The Last Howl: Awakening Of The Chosen Luna

The Arrival

Brass bells rang across the capital. The noise pierced the glass windows of Aurelia's bedroom and signaled the arrival of the Valdorian army. Four maids surrounded Aurelia to pin the layers of white silk against her ribs.

Aurelia stared at her own reflection in the bronze mirror and kept her face blank. She let the palace believe she was broken. She wanted her father to think his threats had snapped her defiance into obedience.

"Turn slightly to the left, Princess," a maid instructed.

Aurelia shifted her weight. She felt the thick fabric settle over her hips.

"The entire city is celebrating," Lyra said as she adjusted the veil. "The bakers on High Street are handing out free bread to the soldiers. The taverns are giving away wine."

"They are celebrating an alliance," Aurelia replied. "They do not care about the bride. The people only care that the shifters will not cross the river."

Lyra dismissed the other maids with a wave of her hand. Once the wooden door clicked shut, Lyra stepped closer to the vanity and leaned against the wood.

"You are too quiet today," Lyra whispered. "You did not fight the King last night. You let the tailors measure you without a single complaint."

"Fighting him in the Grand Hall changes nothing," Aurelia said. "He holds the power. I have no authority to challenge him."

"You must go down to the courtyard," Lyra said. "Prince Cassian has crossed the main bridge. The King demands your presence for the formal greeting."

"Then we should not keep my betrothed waiting," Aurelia said.

Aurelia walked down the marble steps of the citadel with Lyra trailing behind her. The courtyard was packed with soldiers and nobles. Lady Rosalind and a dozen other court women leaned over the stone balconies. They pointed and giggled as the Valdorian army entered the gates.

Prince Cassian rode at the front of the column. He dismounted his warhorse and handed the reins to a squire. Cassian possessed a broad chest and a sharp jawline. Earth magic radiated from him in visible waves of power that made the courtyard dust swirl around his boots. The women on the balconies sighed in admiration.

King Leopold and Crown Prince Edric stepped forward to greet him. Cassian offered a formal bow to the crown.

"Welcome to the capital," King Leopold said. "Your troops bring much needed relief to our borders. We have prepared the northern barracks for your men."

"Valdor honors its alliances," Cassian replied. His voice was smooth and commanding. "My earth mages are ready to crush the Grayfang wolves. But I confess my true eagerness was to meet my future Queen."

Cassian turned his attention to Aurelia. He walked toward her with a warm smile that reached his eyes. He looked like the hero from the old songs.

He took her hand and pressed his lips gently against her knuckles.

"You are even more beautiful than the portraits," Cassian said loud enough for the nobles to hear. "I am a fortunate man. The bards in my kingdom will sing of this day."

"You flatter me, Prince Cassian," Aurelia replied.

The court murmured their collective approval. King Leopold turned away to discuss quartering arrangements with the Valdorian generals. The surrounding lords shifted their attention to the soldiers.

The moment the King looked away, Cassian dropped his smile. His fingers tightened around Aurelia's hand like a steel vise. The bones in her knuckles ground together. She bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself from gasping.

Cassian leaned closer. He kept his posture relaxed for anyone watching from afar.

"You should be grateful, Princess," Cassian whispered in her ear. "No other man would take a defective bride. You will learn to serve me in Valdor."

He released her hand. The charming smile returned to his face as Edric walked back over to them.

"I trust the journey was favorable?" Edric asked.

"The roads were clear," Cassian answered. He offered Aurelia one last polite nod. "I look forward to tonight. We have much to discuss."

Aurelia rubbed her aching hand. The cruelty in his eyes matched every horrific rumor she had ever heard. She knew exactly what awaited her in Valdor.

The court dissolved into preparation for the evening feast. Aurelia used the distraction to slip away. She guided Lyra through the library and down a narrow staircase into the abandoned western wing.

They stopped in front of a cedar door. Aurelia pushed it open. Dust coated the floorboards and the draped furniture inside her late mother's bedchamber. The King never allowed anyone to clean it.

"We should not be here," Lyra said. "If the King finds you hiding before the feast, he will punish us both."

"I am not hiding," Aurelia said. "I needed to retrieve something."

Aurelia walked past the decaying bed frame and knelt by the wooden wardrobe. She pressed her fingers against the floorboards until she found the loose plank. She pried the wood up and pulled out an iron box.

"What is that?" Lyra asked.

"My mother gave this to me the day before she died," Aurelia explained. "She told me to leave it here until I truly needed it. She said it would protect me when the crown failed me."

Aurelia opened the lid. A silver pendant rested on a bed of velvet. The metal was tarnished. Strange geometric lines intersected across its surface. She lifted the chain and fastened it around her neck. The cold metal settled against her collarbone.

"It bears no royal crest," Lyra observed.

"It belongs to her bloodline," Aurelia said. "It is the only piece of love I have left in this kingdom."

Aurelia stood up and brushed the dust from her skirt. She turned to face her handmaid.

"I need you to go back to my chambers," Aurelia said. "Lock the door from the inside. Tell anyone who knocks that I am praying and require silence."

Lyra frowned and shook her head.

"I do not understand," Lyra said. "You need to dress for the feast. The tailor is bringing the final alterations for your gown."

"I am not going to the feast," Aurelia said.

Lyra stared at her. The color drained from the maid's face.

"Princess," Lyra stammered. "You cannot be serious. Prince Cassian is waiting. The King will have my head if you do not appear at the high table."

"Cassian is a monster," Aurelia replied. "He just threatened me in the courtyard while my father looked the other way. I will not let them sell me to a tyrant just because my veins are empty."

"What are you going to do?" Lyra asked. Her voice trembled.

"I am leaving," Aurelia said. "I know the guard rotations at the eastern gate. The kitchen cellars connect to the old drainage tunnels. The mages never placed wards down there. I can reach the edge of the Mistveil Forest before they even realize I am missing."

Aurelia stepped closer and took Lyra's hands. She squeezed them to offer comfort.

"I packed a bag two days ago," Aurelia continued. "It is hidden behind the wine casks. I will slip out during the eighth bell while the guards are changing shifts. You just need to buy me one hour of silence."

Lyra looked at the open door and then back to Aurelia. Her eyes were wide with terror.

"You are going to run away into the woods?" Lyra whispered. "The shifters will tear you apart."

"I would rather face the wolves than share a bed with Cassian," Aurelia said. "I am taking my life back."

Lyra slowly pulled her hands away from Aurelia's grip. She took a step backward and shook her head again.

"Aurelia," Lyra said softly. "In this palace, that is impossible."