Chapter 31 – The Oath Beneath the Moon
The night spread itself across Moonshadow Ridge like a velvet cloak, thick and alive with whispers only the mountains seemed to understand. The pines swayed in slow rhythm, as though bowing to the moon, and the silver light spilled down the ridges and valleys in broken patches. Damian stood at the edge of the cliff, his dark cloak billowing, his eyes fixed on the glowing line of stars that curved above them. He looked like a figure carved out of the night itself—silent, watchful, dangerous.
Behind him, Lila sat on a fallen log, rubbing her palms together for warmth. Her body was weary from the day’s flight. Her mind, however, churned too fast for her to surrender to rest. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the Council’s sigils burning, heard th
