Todos os capítulos de THE CURSED MOON HEIR: Capítulo 21 - Capítulo 30

NOAH’S POVThe gates of Lunaris came into view just before sunset. Towering silver walls rose above the surrounding cliffs, their banners fluttering proudly in the evening breeze. Soldiers lined the battlements, and the sound of trumpets echoed across the valley. Normally, returning home filled me with a sense of purpose but Today… It felt like surrender.The massive gates creaked open as the royal escort entered the capital. Citizens gathered along the streets, bowing respectfully as I passed and acknowledged them with a slight nod, but my thoughts remained far beyond the city walls, Back in Oakridge Forest, Back where every answer had slipped through my fingers.The palace stood at the highest point of the capital, overlooking the city below. Its white stone towers reflected the last rays of sunlight, giving the entire structure a golden glow. Servants hurried across the courtyard, Nobles dressed in expensive robes climbed the marble steps. Preparations for the coronation were clear

ROSELYN’S POVBy afternoon, the River of Echoes was far behind us. The forest grew quieter with every mile we traveled. Even the birds seemed reluctant to sing beneath the towering trees. I adjusted the strap of my pack and looked at Darius.“Do you ever get lost?”He didn’t slow his pace. “Everyone gets lost.” he replied “I mean you.”“I know.”“So?”“So I learn the way back.”I smiled.“That almost sounded like advice.”“It was.”His answers were getting slightly longer… The path narrowed until we were forced to walk single file between thick walls of ivy, Sunlight barely reached the ground. Then, without warning, Darius stopped. I nearly walked into him.“What is it?”He pointed ahead, through the curtain of vines stood the crumbling remains of an ancient stone structure, Only a few broken pillars remained standing. The roof had long since collapsed, allowing vines and wildflowers to claim what time had left behind.“What is this place?” I whispered.“I don’t know its name.”“You’

ROSELYN’S POVThe abandoned village disappeared behind us as the afternoon stretched into evening, The forest felt different now. Not darker, Not quieter, Just… watchful.I couldn’t explain the feeling, but ever since we had left the village, it was as though unseen eyes followed every step we took.“Darius?”“Hm?”“Do you ever feel like the forest is alive?”He didn’t answer immediately. After several moments, he said quietly,“It has always been alive.”“I don’t mean animals.”“I know.”His calm reply sent a shiver through me. We continued climbing a gentle slope until the trees began to thin. Ahead, a small stream wound through the forest.“This is where we’ll stop,” Darius said.I raised an eyebrow.“Are you sure?”He looked around carefully before nodding.“For tonight.”I smiled. “I noticed you always say ‘for tonight.’”He crouched beside the stream and began filling our waterskins.“Nothing lasts forever.” His words lingered in my mind, Neither safety, Nor peace. I gathered f

NOAH’S POVThe morning in Lunaris has been a busy one, as preparations were still on for my coronation, but ever since I came back from Oakridge without answers my mind has known no peace, I was always lost in thoughts and Gideon was yet to send words about the search. Soon the silver door of my chambers opened with a deep groan, and four servants came in bearing the freshly mixed herbs annointed and instructed by the Royal priest that it should be added to my bath water regularly until the day of my coronation as it was the normal procedure whenever a new king was to be crowned and this procedure has been consistent since I came back. Normally, I would have acknowledged them but, I barely heard them as my thoughts remained in Oakridge. The frightened girl, the burnt cottage, the strange mask, and the questions that refused to leave me. While the Servants were still preparing my bath water, a royal guard hurried in and bowed. “Your Highness. His Majesty requests your presence in the

NOAH’S POVSleep never came… the torn page… the faded crescent… master Aldren’s reaction… Every piece circled through my mind until dawn painted the palace walls gold. Someone knew what that symbol meant, they simply refused to say it. A sharp knock sounded at my chamber door.“Enter.”Gideon stepped inside looking as though he hadn’t slept either.“You’ve been busy.”“So have you,” Noah replied.Gideon placed another cloth bundle on the table.“I visited the last set of merchants who entered the capital this week.”“And?”“They all told the same story.”Noah waited.“None of them recognize the symbol.”A flicker of disappointment crossed Noah’s face.“But…” Gideon continued. “…one old trader recognized the metal.”Noah immediately looked up.“The metal?”“He couldn’t name it.”“What did he say?”“He said he’d only seen it once, Many years ago. But… Gideon hesitated. “He couldn’t remember where.”I sighed. “Another dead end.”“Not exactly.” Gideon unfolded a small piece of parchment.