The Moon's Chosen

THE CONFESSION

I woke up to warmth.

And pain.

And Kael’s voice.

"Luna? Luna, can you hear me?"

I opened my eyes.

I was in the cabin. In his cot. Bandages on my chest. On my arms.

Kael was sitting next to me, holding my hand. He looked terrible. No sleep. Stubble. Eyes red.

"How long?" I croaked.

"Three days," he said quickly. "You’ve been out for three days."

Lyra was on the floor, asleep under a blanket.

"Is she okay?"

"She’s fine. Thanks to you."

I tried to sit up. Everything hurt.

"Easy." Kael helped me. Put pillows behind my back. "The healers in the next village said you should have died. The blast from the King should have killed you."

"But it didn’t."

"No. Because of the mark." He touched my wrist. The crescent was still there, but dimmer. Softer. "It’s protecting you."

I looked at him. "You didn’t leave."

"I said I wouldn’t."

We were quiet for a long time. Only the fire crackled.

"Kael?"

"Hmm?"

"What did the King mean? About me being his niece?"

Kael’s face went hard.

"I was going to tell you."

"When?"

"After we beat him."

"That’s not an answer."

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"Your mother was the Moon Chosen before you. My aunt. Her name was Selene."

"My mother?"

"Yes. She married a man from Ashvale and ran away from the Guardians. She didn’t want that life for you."

"So the King is..."

"Your uncle. My uncle too."

"And you didn’t tell me?"

"I was afraid you’d hate me."

I stared at him.

"Do you hate me?" he asked quietly.

"No."

"Good."

Lyra groaned and sat up. "Are you two done with the dramatic family reunion? Because I’m starving."

I laughed. It hurt, but I laughed.

That evening Kael made soup. He wouldn’t let me near the fire.

"Sit," he ordered. "You’re still healing."

"Yes, sir."

He rolled his eyes but he was smiling.

Lyra ate two bowls and passed out again.

When it was just us, Kael sat on the floor next to my cot.

"Luna. Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"When you took that hit for Lyra. Why?"

"Because she’s my family."

"And if it had been me?"

My heart stopped.

"What?"

"If the King had aimed at me. Would you have done the same?"

I didn’t answer.

Kael looked down at his hands.

"I thought so."

"Kael—"

"You don’t have to say it."

"Yes I do."

I reached out and took his hand.

"Yes. I would have."

He looked up. Surprised.

"Why?"

"Because you’re an i***t who thinks he has to protect everyone alone. Because you stayed when everyone else left. Because..."

"Because what?"

"Because I love you, you idiot."

The words hung in the air.

Kael went completely still.

"Luna. You don’t have to—"

"I know I don’t have to. I want to."

He stood up abruptly and walked to the window.

"Kael?"

"The prophecy," he said. His voice was rough. "`Save the world, or save the one she loves.`"

"I know."

"If I’m the one you love, and he makes you choose..."

"Then I choose you. And the world."

"That’s not how it works."

"Then we make it work."

He turned around. His eyes were glassy.

"You have no idea what you’re saying."

"Yes I do."

He crossed the room in two steps and knelt by my cot.

"Luna. I’m a Guardian. My job is to die for you if I have to."

"And my job is to live. With you."

"I’m not good at this. Feelings. Words."

"Then don’t use words."

I pulled him down.

Our foreheads touched.

His hand came up to my face. Gentle. Like I was made of glass.

"Luna," he whispered.

"Shut up and kiss me, Kael."

He did.

It wasn’t like in stories. It was soft. Careful.

Like he was afraid I’d break.

But then I kissed him back, and he made a sound in his throat and his arms came around me.

When we pulled back, we were both breathing hard.

"That was..." he started.

"Stupid?"

"Necessary."

We stayed like that. Him holding me. Me leaning on him.

"So," I said. "What now?"

"Now we rest. Tomorrow we find the King."

"And after?"

"After... we figure it out. Together."

Lyra snorted in her sleep.

Kael and I looked at each other and started laughing.

That night I slept.

Really slept.

For the first time since the mark appeared, I didn’t dream of monsters.

I dreamed of moonlight.

And of blue eyes.

---

I woke up to yelling.

And smoke.

Kael was already at the door.

"Get down," he said. "Now."

Outside the cabin was fire.

Dozens of Shadow Beasts.

And standing in front of them.

The Shadow King.

Healed. Angry.

"Time’s up, niece," he called. "Let’s finish this."

Kael handed me my dagger.

"You ready?"

I stood up. My legs were shaky but my wrist was glowing.

"No," I said. "But I’m doing it anyway."

We walked outside together.

The final battle started.