"Do any of you have any idea of what the meaning of “the stars' aligning” could be?" I ask.
"No… but there is a special phenomenon that is reported to occur soon. So rare it is assumed the last time it happened was over a thousand years ago," Lucia says, her face pale as we all turn to her.
"And what might that be?" Kash asks, cocking a brow at her.
She tilts her head, and I know she can see he doesn't trust her.
"The planets will align, and the Gemini constellation will touch the full moon," she says quietly. "I enjoy astronomy… it was announced on the human news a few days ago."
Why does it feel like that could be the answer…
"‘Kay." Kash's annoying response comes as his sister casts him a scathing glare.
"That makes sense. You're smart, Lucia. You always have been!" Isa says, clearly proud of her.
"When is that happening?" I ask, feeling my anxiety building. Even Evelyn is restless, and I know she has answers that she refuses to give me.
"Two full moons from now," Lucia replies.
That means we have roughly around six weeks.
"Then we have no time to lose. I will go to the Chamber tonight. I will fulfil the cleansing ritual and everything I need to before I do. Let's do this the right way. We need answers, and I am not wasting any more time," I say firmly.
Surprisingly, no one argues. Even Kash nods, frowning deeply as he ponders over everything that we've discussed.
"Then you need to go at the time that a royal usually would. We have two hours, that gives us plenty of time to spare," Kash says.
"Can you please have the clothing and bath prepared? I'm going to try to talk to Evelyn before then," I say quietly, looking at the girls, who both nod.
"Yeah, of course. I'll have everything organised," Lucia says at the same time. "Shall we tell Prince Chasyn?"
She adds at the same time that Kash speaks. "Shall we tell the King?"
They exchange looks, and Kash frowns. "We don't need to include him unless he already knows everything that's going on?"
Lucia looks down, shaking her head, and this time I have had enough.
"Kash, don't. Just as Zedkiel trusts you… I trust her," I say firmly. "An insult to her… is an insult to me."
"Shall we tell the King or not?" he replies, and I exhale.
I hesitate and then shake my head. "No, not until I've entered the Chamber."
He nods. "And Zed?"
"Let's not worry him. I know what I'm doing," I say firmly.
He nods. "Fine."
"I'll keep an eye on things," Isa says to me, and I smile, feeling genuinely grateful to her as she glares at her brother.
"Thank you."
With that finalised, I walk to the far corner of the office and take a seat on the floor. I close my eyes, taking a deep breath.
Evelyn, I know you're angry… but I want to help you. I want to help us, to end these curses forever,
Lies.
I'm not lying.
You heard the Oracle's words… only one may survive. If we destroy the curse, it’s at the cost of my life! I will be the sacrifice,
Her words… I can't deny that those words have been playing in my mind.
Tell me our story, Evelyn. I know you have suffered. Tell me the truth, and I promise… I promise I won't let you die.
And I truly mean it.
I lower my barriers, letting all my thoughts and emotions spread through me. I feel the darkness rise, then the stormy havoc that begins to whirl around my head.
Then… if I tell you everything, swear me an oath that you will be the one to die. Once the curse is broken, if you manage it and free me from this prison you put me in, promise me that you will let me live one life. Make me an oath that you will give your life to end this curse!
To die… to leave Zedkiel… The crippling pain of heartbreak rushes through me, but I know I can't be selfish. I need to do what is right.
You have my word. You won't die, Evelyn; I will take the fall. I will lift the darkness from your soul and sacrifice myself to end the curse of the Eternal God. I promise you, Selene and Zed… I will willingly die for you. You deserve to live, too.
Her power surges in my mind. Her cackle of happiness and victory is deafening as it screams so powerfully in my mind. My eyes are closed, but still, a single tear slips down my cheeks.
I will break the curse, even if it does cost me my life.
My breath catches in my throat, and the crushing pain of knowing my days with Zedkiel are now numbered breaks me.
But even with those thoughts burning in my mind, I am ready for her, ready for her to tell me everything that she knows.
Start at the beginning,
Oh, dear sister… I intend to.
I wait patiently for her to begin, and I hear her sigh heavily, sensing the weight she's carrying as she lowers her walls.
It all began after the curse was placed upon us… it awoke a darkness in me, one that sought havoc and destruction. I wanted to see them all dead, but for him… I tried… so hard…
Let me start from before that. We were simply two sisters mated to the Lycan King. He loved us both, or so he said. I was of alpha blood despite being second born, I had our father's ability. But you – you had all of Selene's essence, her light, her beauty, her talent, and being a pure omega, you were the cherished prize.
I can sense the resentment in her voice. It was clear before the curse there was bitterness within her. I remain silent, listening to her.
Where I would accompany Zerachiel on escapades and battles, it was you he worried for, you who he yearned to return to, to where you looked after the people and our kingdom. We were both his Lunas… but you were the one seen as his true Queen. Even the people noticed it,
I'm sorry,
He loved us both, but it was as clear as the light of the moon that the one he favoured was you… The one he took to bed far more… the one blessed with a wolf created from moonlight itself… a wolf so white, one cannot even look at it for long. You, my precious omega sister, were the chosen star of the kingdom and Zerachiel's favourite – sweet, selfless and strong. What more can one ask for?
What can I say to that? It's of a time I don't know of –memories of a life long forgotten, and it only makes me want to know even more of how everything came to be how it is today.
Although I gave him three children, you gave him seven, and with each one, he doted upon you more and more. I remained silent, of course. The lonely nights spent hoping that tonight he'd come to me became more and more frequent… With the growing discord, we all knew that war was coming. Oh, if only I realised that I would be the undoing of it all… I once again got the short end of the stick.
What do you mean?
What do you think? I'm the one who was bitter and dark. I made the mistake of going to our father's call… from his prison down in that place now called the Chamber of Truth, but there he cursed me! And in doing so, I brought about the destruction of Zerachiel – the one whose love was all I wanted. Not only was I his least favourite mate, but I was now also going to be his end.
She takes a shuddery breath, and I can hear the pain that is bleeding into her anger. Bound by a curse, what could I do but end him? But you – our little innocent omega queen herself destroyed me-
How can that have been possible? Why would I do that? There's no way that I-
Shocked you didn't even try to help me?! I knew you just wanted him all to yourself! And, of course, there is a way! You were powerful enough to destroy me! With Selene in banishment, who do you think is the rightful Goddess?!
My heart thuds as my mind freezes up.
She chuckles darkly.
Yes, dear sister, with our precious mother locked away in the realm's most powerful prison, you are the one who holds the Goddess's power! You are the Moon Goddess! Your precious white wolf is the embodiment of Selene herself!
My mind is spinning.
I may have been cursed by the very first Alpha, but you held the power of the one who created him. In your confidence, you destroyed me. But remember the Eternal God, too, had cursed us… just as you have finally discovered. And so, my spirit remained… and what better host than the body of the one I shared a womb with? One who I have a link to and share a mate with?
She continues, Through you, I was able to be with him again. Those visions you see… he never would have been able to kill you. What you see is me in your body, a body that was no longer yours. Locked away in the abyss of your mind. Yet our mate… all he could think of was that his precious Queen was gone, and before he killed me… he rejected me.
The pain I can feel is too much. I can barely breathe…
Where is my wolf, then? Aren't I just an omega?
She ignores my question regarding my wolf. Why do you think omegas are so cherished? Allow me to tell you... because although most of the scriptures are lost, it stated that the very first queen was an omega… Stories of respect for our omegas still managed to come down through time. Throughout history, omegas were considered prized possessions. You were Zerachiel's greatest possession; you were his obsession, and to this day, that has not changed. Yet to prevent history from repeating itself, he always tries to keep you away, but the Hybrid Prince does not have that power to stay away from you,All Zerachiel wants is for you to be safe,
My head is pounding as she carries on, even when I don't think I can take anymore.
There, dear sister, now you know,
We fall silent, my heart pounding violently.
Time is ticking, but this time round, I am determined to end the centuries of suffering, to end the heartbreak Zerachiel suffers, the curse Evelyn is inflicted with. End Raziel's despair and Zedkiel's pain.
I will accomplish it all because I am the daughter of Selene, and not only that but… I am the Moon Goddess. I will succeed.
A powerful, brilliant white light erupts in my head, and suddenly, I sense a third presence within my mind. A pain sears through my forehead, starting from the centre of my temples and spreading through me, down my neck to the tips of my fingers.
A surge of power rushes through me, and then I see her, a blinding white wolf, so powerful and majestic, as she pads across my mind. Our eyes meet, and she lowers her head.
It has been too long, Evangeline. My name is Luna, and I… I am your wolf.
End of part 1
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