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In the center was an enormous pile of flowers in all shapes and colors. As people arrived, they knelt at the base of the mass, bowing their heads reverently, placing their offering among the others, and then raising their hands toward the open sky.

The golden spire we’d seen from a distance had split open like a bursting star, the glinting vertices bent back to reveal the aether and glittering halo cloud above. The moon’s radiance spilled into the holy space.

Hovering embered lights scattered above the open pinnacle.

They looked like suspended, sparkling stars visiting from the blackened sky.

As Seryn swayed, a haunting melody drifted, its ethereal notes caressing invisible strings.

Dreamily, she smiled at me, and I rubbed my palm against my scar, ensuring that my heart still beat.

It did.

But only for her.

Only ever for her.

She took my breath away.

After running her thumb over my tattoo, she slipped away toward my brother.

They needed time. And space. So, I’d give them that. I’d give her anything. I stood back and distracted myself with the rituals playing out before us. People prayed and sang and danced.

Several astral guides, including Wren, filled gilded baskets with flower offerings and then flew high into the dome, tossing the flowers about. As they dropped to our feet, the gentle rhythm of raindrops filled the sanctuary.

The rain spilled around the outside of the citadel, but despite the open turret, the showers didn’t fill the inside of the sacred space. The night sky was clear, the glittering halo marking the boundary of the downpour.

“Exquisite. Isn’t it? I’m pleased.” The young woman’s voice slid over me like a song.

Her silver hair drifted about her delicate frame, and she offered me a kind smile.

“I loved another once.” She looked at Seryn, whose pale skin was radiant.

“Endymion and I yearned to be together forever, but it didn’t work out as expected.

It never does when the Fates are involved. ”

My pulse ticked in my jaw, goosebumps rippling over my flesh.

“But we take what we can. He slumbers eternally, and I visit him every night.”

Wistfully, she sighed. “You know something of longing, I think. You have the look of it. Breathe in every moment you can, for you never know when the tides will pull you under.”

“Um, pleasure to meet you, Miss …?” I paused, turning to find her. She’d disappeared.

From above, Wren drifted to me, a look of veneration shining in her eyes as her wings relaxed. “What a blessing.”

“It’s a beautiful ceremony,” I agreed, still looking for the young woman.

She giggled. “I meant your visitor.”

My eyebrows lifted.

“Don’t you know who you were just chatting with? Oh, of course you don’t. You’re too young.” She gave me an incredulous look.

I shook my head.

“Selene. She hasn’t graced us in nigh a century. The offerings must have pleased her. Oh, I wish I could’ve communed with her before she left.” She looked at the shining moon, kissed her palm, and raised her hand toward the night.

“Excuse me. Are you saying that I was just talking to the Moon Ancient?” I scoffed.

“What a blessing,” she repeated, pumping her wings and soaring among the other guides, whispering and pointing in my direction.

Wide-eyed, I stared at my boots and scraped my fingers through my hair. More and more Ancients were coming out of hiding. And I wasn’t sure if that was an omen or a boon.

Before my mother passed, I had a healthy skepticism regarding the Fates and their prophecies. I figured that if the Ancients didn’t intervene in saving Midst Fall, they didn’t deserve my prayers. So, I made decisions and dealt with the consequences because no one was coming to save us.

To save the people I loved.

My eyes searched for Seryn among the flowers and the dead.

Yet here these celestials were, invading our dreams. Offering guidance. Popping in for a bloody chat.

With an exasperated huff, a sharp twinge tugged along my ribs. Warily, I caught sight of Seryn and my brother. Unease shivered up my back, breaking through the tranquility and musings this place had cultivated within me.

Seryn recoiled as a look of frustration whittled over Kaden’s features. She shook her head, curls bouncing over her shoulders.

My pulse slammed against my scar, and my blood squeezed through my veins as if a string was constricting the wild muscle thrashing behind my ribs, trying to cut its way through the meat of it. Seryn’s hand pressed against her sternum.

His arm flung out in my direction, words tumbling from him freely. Desperation and agony contorted his face.

Seryn said something, her shoulders slumping, fists clenched.

Kaden looked like a cornered animal, his eyes darting, searching for a way out.

She held up her hand and then left him there.

Listlessly, Seryn wrapped her arms around her middle, shoulders imploding, eyes hollow and burrowing into mine.

Time stopped. I held my breath.

And the look she gave me—it stabbed into my gut and tore its way through my hopes and dreams of our future. The look she gave me indicated I’d broken my vow. That the Ancient of Nightmares would steal me away from this most sacred of places.

Because I’d done it again.

I’d shattered her heart.

And I felt every jagged piece as it carved through mine.