Stormbound by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez

Author:Jennifer Lynn Alvarez [Alvarez, Jennifer Lynn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2015-04-21T04:00:00+00:00

17

THE VISIT

LATER THAT NIGHT, AFTER THE LIGHTS OF THE Ancestors had faded away, Star fell asleep and was soon sucked into a terrible dream.

Star cantered through a thick cloud, dispersing it. He dived toward Anok and then shot upward, seeking the sun and bucking like a foal. He whinnied, and the sound boomed across the planet. He felt as big as a mountain.

When he reached the highest heights, he coasted on a jet stream. Below him he saw eight continents and a large grouping of islands. Anok was only a small part of the world, and he’d thought the land of the pegasi was so large.

He wondered where his friends were.

A small white mare was suddenly at his side. “Follow me,” she said, veering off toward the sea. Star flew behind her, soothed by her presence. They glided over the waves for many days, toward the Territory of the Landwalkers. Finally she landed on a beach. It was foggy and cold. Star landed beside her.

“You’ve grown,” she said.

He looked at her face. “Mother?”

She leaned into him. It was Lightfeather! Star buried his nose in her mane. “I miss you.”

Her dark eyes were thoughtful, happy, and sad, all at once. “I miss you too,” she nickered.

Star’s tears fell freely onto the sand, and white flowers sprang between the coarse grains. “I don’t know what I’m doing, Mother.”

Lightfeather whispered, “Do any of us? We do our best.”

“What if that’s not good enough?”

“It has to be.”

Star nodded, pausing before he said, “Nightwing is coming back. I can feel him.”

“I know.”

Star stared east, toward Anok. “I’m afraid. Not for myself, but for my friends. For the herds. What if I can’t defeat him? What if he’s stronger?”

Lightfeather swept her wing over his cheek. “Maybe you’re not stronger, but you’re better, Star. Follow your love, not your fear.” Lightfeather turned transparent. He could see a dark cave carved in the cliff behind her.

“What do you mean?” he asked.

But before she could answer, Lightfeather’s image evaporated, and Star faced the mouth of the cave alone. He heard a rhythmic thudding and realized it was his heart beating. A set of eyes, glowing silver, appeared in the dark maw of the cave, watching him.

“Who’s there?” asked Star.

A midnight-black stallion slowly emerged from the dark. He blinked at the vibrant sun and stretched his wings. His coat was covered in dust and rat droppings. Star backed away. The stallion cocked his head, looking surprised to see Star standing on his beach. He recovered quickly, narrowing his eyes. “You survived to your birthday,” he said, coughing puffs of smoke.

Every muscle in Star tensed.

The black stallion nickered, as if amused. “You’re going to regret that.” The words dripped off his lips.

Star shook his mane, the beat of his heart pulsing between his ears.

The stallion dipped his head. “And who is your friend?” Nightwing pranced closer, his eyes bright with interest.

Stunned, Star turned and noticed a pegasus standing next to him, and his heart sank when he recognized her: Morningleaf.

Before he could stop her, she reared, baring her teeth.

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