Chapter 22: Marking Ritual
(Charlotte's POV)
“Gabriel,” Crystal’s voice was soft. “Mark me now…”
The words carried through the peaceful silence of the healing gardens, breaking the calm like a stone shattering a still pond. My chest tightened, but not out of pain. Not anymore. What followed was the strangest sensation—emptiness where pain would have been just weeks ago.
Cora stirred, but only faintly. There was no anguish this time, only an odd sense of detachment.
I followed the sound of her voice, moving quietly between the paths. The moonlight guided my steps through the sacred herbs and flowers. My heart didn’t race as I imagined it might. It simply… existed.
Then I saw them.
Crystal stood beneath a canopy of ancient moon flowers, glowing softly in her traditional white s
