Page 87 of When the Moon Met the Sun

It burned until there was nothing but ash, then I gently let the ashes fall to the ground below.

I would hide no longer.

Father’s expression was guarded, but Dimitri seemed awestruck for a moment as he watched the ash fall from my hand.

Then, his face shifted. Now, instead of awe and wonder, his usually handsome face was clouded by hurt, anger, and disgust.

“I always suspected you had Northern zirilium—it was the only thing that made sense as to why you were so secretive the older we got. Then Aurora more or less confirmed it after you left, and I felt so…defeated. My whole life has revolved around being heir, and the title isn’t even rightfullymine.” He began to shake with pent up anger. “Now you mean to tell me not only did you inherit Northern zirilium, but the Stars gifted you with zirilium from the South, too? What happened to us being equals?”

“Dimitri, it isn’t like I chose this—” I started, but was interrupted.

“Stop. I don’t want to hear it,” he said, getting to his feet, brushing shards of crystal off of himself. “Let’s get this over with,twin,” he spat the last word like a curse, making my chest ache.

I quickly got to my feet before I could be bested again, but instead of shaking the crystals off, I used my zirilium to quickly shape them and those around me into another sword and a small arm shield.

Placing my feet apart to anchor myself to the ground, I faced Dimi once again.

But when I looked into his eyes, I noticed the jealousy there, fueling his rising rage.

So far, we hadn’t actually hurt each other. It was like we both knew Father just wanted a show, an act. But looking into my brother’s eyes now… for the first time, a whisper of doubt regarding my twin sang through my veins.

I didn’t allow myself to focus on it long, though, as Dimitri threw himself forward, sword aiming for just below my ribs.

I sidestepped, though not as quickly as I should have, then twirled back around to face him. I was stunned at the amount of anger and frustration radiating off of him.

I felt Rayven stirring, but paid him no mind. I had already shown my hand—that I possessed Southern zirilium—but they didn’t know the extent of which ones yet.

I sidestepped once again as his sword arched towards me, but not fast enough this time. I sucked in air through my teeth as Tarrious sliced my upper arm open, blood dripping onto the floor.

I looked up to meet my twin’s eyes, shocked, both of us breathing heavily. I know I started this challenge, but I never intended on actually hurtinghim.

But looking back at me, I couldn’t see even a sliver of the brother I once knew. The male before me now was a stranger.

A dangerous one.

I saw Dimitri’s weight shift a second before he lunged, his aim fatal, as I quickly moved to the left to avoid him.

I noticed a heartbeat too late that it was a trick.

It seemed he didn’t teach meeverythinghe knew, after all.

Before I could right myself, Dimi tripped me, making me teeter forward, unbalanced. My crystal weapons went flying forward. It was a dirty move, but one I would’ve used, too, if I were desperate.

Though before I could fall flat on my face, Dimi’s hand gripped the back of my armor between my wings and hauled me upright, pinning me against his chest. Then, Tarrious was at my throat, forcing me to still, though everything in me screamed tofight,fight,fight.

My stomach sunk.

This was it.

I could feel Dimi’s heavy breathing, which matched my own. The blade sat against my throat—one powerful swipe and it’d be like I never existed at all.

Then, Father began slowly clapping as he moved to stand in front of us. I forced myself to stand as still as a statue, my eyes tracking his every movement.

“It was a valiant effort on your part, daughter. Truly, good try.” He smirked, which I realized was such a different expression than the one Byn would wear. Where Byn’s was warm and playful, Father’s was cold and calculated.

I hated it.

Not daring to move a muscle in my current position, I stayed quiet.

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