Free Messenger in the Mist by Aubrie Dionne Page B

can’t win against shifting alliances and politics. You’ve got to find something else to fill your time. Go to the market and see if they need to make any deliveries in town. Maybe Colins needs some bushels of hay.”
    “We need more money. The pay Colins will give me for my deliveries won’t be worth the trip.”
    “It’s not for money, it’s for your own good. You’re still so young, Star. Your life is full of endless possibilities. You can’t whittle your time away with silly regrets.”
    “The truth is I didn’t just lose my job. I lost my dream of buying you a better house. A safer house.”
    “My dear.” Her mother sat beside her on the pillowed couch. “This is our home. It’s always been our home.”
    Star took her mother’s hand and squeezed it. “But the mist—”
    “The mist is a nuisance, yes, but we can deal with that. As for the Elyndra, the grid has always held.”
    “But what if they find a way through?”
    “It seems to me you are much more likely to be attacked than any one of us.” Star’s mother smoothed her hair. “You are the one in danger, Star. You don’t think we worry about you?”
    Star bit her lip and remained quiet. She hadn’t mentioned her recent brush with the Elyndra. It would heighten their concerns. Star knew her mother was right and had no adequate answer to give.
    “Anyway, even if you bought us some lavish mansion, we wouldn’t leave our home. Besides, what would we do with all of those rich noblemen and noblewomen? Could we actually be happy with neighbors like that?”
    Star took in the familiar sight of her mother’s old apron, her wayward white hair and her kind eyes. She realized they wouldn’t be happy in a lofty house in the inner district. Those were her dreams and not their own.
    “Come now, you have enough money saved up for awhile, don’t you?”
    “Yes, I do.” Star’s gaze wandered to her riding cloak. “In fact, I have quite a payment right here.” Digging in her pocket, Star found the golden trinket box and brought it out for her mother to see. “It’s not enough to buy a house, but it could ensure financial security for some time.”
    She clicked open the latch. The ruby pendant caught the light of the burning candles and glinted, spreading crimson shafts around the kitchen.
    “My goodness.” Her mother’s eyes went wide. “That’s quite a gift.”
    “And quite a giver…” Star didn’t have to say any more.
    “Why sell such a wonderful present?”
    “That’s just it. I don’t know what it is. It could be just a reward, a payment, something he found on his way out, or it could mean much more.”
    Her mother held the ruby in her hands, dangling it in front of her eyes to study its shape, as if by looking at it she could read into Valen’s own heart. “People give gifts for so many reasons. Only time will tell.” She put the pendant back in the box then put her hands over Star’s hands, closing the lid. “Let’s wait and see. In the meantime, keep it safe.”
    “It’s probably nothing. Why would someone giving away rubies ever be interested in a poor girl like me?”
    “Dear Star, you were always so beautiful and unique. When you were born, we stared in awe at your silver eyes and white hair. I thought you were a gift from the heavens above. That’s why I named you Star.”
    “I’m not special. I just worked hard, and now all my diligence has come to naught.”
    “I don’t think it has.” Her mother’s eyes were kind, her grip strong as she held her daughter’s small hands. “I still think you’ll do great and wonderful things.”
    Star shrugged, looking away. She loved her mother too much to deny her.
    Her mother’s face brightened like the sun peeking through the clouds at midday. “But right now, we need to cook dinner. Your father will be home soon. Come and join me when you escape the brooding prison you’ve made of our old couch.”
    Her mother patted her knee and went into the kitchen. Left