Bound by the Moon
1273 Words
Not a soul moved.
The silence that settled over the Grand Sanctuary felt unnatural, as though even the Goddess herself had paused to watch what would happen next. Then the whispers began.
"Did she say... Ravenshade?"
"The traitor's daughter?"
"This can't be right."
"The Moon Goddess has made a mistake."
No one spoke above a whisper. No one dared.At the center of the sanctuary, Rowan stood as still as carved obsidian. His eyes never left Serena. It had to be another family. Another Ravenshade. There had to be.The woman who had knelt in the marketplace, rescuing scattered lilies while everyone else walked past... she couldn't be the daughter of the man who had destroyed his life. His mind rejected it. Nine years of hatred crashed against a single image of kindness. Neither fit. Neither made sense.
No.
This wasn't possible. He looked at her again. She wasn't smiling now. The warmth she'd carried in the marketplace had vanished, replaced by uncertainty. She seemed just as surprised as everyone else. For one dangerous heartbeat, Rowan wondered...
Does she even know who I am?
The thought disgusted him. It didn't matter. A Ravenshade was still a Ravenshade.
High Priestess Selene raised her staff once more.
"The Moon has spoken."
Her voice cut cleanly through the murmurs.
"Step forward."
Neither of them moved. The silence stretched. Then Rowan took the first step. His boots echoed across the marble floor. Serena hesitated only a moment before walking toward him. Every eye in the sanctuary followed them. When they finally stood opposite one another, they were close enough to hear each other's breathing. This was the first time Serena truly saw him. The stories hadn't exaggerated. Rowan Draven carried himself like a king born for war. Broad shoulders. Jet-black hair. A face so composed it was impossible to read. But it was his eyes that unsettled her. Silver. Sharp. Cold enough to make her forget how to breathe.
He wasn't looking at her as a man looks at his destined mate. He looked at her as though she were a puzzle he wanted to solve. Or a sentence he intended to carry out. She lowered her gaze instinctively.
Selene spoke again.
"Do you, Alpha Rowan Draven, accept the bond bestowed by the Moon Goddess?"
The question echoed through the sanctuary.
Every Alpha waited. Every noble watched. To refuse the Moon's decree was unthinkable. Rowan answered without hesitation.
"I do."
The words were calm. Controlled. Almost respectful. A wave of relieved murmurs swept through the crowd. The High Priestess smiled faintly before turning to Serena.
"And do you, Lady Serena Ravenshade, accept the bond bestowed upon you?"
Serena drew a slow breath.
"I do."
"Then let all kingdoms bear witness."
Selene struck the base of her staff against the marble. A pulse of silver light spread across the sanctuary. Moonlight wrapped around Rowan's wrist. Another circled Serena's. The two streams intertwined before fading beneath their skin like threads woven into flesh.
A bond older than memory.
A promise no king had ever broken.
The ceremony ended in thunderous applause.
At least...
That was what it sounded like. To Rowan, it was only noise. His gaze drifted to Serena one last time. She thanked the High Priestess with quiet grace before stepping back. She looked relieved. She shouldn't have been. The celebration began before the ceremony had truly ended. Musicians filled the outer courtyards. Wine flowed. Nobles congratulated one another as if fate had favoured everyone equally. Rowan endured it all. He accepted handshakes. Nodded at blessings. Answered questions with practiced restraint. Not once did he allow the fury inside him to reach his face.
Rhys walked beside him through the endless sea of guests.
"You've been quiet."
"I usually am."
"This is quieter."
Rowan said nothing.Rhys studied him for a moment.
"You don't believe this bond."
"No."
"You think someone interfered?"
"I know someone did."
Rhys frowned.
"The Goddess herself?"
Rowan's jaw tightened.
"I don't know."
That answer troubled Rhys more than any other. Because Rowan never admitted uncertainty. Across the courtyard, Serena stood with Lyra beneath a stone balcony overlooking the gardens.
"You've hardly touched your food," Lyra whispered.
"I'm not hungry."
"You look frightened."
Serena managed a faint smile.
"I've just become the mate of the most feared Alpha alive."
"When you say it like that..."
"It sounds worse."
Lyra glanced toward Rowan.
"He hasn't looked at you once."
Serena looked anyway.
He stood surrounded by nobles.Listening. Answering politely. Every inch the composed ruler people admired.
Perhaps..She had imagined the hatred in his eyes. Perhaps grief simply made him guarded.
Perhaps—
"Lady Serena."
A temple servant bowed.
"Your mate requests your presence."
Her heart skipped.
"So soon?"
"I'm afraid so."
The corridors beyond the sanctuary were silent. The sounds of celebration faded with every step. The servant stopped before an oak door.
"My lord is inside."
He bowed and left. Serena stared at the door for a long moment before pushing it open. The chamber beyond was lit by a single fireplace. Rowan stood beside the window with his back to her. He didn't turn. The door clicked shut. Silence settled between them.
Serena clasped her hands together.
"I know today wasn't easy."
No answer.
"I never expected—"
"Do you know..."
His voice was calm.
"...who I am?"
She blinked.
"You're Rowan Draven."
"My father was Alpha King Aldric."
She nodded.
"I know."
"My mother was Queen Elara."
His voice remained unnervingly steady.
"My younger brother was six years old."
Serena's smile disappeared.
"They died nine years ago."
"I know."
"And do you know who everyone believes killed them?"
She swallowed.
"My father."
At last, Rowan turned.
The warmth he had worn throughout the ceremony was gone. His eyes held nothing. Not rage. Not sorrow. Something colder. Something carefully preserved for years. He crossed the room slowly. Each step measured. Each one stealing another breath from her lungs.
"You helped an old woman today."
Serena frowned.
"Yes."
"You smiled."
She didn't understand.
"Yes."
"You saved flowers."
"I don't see what that has to do with—"
"It doesn't."
He stopped only a step away.
"It simply makes this..."
His voice dropped almost to a whisper.
"...disappointing."
A chill raced down Serena's spine.
"I don't understand."
"I know."
His expression never changed.
"When I first saw you..."
He paused.
"I thought fate had finally decided to be kind."
She stared at him.
"But fate has always preferred cruelty."
The room suddenly felt much smaller.
"You are Dorian Ravenshade's daughter."
"I am."
"Good."
The single word landed like a stone.
"It saves me the trouble of asking."
Serena took an unconscious step backward until the edge of a table met her spine.
"I had nothing to do with what happened nine years ago."
"I don't care."
"You don't even know me."
"No."
He held her gaze.
"And I have no intention of changing that."
Silence.
For the first time in years, Rowan allowed himself to imagine revenge. Not swift. Not bloody. Endless. If Dorian Ravenshade had stolen his family... Then fate had just delivered Dorian's daughter into his hands. A slow punishment would hurt far more than death. He moved past her toward the door. His hand rested on the handle.Without looking back, he spoke.
"For nine years..."
"I dreamed of killing your father."
A long pause.
"But now..."
He finally looked over his shoulder.
"I've been given something better."
Serena couldn't speak.
"I won't kill you."
Another pause.
"I'll make you wish I had."
He opened the door. Walked out. And left Serena standing alone in a room that suddenly felt like a prison.
- Writer
