing delicately in midair. She gasped, her heart racing at the display of magic.
"I'm sorry for intruding! I was being chased and lost my friend. I knocked, but there was no answer, and the door just opened, so I came in. The candles lit up when I entered, and I was just—" Astraea's words tumbled out in a rush until she realized she was rambling. Her mother had always warned her against such behavior. "I'm sorry," she murmured, embarrassment creeping into her cheeks.
Taking a moment to observe the woman before her, Astraea noted her ethereal beauty. The woman's blonde hair was elegantly styled in a bun, and her pale skin accentuated the striking green of her eyes. Tall and curvaceous, she radiated confidence and wisdom.
"So, you say the door opened by itself?" The woman's brow furrowed, her expression contemplative. 'Could this fragile girl truly be the one the gods have chosen?' She scrutinized Astraea closely, puzzled yet intrigued.
Sighing, the woman decided against questioning the gods' choice. "You are welcome to stay for a while. I'm sure your companion will find his way here." Astraea felt reassured by the woman's calm demeanor, an unspoken promise of safety. The woman motioned for Astraea to join her, leading her into a cozy room where they sat across from each other.
"My name is Ophelia," she introduced herself, her gaze piercing yet kind as she studied Astraea intently. A childlike smile spread across her face. "You're a constellation witch, aren't you?"
"Constellation witch?" Astraea asked, confusion knitting her brow. She had no knowledge of such things; her mother had ensured she remained ignorant of magic.
"The constellation blue eyes are named after witches because they were the only ones who possessed them. Those born into this bloodline are often rejected if they lack this eye color. However, they were thought to be extinct, hunted down because of their power. You might be the last of your kind."
"What makes them different from other witches?" Astraea pressed, intrigued.
"Anyone can become a witch with dedication and practice. They must train for years to cast even the simplest spells. But constellation witches are born with their abilities—they are the true purebloods. There exists a book of spells that only they can access. While non-witches labor for years to master magic, constellation witches wield these powerful spells effortlessly, commanding the stars themselves."
As the weight of Ophelia's words sank in, Astraea nodded slowly. Perhaps her mother's aversion to magic stemmed from the tragic fate of her clan. A sense of understanding began to unfold within her.
"Your bodyguard has arrived," Ophelia stated, her gaze unwavering.
Astraea's heart raced. How did Ophelia know David was her guard? How could she possibly know she was a princess? But questions took a backseat to the relief of seeing David safe.
Astraea sprang from the couch, instinctively darting towards the front door. The cabin felt familiar, as if her instincts were guiding her. She flung open the door, and there sat David, panting heavily on the freshly mowed grass.
Rushing to his side, Astraea sank beside him, both of them catching their breath. "You're safe," she whispered, her heart swelling with relief. "How did you find me?"
David shrugged, a faint smile creeping onto his lips. "After I lost the guards and realized you were missing, I heard a voice in my head, guiding me to you."
Astraea tilted her head, curiosity piqued. "Did she tell you her name?"
David shook his head, and disappointment washed over Astraea. "No. But I'm just glad you're okay."
As the night wind chilled the air, Astraea shivered but made no move to re-enter the cabin. "I think we should ask Ophelia if we can stay here," she said, her gaze fixed on the starry sky. They were beautiful, and Astraea wondered if the vampire-witch would teach her how to manipulate the stars.
Suddenly, the stinging ache in Astraea's knee returned, reminding her of Astrophel. "Why did Astrophel do all this?" she murmured, tears threatening to spill as a memory flooded her mind. She forced herself to hold them back.
The memory surfaced, and she found herself five years old, running through the garden her mother had forbidden her to enter. The flowers were too beautiful to resist. She spotted a large bush of stunning red roses and reached out to pick one. Pain shot through her as thorns pierced her skin, and she cried out, blood streaming from her tiny hands.
Astrophel appeared in an instant, his face etched with concern. "Are you all right?" he asked, his voice trembling as he rushed to her side. He carefully took her hand, rinsing the blood in a nearby basin. "Pain, pain, go away," he murmured, pressing a gentle kiss on her palm before ruffling her hair with a warm smile.
Astraea shook herself from the memory as the cabin door creaked open again. "I'm sure you'll want to ask if you can stay. Yes, you may," Ophelia said, her voice reassuring.
"Again? How did you know?" Astraea asked, astonished as she met Ophelia's gaze.
"Are you a witch?"