Elara's POV
By the time we reached the healer's hut, the moon had already risen.
Kade hadn't spoken for most of the journey.
Neither had I.
But I could feel something was wrong.
The black veins that had faded at the sacred pool were creeping back across his hand.
"Kade."
"I'm fine."
"You always say that."
"And I'm always alive."
"That's not the same thing."
He stopped outside the hut.
For a moment, he looked at me.
Then his eyes shifted toward the sky.
The moon was changing.
A thin red line had appeared around its edge.
My stomach dropped.
"The Blood Moon."
Kade nodded.
"What happens during it?"
His expression darkened.
"The curse gets stronger."
"How much stronger?"
"Enough to kill me."
I stared at him.
"Then why are you standing here?"
"Because the seer said the
