THE WONDED LUNA

Whispers in

quiet, too quiet. Even the usual footsteps of patrolling warriors had faded into the night. Astrid stood in front of the full-length mirror

red gaze. She dropped the brush onto the vanity and stood up. Her fingers brushed ove

ike a chain more t

iors were whispering, the maids wouldn't meet her eyes, and even Kael had barely spoken t

irmary. Her boots clicked against the tiles, echoing louder than they shoul

whispered. A young maid, pro

other voi

ld flame. She's stay

blood r

a

ntly, yes, but she had been chosen. She had loved him, helped him build the clan from the ashes his fat

harder against the wall

you know?" the

ed. "Are you se

mping too loudly. Her head spun as she stepped

had t

. And no one

pushed open the door to Kael's office without knocking. He was seated

said, her voic

. His face was calm,

here. You knew and

k in his chair. "I did

s. "Upset me? You thought hidi

compli

d to know-" Her voice cracked. "Is

idn't

liced deeper

She looked at the man she had given everything to.

e her?" she

"She was my first love,

htened. "But I

she flinched when he tried to tou

he whispered. "A

with those cold gray eyes-like he had alread

at the ceiling, one hand on her stomach. It was flat now. Empty. But

council meeting last night, she had planned to surpr

th tears, but she

Not the usual soft rap of her m

or called. "You're nee

owned.

a. She's

ter. Astrid sat up slowly

and we were told to make

sheet. "You mean me. You w

e was answ

and stepped out into the hallway, but instead of tu

see it fo

. Warriors stood like statues near the door. A healer

the shadows, staying

she s

a

her hand, his eyes filled with emotion-some

oat. A sob rose in her chest

foot scraped against the wa

un

up instantl

She just stared at

he said, striding toward

you something,"

w tensed.

d to hea

the dungeon,"

Her voic

ne. You're acting im

rabbed her arms. Astrid strugg

s widening for

something bitter. "You'd s

fr

said. "No,

have time

d walked into Kara's room, s

, her screams muffled b

The walls dripped with moisture, and the cha

ng shut behind her. Her body shook from the

e whispered into the dark. "Y

aybe more. Then the d

ards e

f them said. "You need

through the dungeon a

ound her stomach. "Ple

y didn'

nt stars flashing across he

her eyes, the

qu

warm between her le

o.

mbled as she

aby.

he lay there in the darkness, her

door crea

tepped

em to go that far,

idn't lo

e peace," he added. "You

hoarse when sh

lled my

"You're bein

hen h

again, loude

red up at

inside h

whispered, "I swear on everything the moon goddess ha