Luna Everleigh's POV
***
My eyes flew open.
Rhydian's arms were wrapped around me, his body solid, real. His grip was tight, as if he feared I would disappear the moment he let go.
"What—" My voice broke. "What did you do?"
His golden eyes burned into mine. "I wasn't going to let you go alone."
I trembled, shaking my head in disbelief. "You—you idiot—you could have—"
"I don't care," he said fiercely. His hands cupped my face, his forehead pressing against mine. "You're not dying without me, Luna. I won't let you."
A sharp gasp echoed through the void, and suddenly—
Light.
Not mine. Not The Devourer's.
Something greater.
The darkness peeled away, and we were somewhere else. A vast space between life and death, where the air shimmered like moonlight on water.
And before us stood two figures.
Selene. The goddess of the moon, her silver eyes deep with knowing.
And beside her—Aldric. The first Lunar Guardian, his presence radiating power.
"You have come far," Selene murmured, her gaze sweeping over us.
Aldric's eyes were solemn. "But the price is not yet paid."
Rhydian's hold on me tightened. "What does that mean?"
Selene's expression softened. "You have a choice," she said. "Sacrifice yourselves, and the world will be saved."
Aldric's voice was steady. "Or return—but your destinies will never be the same."
A heavy silence fell between us.
I looked at Rhydian.
He looked at me.
And in that moment, we both knew.
***
To be continued...