Celeste inhaled sharply, then blinked rapidly as she looked away, tears welling up again. I growled despite my best intentions to keep myself calm and wrapped my arms around her more tightly, pulling her closer against my torso. “I will not allow my enemy to use my khuya against me, Celeste. We will simply change plans and forgo the ritual at the eclipse entirely.”
Celeste reeled backwards, her eyes wide as she looked me up and down. “You can’t do that!” she exclaimed. “You’ve been waiting for the eclipse for centuries. And I won’t be around for the next one if we don’t break your curse now.”
Despite myself, I found one corner of my mouth tipping upward. “I have been waiting for you, my dear,” I said gently. “Everything comes second to that—even lifting the curse. I am willing to give up
