When Valeria woke from her blissful slumber, she hadn’t expected to see a boy with eyes that glowed like the sun.

She sucked in a breath to scream, for such eyes had been the last thing she’d seen before her human parents had been taken from the world, but she sputtered on hot liquid instead as it shoved up her nose.

She panicked, her hands ripping through soft silk, as she realized that she’d been inside Tree Mother.

The boy ripped at the cocoon to get to her, and if she hadn’t been struggling for breath, she would have pushed him away. But her lungs burned and her vision spotted with black as she struggled to get free.

The boy’s strong fingers gripped her as Tree Mother finally released her with a pained sigh, golden sap spilling onto the ground and Valeria coughing it up as she staggered on hands and knees.

The boy lingered close enough that his golden Light spilled over her and he was asking her questions, but Tree Mother’s sap had seeped deep into her ears and all she could hear was the roar of her own rushing blood.

When she had coughed it all up, spattering the golden stuff onto her soaked sleeve, she pushed the boy away with a panicked cry.

He’s not an angel, Tree Mother whispered. Her voice that was not a voice caressed her with soothing, careful waves. Don’t be afraid. I brought him to save you.

Valeria forced herself to blink the golden sap from her eyes and regard the boy clearly. Even though his eyes blazed with an unmistakable golden power, he indeed did not have wings.

“What are you?” she asked, her voice coming out raw.

The boy straightened and plastered on a weak smile. “I believe I should be asking you very much the same question.”

She frowned, not having time for riddles. She was a girl, one who was broken and had no will to live. Her parents, oh Divine, her parents.

Her eyes filled with tears to remember why she’d accepted Tree Mother’s embrace.

The boy rushed to her side, waving his hands over her as if he wasn’t sure what he should do. “Oh, no, please don’t cry. I can’t stand it when girls cry.”

The sentiment was so absurd that she choked on her misery with a short sob. She stared at him, long enough to realize that he was in pain. His brows permanently scrunched together and he held a fist to his chest as if he was keeping something from falling out. “Are you hurt?” she found the courage to ask.

Another weak smile. “You could say that.”

When he pulled his hand away, her eyes went wide as she saw what he meant. There, in the center of his chest, was a golden orb just beneath his skin. A wound scarred it from top to bottom and it leaked uncontrollably the moment he’d released the pressure. He gasped and shoved his fist over it again.

Her gaze snatched up to match his as Tree Mother attempted to explain. He’s broken, like you, dear child.

She set her jaw. “What can I do?”

The question had been to Tree Mother, but the boy responded with a grimace. “I’m afraid I need my mentor. He’ll know how to fix me.”

He is like us, Tree Mother said. He is of Light. His wound is open, but you can close it. You must cauterize the wound with our power.

She looked to his chest again as she listened to Tree Mother’s instruction. “Sounds simple enough.”

He cocked his head to the side, but didn’t back away when she grazed her fingers over his.

“This is going to hurt,” she warned him.

He didn’t have time to brace himself before she began.

A scream ripped from him, but she gave him credit that he locked his knees and didn’t back away. Her fingers pushed through his chest, grazing the delicate soul and searing the wound closed with a blade of power.

Valeria had been following Tree Mother’s instructions, but she didn’t notice the cost until it was too late.

The moment the boy’s soul had been mended, the world dimmed, both Light and color draining from her surroundings. She spun around, her midnight locks slapping into her face as she looked to Tree Mother.

The limbs wilted, the golden furls of bark dropped and turned grey. Well done, child. Words said through waves of pride and appeasement.

“No,” Valeria cried and ran to Tree Mother. She couldn’t lose anyone else.

This boy is your guide now. I’ve served my purpose, and my life has been far too long. A brush of warmth that Valeria imagined was a kiss. Until the next life, Fallen Star.

And then Tree Mother was gone.