Page 144 of Treasured

Power, shadows, and emotions flowed freely between us. There was nothing hidden, nothing that wasn’t laid out before us.

Together, we moved.

Together, we fed.

Together, we reached our peaks.

Absolute rightness filled me. This was more than just a feeding. More than just a physical joining of two beings. It was everything.

She was mine.

My wife. My princess. My treasure.

The Red Moon Rises

LUNA

It was snowing when the four of us stepped out of Lightriver Abbey. This wasn’t surprising. Not anymore. If it had been warm outside and the snow was melting, that would have surprised me. But snow? I wasn’t even fazed by the white flakes falling liberally from the sky.

Tonight, I had no words. None of us did. Even Marius was quiet as he walked behind Sebastian and me. Phyrra brought up the rear, ready to bring Marius to safety as soon as it was time.

Sebastian’s grasp on my hand was bordering on too firm as he led me into the courtyard, but I didn’t want him to let go. I needed him like spring flowers needed the sun to grow.

The first streaks of red muddied the night sky, blotting the stars out of existence. Goosebumps peppered my flesh, and a shiver that had nothing to do with the cold ran down my spine.

The priestesses had told us the last Blood Moon took place over three thousand years ago. Now, it was back.

The air seemed to crackle, and I could have sworn copper mist fell from the heavens. Tonight, everything would converge. This was bigger than us. Bigger than just killing the queen. It felt like a turning point in history.

Ever since Sebastian and I had been together last night in the most intimate of ways, we’d kept the Tether open between us. Tonight, we would test it for all it was worth.

Sebastian and I wore black, which was as unsurprising as the snow. What was unusual, however, was the style of our clothes. We’d traded our typical garments for ones made of leather and lined with fur. They were tight-fitting but allowed us to move freely. Complete with gloves that covered our hands—and the markings of the Tether—the garments had slits in the back to accommodate our wings.

The style was strange, though. Old. According to Phyrra and Sebastian, the clothes would signal our intentions to anyone who saw us. We were dressed for battle.

The thought chilled my blood, but it was too late for fear. It was too late for doubt. Too late for anything.

Sebastian came to a stop in front of the gates, and the rest of us followed suit. “Is everyone ready?” he asked.

A chorus of “yes” went around our small group.

Sebastian nodded. As always, he stepped into the role of leader smoothly. “Good. Join hands.”

Phyrra took my free hand, and Marius picked up Sebastian’s on the other side. A jolt ran through me the moment we connected. Magic flowed through my blood, stronger than before, confirming what we’d already known. Marius was important.

If we were going to kill the queen, we needed every advantage.

A strange sense of peace filled me as Sebastian gathered his shadows around him. I should have been scared—and I was—but a sureness filled my soul.

This was exactly where we were meant to be.

* * *

“Deathhhhhh to the queen,” the voices demanded, a macabre chorus piercing the thick black veil of the Void.

They were loud tonight. Powerful, even. Whether it was our actions that brought them forth or the red moon, I wasn’t sure. My skin prickled, and I could almost feel them.

“Fulfill the prophecy,” another voice said.