Chapter 1 The moon's whisper

The moon hung low, bathing the sacred grove in silver. Elira stood still, the hem of her silken robes brushing the grass, her magic thrumming under her skin. The night felt different. Heavy. Alive.

She sensed him before she saw him.

A foreign energy pulsed nearby-raw, hungry. From the shadow of the trees, a man stumbled forward and collapsed at the edge of the Moon Pool. Tall, broad-shouldered, with dark, tangled hair and bloodied armor. Something ancient coiled around him like a curse.

Elira hesitated only a second before rushing forward. As she knelt beside him, his eyes flew open-deep gold, glowing faintly.

His hand clutched her wrist.

"Elira," he whispered, and her breath caught.

She'd never seen him before, yet his voice felt etched in her soul. How did he know her name? Her instincts screamed danger, but her body leaned in, heart pounding.

A tremor passed through her fingers as she touched his skin. It was like fire met lightning-his energy locking with hers.

She should have summoned the High Priestess.

Instead, she whispered, "Who are you?"

His lips parted, breath shallow. "Kael."

That name... it stirred something deep within her.

The moon shimmered above them, casting fate in silver light.

And destiny-hot, reckless, forbidden-began.