A Flame in the Shadow

fluttered at his smile. Bastion was the neighborhood hero ever since he returned from training in the military. The perfect example

und my shoulders casually. Bastion had been my best friend for as long as

the festival with

the Blood Moon. This year the festival just happens to land on my birthday. Not that anyone would care, the festival was the biggest

am going?"

re already setting up in the town. There are tents and booths setup. The food is going to be so good. Plu

ink of a better way to spend my birthday. The festival was going to be extravagan

me a legend at this point, one that seemed too fantastical to be true. She only ever leaves the castl

r you." I smiled at him as he grabbed the b

down. Bastion met me outside my ho

lors. He took a purple one out, my favorite color, and slipped it behind my

ezmerizing. There was a massive bonfire right in the middle. We walked down the paths of vendors, the scent of all the grea

soul. He opened his mouth to continue when the slecting bell rang. One note, long, low and cold enough to cut bone.

go of my hand. I could feel the tension vibrating beneath his skin, li

ir sons. Girls whispered prayers not to be chosen to weep this year. I didnt pray. Not because

is year we are proud to offer the pride of our town as consort for the goddess. Bastion Thorne, in thr

to spin and ever

ere crowding around Bastion offering congratulations, or condolences, depending on how they saw the offering. Bast

d. He just frowned and at me as if he felt bad for me. How could he

could run. We could run. I would help hide you.

e could go that they wouldn't find us." He leaned over and pressed a kiss to my forehead