Blessed By The Moon

Epilogue 2

Aveline's POV : 

My name is Aveline.

Like the lake, apparently. Everyone says that every summer, like they're clever for noticing.

The water is cold enough to bite, but not enough to hurt. It wraps around my legs, my waist, my ribs, until I dive under completely and let the world go quiet. Sound muffles and light fractures. My hair fans out like dark ink.

When I surface, sputtering and laughing, Mira splashes me square in the face.

"Oh absolutely not," she says. "You do not get to look ethereal on your turning day. That's illegal."

I wipe water from my eyes. "I'm literally freezing."

"You're glowing," Theo says from the shore, squinting at me. "Like, genuinely. It's unsettling."

Rowan grins, floating on his back nearby. "It's the eyes. Silver eyes are always unsettling."

Mira gasps theatrically. "Today we figure it out ! Silver eyes," she repeats. " It's turning day !! This is the most exciting day of my life, we could be in the presence of Echo herself and we're going to find out today! "

"No," I say immediately. Ever since I was born and everyone noticed my silver eyes, they have been saying I'm Echo's reincarnation, but I just know I'm going to disappoint them all, it's really just a coincidence.

I think back of my copy of The Legend Of Storm and Echo sitting on the desk, their lifetimes-spanning love story with the tragic ending, I've never heard of a silver eyed man, so it's very likely a big coincidence.

"Yes," Rowan says immediately.

Theo sits up straighter. "Wait. Are we saying it out loud? Are we finally saying it out loud?"

Mira points at me. "Echo ouuuuuh ouuh Echo."

I groan. "I swear, if one more person tells me I'm the reincarnation of some tragic moon witch-"

"Ancient being created by the Moon herself," Rowan corrects. "Very important distinction."

"I'm just saying," Mira continues, paddling closer, lowering her voice dramatically, "you were born on the night the Moon Festival bells rang by themselves, the anniversary of her death day !  And you've got silver eyes !"

Theo nods solemnly. "Statistically suspicious."

I splash all of them at once. "You are all insane, we all studied in class that the Moon cursed Echo to never be reincarnated again.."

Rowan laughs, water sloshing into his mouth. "Okay, okay, fine. You're not Echo reincarnated."

"Thank you."

"You're Echo reincarnated but with better vibes."

I dunk him.

We drift for a moment after that, the sun warm on our faces, the lake rocking us gently. No one says it, but we're all thinking the same thing.

Tonight, everything changes.

Tonight, I turn into a wolf for the first time.
Tonight, the bond might snap into place.
Tonight, somewhere in this town, someone might feel the pull too.

Mira reaches out and squeezes my hand under the water. "You scared?"

I consider it.

My chest feels... full. Nervous, yes. Excited. But under it all, a strange calm. Like something long-awaited finally reaching the edge of memory.