THE MOONBORN LUNA

Aria stood behind the wooden door, holding her breath as she listened to her parents whispering inside the small cottage. She had not meant to eavesdrop. Aria had only returned earlier than expected after finishing her chores, and the moment Aria reached the door, she heard her mother's trembling voice. “Thomas, Aria is turning fifteen tomorrow, and every day, I get scared.” Aria frowned. Why was her mother scared? Thomas shifted in his chair. “Lower your voice, Mira.” There was a brief silence before he continued. “We have been doing this for the past fourteen years. Or are you saying we should return her?” “No!” Mira's voice came immediately. “No, I can't lose her.” Aria's heart skipped.Return her? Where? She moved closer to the door. “I am just concerned,” Mira continued. “I don't want them to take her away from us. She has brought so much joy to our family, Thomas. She is all we have.” Thomas sighed. “And we will do everything we can to protect her.”

The village was chaotic. Flames devoured the huts one by one, and thick black smoke filled the air. Villagers ran in every direction, screaming and crying."Call the village elder!" one woman screamed."People are still inside!" another woman cried. "Who will save them before the elder gets here?""All the men have gone to the royal palace for a meeting," another woman said. "I will go and check if the village elder is still at home."Aria stood among the frightened villagers, listening to everyone talk, but no one was doing anything.Her heart raced.The screams coming from inside the burning huts were becoming louder.She couldn't just stand there.Someone had to help them.Without wasting another second, Aria ran toward the edge of the forest. Her axe swung through the air, cutting down small trees and thick branches. Her arms burned, but she didn't stop. She gathered as much as she could carry and threw them around the burning area, creating a small opening through the flames.The

The tracker emerged from the trees with Aria in his grip.She was already in tears, struggling to free herself."Let me go!" she screamed, dragging her feet against the ground. "Is it by force to be registered? Let me go!""Shut up."Officer Voss slapped her.The sound echoed through the forest."No!"Mira screamed and lunged forward, but Voss's men held her back."Voss!" Thomas shouted, his voice raw with fury. "Don't you dare lay another finger on my child!"Voss turned slowly. His eyes were cold."If you call me Voss one last time," he said sharply, "I will cut your tongue out."Thomas glared at him but said nothing.Voss turned to his men."Take them to the palace. Now."---The palace dungeons were dark and cold.Aria sat in the corner of the cell, her knees pulled to her chest. She had not stopped crying since they arrived. Her wrists were raw from the rope they had used to bind her. Her cheek still stung from Voss's slap.Mira crawled toward her and wrapped her arms around her.

The Queen stormed out of her chamber and went straight to the King's chamber.She stopped before the doors and lifted her chin."Announce my presence."The guard bowed and turned toward the doors. He knocked twice, then spoke loudly."Your majesty, Her Highness, the Queen, requests an audience."Silence. Then, from inside:"Let her in."The guard opened the doors. The Queen swept inside.The King was seated at his desk. Papers were spread before him—reports from the villages, requests from the packs. He looked tired. He always looked tired now."What was that about, your majesty?""Calm down."He rose and walked toward her, reaching for her hair. She stepped back. His hands fell to his sides."Do not tell me to calm down. This is not necessary." Her voice was sharp. Then it softened, turning sweet like honey. "If you keep doing this, you will start making the people think you are desperate for a child, and they will start mocking me for not giving you one."Her eyes filled with tears.

By the time Aria finished cleaning the maids' quarters, her entire body ached.She leaned against the wall, breathing heavily as she wiped the sweat from her forehead. Her fingers were sore, and her back protested whenever she tried to straighten it.Yet there was no time to rest.A small breath escaped her. Relief. But it did not last.Maiden Vivian would never let her hear the end of it if she failed to complete her duties.At home, her parents had never let her work like this. Thomas and Mira had always shared the load. They had always made sure she ate. They had always made sure she rested.Now there was no one to share the load.She breathed out and stretched her body. Her bones popped. Then she headed toward the royal kitchen.Halfway there, Queen Seraphina appeared with her court ladies.Aria's stomach clenched.Maiden Vivian's words echoed in her mind. Do not look directly into the Queen's eyes. Keep your hands at your back.Her hands flew behind her. Her head bowed.Every tim