Chapter 129
Elowen's POV
The plan was simple: rest tonight, ask questions tomorrow.
But apparently, Selene had other ideas.
I was nestled between Casper and Cassian on my bed, finally feeling the exhaustion catch up to me. Casper's arm was draped over my waist, his face buried in my hair. Cassian lay on my other side, one hand resting on my hip, his breathing slow and steady.
For the first time since everything went to hell, I felt safe.
Then the light came.
Silver-white moonlight poured through my window, so bright I had to squeeze my eyes shut. It wasn't natural. The beam was too focused, too intense.
"What the hell?" Cassian's voice cut through the silence.
I opened my eyes to see the light wrapping around all three of us like ribbons. My skin tingled where it touched me.
"Casper, what's happening?" I grabbed his hand.
"I don't know." His voice was tight with confusion.
The room began to fade. The walls, the bed, everything dissolved into that brilliant silver light. My stomach lurched as if I was falling, but I wasn't moving. The sensation was like being pulled through water, except the water was made of starlight.
Then, just as suddenly, it stopped.
We weren't in my room anymore.
I blinked, trying to adjust my eyes. We were standing in some kind of garden bathed in soft moonlight. The air smelled of jasmine and something else, something ancient. Silver koi fish swam lazily in a nearby pond, their scales catching the light like liquid metal.
"Where are we?" Casper's hand tightened on mine.
Cassian's hand found the small of my back, protective and reassuring. "I don't like this."
A woman sat by the pond, her back to us. She wore a simple white dress that seemed to glow in the moonlight. Her hair fell straight down her back like a silver waterfall.
When she turned to face us, I forgot how to breathe.
"Welcome to my realm," she said, her voice like wind chimes. "Lovely Elowen... Cassian, Casper Thornwood."
Selene.
Casper's wolf, Leo, stirred uneasily inside him. I could feel it through our bond. Cassian's entire body had gone rigid beside me.
"Why did you bring us here?" I managed to ask.
Selene smiled, but it didn't reach those golden eyes. "Because you need answers. And I cannot give them in your world without drawing unwanted attention."
I wanted to go to her, to demand those answers right now. But Cassian's grip on my wrist tightened.
"Careful, cutie," he murmured in my ear.
Selene's gaze shifted to him. "I mean your mate no harm today, Cassian. You have my word."
"The word of a goddess," Cassian said flatly. "Forgive me if that doesn't comfort me."
I felt his palm sweating against my skin. Despite his calm voice, he was terrified. We all were.
But I needed to know. I needed to understand what bringing Austin back would cost us.
I took a step toward her.
"Elowen." Cassian's warning was clear.
"I'll be fine," I whispered back.
Selene watched me approach with an expression I couldn't read. Was it amusement? Curiosity? Pity?
I stopped a few feet from the pond's edge. This close, I could see the koi fish more clearly. They moved in patterns, almost like they were dancing.
"You know," Casper blurted out, "for a woman who's like, several hundred years old, you're actually pretty hot."
My head whipped around so fast I nearly gave myself whiplash. Cassian's eyes went wide.
"Little freckle, you're still the most beautiful girl in the world!" Casper rushed to add, looking panicked. "I just meant—"
Selene's lips twitched. Almost like she wanted to smile.
"Oh my god, shut up," I hissed at him.
But something inside me relaxed. Because that stupid, impulsive comment? That was the real Casper. Not the broken, guilt-ridden man who'd been convinced he killed his father.
Raven's influence was gone.
I launched myself at Casper, throwing my arms around his neck. "I'm not jealous, you idiot! I'm relieved! You're back! The real you is back!"
Tears spilled down my cheeks as I kissed his face. His cheeks, his forehead, the tip of his nose. My Casper. My warm, reckless, wonderful Casper.
"Who else would be this reckless and thoughtless?" Cassian moved closer, and I heard the smile in his voice. "Only you, brother."
Casper's deep amber eyes were back to normal. Warm. Bright. Full of that mischief I'd fallen in love with. He wrapped his arms around me and held on tight.
"I'm here, baby," he murmured against my hair. "I'm here."
Behind us, Selene rose from her seat by the pond. "You don't find me attractive, Cassian?"
My head jerked up. Cassian's pale face flushed red.
"I... that's not... I didn't mean..." He was actually stammering. Ice-cold, always-in-control Cassian was blushing like a teenager.
Casper and I exchanged glances. I'd never seen Cassian like this.
Selene laughed softly. "I understand what he meant. Your brother is a cheeky little thing. But his honesty is refreshing."
She moved toward us, her bare feet making no sound on the grass. Up close, she was even more ethereal. Too perfect to be real.
"I need to touch your head, Casper," she said gently. "To confirm the darkness has truly receded."
Casper grinned, showing those fangs I loved. "Depends where you want to touch, lady. I'm taken now, and she's a bit possessive."
"Casper," Cassian growled. "She's the Moon Goddess. Show some respect."
"Perhaps I should prepare a green coat for Leo," Selene said with amusement. "So he stands out more?"
I bit back a laugh. Even gods had a sense of humor.
Casper stepped away from me, closer to Selene. "Just my temples will do, right?"
"Yes." Selene reached up, her slender fingers pressing gently against both sides of his head.
I held my breath. Beside me, Cassian was rigid with tension.
After a moment, Selene's expression grew serious. "You were infected with darkness, Casper."
The words hit like a physical blow. Casper's body went stiff.
My heart raced. Cassian pulled me closer, as if his touch alone could protect me from the truth.
"What does that mean?" I whispered.
Selene's golden eyes met mine. "It means something very old and very evil touched your mate. The darkness gnawed at him for hours, twisting his thoughts and actions into chaotic frenzy. It made him feel powerless and afraid. It even convinced him he'd done terrible things."
My hand flew to my mouth. That explained everything. The violence. The loss of control. The false memories.
"Someone targeted us," Cassian said. His voice was cold. Dangerous. "Someone did this to him on purpose."
Casper looked down at his hands like he'd never seen them before.
"Raven," I breathed. Juno stirred inside me, her anger making my eyes flash gold. "That bastard."
Selene's expression softened slightly. "He wasn't acting alone, lovely Elowen. But I suspect you already knew that."