Alexander POV
The forest held its breath.
Words fell in the air like incense and Astrid took advantage of them--they were wordless words, words that burnt, words that were persistent and quiet. Plunged through the silence of Eliana that I could not penetrate.
“You’re more than just a Blood Moon,” Astrid had said. “And you don’t have to figure it out in the woods, alone, bleeding to death.”
Eliana’s eyes hadn’t left the ground since.
The silence between them was fragile, but not cold. Not anymore.
I stood still, resisting every urge to take her hand. Or speak. Or breathe too loud. She needed space. But not the kind you get by running—she needed the kind that let her decide whether to stay.
She didn’t say anything for a while.
Then, softly, almost to herself: “Just the night.”
My ch
