Luna woke with a gasp.
Her heart was racing.
Her sheets were tangled around her legs.
Her breath came fast — uneven — like she'd been running through fire.
"…That wasn't a dream," she whispered.
The silver eyes were still burned into her mind.
The voice still echoed in her ears.
Choose yourself.
She pressed a hand to her chest.
"…I don't even know who myself is anymore."
The room was dim, lit only by moonlight slipping through the tall windows.
She turned her head.
Kael wasn't there.
Her chest tightened.
Of course he's gone. Broody men disappear like that.
She swung her legs over the bed and stood, her body heavy with exhaustion but her mind burning with questions.
The hallway outside her chamber was quiet.
Too quiet.
She walked slowly, barefoot against cold stone, following the faint pull she felt in her chest — the curse's whisper, or maybe something else.
This place feels… wrong tonight.
A chill ran down her spine.
"Kael?" she called softly.
No answer.
Her stomach twisted.
"…Don't do this to me."
She moved faster now, heart pounding as she reached the corridor overlooking the inner courtyard.
The moonlight bathed the stone in silver.
And there —
Kael stood alone.
His back to her.
Shadows coiled at his feet like living smoke.
Her breath caught.
"Kael," she whispered.
He didn't turn.
She stepped closer.
"…You okay?"
Silence.
She swallowed.
"…Kael?"
Slowly, he turned.
His eyes were dark.
Too dark.
Not angry.
Not cold.
Empty.
Her heart stopped.
"…That's not funny."
"I'm not trying to be," he replied quietly.
Her stomach dropped.
"That voice…" she whispered. "That's not yours."
His lips curved faintly.
"Isn't it?"
Her breath shook.
"No," she said. "It's wrong."
He stepped toward her.
She stepped back.
"Luna," he said softly. "You're tired."
Her chest tightened.
"…Stop saying that."
"You're hurting."
"…Stop."
"You're scared."
Her eyes burned.
"…Stop."
"You're breaking."
"STOP."
The shadows around him moved.
Her hands trembled.
"…Who are you?"
He looked at her.
And for just a moment…
She saw silver.
Her heart shattered.
"…You."
The figure smiled.
"Me."
Tears streamed down her face.
"Get out of him," she whispered.
"I can't," he replied calmly. "I'm not in him."
"…Then what are you?"
"I'm what he becomes if you leave."
Her breath hitched.
"…That's a lie."
"Is it?"
He stepped closer.
"Without you, he collapses."
"No," she shook her head. "He's strong."
"He's strong because of you."
Her knees weakened.
"…That's not fair."
"Nothing about this is fair," he said gently. "But it is true."
Her chest hurt.
"…Why are you doing this?"
"Because you're at a crossroads," he replied. "And I want to see which path you choose."
Her voice trembled.
"…What paths?"
"One leads to sacrifice," he said. "One leads to survival."
"And Kael?" she asked.
"One leads to him," he said softly. "One leads away from him."
Tears blurred her vision.
"…You're cruel."
"I'm honest."
She clenched her fists.
"…You said I should choose myself."
"Yes."
"…What if choosing myself means choosing him?"
The figure paused.
For the first time — truly paused.
"…Then you are stronger than I thought."
Silence stretched between them.
"…What do you want from me?" she whispered.
"I want to see you fall," he said calmly. "Or rise. Either way… I'll be there."
She swallowed.
"…You're not human."
"No."
"…You're not kind."
"No."
"…Then why do I feel like you understand me?"
He looked at her for a long moment.
"Because I was once like you."
Her breath caught.
"…What happened?"
"I chose power over love."
Her heart clenched
.
"…Did it make you happy?"
"No."
"…Did it save the world?"
"Yes."
Silence.
Her chest ached.
"…Then what was the cost?"
"Everything," he whispered
.
Her breath shook.
"…Then why would you want that for me?"
"I don't," he said softly. "I want you to choose differently."
Her eyes widened.
"…Then why are you tormenting me?"
"Because I need to know," he replied, "if love is truly stronger than fate."
Her heart pounded.
"…And if it isn't?"
"Then the world ends."
Silence crushed her.
"…That's not pressure at all."
He almost smiled.
Suddenly —
Kael's real voice cut through the air.
"Luna!"
She spun around.
Kael was running toward her, fear written across his face.
The silver-eyed figure vanished.
Gone.
Like smoke.
Kael reached her and grabbed her shoulders.
"Are you hurt?"
She shook her head, tears still falling.
"…He was here."
Kael's jaw tightened.
"The stranger."
"Yes."
"What did he do?"
She swallowed.
"…He asked me to choose."
Kael's hands tightened.
"Choose what?"
She met his eyes.
"…Between you… and myself."
Silence fell.
Kael's breath caught.
"…And what did you choose?"
She didn't answer.
Not because she didn't know.
But because she was afraid of the truth.
Far away, silver eyes watched the moon — and whispered her name like a promise.