Moon and Shadow

CHAPTER 10

YELENA CALLED UPON HER POWER, AND THE FAMILIAR EXPERIENCE OF THE PROFOUND CONNECTION TO THE LUNAR ENERGY COURSED THROUGH HER. It began with a cool, tingling sensation that spread from her core, radiating outward to her fingertips and toes. As she allowed the moon light to surface, she felt a deep sense of harmony and balance, as though she was in a perfect sync with the natural world.

The energy racing through her body filled her with a serene confidence and clarity, sharpening her senses and heightening her awareness of her surroundings. The connection between her and the energy that danced inside her imparted a sense of timelessness and tranquility, as if she was tapping into an ancient, celestial force that has been guiding the night skies for eons.

She could almost feel the barely there kiss of the moon on the back of her neck, as if the moon shining in the sky was blessing her to draw its majestic powers and manipulate them as the Moon Summoner wished. Encouraging her to let loose the power that hummed deep in her body.

With the exhilaration of summoning her powers after so long, there was a weight that sat heavy on the back of her spine, a reminder of the immense responsibility she held. She was acutely aware of the potential for both creation and destruction within her abilities. This duality brought a sense of gravity and purpose, grounding her as she wielded her power with both precision and care.

The light shifted soon, as a result of Yelena focusing it into a light before she opened her eyes slowly. The ball of moonlight floated between her stretched hands, illuminating the small space and lengthening the shadows casted by the trees.

Her blue gaze found her brother's, who watched her with a little, barely noticeable smile. The sharp lines of his face were highlighted by the light and shadows that shrouded his features, giving him a handsome yet daunting profile.

She took in a deep breath, basking in the cool embrace that wrapped her in a cozy space. All her worries of future forgotten just with the light that shifted on her command. It was the only part of her life that she could control. The only power that was only truly hers, but soon enough, she would be stripped off the right to use it. Not that she had it in the first place.

Once she is married to the Tsar and is a Tsaritsa herself, she would not be able to slip away from the palace grounds as easily as she did. Curious eyes would watch her every living and breathing moment, scrutinizing everything she did. There was no way that she would be able to summon the moon between her fingertips; feel the cool radiating off the light that only she could summon.

Her heart skipped a beat, and her body went numb with the realization was a loss that was inevitable. A loss that was approaching far too soon then she would have liked. The concentration dwindled and the control slipped away. Soon, the entire space was again shrouded in the distant light that came from the moon that hung high above in the sky, and not from its summoner that stood in her own trance.

Savor tonight, for tomorrow will be the death of the Moon Summoner, the voice taunted from deep within her mind. The words rung as intimidating as they were true. With the crown announcing the betrothal in the feast that was being held the next night, the Moon Summoner would have to be forgotten and only the dutiful Lady of Tsibeya would remain. The beautiful betrothed of the King will live while the carefree girl who liked to play in snow would fade into nothing.

"I can't do this." With the spoken words came the implication of them, and the weight of what must be done settled heavy on her shoulders. Heavy enough that her knees weakened, descending down to settle on the ground as her breaths turned shallow.

Viktor was by her side in an instant, holding her close to himself as he whispered. In, one, two, three. Out, one, two, three. The words were muffled as they entered her ears and her entire body felt like she was plunged deep into the True Sea. Terror seized her breaths, that were far and few, infrequent and forced.