Page 23 of Between Sun and Moon

Later—I would processthatlater. Or never. That seemed like a favorable option.

Eyes fixed on the flagstone path stretched before us, I said, “I appreciate your apology and I can understand that you were—” I paused, searching for the right word. “Conflicted. Still, that doesn’t change that what you did to me was awful. However, for the sake of moving forward, I am willing to accept your apology.”

“Thank you,” he said softly.

I nodded and wrapped my arms around myself. The heat from my run had long since left me, and now all I felt was the creeping cold, its fingers digging deep, wrapping around my bones.

Something heavy and warm fell over my shoulders and the sweet and musky scent of saffron blossomed around me. I glanced down, my pace slowing—it was his robe, gold in colorbut trimmed with plush, white fur. I marveled at its softness as I pinched the front together, locking out the cold.

“Thank you.” I glanced up at him. “But now you’re going to be cold.”

“I appreciate your concern, but it is unnecessary.” An amused smile graced his full lips. “My body temperature burns hot enough that I do not feel the cold.”

My eyes went wide, realization pulling them open.

“Because you were born of the sun,” I whispered in awe. “And I—” My feet halted. “I was born of the moon.”

That explained why I never felt the need to search for my biological parents. I wasn’t a daughter of man and woman—no, the moon was my mother. That was why I had always felt drawn to her. Even as a little girl, I would sit beside my spot at the window, my arms propped against the sill as I peered up at the bright, vivid moon. Excitedly, I would exclaim to Ezra,do you see my moon?My heart warmed at the memory.

“Yes, you were knitted together in the womb of Luna, while I was forged from the stomach of Sol. That is why one of your given titles is the Lady of Light and mine the Lord of Light,” he said, gesturing with his hand for us to continue along the path.

I resumed walking, we both did.

For a short while, we continued ahead in silence. The world around us was just as quiet, as if it were holding its breath.

“May I ask you something?”

“Please do,” he answered.

“You are a god, so why are you pretending to be a prince?”

He bit back a laugh. “I have a few reasons, but my biggest motivator is because Edenvale needs a proper leader—a true king.”

I didn’t disagree. If the king had proven anything during his reign, it was that he was not fit to lead. But I wasn’t satisfied with Aurelius’s answer.

“But you are the King of the New Gods, the King of the Immortal Realm and the Living Realm.” I paused. “I do not mean for this to come across as rude, but . . . why do you want to be the king of Edenvale? Isn’t that a bit. . .” I shrugged. “Beneath you?”

Briefly, his steps slowed. “It is, but just like you, I’m stuck here. The Endless Mist prevents me from leaving. So I might as well do something that is beneficial for the people of Edenvale while I’m here.”

I was all on board for doing something good for the people of Edenvale, but I found this new admission confusing. Von could shadow walk between here and the Spirit Realm, so—

“Why can’t you light walk out of here?” I asked, finishing the thought out loud.

“I have tried. Many times. But I have never been able to get through the Endless Mist. It refuses to let me pass.”

I mulled that over.

Why would the Endless Mist allow Von to pass but not Aurelius? Was shadow walking somehow more powerful than light walking? Or was it because shadow walking and the Endless Mist were born from the same type of magic?

I plucked at my bottom lip, feeling even further from the answer. “So you can’t leave at all?”

“That is correct,” he stated, ducking under a branch that dangled over the path. It narrowly missed the tallest spire of his ethereal crown. Knowing what I knew now, I highly doubted the crown had been forged by human hands—no, it was too perfect. I thought back to the ones that the king and queen wore, realizing Aurelius’s crown made theirs seem rather lackluster. Just as he did himself when he was standing beside them this morning.

“And how do the queen and king fit into all of this?” I asked curiously. “I’m guessing they know that you are not their biological son.”

“Oh, they are well aware.” He catered a charming smile. “As I’m sure you’ve noticed, we don’t have much in common, especially in terms of physical attributes.”

“That, I have,” I said as we stuck to the right side of the path, split by a giant willow tree, the long, slender branches bent over, reaching for the ground. “But they have other children. Why would they hand you the crown when they could give it to one of their true heirs instead?”

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