Page 120 of Moonlit Fate

“How do I embrace the darkness without losing myself to it?”

“By remembering who you are,” Mama answered gently. “You are a daughter of the moon, a child of balance. Your strength lies not in choosing between light and dark, but in wielding both to protect those you love and lead.”

I frowned. “I don’t think I’m cut out for this.”

“You are, and you must,” Mama insisted firmly. “For the sake of the pack, for the land, and for your own heart. Love is the most powerful magic of all. It can heal, it can protect, and it can bring light to the darkest of places.”

I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand. “I miss you, Mama.”

Her smile shone through the pale light. “I’m always with you, in the whisper of the wind, in the glow of the moon, in the courage of your heart.”

The words wrapped around me like a comforting embrace. I let out a breath and dared to ask the question that had been haunting me since my father’s death. “Do you know Father died?”

Mama’s expression changed, sorrow etching her ethereal features. She nodded once, a silent confirmation heavy with unspoken grief.

“Have you seen him?”

“Briefly. We were able to connect as he was passing through. He was heartbroken to leave you, dear one. The spirit world is mysterious, but I’m sure I will see him again someday.”

I swallowed hard, memories of my father’s last moments alive burning in my mind. “He said... he said to choose the heart’s path. What did he mean by that?”

Mama reached out, and though she couldn’t touch me, I felt the warmth of her intent. “I can’t speak for your father. But trust yourself. If you’ll allow yourself to see, you will understand the meaning behind his words.”

A lump formed in my throat.Trust myself.It seemed both the simplest and the hardest thing to do.

Mama’s outline blurred further, edges shimmering into nothing. I stretched my hand toward her, fingers trembling.

“I love you, Mama. Will I see you again?”

Her voice floated back, fainter now. “I love you too, sweet girl. Always. I hope I can return to you, but I can make no promises. Be careful and remain vigilant.”

The last warning hung in the air, then silence descended as her presence slipped away. I collapsed onto my bed, sobs racking my body and tears soaking my pillow.

I slept hard, my body drained from the intense run and seeing my mother. When I woke, warm, golden light spilled through the window.

I’d slept through the night and into a new morning, something that hadn’t been happening enough lately. I crawled out of bed and trudged to bathroom.

The warm water of the tub soothed my tense muscles. The scent of the wildflowers in the soap transported me to the clearing where I’d watched Seren working her magic with the spirits. Had the ritual she’d performed yesterday allowed my mom to visit? Was that why I could hear her and speak to her?

I extended out my own power that allowed me to control water. Focusing on the water around me, I harnessed threads of magic to send three spurts of water into the air. With a flick of my fingers, I shape the water into three tiny ducks that soared playfully around me. I changed them from ducks to fish to clouds. Empowered by this delicate use of magic, I got out of the tub and used the same magic to evaporate the moisture from my skin and hair.

There was a knock at the door to my room. “Aria? Aria, you in there?” Seren called.

“Won’t be long. I just have to get dressed.”

“Ilaric asked me to remind you about the meeting in the room off the library.”

Magic forgotten, I scrambled to pull some clothes on and made my way through the manor, knowing I was going to have to tell Seren, Eldan, and Ilaric the truth about how I was feeling. I needed everyone’s help to decipher the meaning of the seer’s cryptic riddles and my mother’s enigmatic advice.

The air felt thick, like wading through a river. I couldn’t pin it down, but something inside me churned restlessly.

Seren, Ilaric, and Eldan formed my council of trusted advisors. They were sitting at a small mahogany table, the chair at the head of the table empty and waiting for me. In the center, sat a small tray with four cups and a ceramic teapot, its fragrant steam curling into the air.

Seren wore a serious expression, her open book and a pen positioned in front of her, ready to document any information shared during the meeting. Eldan had the plate of biscuits and cakes in front of him, a cup of tea at his elbow. Ilaric sat back, his hands relaxed in front of him, his eyes following me as I paced the length of the chamber.

I stumbles over my words as I tried to explain.

“Ever since the ritual, there’s been this... this build-up,” I said, struggling to articulate the sensation that was all at once foreign and familiar. The others watched me with furrowed brows.

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