10: A Luna’s Resolve
Celeste’s POV
I woke to the soft glow of sunlight spilling through the heavy curtains of my chambers. For a moment, I lay still, letting the warmth settle over me.
Happiness. It was a strange feeling, unfamiliar yet welcome. And while I couldn’t quite place its source, my thoughts drifted to the night before.
Kaelen.
The memory of his touch, the sound of his voice, the way his walls had finally cracked enough to let me in, it all came rushing back, sending a soft flush creeping up my cheeks. Being with him had been… amazing.
Not just because of the intensity of it, but because for the first time, he had let me see the man beneath the title. The weight he carried, the terrors he concealed, the sense of duty that kept him shackled. And I had promised to help him, to stand by his side, no matter what the curse threw at us.
But how?
The thought settled over me like a shadow, chasing away some of the lightness in my chest. Kaelen didn’t know the full truth, not yet. He didn’t know that I was his fated mate, bound to him by something far stronger than duty or choice.
I had tried to tell him once, but the words had caught in my throat. How could I explain something so profound when I didn’t even understand it myself? And even if I did tell him, how could we overcome the curse that loomed over us both?
The questions swirled in my mind, refusing to settle.
A sharp knock on the door cut through my reverie.
“Luna?” a soft voice called from the other side.
I sat up, smoothing the wrinkles from my nightgown. “Come in.”
The door opened, and my maid, stepped inside, followed by two others, their arms laden with garments and accessories, efficient in their movements yet respectful.
Lila curtsied slightly before speaking. “Luna, Lord Kaelen has requested your presence at the meeting of the Elders of Eldrun this morning. We’ve come to help you prepare.” I blinked, startled. “The Elders‘ meeting?”
“Yes, Luna,” Lila said, her tone calm but firm. “The Lord specifically asked for attend.
you to
Her words sent a jolt of surprise and curiosity, through me. Kaelen had never mentioned including me in such an important meeting before. The council had made their skepticism about me clear, and Kaelen himself had always insisted on shielding me from their scrutiny. So why now?
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10 A Luna’s Resolve
I nodded slowly. “Very well. Let’s get started.”
The maids moved with practiced efficiency, each step carefully coordinated as they prepared me for the day. Lila opened the wardrobe and selected a deep blue gown with intricate silver embroidery along the bodice and sleeves. The color reminded me of moonlight over the ocean, and I couldn’t help but run my fingers over the fabric as she held it out to me.
This would complement your eyes, Luna,” Lila said with a thin smile.
“It is beautiful,” I murmured as I allowed her and others to help me into it. The material was smooth to my skin, cut securely at my waist before going down to the floor flowing well.
Once the dress was secure, one of the younger maids, Elise, stepped forward with a brush in hand. “Shall I style your hair, Luna?”
I nodded, sitting at the vanity as Elise began her work. Her fingers were gentle but precise, weaving my hair into an intricate braid that rested over one shoulder. She secured it with delicate silver pins shaped like tiny leaves, their edges catching the light.
As she worked, Lila approached, holding a small box. “These belonged to the former Luna,” she said, her voice low, as she opened the lid to reveal an inlaid set of silver jewelry adorned with blue sapphires. “Lord Kaelen asked that they be worn today.”
I hesitated, my fingers brushing over the necklace. The weight of its history settled over me heavier than the stones themselves.
Why would he want me to wear these?” I asked, barely above a whisper.
Lila hesitated before responding. “Perhaps as a uniting factor,” she said more carefully. “The Elders will be seeing you as their Luna. You need to seem strong in their eyes.
I nodded, even though her words did little to calm the flutter of nerves in my stomach. I allowed her to fasten the necklace around my throat, to place the matching earrings in my ears.
By the time they were done, I barely recognized the person staring back at me from the mirror. The dress perfectly hugged my frame, and with every movement, the sparkling jewels caught the light. My hair, so laboriously styled, framed my face in such a manner as to make me feel very regal and confident.
“you look super beautiful, Luna,” said Elise with a shy smile,
“Thank you,” I said, though my voice sounded distant. The image in the mirror was striking, but it felt… unfamiliar.
Lila stepped back, her expression approving. “You’re ready, Luna.”
As I left the room, the cool stone halls of Shadow Keep seemed to echo with my every step. My thoughts raced, a jumble of curiosity, anxiety, and something else I couldn’t quite name.
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