Selene POV
The last words of the night before still echoed in my bones as the hours moved forward, as though the moon itself had pressed them into my spirit and refused to let them fade.
Balance had been restored.
But balance never remained still.
Whatever stirred beyond our borders had not yet crossed, but it watched, listened, and waited. I could feel that truth lingering beneath every breath I took as morning melted fully into day, and then slowly into evening again.
Yet life, stubborn and beautiful, continued.
I was seated with Elara, Flora, and Daisy in one of the sunlit sitting rooms overlooking the eastern gardens when laughter finally broke the weight pressing against my chest. It felt good, necessary even, to sit among them without prophecy or warning hovering between us.
"You will not believe how nervous Daisy was," Flora said, grinning as she nudged her with her elbow.
"I was not nervous," Daisy protested immediately. "I was excited. There is a difference."
