Page 50 of Of Shadow and Moon

“Like...horse sized,” she says with the gravity of a scholar defending her dissertation.

“Okay, but are the tiny horses, like, angry? Or are they just normal tiny happy horses?”

“Oh, they’re furious,” she says, eyes wide. “Like, you stole their tiny hay or something.”

I hum thoughtfully, swaying slightly as I consider my options. “I think I’d take the duck,” I decide, nodding sagely. “Because...one big target. Plus, I could climb on its back and steer it like a really weird horse.” Even drunk, my battle strategy is spot fucking on.

Nasarea looks at me like I’ve just revealed the secrets of the universe. “Selestina. That’s genius. You’d be the duck queen.”

“ALL HAIL THE DUCK QUEEN,” I proclaim, saluting with my middle finger. My voice carries through the trees, and Nasarea doubles over, laughing so hard she nearly drags us both to the ground.

As we trudge onward, the laughter fades into a comfortable buzz, replaced by the soft crunch of leaves underfoot and the distant hum of water sprites and Alebrijes playing. The path back to the dorms is quiet, the kind of quiet that feels...wrong. My senses prickle, a warning whispering at the edges of my awareness. I pause, turning to scan the shadows behind us.

“What’s up?” Nasarea slurs, leaning heavily against me.

“I feel like...” I shake my head, trying to clear the fog. “Like we’re being watched.”

Nasarea’s expression morphs into exaggerated panic. “Oh no. It’s probably the angry tiny horses. They’ve come for revenge.”

“Be serious,” I snap, though her comment sends a fresh wave of giggles through me. I glance around again, my eyes combing the tree line. Nothing moves. No shadows shift. And yet...the feeling remains. Eyes watching. Waiting.

I shake it off, blaming the alcohol. “It’s nothing,” I mutter, starting forward again. “Just my imagination.”

Nasarea hooks her arm through mine, her giggles bubbling up once more. “Maybe it’s the princes. They’re probably following us, being all broody and mysterious. ‘Oh no, Selestina might be dancing with a peasant boy! How scandalous!’”

I roll my eyes but can’t help laughing. “They wish. They’re too busy glaring at each other to glare at me.” I half lie. Clearly these staring contests that I keep having with them are getting noticed by others, if Nasarea, even in her drunken state can see right through it.

We fall into another fit of laughter, our steps uneven as we navigate the final stretch to the dorms. The building comes into view, its warm light spilling onto the path like a beacon. Relief washes over me; the idea of collapsing into bed is almost as appealing as a giant duck mount. Almost.

“You’re a cool bitch, you know that?” Nasarea asks as we stumble up the steps. “Like, I think I shall keep you as my best friend.”

“I think...” I fumble with the door handle, finally shoving it open. “I think that I totally agree. You are also a bad bitch, I feel like together, we can make a lot of people cry.” I cackle.

Nasarea gasps, like I’ve offended her. “That’s brilliant!Nobody will mess with us.” She stares at the sky, smiling from ear to ear, like the psychopath she is.

We tumble into the room, kicking off our shoes and shedding layers as we go. Nasarea flops onto her bed with a dramatic groan, spreading her arms wide. “This is it. This is my kingdom now. The land of...what’s a good drunk queen name?”

“Queen...Tipsy of Sloshedonia,” I suggest, collapsing onto my bed with a laugh.

“Perfect,” she says, rolling onto her side to face me. “And you’re Duchess Dizzy of...what’s a good duchy name?”

“Stumbleton,” I say immediately. “We’re an unstoppable duo.”

She snorts, burying her face in the pillow. “Besties forever.”

The room spins slightly as I settle in, the warmth of the alcohol and the comfort of the moment pulling me under. For the first time in what feels like forever, I let myself laugh without restraint, let myself feel something other than the weight of my own survival.

Her soft laughter is the last thing I hear before sleep claims me, deep and dreamless. For now, the world and its dangers can wait.

Chapter 28

Kaelion

My head’s a mess. I can’t think straight, can’t focus. The little human, Selestina, keeps clawing her way into my thoughts, her face, her sharp tongue, the way she looks at me like she sees straight through the bullshit. She’s stuck there, like a splinter I can’t dig out, and it’s driving me insane.

I slipped into the shadows and followed her and her drunk friend home. They were stupid as fuck, holding each other up even though both of them had no business walking in the first place. I could sense the fae prince somewhere, most likely doing the same thing I was. I’m sure the other princes weren’t far away either. I’ve seen the way they look at her. I’m guessing the same way I look at her.

And now Etzli. Three days. Three fucking days since anyone’s seen him, and Father is breathing fire down my neck, demanding I find him. Like I’m some glorified babysitter for Metztli’s golden boy.

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