The Lightlark Saga, #1
Lightlark
by Alex Aster
Contents
Chapter Forty: Together
Overview
After Oro’s betrayal, Isla retreats into survival mode and hides in the Place of Mirrors, where Wildling power is supposed to be the only magic that works. Grim, Ella, and Celeste support her while the threat of Oro and Cleo finding the heart makes Isla believe her death and Wildling’s destruction may be imminent.
Terra’s worsening condition deepens Isla’s guilt, pushing Isla to consider whether sacrificing Wildling would be the most logical outcome. Celeste challenges that despair by insisting Wildlings are still essential, prompting Isla to confront both her people’s lost greatness and her fear that she is failing them.
Summary
After Oro exposes Isla’s powerlessness, Isla feels his betrayal as a deep wound because she had trusted him through their shared efforts. Grim becomes her main comfort, filling her dreams and days, but Isla believes time is running out: Lightlark is crumbling, Cleo and Oro may soon find the heart, and the prophecy would then require the death of a ruler and that ruler’s realm.
For the next week, Isla focuses only on survival. With Grim’s help, Isla moves into the Place of Mirrors on Wild Isle because Juniper claimed only Wildling power can be wielded there. Isla hopes that if Cleo or Oro attack, the site will put everyone on equal footing and make Isla’s blades matter again.
Isla occupies an abandoned upstairs room and fortifies herself as best she can. Each morning, Isla wonders if it will be her last; each night, Isla tries to stay awake, keeps her dagger nearby, and blocks the door with furniture even though it would only warn her of an attack rather than stop one.
Ella repeatedly risks the deadly forest to bring Isla food, water, and supplies. Isla gives Ella most of the gems she brought to Lightlark so Ella can hire a healer, and although Isla fears Ella may not return after receiving the valuables, Ella continues to come back every day.
Celeste also remains by Isla’s side. After calling Isla a fool for trusting Oro, Celeste embraces Isla and weeps with her, then insists she is still searching for the bondbreaker and making progress. Isla uses her starry puddles to look in on Terra, whose condition is worsening as the right side of Terra’s body becomes part of the ground and speech becomes difficult.
Overwhelmed by guilt, Isla wonders whether Wildling should be the realm sacrificed if Oro and Cleo use the heart, since Wild Isle is nearly gone and Isla has no powers. Celeste angrily rejects that idea, insisting Wildlings are needed to rebuild and grow. Later, Isla wanders the Place of Mirrors, reflects on the carvings of Wildling greatness, and mourns that such a powerful people may end under a leader Isla sees as weak.
Who Appears
- Isla CrownPowerless Wildling ruler hiding after Oro’s betrayal and questioning Wildling’s future.
- GrimProtects Isla and helps her move into the Place of Mirrors.
- CelesteComforts Isla, searches for the bondbreaker, and rejects Isla’s fatalism.
- EllaRisks the deadly forest daily to bring Isla supplies.
- TerraIsla’s endangered guardian, increasingly transformed into earth and barely able to speak.
- OroHis betrayal haunts Isla, and he remains a potential threat searching for the heart.
- CleoLooming enemy who may find the heart with Oro and threaten Wildling.