CHAPTER 185: Under a Silver Moon, Rowan and Selene Bond in a Silent Ceremony
CHAPTER 185: Under a Silver Moon, Rowan and Selene Bond in a Silent Ceremony
The sound of two Kaels fighting under the bleeding black star still echoed from the battlefield.
The world seemed quieter tonight, however.
Not because of the end of the conflict.
But since wolves need rays of light even during the darkest hours.
With her pulse pounding, Selene repositioned the silver shawl over her shoulders and cautiously followed the old path that led into the Hollowed Glen. With his sword sheathed and no armor on his back, Rowan went ahead of her, wearing basic garments made of earth and sky.
The Hollowed Glen, an old woodland where the moonlight fell unadulterated, even during eclipses, was older than any wolf alive today.
Here, it was believed that two wolves would form a relationship that would last beyond death if they committed to one another beneath a silver moon.
Selene and Rowan would put that tale to the test tonight.
Not tonight, not because they were looking for romance.
but because they were mutually dependent. bound by purpose as well as affection.
The Pack's center would be them.
the back of it.
Its inviolable promise.
Like a living cathedral, the Glen spread out before them. Ancient tree roots held on to silver mist. The moon was full and low, casting a beautiful radiance over the clearing that made it seem as though another planet had touched it.
With his emerald eyes glowing in the moonlight, Rowan turned to Selene. A slight grin came to his lips, the modest, seldom smile he reserved for her.
"You’re sure?" he inquired.
Selene moved in closer till they were almost shoulder-to-shoulder. "I’ve never been more certain of anything."
Two silver rings, plain and unadorned yet ancient, each carved with a spiral design that resembled the insignia of the ancient Eclipse wolves, were extracted by Rowan from a little leather bag fastened to his belt.
Selene took a deep breath. "Those are..."
He gave a nod. From the first star-stone to fall into the Eclipse Realm, it was formed. prior to even the first monarchs.
Selene lightly touched one. It was cold on her skin and had a calm power that made it nearly hum.
Rowan said softly. "They say these stones carry the memory of the stars."
Whispering, "And the stars remember us," Selene said.
He grinned once again, and they just remained there for a while, taking in the refreshing, holy air.
No blood.
No conflict.
Just them.
At last, Selene raised her hand, palm facing up.
The first ring was placed on her finger when Rowan clasped her hand in his. He continued, "I vow to walk beside you," in a firm voice. "In light and darkness. In delight and in grief. Until the rivers run empty and the stars perish."
Selene took up the second ring and blinked back the oncoming tears.
She placed it over Rowan's rough finger. Her voice trembled but confident, "And I vow," she added, "to stand with you." to defend you. to cherish you. Until the last moon disappears.
Glen answered as soon as the ring landed on his hand.
As the silver mist swirled, woven, and knotted the air itself into a binding force, it ascended around them like living spirits.
And the silver moon flashed brighter above them.
The bond not just a heart-to-heart, but a soul-to-soul connection snapped into place, and Selene gasped.
His fingers tightened around hers as Rowan stumbled a little.
Selene's thoughts were filled with pictures flashes of Rowan's early years, the conflicts he had faced, the quiet evenings he had spent.
Now she recognized him.
Every single one of him.
He was also acquainted with her.
Inside her chest, the relationship became as steady as a second pulse.
more powerful.
Unbreakable.
They were part of something bigger and part of each other.
They just remained there for a long time, inhaling the same divine air, allowing the tie to settle.
Rowan's harsh voice was the last to speak. "I don’t care what comes," he said. "I’ll protect this bond with my life."
Selene pressed her forehead against his and grinned. "We’ll protect it together."
Peace, however, was short-lived as usual.
A deep, rumbling growl resounded from the mist-covered forests beyond as they turned to leave the Glen.
In a moment, Rowan pulled out his sword and positioned himself between Selene and the noise.
Three individuals appeared as the mist cleared.
Not wolves.
No, not Hollowborn.
Another stuff.
Their faces were concealed by silver masks, and they were tall, dressed in garments made from twilight and starlight.
Each held a stick with a blackstone crescent moon etched on top.
Inside her shudder, Selene sensed the bond a warning.
These were not Pack spirits.
They were an antique thing.
Even older than the wolves from Eclipse.
The tallest one took a step forward.
It said, "You have awakened an old promise," in a voice that was both a whisper and a shout. "The bond you have forged carries more weight than you know."
Rowan gripped his blade more tightly. "Who are you?"
The question was disregarded by the figure. It said plainly, "The Hollow King is not the end,"
Selene gasped with surprise. "What do you mean?"
The second figure's voice was like icebreakers. "The Hollowborn is not the only darkness out there. Now, because of him, it stirs.
"Kael," muttered Rowan.
The third figure moved closer and held out a hand; it was shorter and crackled with a faint silver electricity.
It held a ragged black crystal in its hand.
"The twin Kaels are only the beginning," it said. "Choose wisely whom you trust, Bonded Ones."
After hesitating, Selene grabbed the gem.
Visions sprang into her thoughts as soon as her fingertips touched it.
A battleground of shattered stars and ash.
A dying fight between two Kaels.
Watching it all happen was a third person, hooded and chuckling.
And a gate over them all.
A portal to an unending darkness.
A thousand Sanctums' breadth.
Awaiting the opening.
Waiting to eat it all up.
Gasping, Selene yanked her hand back.
"What was that?" Rowan moved closer and demanded.
The guy in the robes only bowed.
"The true war is still to come."
The three figures then disappeared, engulfed by the mist, just as abruptly as they had emerged.
Only the black crystal remained, gleaming dimly on the woodland floor.
Selene crouched and gazed at it.
She refused to take it up.
She was not interested in learning more.
But she had a feeling that they would all be lost if they didn't figure out what was going on.
Beside her, Rowan's voice was quiet.
"Selene," he said. "The connection we made. It goes beyond love.
Slowly, she nodded.
Whispering, "It's a weapon," she said.
They looked at one other, dread, resolve, and love entwined, and then they grabbed for the crystal together.
The world twisted as soon as their fingertips touched it
and the Hollowed Glen had left them.
Under a bleeding sky, they stood on a huge plain of black glass.
A tower of blackness and bone towered before them, soaring interminably into the heavens.
And at its height waiting, laughing
There was a third Kael.
Not a Hollow.
Not accurate.
But something else.
A worse thing.