Chapter 18: His Blade

I knelt at the foot of the Stone with the moon on my back.

The grass was wet and cold through the white dress.

The ridge had gone so quiet that I could hear the torches hiss.

Rorik stood over me with the old man's sword hanging from his hand.

He had not lifted it.

"Face the Stone, Luna," Harlan called. "The law says the accused faces the Stone."

I turned my head and looked at the cracked rock.

I had made my wish at this same spot.

It still smelled of rain.

"Rorik," I said, so low that only he could hear.

"Don't talk to me."

"You have to hear this."

"I can't."

"The Goddess said the tenth time I stand at your blade and you don't kill me, I live." I kept my eyes on the Stone. "And you keep me."

He said nothing.

"That's all she asked," I said. "Not a hundred battles or a sacrifice. One time you don't do it."

"And if I'm wrong?"

"Then I'm wrong, and we both knew the price."

"I don't want a price," he said. His voice cracked. "I want you."

Keep reading free with an account. Start The Cursed Luna's Tenth Awakening from Chapter 1, then sign up free to read the rest of this chapter.