The last fragments of twilight had faded from the sky as Kaelen and I approached the clearing. Even from a distance, I could hear the low thrum of drums and feel their vibration in my chest, like a second heartbeat syncing with my own. The encounter with Selene had shaken me, but I'd stood my ground. The memory of Kaelen's proud gaze steadied my nerves as we walked arm in arm toward the ceremony.
"You truly were magnificent back there," he murmured, his voice rumbling through me. "Not many could face down Selene Vance and leave her speechless."
I glanced up at him, the moonlight casting beautiful shadows across his face. "I surprised myself, honestly. Something just... snapped when she tried to claim her place beside you."
"That," he said with a hint of a smile, "was your inner Luna."
