Page 21 of Treasured

My eyes bulged. This was the Void? The area we traveled through, moving rapidly from one place to another? The one where voices spoke to Luna? Suddenly, those made a lot more sense. If I was here, in this place, maybe people were trapped in the Void. Or souls? But how did they get there? More importantly, what did they want with my wife?

There were no voices here today. There was nothing except the moonlight radiating from Isvana and the bed I was on.

I curled my fingers into fists, staring at the goddess. “Why am I here?”

She stepped forward, and the raven on her shoulder eyed me carefully. “Your Maker is calling you.”

My heart made a concerted effort to escape my chest. Was Queen Marguerite in the Void? My lungs tightened, and fear froze me. If she was here, Luna was in grave danger. I needed to get out of here. I couldn’t waste time talking to Isvana. Luna needed my protection, my shadows, my presence so I could—

“Be calm, son of the moon.” Isvana’s hand landed on my forehead. Instantly, calm, soothing peace ran through me. My blood chilled, returning to its normal temperature, and my heart slowed.

“You misunderstood me, child of my blood,” Isvana said softly. “Yes, the Black Rose, also known as the Queen of Shadows, is calling you, but she is not here.”

I exhaled, my shoulders loosening. “So why am I here?”

Worry flickered over Isvana’s face. “You are in danger,” she said quietly. “Your bond to your Maker is going to destroy you.”

“I can’t let that happen,” I said. “Luna needs me.”

The goddess nodded. “She does. You are a pair. Not only are you Bound and Tethered, but the hands of fate brought you together.”

“What do I have to do?”

“You must free yourself from the queen. Untie the bond linking you together.”

My mind emptied. I’d never heard of anyone breaking that bond. I didn’t even know it could be done.

“How can I do that?” I asked.

Isvana canted her head. “There is a key.”

It sounded so simple, but I knew better. “Where is it?” I asked warily.

The goddess of the moon raised a brow. “My Chosen Ones know,” she said cryptically. “They will be able to guide you in the right direction.”

That was about as unhelpful as I expected. I barely held in a groan. “How will I know what it looks like?”

Her lips tilted up, and her radiant light shone brighter. “You will know, Sebastian. Fate has woven this task into your life. You must follow the path of light.”

“I will do that,” I assured her.

Luna was the path of light. She was the brightness in my life, having pulled me from the darkness. From the moment we’d met, she banished the night in my soul.

“That is not all.” Isvana’s voice deepened, echoing with ancient power. “When the land is dying, the red moon will rise. On that night, light and dark come to a head. Two paths collide, but only one will survive.”

I narrowed my eyes. Fate? I said, “I don’t believe in fate.”

Isvana tilted her head. “And yet, you believe in gods?”

“I… tolerate gods.” It seemed they were an inevitable part of my life.

“I see. Whether or not you believe in fate, Prince of Darkness, it exists. The darkness is no longer coming. It has arrived.” Golden ribbons mixed with the moonlight, and both swirled around Isvana. “Find the key. Break the bonds. Free Eleyta from the Wearer of the Blood Ruby.”

Isvana disintegrated into darkness, taking the moonlight with her. Just before disappearing, she shouted, “You must follow the path of light, or all will be lost.”

He Was My Future

LUNA

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