Moonbli: A Forbidden Love

Chapter Nine (Qibli POV)

Qibli glanced at Moon, his heart aching. She was probably thinking of all the dragons Iris had just killed, and he didn't blame her. Those dragons didn't do anything wrong.

"Hey Moon," He said softly to her. "You're okay. It wasn't your fault."

She suddenly twisted to look him in the eyes, her jade green ones full of grief. "It wasn't their fault either Qibli! Eclispe was one of them. She was the only Nightwing that ever accepted me."

As Moonwatcher crumbled, Qibli pulled her close to his chest. They said nothing, affectionately twining their tails for comfort.

Their wings folded over each other's, like the moon and sun, belonging together and working together forever.

"This will all work out in the end," He whispered, letting go so the Sandwing could flap to stay in the air. "I promise."

"You can't promise that," Moonwatcher said with a sigh. "Soulflight might be more powerful than we expected."

"Yes- he might. But we will get through this." He grabbed her talon and held it firmly. "We will."

The Nightwing who he loved stared adoringly into his gaze, and mumbled, "I lo-"

She paused, stepping back. "Nevermind."

"You what?" Qibli asked, putting on a grin. Moon looked away. "Nothing," she answered quickly.

He could have sworn he saw a blush spread across her face.

"Oh. Alright, let's go." He squinted to see Iris in the distance. "Before that Rainwing gets herself into trouble."

She smiled sheepishly, and they blasted towards their Rainwing friend, the clouds looking pretty as the sun sank below the horizon and a silvery moon rose up.

A quiet breeze drifted along the air, and the two dragons touched wingtips.

"Can you two lovebirds hurry up?" Iris mused, being a few wingflaps away from them.

"We're not-" Moon started.

"Yeah, right. That's what they all say." The Rainwing muttered, her tail curling up in a spiral as her scales turned an annoyed orange with sparkles of purple and yellow.

I wish we were lovebirds. He felt his heart twist as he thought of how no matter hard he tried, Moonwatcher would still love Winter. It was for the best of both tribes.

Qibli let out a sigh, his claws curling in closer. Stop being so selfish. Winter is the dragon in distress here.

The Sandwing shifted his stance to look at the landscape below.

He looked at Moon, but the Nightwing wasn't paying attention. She seemed quite distracted. She closed her green eyes and stopped for a moment.

With a jerk, the dragon crumbled and no longer flapped her wings. With a look of horror, Qibli hurried to catch her midair before she plummented to the ground. "Moon? What's the matter? Are you having a vision?"

Moon didn't answer, and Qibli called out to Iris, who was already ahead of them. "Wait! Iris!" As the Rainwing turned around with a groan that could be heard from his spot as he was hovering in the air, Qibli flicked his tail at Moon, careful to keep his poisonous barb away.

Iris soared back, tilting her head. "What's up with her?" A little bit after they had found the cave, Iris admitted that she was also not controlled, that it wasn't the necklace.

What if the necklace didn't only protect from mind reading... But it also protected the wearer from being in Soulflight's visions? It's possible.. And it would make sense since Soulflight came right after Moon took the necklace off.

The theory had been echoing in his head for a few days now, but all that really mattered was that Moon was alright.

"Moon?" He repeated.

"Qibli," She said with a gasp. "I had another vision."

He froze with excitement. Could this lead us to the book? Is it a clue? So we aren't just running away from Soulflight hoping we will run into the book?

"It- it showed the book." She said slowly. "And Soulflight's mother- Shadowseer- she was an animus. She made this book- it's in her old house."

Iris gave her an odd look. "Then lets go get the stupid book already!"

Moon nodded quickly, with a warm glance at Qibli.

He turned away grimly, trying to stay focused on the thing that mattered: Moon and her safety.

"Back to the rainforest I suppose." Qibli guessed, and as Moon nodded, they flew away, trying to get there before the sun sets.

(Soulflight POV)

A blistering headache was disturbing him greatly, for it was extremely hard making sure everyone was controlled.

There were more defects than he would have liked, and they were all running around messing up his plans. Fortunately he had almost all of them handled, and locked away in a prison.

After all this work, he wasn't sure if he would be able to use much more of his powers. But he should soon. Something happened to the book his mother enchanted, so his powers were slowly coming back to him.

She survived. Soulflight thought with a vengeance. But I have her, and I will make all of her loved ones feel my pain.

He thought of how his mother had made a necklace to protect her daughter, of course, she had to. After almost killing him, stripping away his powers, she still had to make sure her daughter was safe.

But, her ancestors won't be. That necklace only protected her from dying completely. Soulflight thought, his eyes narrowed.

I will get the book my mother enchanted, sacrifice Secretkeeper, and let Moon watch. Then Moon will die, and her hopeless romantic Winter, and possibily that Sandwing, but we'll see. Everyone they know will fall, I and I will rule the world.

Controlling only half of the world was all he could get, and even sometimes he had to take a break.

Moonwatcher, I am coming for you and your wretched family.