Shadow of the Moon

Chapter 21

Estella

The throne of Tenebris, a simple structure of polished oak with a deep purple cushion, stood in stark contrast to the opulent thrones of the stone keep buried in sand. It was a symbol of humility, a reminder that the rulers were not above their people, but rather a part of them, their power rooted in the land and its creatures.

The throne room itself was a far cry from the elaborate stone chambers of the sun-baked castle. Moonlight streamed through the arched windows, casting a warm glow on the woven tapestries that adorned the walls, depicting scenes of harmony between the Tenebrian fae and the creatures of the forest.

The air was filled with the scent of pine needles and damp earth, a comforting aroma that grounded me and reminded me of my connection to my home, my people.

"Absolutely not!" My voice, though firm and resolute, was muffled by the black snarling wolf mask that concealed the lower half of my face. I paced before the throne, my steps sharp and agitated, my hands gesturing emphatically. The silver lines of my tattoos covering my left arm glinted in the moonlight.

The mask, a constant reminder of the attack, a shield against the pitying glances and whispered comments, had become an extension of myself, a barrier between me and the world. It was a shield, a way to hide away from the pitying looks and whispers. It was a symbol to show that I was strong. That I was not broken.

"I am not a child anymore, Stell," Lynx insisted, her voice ringing sincerely. She stood a few paces away, her hands planted on her hips, her chin held high. Her flowing midnight hair and glowing silver eyes, so like Thallia's, sent a pang of grief through my heart. Both of with her arms were inked runes from her shoulders down to the back of her hands, the silver ink gleaming as she stood.

I sank onto the throne, my shoulders slumping with the weight of responsibility I now carried. My hands instinctively rose to cover the lower half of my face, my fingers tracing the mask that hid the jagged scar that marred my face, a constant reminder of the day I lost so much. The physical pain had long faded, but the emotional pain remained, a deep ache that mirrored the emptiness in my heart. A constant reminder to never open my heart again.

The moment my feet touched the soil of Tenebris after escaping the scorching sun, a surge of power coursed through my veins. It was a raw, primal energy, the legacy of my father, the inheritance that Cyrus had been destined to receive. But fate had other plans.

Now, the weight of that power, the mantle of leadership, rested upon my shoulders. I had never desired this responsibility, this burden. But with Astra and Cyrus gone, I was the last of my line, the sole heir to the throne. I cursed fate for making the gifts I bore the royal signifier.

I had rebelled when the council tried to crown me the hours after my family’s death, but my mother shielded me. Proteus too had helped where he could, using his strength to physically remove the pestering councilmen who wouldn’t take no for an answer.

My mother had held onto the crown with unwavering strength, guiding our people through the tumultuous aftermath of the attack, shielding me from the harsh realities of leadership while I healed from my physical and emotional wounds.

But the loss of her mate, my beloved father, after nearly five centuries of unwavering love, had taken its toll. I could see the grief etched into her face, the fading light in her eyes. Each day, she mother grew weaker, the weight of her sorrow a crushing burden.

I longed to ease her pain, to share the weight of her grief, but I knew that there were no words, no actions, that could truly mend her broken heart. All I could do was be there for her, to offer my support, my love, and my unwavering loyalty.

"I know you aren't a child, Lynx, I just..." My voice faltered, my hand clenching the arms of the throne with a strength that threatened to splinter the ancient wood. I searched for the right words, the words that would express my fear, my protectiveness, my deep-seated reluctance to let go of the last piece of my family. But the words wouldn't come.

Lynx, sensing my turmoil, knelt before me, her forehead resting gently against my hand. Her midnight hair cascaded around her shoulders, framing her face, her silver eyes shining with a mixture of determination and love.

"I know you worry," she whispered, her voice soft and reassuring. "But you need to trust me."

I closed my eyes, a tear escaping and tracing a path down my cheek. I felt the warmth of Lynx's forehead against my skin. "I do trust you, Lynx," I whispered back, my voice thick with emotion. "But I also fear for you. The shimmer is dangerous."

Lynx lifted her head, her eyes meeting mine with a resolute gaze. "I know," she said, her voice firm and resolute. "But I need to do this. For Mother. For our people." She paused, her expression hardening with determination. "Mother's magic is fading, Estella. The barrier she erected at the border... it's weakening. I need to understand how she created it, how to strengthen it, before it's too late."

My heart ached with a mixture of pride and fear. I knew I couldn't stop Lynx. With Thallia gone, she was the only one who could strengthen the magic that rendered the brambles at the border impenetrable. The responsibility, the danger, weighed heavily on my heart.

"Fine," I conceded, my voice softening. I squeezed Lynx's hand, my grip a mixture of reassurance and desperation. "But I'm going with you." I couldn't bear the thought of her facing the dangers of the shimmer alone, not after what had happened to Astra. The guilt of not being there to protect my twin still gnawed at me, a constant ache in my heart.

"I just need a few days to prepare," I added, my gaze drifting towards the window, towards the distant horizon that marked the boundary between our two worlds. I hadn't been back to the shimmer since that fateful night, the memory a raw wound in my heart.

I had entrusted the protection of our borders to Proteus and his guards, but a nagging guilt lingered in the back of my mind. Was I shirking my responsibilities as Queen? Was I hiding from the pain, from the reality of the war that threatened to engulf our world?

I should be the one running patrols and guarding our people, but I was failing. I haven’t even been able to shift into the Haccu and run with the other riders like A-pa had. I was unable to bear the weight of that pain.

Lynx, sensing my turmoil, squeezed my hand in return. "Thank you, Estella," she whispered, her eyes shining with gratitude. "It means a lot to me."

I managed a small nod, a lump forming in my throat. I would face my fears, confront the ghosts of the past, if it meant protecting my sister, if it meant keeping the fragile peace we created alive.