The darkness in the sky did not leave.
Even hours later, the moon remained half-swallowed by a strange moving shadow that crawled slowly across the heavens like a living stain.
No one in the kingdom slept that night.
The palace war hall was alive with tension.
Maps covered the massive stone table at the center of the room. Candles burned low as commanders from the Five Territories stood shoulder to shoulder, waiting.
Ivy stood at the head of the table.
Her silver crown had been replaced by battle armor, black and engraved with the crest of the Supreme Luna.
Rowan stood beside her, arms folded tightly.
The Old One watched from the far side of the chamber, its wings folded but restless.
Seraphine rushed into the hall suddenly.
Her robes were still damp from rain.
“My Queen,” she s
