Moonbound: The Rejected Healer

and bruised purple, clouds curling like claws across the dying day. Behind her, the land she once called home o

n't loo

air, mingling with the copper tang of dried blood on her palms. Her shoulder throbbed, still raw from the battle she barely remembered leaving. Her fee

s overhead, brushing her hair like a grieving lover. She let it. Let it

een no apology.

low sting of

ject

lf, once a steady presence beneath her skin, had gone quiet. Curled inward, tucked away in mourning. The bond, that once-b

she'd long since passed exhaustion. Her limbs

ce from between the trees, followed by the low sna

owly, arms trembling. "I

face, gaunt, smudged with dirt and dried sweat, yet unafraid. If they w

into view, golden eyes narr

oice cracked, but she didn't flinch.

ause. Even the win

with curiosity and something

you? The one who saved Al

ensed.

orce of nature. Her dark armor caught the moonlight in glints of silver. Her hair was brai

, reading Elara like a scroll. "Come. Let's see if o

hout a word. What

Where Nightfang had towers and silver gates, this place had timber lodges, stone paths warmed by lanterns, a

who looked not with suspicion but with curiosity. Some

m its chimney, the air fragrant with lavender and damp moss. Inside, warmth hit her

skin lined like the bark of an ancient tree, her eyes

ravel and honey. "You look like so

Elara answered, too

iora said. "Claims e

nto Elara's face with a kind of scrutin

la

"The blood-mender.

"I don't know w

man huffed. "You're still sta

d a brow. "

ld healer snapped. "She stays. The

hat, Elara had

t, she di

and sage. Her muscles ached, her wounds throbbed, but the silence inside

ael turned away from her,

pas

whispered old lullabies to frightened children, stitched gashes with deft fingers and gentler words. Her magic, fli

ved i

sometimes with supplies, always with eyes that

a sealed a gaping wound with a whisper of gold. "You don't

't know wh

ang do to lose s

y. "Feared what they didn't underst

t argue. "Their loss. Moonshadow

something small and aching,

thing smiles could erase the e

a

he silver flash of his eyes, in the warmth that crept into her chest before she remembered it

rget him. Every

s... took longer

th the bruises and scars and still

sn't the end

nly the