CHAPTER 5: THE SECRET ROWAN HIDE
709 Words
Selena couldn't sleep.
Rowan's words kept replaying in her mind.
"I loved you long before you knew my name."
She sat by the window of her chamber in the Moonborn Sanctuary, staring at the silver moon hanging above the mountains.
How could someone wait centuries for another person?
How could Rowan love her before she even existed?
And why did hearing those words make her heart beat so wildly?
A soft knock came at the door.
"Come in," Selena said.
Cassian entered slowly, carrying an old wooden box covered in silver carvings.
"There is something you should see, My Queen."
Selena immediately shook her head.
"Please don't call me that."
Cassian smiled.
"You may reject the title, but the truth remains."
He placed the box on the table and carefully opened it.
Inside lay dozens of letters.
Some were worn with age.
Others looked surprisingly new.
Selena picked one up.
The handwriting was elegant.
She unfolded it.
Today marks another year without you.
I still search every kingdom, every pack, every forgotten ruin.
The Moon Goddess promised I would find you someday.
Until then, I wait.
"Rowan."
Selena looked up, stunned.
"There are more," Cassian said softly.
She opened another.
The world believes the Moonborn bloodline is extinct.
But I refuse to believe you are gone.
If I must wait a thousand years, I will.»
Selena's fingers trembled.
"These letters..."
Cassian nodded.
"He wrote one every year."
"For centuries."
Selena couldn't speak.
A strange ache formed in her chest.
Not sadness.
Something deeper.
Because for eighteen years...
She had believed no one wanted her.
Yet somewhere in the world...
Someone had been waiting for her all along.
Meanwhile "Rowan stood alone near the waterfall.
His expression was troubled.
Cassian approached quietly.
"You should tell her."
Rowan didn't turn.
"Not yet."
"She deserves to know."
Pain flickered in Rowan's silver eyes.
"And if she hates me?"
Cassian sighed.
"She won't."
But Rowan wasn't convinced.
Because there was one truth he had hidden from Selena.
A truth that could destroy everything between them.
The next morning...
Selena found Rowan training alone.
His sword sliced through the air with impossible speed.
Silver energy surrounded him.
Powerful.
Elegant.
Deadly.
He stopped the moment he sensed her.
"You should be resting."
Selena crossed her arms.
"You hid things from me."
Rowan remained silent.
"I read your letters."
His eyes widened slightly.
"Cassian showed you?"
"Why did you wait for me for so long?"
Rowan looked away.
"Because I had no choice."
Selena frowned.
"What does that mean?"
For a moment, he said nothing.
Then "Because I failed your mother."
Selena froze.
Rowan's voice became quieter.
"The night your kingdom fell..."
"I was late."
The pain in his eyes was unmistakable.
"I promised Queen Elena I would protect you."
"But I couldn't save her."
Selena stared at him.
"You blame yourself."
"Every single day."
The guilt in his voice broke her heart.
For centuries...
He had carried that burden alone.
Without thinking, Selena stepped closer.
"It wasn't your fault."
Rowan slowly looked at her.
"You don't know what happened."
"Then tell me."
His expression darkened.
"I will."
"But not today."
Before Selena could protest "A loud horn echoed throughout the Sanctuary.
Cassian rushed toward them.
His face was pale.
"Enemies!"
Rowan's aura instantly changed.
"Where?"
"The northern gate."
Without hesitation, Rowan grabbed Selena's hand.
"Stay behind me."
They rushed toward the walls.
And what Selena saw made her blood run cold.
Thousands.
An army of thousands surrounded the Sanctuary.
Dark banners waved in the wind.
Black armored wolves.
And at the front "A man sat atop a massive beast.
His crimson eyes locked onto Selena instantly.
And he smiled.
A cruel smile.
"Little Princess," he called.
"It's been a long time."
Selena's chest tightened.
"Malakar..."
The man slowly rose.
Dark energy exploded around him.
"I killed your parents."
His voice thundered across the battlefield.
"And now..."
"I've come to finish what I started."
Rage surged through Selena.
Her silver markings blazed.
But Rowan stepped in front of her.
His eyes glowed fiercely.
"You will not touch her."
Malakar laughed.
"Then let's see if you can protect her this time."
The sky darkened.
Lightning flashed.
And the war for the Moonborn Kingdom...
Was about to begin.
- Writer
