Chapter 2

The next morning, I found Cassian fastening his cloak.

“I want to attend the Moon Blessing with you.”

His hand paused on the silver clasp. “You agreed to stay home.”

“Perhaps my presence will help ease Evelyne’s suffering.”

As far as Cassian knew, I had never made the connection between Evelyne and the vampire count who had imprisoned me. Offering to help her would not make him suspicious.

Cassian stared at me for a moment, then sighed softly.

“All right. But stay close to me, and ignore whatever the nobles say.”

His concern sounded almost convincing. I knew he was only afraid I might discover the truth.

“I will.” I said.

Cassian appeared satisfied.

By the time we arrived at the Moon Temple, the great hall was filled with nobles. Silver candles burned beneath the statue of the Moon Goddess while priests carried bowls of blessed water toward the altar.

Evelyne stood at the center of the crowd.

Her white gown made her look fragile and pure. She smiled graciously as the guests prayed for the Moon Goddess to keep her curse at bay.

Then I saw what had been placed upon the altar. A lantern carved from dawnstone.

My lantern.

I had spent nearly a year shaping it in secret. When lit, the crystal captured the first rays of sunrise and scattered them into hundreds of tiny stars.

I had intended to give it to Cassian on our third mating anniversary.

How had it ended up here?

“The High Priestess says Lady Evelyne’s offering may be chosen for the Moon Goddess’s altar,” someone said.

“Such delicate craftsmanship. No one else could have created something so beautiful.”

“And look at the blessing carved into the base. The mysterious rune master Nightwolf added it himself.”

My gaze fell to the inscription.

May you live beneath every moon.

I knew those strokes. Cassian had carved the same runes onto his moonstone pendant .

Evelyne noticed me then. Surprise flashed across her face before her familiar sweet smile returned.

“Seraphina. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Her gaze swept over my plain dress.

“Cassian told me you were too weak to attend public ceremonies.”

I looked at the lantern. “Where did you get that?”

Evelyne moved closer. “Do you like it?”

“Of course.” I said. “Because I made it.”

Her smile did not falter.

“Careful,” Evelyne whispered. “People might think you’re jealous.”

Her fingers brushed possessively over the dawnstone.

“Cassian gave it to me himself. He knew how much I admired it.”

I met her gaze. “You knew it belonged to me?”

“Does that matter?” Evelyne smiled. “I suppose some women have to work very hard for a man’s affection.”

Her smile deepened. “I never have to ask.”

Her gaze shifted past my shoulder and the sweetness returned to her face.

Before I could turn, she seized my wrist and cried out.

“No—please!”

Then she released me and threw herself backward.

Her body struck the edge of the altar before she collapsed to the floor.

The temple erupted into chaos.

“Lady Evelyne!”

“Keep that Omega away from her!”

I had not touched her. But Cassian was already moving.“Evelyne!”

I had never heard such fear in his voice.

He caught her before she struck the floor and pulled her against him. For one unguarded moment, the tenderness in his eyes was impossible to hide.

It was a tenderness I had once believed belonged only to me.

Then Cassian looked up and realized I was watching. His expression immediately switched to calm authority.

“Seraphina,” he said, still cradling Evelyne in his arms, “You should not have upset Evelyne?in her condition.”

“I didn’t touch her.” I explained, but he wouldn’t listen.

“You should have shown more restraint.” His voice remained gentle, making the accusation hurt even more.

Before I could respond, a temple priest hurried toward the altar.

“Lady Evelyne’s dawnstone offering has been accepted!” he announced. “It will be placed before the Moon Goddess as the heart of the pack’s blessing ritual.”

Applause filled the hall. Cassian’s face lit with a joy I had never seen in all our three years together.

I looked from him to the stolen lantern.

“Why is my work being presented under Evelyne’s name?”

Cassian went still. Then he said, “Perhaps the designs are similar.”

“You must be mistaken.” His tone remained soothing. “You’ve been under a great deal of strain lately.”

A bitter laugh escaped me.

The lantern had been made for him. Cassian had taken my gift, carved his prayer for Evelyne into it, and allowed her to claim it before the entire realm.

My gift. My power. Even my place in this world.

Cassian had always believed they were his to give away.

Cassian handed Evelyne to the healer and came toward me.

“Let’s leave,” he said softly. “We can go somewhere quiet. It might help you relax.”

I studied the face I had loved.

“Take me sailing on Moonmere Lake tonight.”

Cassian seemed surprised. “Tonight?”

“Do you remember the first time we went there?”

His expression softened. Of course he remembered.

Three years ago, beneath a silver moon, Cassian had marked me as his mate on the shore of Moonmere Lake.

He had held my face between his hands and promised, Wherever you go, I will always find you.

I had believed him then.

Now I wanted to return to the place where that lie had begun.

“I want to watch the sunrise from the water,” I said. “Just the two of us, like before.”

Cassian took my hand and pressed a kiss. “Anything you desire, my love.”

He thought I wanted to relive our happiest memory before my birthday.

He did not know that when the first light of dawn touched Moonmere Lake, its waters would become a mirror to Heaven.

And the celestial gate would open.

Three years ago, that lake had witnessed the beginning of our mate bond.

Tomorrow, it would witness its end.