The silence after Kael’s whisper lingered like smoke, thick and cold. Darius stood in the clearing, fists clenched at his sides, the silver light of the moon painting his jawline with quiet rage. The forest had gone still, as though it too was holding its breath.

He stared at the faint circle of light where Selene had disappeared. The air still hummed faintly from her magic, but it was already fading. She was gone, her spirit drawn into the Luna’s Trial.

Darius exhaled slowly, forcing ...