The golden light faded slowly, leaving the Shrine's ruined clearing bathed in ordinary morning sun, and Luna became aware, gradually, of the enormity of what had just happened settling into her bones alongside the enormity of what still remained unresolved. House Marrow's forces had retreated to the treeline's edge, weapons lowered but not sheathed, watching the aftermath with the wary uncertainty of soldiers who had just witnessed something their training had no framework for.
"Is it done," Ronan asked quietly, still standing close beside her, his enormous frame radiating a warmth that felt, for the first time, entirely uncomplicated. "The binding. Is it finished?"
Luna reached inward, searching for the low, constant ache the blood-bargain had carried since they'd crossed the Reach's tr
