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Chapter 14
In the pitch–black of night, Thorne lay upon the cold floor of Selene’s room. Drifting into an uneasy haze, he felt as though he glimpsed her presence again.
In the pale domain, Selene watched silently as Thorne’s image flickered in the mirror–lake of stardust before her.
“Do you wish to return, to see him one last time?” the gentle voice of the Moon Goddess whispered.
Hesitating briefly, Selene’s spirit took form beside Thorne. Almost immediately, he stirred, sensing something intangible in the air.
“Selene, is that you? Have you returned?”
She gave no reply. Even if she spoke now, Thorne would not hear.
She watched him, perplexed by his anguish. She had anticipated that after her sacrifice, Thorne would at most feel momentarily lost With Marina by his side, she believed he would quickly forget and move on. Yet, during these past days, he had scarcely appeared beside Marina.
The Moon Goddess softly spoke again, “Selene, the bond between you and Thorne has reached completion. If you choose to appear now, you will fulfill your final vow. Do you still wish to change your destiny?”
In the consuming darkness, Thorne whispered brokenly, “I regret it… I truly regret it. Please come back to me.”
Only silence answered him.
Finally, Selene spoke, her voice resolute, “Change it.”
She could never trust Thorne again. The wounds he inflicted, the pain lingering deep within her soul, would never fade. Thorne right to forgiveness.
that a
had no
A flash of silver enveloped her. Selene understood that a new life awaited her, and she closed her eyes without hesitation or regret. When morning broke, Thorne rose with hollow eyes. Theo sat in the hall, eyes red from crying. “Has mother returned yet?”
espite his precocity, he was still merely seven years old. His indifference had turned first into anger, then sorrow. Choking back sobs, he asked, “Does mother not want me, or you anymore?
Thorne felt a sharp, twisting pain in his chest. He whispered hoarsely, “She will return.” But the words lacked conviction, fragile as autumn leaves.
At the Healing Spire, Thorne instinctively returned to the Silver Slumber Hall–his last desperate anchor to Selene’s presence. However, upon entering, he found it empty.
He spun, wild–eyed, grabbing a startled attendant. “Where is she? Where did you take Selene?”
Shaken, the young attendant stammered, “Her… her body was claimed by kin earlier this morning. They said it was to be taken for final rites. They’ve just left.”
Thorne, seized by panic, sprinted outside. Marina reached out to stop him, but he brushed past her roughly, causing her to fall to the floor.
“Thorne!” Marina cried out, tears streaking her face.
Thorne hesitated, looking back at Marina sprawled painfully upon the ground, anguish clear in her eyes. “Thorne, what is wrong?” Marina sobbed.
After a long, tormented pause, he turned away and left her behind.
Reaching the tower’s gate, Thorne found Lydia supervising ceremonial keepers as they loaded Selene’s body onto a carriage bound for the sacred grounds.
In a sudden burst of desperation, Thorne rushed forward, violently pushing everyone aside #
to touch her?“!
Chapter 14
her alone! Who gave you the right
Lydia glared at him fiercely, her voice raw with emotion. “Selene is gone. Haven’t you caused her enough torment?”
Thorne visibly shuddered, shaking his head fiercely. “No, she isn’t gone. She will return.”
He clung desperately to the belief that if her body remained intact, perhaps by some miracle, Selene would return.
Lydia struck him hard across the face, her voice trembling with rage. “How dare you say such things! Isn’t Selene lying here precisely because of you? What act are you putting on now?”
Chapter 14
