[redith].
I woke to soft, familiar lips brushing mine unhurriedly.
I smiled before I even opened my eyes, shifting closer as Draven kissed again, this ti slower and warr.
His hand slid to my waist, steadying as if I might float away if he let go.
"You’re enjoying this far too much," he murmured against my lips.
"And you’re enjoying teasing ," I replied, smiling into the kiss.
He chuckled, deep and low, and for a mont I let myself forget everything—the secrets, destinies, and bloodline that had been bothering .
There was only him. Only us.
Just then, he pulled away. I opened my eyes imdiately, annoyance flashing across my face.
"You’re cruel."
He grinned, completely unrepentant. "If I stay any longer, I won’t go for my run."
And he was right. Still, I groaned dramatically and flopped back against the pillows. "Then I suppose I will call my maidservants to pack my things."
"That’s the spirit." He leaned down, kissed once more—brief but affectionate, then straightened up.
Next, he grabbed a shirt from the sofa, pulled it over his head, and headed for the door.
"I will be back soon," he said over his shoulder.
The door closed softly behind him, and I lay there smiling until the quiet settled, taking the nerves with it.
I pushed myself up slightly, exhaling slowly. I was going to see my grandmother today—the woman who knew everything. The woman who held truths I wasn’t sure I was ready to hear.
And Draven was coming with .
My chest tightened up a bit.
Draven didn’t know what I was—the fae blood running alongside the wolf within . And I couldn’t warn my grandmother ahead of ti, not without raising questions or making Draven suspicious.
There were too many secrets and too many threads pulled too tight.
I released a deep sigh and stared at the ceiling.
A few monts later, a soft knock sounded at the door.
"Co in," I said.
The door opened, and my maidservants filed in one after the other—Azul, Kira, Deidra, Cora, and Arya. They bowed lightly in greeting.
"Good morning, Luna," they said in unison.
I smiled, so of the tension in my chest easing. "Good morning."
Kira and Cora imdiately moved toward the inner room, already discussing the bath in low voices. Deidra remained where she was, hands folded neatly in front of her.
"How would you like to dress today, Luna?" she asked.
"Sothing light," I replied after a mont. "Easy to move in."
Deidra nodded. "Understood."
I turned to her and Arya. "You both can pack my bag for the trip."
Arya paused. "How long will you be staying, Luna?"
I hesitated. "I’m not entirely sure... but three days should be enough."
Azul, standing beside the bed, spoke gently. "It may be safer to prepare for five nights."
"That’s wise," I agreed.
Deidra and Arya bowed and excused themselves before heading toward the walk-in dressing room.
A short while later, Cora returned. "The bath is ready, Luna."
Azul stepped forward and helped off the bed, steady and careful, as if I were made of glass.
"I will put the room in order," Cora added before leaving again.
Azul escorted to the bathroom, which was warm and faintly misted, the air heavy with the soft sweetness of crushed flowers and milk.
Steam curled lazily toward the ceiling as the tub was revealed—already filled, pale and luminous.
Azul and Kira moved in quiet harmony.
Azul tested the water with her fingers while Kira poured in the last vial of scented oil. The fragrance blood instantly—moonblossom, chamomile, and sothing faintly floral I couldn’t na.
It reminded of open fields under night skies.
"Please, Luna," Azul said softly.
I stepped out of my robe, and they guided into the bath. The warmth wrapped around imdiately, milk lapping gently against my skin as I settled back. My shoulders loosened despite myself.
Kira stood behind , carefully gathering my hair, while Azul knelt at the side of the tub. She dipped a porcelain bowl into the bath, lifted it, and slowly poured the milk over my shoulders.
It stread down my arms, warm and soothing. Then her hands paused.
"The moon mark," Azul murmured, her voice respectful. "It’s... fading. Just a little."
My muscles tensed before I could stop them.
I tilted my shoulder slightly, trying to see it through the haze of steam. The mark was still there—but softer now, and less defined than the last ti I had looked.
"I didn’t notice," I said, though my voice sounded distant even to .
Azul smiled gently. "It’s subtle. But it’s there."
As she poured another bowl of milk over my shoulder, I felt sothing stir deep inside . It wasn’t pain or fear. But rather anticipation.
"Soon," Valmora’s voice whispered within , calm and certain. "The powers will be in our hands soon."
My breath steadied. ’The full moon.’
Visiting my grandmother tonight isn’t a coincidence; it is deliberate timing. I could feel it now once again, the way sothing inside was shifting, loosening, preparing.
Whatever awaited beyond here, I knew one thing with unsettling clarity.
I would not return the sa way I’m leaving.
Azul and Kira helped out of the bath once the water had cooled. The milk slid away from my skin as they wrapped thick towels around , careful, practised, and reverent.
Azul dried my arms and shoulders while Kira worked on my hair, squeezing out the excess water before wrapping it neatly.
Soon, a soft robe replaced the towel, and they guided into the dressing room.
Deidra was already waiting, her face bright with quiet pride. She lifted the outfit she had chosen, holding it up for to see.
"I thought this would suit you today, Luna."
I studied it and nodded. "It’s perfect."
Instantly, relief flashed across her face.
Azul and Kira worked together to dress , their movents fluid and familiar.
The fabric settled comfortably against my skin, easy yet elegant.
Kira dried and styled my silver hair, leaving it loose but controlled, while Azul applied only the faintest touch of makeup, enough to soften my facial features.
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