The Moon That Devours Gods

ck's funeral, even if the ceremony had ended with disturbing disorder. He would typically welcome the solitude of these chambers - a small room served by a narrow cot, a simple wr

His mind swirled with the swirl of events outside - the sudden request to move the funeral vigil, the flash

A temple guard entered, perspiration beading on hi

tions. Crowds are frightened. The instructions I have been given are to tell you that you are urgently needed at

hastily scrawled message reassuring him that the funeral observances would proceed outside under heavy guard. The guard hesitated, as

's rumored power erupted so violently on a day meant to celebrate her father's legacy? And why

er Vesper hovered, ready to release untold force. Indeed, in that vision, she'd set herself between a cowering servant and her own savage instincts. Her fa

not after he'd been led away by concerned bystanders. But the image remained stuck in his hea

pers and scattered torchlight. He had to get there soon, had to prove to the people that chaos would not win. More crucially, he had to see her, to unpick th

wall reflected eyes within a youthful face, far too young to the bear the weight of an entire temple's expectations. But resolve shone in his e

of the trials to come. He rushed through the corridors, a princess that protected a servant rather than

f torches burned into the cold. Draven stepped over the threshold, his breath a hitch in his throat as he caught sight of those mourners who'd gathered, whispering in hushed f

lsed; every torch on one side flared spontaneously into pagan flame. Moments later, a crack ripped through the base of a decorative statue honori

The soldiers responded immediately, forming a protective semicircle as if preparing for an assault. There was the sound of metal ringing as swords were drawn, though f

of "Vesper's curse unleashed." The man lived on rumor and manipulation. Rhyker gestured to his men, his jaw tight wi

withdrew. A flurry of charred petals from an altar bouquet rose into the air and shattered onto the cobbles. The people recoiled, fear carved into their

red. Then he saw someone moving at the far edge of the courtyard - a distorted figure silhouetted against a s

t, as though torn between running and standing her ground. She hesitated for the slightest moment, allowing him to see

ourtiers, almost tripping over the rubble from the broken statue. As he strode past Kaelen he caught the man's sneer, 

r sorcery as aggrandizement of a power she might not be able to manage at all. With every step, the sound of her heart matched my own, echoed the same command: find her, understand her, p

tapestries swirling like mute witnesses. His robes flared out around his legs as he sped up, dread twisting in

a face convulsed with torment. She tightened at his sight, breath jagged as if she'd sprinted through half the palace. The wolfish gleam he had g

e maintained a calm voice, although his heart g

ing. "Every time I feel something ... it goes berserk. I don't want to harm anyone." Her nails, too long, cli

Whatever happened, I know that it isn't simply rage." Another step. Her energy crackled

you call it?" Her shoulders trembled. "I can't recall a time when my body re

nd her of that small mercy, but she looked so raw that he feared any mention would shatter her composure. Instead, he dropped to one knee and

n her body was screaming to flip and run. He extended a trembling hand. Their fingers brushed. That i

th, unnamed though potent, fluttered in his chest, a curious sympathy. He recognized in her face that same flicker of gentleness he'd seen the day sh

h her. He turned himself to keep her from hitting the ground, arms in hover-mode. Just that one gesture of comfort nearly shattered her final thread of decorum. Tears slid