Chapter 1 (A decade ago) Third POV Nestled deep within the ancient forest, a cave lay hidden behind a veil of vines and moss-covered stones. For centuries, it had stood silent, its secrets concealed from the world. Few dared to venture near, for the legends of the moon god had faded into mere whispers, barely remembered by the oldest of the village storytellers. Yet, within this forsaken sanctuary, the god of the moon remained, a prisoner of both time and destiny.His name was Solas, the forgotten twin. His sister, Selene, the moon goddess, was worshipped and revered, her name chanted in temples and etched in the annals of history. But Solas was different; his power was feared and misunderstood. The villagers spoke of him in hushed tones, a cautionary tale for children. They said he was locked away for a reason, his power too great, too dangerous. But the truth was more complex, a tapestry of love, betrayal, and sacrifice.Solas sat on a smooth, stone ledge within the cave, his bac
Chapter 2(After a decade) Third POVWillowbrook stirred with the approach of the dreaded day—the offering of a bride to Solas, the forgotten moon god. It had been a decade since the last sacrifice, a decade of uneasy peace under the watchful gaze of the moon. The village had grown, its thatched cottages spreading like the roots of an ancient tree, yet beneath the facade of tranquility lay an undercurrent of fear whenever the moon reached its peak.Somewhere far at the outskirts of the village lived a girl named Elara. Elara, at twenty years old, had known little of family or love in her life. An orphan since childhood, she had grown up under the care of the village, finding solace in the whispers of the wind and the gentle touch of the earth. Her beauty was undeniable—full lips that hinted at a defiance born of hardship, green eyes that glimmered with a mixture of sorrow and determination, and long silver hair that cascaded down her back like strands of moonlight. But it was her spi
Chapter 3Third POVThe days after that night passed with a strange blend of normalcy and inevitability. Each morning, Elara rose with the first light, her heart heavy with the knowledge of her fate but her spirit unyielding. Her silver hair shimmered in the early sunlight as she tended to her small garden, the rich scent of earth and the vibrant colors of the flowers offering a brief respite from her thoughts.Elara had always been a part of the village, yet apart from it. An orphan taken in by the collective kindness of Willowbrook's inhabitants, she had grown up learning to be self-reliant. Now, as the chosen bride, she found herself surrounded by the silent support of the villagers. They brought her gifts—small tokens of their appreciation and sympathy—a fresh loaf of bread, a handwoven scarf, a carved wooden charm for protection. Each gesture, though modest, spoke volumes of their respect and gratitude.Elara had worked as a healer in the village for a few years now, a role that
Chapter 4Third POVSolas stood at the center of his chamber, his pale blue eyes fixed on the reflection of the moon in the small pond before him. The water’s surface shimmered with an otherworldly glow, the moonlight dancing upon it in an eerie, mesmerizing pattern. This pond was his anchor, his connection to the moon and the source of his power. The open ceiling above it allowed the moon’s light to filter down, enhancing his abilities and giving him strength. He traced patterns in the water with his fingers, feeling the potent energy thrumming beneath his skin.Over the past decade, Solas had grown more powerful, his magic evolving in ways he had not anticipated. The ancient runes that once held his power in check had weakened significantly, and the spell that bound him to the cave was beginning to fray. He could feel the change in the air, the subtle shift in the balance of magic. It would not be long before he could break free of this prison and reclaim the world that had been den
Chapter 5 Third POV As Elara followed the strange bond calling to her every instinct, she noticed the cave was eerily beautiful, illuminated by a soft, otherworldly glow the deeper she went. The walls were inscribed with ancient runes, their shapes both fascinating and frightening as they followed her against the wall as if guiding her. The runes glowed faintly, casting shifting patterns of light and shadow across the cavern. Elara felt a shiver run down her spine every time she passed them, the symbols pulsing with a power she could barely comprehend but feel in the air. The air was thick with magic, a palpable presence that made her skin tingle and her heart race.As she moved deeper into the cave, the path widened, revealing a grand chamber that took her breath away. In the center of the chamber was a small pond, its surface reflecting the silver light of the moon through an open ceiling above. The moonlight was pure and undiluted, filtered through a protective layer of magic tha
Chapter 6Third POVSolas stood in the center of his chamber, the moonlight pouring through the open ceiling above the pond, casting an ethereal glow on the water's surface. His reflection stared back at him, a visage of cold, unyielding power. He had felt Elara's presence the moment she stepped into his cave, her scent—a perfect blend of earthy, flowery, and the sweet essence of the moon—filling the air. It was intoxicating and infuriating all at once.The door to his chamber creaked open, and Solas turned slowly, his pale blue eyes narrowing as he watched her approach. She wore a beautiful wedding dress, its fabric shimmering in the dim light. The dress hugged her hourglass figure, accentuating every curve, while the delicate lace sleeves and bodice added a touch of elegance. Around her neck and wrists, she wore simple yet exquisite jewelry—silver pieces that caught the light and sparkled softly.Elara walked with a grace and determination that Solas found both admirable and irritat
Chapter 7Third POVElara lay on the cold stone slab, the hard surface pressing into her back as she stared up at the jagged ceiling of Solas's cavern. She had expected fear, pain, and suffering when she had been chosen as the next sacrificial bride. But nothing had prepared her for the reality of Solas's presence.She closed her eyes, replaying the encounter with Solas over and over in her mind. His anger, his coldness, his determination to break her spirit—it was all so overwhelming. And yet, beneath it all, she sensed something else, something hidden deep within his icy exterior.Solas had towered over her, his pale blue eyes burning with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine. He had threatened her, promised her pain and suffering, but what had struck her the most was the flicker of curiosity she had seen in his eyes. It was as if he was trying to understand her, to comprehend why she wasn't afraid.Elara couldn't help but feel a strange mix of emotions towards him. There wa
Chapter 8Third POVSolas stood in the shadows of his cavern, his eyes fixed on Elara as she lay on the stone slab. He watched her, studying the way her chest rose and fell with each breath, the way her face softened in sleep. Even in the harsh, cold light of the moon, she was beautiful. And that beauty infuriated him.Every time he tried to approach her, he felt a strange, unsettling mixture of anger and curiosity. She has defied him with a calmness he had never encountered before. Most of the others had begged, pleaded, and broken under his torment in mere minutes. But Elara... she was different. She didn't just endure his powerful pressence head on; she stood firm, her spirit unbroken.As he approached her with the evening's rations, his frustration bubbled to the surface. He set the tray down beside her, watching as she sat up and accepted the food with a nod, her hands steady. His eyes narrowed as she began to eat, each bite a small act of defiance.“You still think you can defy m