Chapter 26: Shadows After the Storm
Luna’s body still ached from the trial. Though the Crimson Veil had lifted, its lingering magic clung to her skin like smoke. The forest had returned to its natural state—dark, silent, and unmoving. But she could still feel the pulse of something ancient in the air, as if the world itself was waiting for what came next.
Dante hadn’t let go of her since he found her collapsed beneath the moon’s light. His arms were strong and grounding, but even his warmth couldn’t steady the chaos in her chest.
“I felt her,” she whispered against his shoulder, still trembling. “She was me… but also not me. She knew everything—my fears, my doubts, my dreams. And she didn’t hold back.”
“You survived her,” Dante murmured, brushing his fingers through her tangled hair. “
