CHAPTER 3
A MARK BENEATH THE MOON
That night, Elena could not sleep.
She walked into the palace gardens.
The moon was bright above the trees.
She heard footsteps behind her.
Aldric.
"You shouldn't be outside alone."
"I'm not alone."
He stopped.
Elena turned.
"Why do you keep looking at me like that?"
"Like what?"
"Like you're trying to remember someone."
Aldric looked away.
"You remind me of my queen."
Elena softened.
"What was she like?"
"Brave."
He paused.
"Stubborn."
Elena smiled.
"Sounds familiar."
Aldric almost smiled.
Almost.
Then Elena's wrist burned.
She cried out.
A silver light spread across her skin.
The surrounding trees shook.
Aldric stepped forward.
"Elena!"
A howl exploded through the forest.
This time, Elena heard words within it.
Come home.
She staggered.
"What was that?"
Aldric looked toward the forest.
"You heard it too."
"Yes."
His face changed.
"Impossible."
"What?"
"Only members of the first bloodline can hear the Moon Voice."
The light intensified.
A vision struck Elena.
She saw a little boy running through the palace.
She saw the same silver pendant.
She saw a woman hiding him inside a carriage.
Then she saw herself.
Older.
Standing in the same palace.
A man knelt before her.
The kingdom bowed.
Elena gasped.
The vision disappeared.
Aldric caught her before she fell.
For one brief moment, neither moved.
Elena looked into his eyes.
Something about him felt strangely familiar.
Not romantic.
Not yet.
Something deeper.
Like an unfinished memory.
Aldric released her.
"You need to learn what you are."
"Then teach me."
He hesitated.
"The council will oppose it."
"I didn't ask the council."
For the first time, Aldric looked impressed.
"Then tomorrow, we begin."
From the shadows, someone watched them.
Seraphine.
And beside her stood an old man in a black cloak.
"The mark has awakened," Seraphine whispered.
The old man nodded.
"Then the heir is alive."
Seraphine's eyes narrowed.
"We cannot allow the king to learn the rest."