The Girl Who Ruled the Stars
The Girl Who Ruled the Stars
Book 2 in the Starlight Duology
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I know exactly what I am. A weapon.
Tharos and his army of Shadows have infiltrated every corner of the galaxy—including my new home. They don’t want war; they want our total annihilation. And if I’m not ready, the ones I love most will be the first to fall. I can't lost Xander. It would break me.
But my enemies have left me no choice. I’ll unleash my power and burn down every star in the sky to kill the Shadows.
The only question is: will my people still be standing in the ash of my aftermath?
The epic conclusion to the Starlight Duology by Heather Hildenbrand.
“Loved this duology so hard!” --⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader
"So so so good!! I’ve never been so engaged in a story! ” --⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader
“This book is movie worthy!” --⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader
In The Girl Who Ruled the Stars, you'll find tropes like:
☑️Girl on the Run
☑️Intergalactic Royalty
☑️Superpowers
☑️Soul Mates
Chapter One Look Inside
Chapter One Look Inside
Ash coated my arms, leaving my skin itchy and overheated thanks to the glowing embers that rained down over our heads. The others gathered were only a little cleaner than me, and I knew it was because they had the sense to stand a little farther back. Out of the range of the falling soot. My grief had nearly blotted out what was left of my good sense—it was all I could do not to rush toward the flames—but I stayed where I was.
Numb. Still trying to make sense of it all.
Atop the pyre, bright orange flames blazed against a darkened sky. I stared at the contrast of it, transfixed, as tears tracked silently down my ash-stained cheeks.
A body brushed mine as someone stepped into the empty space beside me. I looked over and found a familiar face just as dirty as my own.
Xander.
“You look like hell,” he said, his voice rough from the smoke.
I managed to give him the smile he was trying so hard to earn. “You aren’t exactly turning heads today either.” It was meant to be a tease, but my tone was flat.
His hand slipped into mine. “You mean sooty and coated in ash isn’t your favorite look on me?”
“Xan, I’ll take you however I can get you.” I had to say the last part around a growing lump in my throat. “As long as you’re alive.”
Xander’s expression softened, and he nodded up at the pyre. “This was a good idea. The perfect way to honor them.”
“It’s the least I could do,” I said, my voice thick with emotion.
Jalene emerged from the trees, exhaustion lining her face. “No casualties and the infirmary is under control. Minor scrapes and burns only,” she announced.
“That’s good to hear,” Xander told her. “How’s Ben?”
“Still upset, but your mom gave him something to help him sleep,” she said.
“Good.” He nodded, worry clouding his expression.
My heart hurt for Ben. I’d comforted him until the burial plans had been made, and then I’d let him go so I could gather the wood we’d needed for the pyre. Eamon had offered to do it himself but I’d needed to be the one.
“I’ll come see him when he wakes up,” I said.
Jalene nodded then looked toward the fire. “I’m glad I made it. I didn’t want to miss this.”
“Did you hear anything from Eamon?” Xander asked her.
She shook her head, a strange sort of frown on her face. I didn’t bother trying to decipher it.
Xander scowled at her.
They shared a glance then Jalene slid her arm around my shoulders in a one-sided hug. “I’m so sorry about Nightingale,” she said quietly.
I didn’t answer. The emotion in her voice was too much, and I knew words were impossible now.
We stood in silence for a while—Jalene with her arm around me, and Xander with his hand in mine. I couldn’t summon the words needed to tell them how much it meant, the three of us here like this. So much of it was wrapped up in my memories of our trio growing up. Memories I’d only recently recovered and had yet to process. Every time I tried, I was hit with the reminder that I’d so clearly already lived two different lives, and now Nightingale wouldn’t be a part of either one ever again.
Finally, Jalene gave my shoulder one last squeeze and then she stepped away. “I’m going to check on Peter. He needs to eat and drink more after all that energy output the shield required.”
I nodded. “Thanks, Jay.”
She blinked at my use of her old nickname. Then her lips curved crookedly in a faint smile. “You remember.”
“I do,” I told her.
Our eyes met. I could see the question in hers but she left them silent for now. “I’ll find you later,” she said instead.
I nodded.
Jalene looked at Xander.
“I’ve got her,” he assured her, and Jalene reluctantly nodded then walked away.
New tears slipped down my cheeks, and I was so wrapped up in my own thoughts, I flinched when Xander swiped them away.
He squeezed my hand as I looked back at him. “It’s been a long day,” he said gently. “Come sit with me. Eat something.”
I shook my head. “I’m not hungry.”
Xander didn’t argue. After a while, his hand in mine turned slippery from soot and sweat. Still, he didn’t move, and he didn’t ask me to leave again.
Above the tips of the dancing flames, stars blinked to life, their twinkling taunting me. Reminding me. The power inside me was curled into the corners of my mind now. Sleeping. But if I woke it…
I was terrified of the power I had, but I wasn’t sorry. Not now; not when I was standing here, shoulder to shoulder with everyone I’d saved—watching the bodies of my beloved horses burn.
I’d killed Taryn. But not before she’d sacrificed Nightingale and Archer in her quest for more power. They’d been innocent. Nightingale had been my only friend for so long, and Taryn had taken that from me.
“This isn’t your fault.”
I blinked at the sight of Peter standing on my left.
“I know that,” I said.
“It wasn’t Taryn’s either. Not really,” Peter added.
“It was Tharos,” I agreed flatly.
He nodded. “Without Tharos feeding her bitterness, she would have never become powerful enough or capable enough for something like this. He’s the real enemy here.”
“Trust me, I know that.”
“Do you?” Peter cocked his head knowingly. “Because you have that look in your eye that says you’re blaming yourself.”
“You’re wrong.” I spoke without turning my head away from the fire. “I know exactly who’s responsible for what I just lost. And when I’m done here, I’m going to find him and make him pay. For all of it.”
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