The Moon Hunter's Bride

needles, whispering secret

nd moonlight on her tongue. Her chest rose and fell with panic - a

walls were familiar - carved with celestial symbols that pulsed faintl

was still there - a glowing eye etched into he

mbered e

betr

fi

hat ended h

d

d, loved, and died - her memories wiped clean each time. B

t, drenched in sweat and disbelief. "Why am I here?" she whis

ollowed wasn't emp

deliberate footsteps crunc

ent of rain and iron fil

" a low voi

- and the

de of molten gold that no mortal could possess. His cloak rippled with wind, dripping si

dor

oon H

. Her exe

fascinated and disgusted him. "I wondered how long

at close

ave a bitter smi

hunder. Lyra backed away until her spine met

to it. "You shouldn't h

forcing her voice s

ence, his jaw tighten

ent his blade pierced her heart, and the way

thed. "I rememb

ace - too fast to read. Regret? Pa

hy you shouldn't

the gods said so? Because you

Outside, thunder cr

ched. "You think I

said slowly, "

an thought, faster than breath. One hand slammed against the wall beside h

like a heartbeat. His thumb brus

fire, blood, stars collapsing, the ec

ing hitched. "Wh

you tried

darted away, hard and cold again. "The gods will se

kill m

g raw flickering behind his eye

ly. "Do it, then. End it now

he didn't move. The rain o

turned a

rd cut deeper

she whi

ver him like a halo of silver fire. "Because

Moon Hunter disappe

, her mark still burning, her

t this time, she remembered.

ng palm, a defiant sm

move,

ddered - and bled silve