The sanctuary was quiet, the only sound the soft trickle of the stream and the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind. Luna sat by the water's edge, her fingers trailing through the cool, clear liquid as she stared at her reflection. The Heart of the Moon rested in her lap, its light dim but steady, a reminder of the power she now carried.
Kael sat beside her, his presence a comforting warmth amidst the chaos. He hadn't said much since they arrived, but his hand never left hers, his grip firm and steady.
"You're quiet," he said finally, his voice soft but filled with concern.
Luna sighed, her chest heavy with the weight of everything she had learned. "I just… I can't stop thinking about what the first Moon Priestess said. The magic is within me. It always has been. But what does that mean? What am I supposed to do with it?"
Kael's gaze softened, and for a moment, he looked almost vulnerable. "You'll figure it out. You're stronger than you think, Luna."
Luna's breath caught at the sincerity in his voice, at the way his golden eyes seemed to see straight through her. "I don't know if I can do this, Kael. What if I'm not strong enough? What if I fail?"
Kael's hand tightened around hers, his voice low and firm. "You won't. And even if you do, I'll be there to catch you. Always."
Luna's vision blurred with tears, her heart swelling with a warmth she had never felt before. For the first time in her life, she felt like she belonged—like she had found a place where she was truly loved.
And then, Lyra stepped into the cave, her violet eyes filled with a mix of relief and concern. "We need to talk," she said, her voice calm but firm.
Luna looked up, her heart pounding as she took in Lyra's expression. "What is it?"
Lyra hesitated, her gaze flickering to Kael before returning to Luna. "There's something you need to know. Something about your parents."
Luna's breath caught, her chest tightening as she stood. "What about them?"
Lyra's expression softened, and for a moment, she looked almost sad. "They didn't just die protecting the temple, Luna. They sacrificed themselves to save you."
Luna's vision blurred with tears, her heart pounding in her chest. "What do you mean?"
Lyra hesitated, her gaze flickering to Kael before returning to Luna. "The Shadow Council was after you, even then. They knew you were the Moon Priestess, and they would have done anything to get to you. Your parents… they gave their lives to keep you safe."
Luna's chest tightened, her vision blurring with tears. "Why didn't you tell me before?"
Lyra's expression softened, and for a moment, she looked almost sad. "I wanted to. But you weren't ready. And now… now you are."
Luna's breath caught, her heart swelling with a warmth she had never felt before. For the first time in her life, she felt like she belonged—like she had found a place where she was truly loved.
And then, slowly, Kael pulled her into his arms, his embrace strong and steady.
"I've got you," he whispered, his voice soft but firm. "Always."
Luna nodded, her heart swelling with a warmth she had never felt before. For the first time in her life, she felt like she belonged—like she had found a place where she was truly loved.