LUNA OF THE NIGHTBORN

ed like she d

ches overhead. The vast chamber was crowded-elders seated in rows, warriors standing shoulder to shoulder, curious onl

a trespasser i

and the silence was so thick it pressed against her chest like a weight. She inhaled deeply, try

k ceremonial coat brushed the backs of his boots as he slowly stepped down. His jaw was sharp

mile. He di

a king delivering

ams, he looked at her like she mattered. There was always a s

Distant. She searched for something

gh for her to hear the quiet breath he took b

r," Kael

ered man with silvering hair and steady hands, he

rself, heart

ken. Her skin would glow, her soul would h

nothing

light. No c

sil

stepped back and gave a

lapsed inward. He

ching crowd and delivered

not my

les on water. Some wolves lowered their gazes. Others s

omething shattered. She had waited for this for so long.

't belon

the entire p

vision blurred slightly, but she held her ground. She w

strange warmth crept along her neck. It was su

it bu

Blazing

her jaw, just as a brilliant l

owd cr

e, ancient mark pulsing with golden light. It cast a halo aroun

o her recoiled. Even

turned pale. His

htbo

word echoed

d. Warriors stepped back. Fear crept into th

His eyes locked onto the mark, and for a heartbea

ty. Maybe

face hard

," he snapped,

was still safe to touch. The glowing mark on Elara's neck pulsed

ause something ancient had awakened inside

d, but her feet

ches fl

, every flame in

kne

e and c

stumbled. A chair scrape

wing faintly in the dark. Her pulse roar

ame th

her. Smooth. Low. Unm

never his,

e min

kin t

her neck b

d by fear and shadows, Elara

ad hoped for h

eant to com