Page 36 of When the Moon Met the Sun

Rayven, having seen me coming, picked up my bag and held it out to me without saying a word. I slipped it onto my shoulder, thanked the male, then allowed Ezra to lead me into the inn.

The inn wasn’t anything extravagant, but it had a homey feel to it—all the furniture was worn in from lots of use, but still in good health. There were vases full of native Southern flowers in every hallway and on every table top. The stone floor had been rubbed smooth from years of footfall. It even smelled faintly of fresh bread, coming from somewhere deeper inside.

Ezra led me up two flights of stairs until we reached the third and final floor, then down the end of the hall to the last door on the left.

“You’ll be staying in here, feel free to freshen up. I’m sure Robyn will come to gather you for the festivities soon enough.”

“Festivities?” I asked him.

“Oh, right. Well, since the people of Diorum haven’t seen Robyn since he was crowned, they’ll be wanting to celebrate their new king. They’ll prepare food, drink some wine, and have lots of music and dancing. It’ll be fun, I promise,” Ezra said, flashing a reassuring grin.

“And… where did Robyn go?” I asked, curiosity gnawing at me. He always seemed to disappear.

“Ah… he went to talk to Annie, the innkeeper. This place was named after her mother, Dorothy. She just kept the name the same after she passed,” Ezra said, obviously trying to change the subject.

I pressed two fingers to the bridge of my nose. “What is Robyn talking to her about?”

Ezra shifted on his feet, but he couldn’t hold a poker face to save his life. “Annie always insists on letting us stay for free and providing for us however she can, but Robyn never lets her. He always makes sure he pays her extra for her hospitality, even if he has to hide the coins in one of her aprons so she finds it later. I’m sure that’s what they’re talking about now,” Ezra explained.

I raised one eyebrow, suspicious. “That isn’t a bad thing at all. Why wouldn’t you want to tell me that?”

“Well, I don’t want it to seem like I’m only displaying Robyn’s great qualities to you. I want you to form your own opinions on him, and the rest of the group, without any outside input. You know?” he asked.

I nodded after a moment. It was true—if he only ever talked good about Robyn and the group, I’d be much more suspicious.

I thanked Ezra for showing me the way, then turned into the room, shutting the door behind me.

The room wasn’t much to behold. The ceiling was sloped from the shape of the roof above, with a good sized bed pressed up under the sloped ceiling. There was a dresser and a full sized mirror next to it, and a window next to the bed.

Setting my bag next to the dresser, I quickly changed into one of the simple yet stunning dresses I had brought—since apparently there was to be a party—a silky-smooth material made up the black gown with silver accents. There were small chains holding it together at the chest, crossing over one another in an easy but beautiful pattern. After changing, I walked over to the window and peered out.

The sky had grown dark, and the moon was climbing higher into the sky. Gazing upon the moon, I couldn’t help but recall what my twin had said to me before I left. I wondered if he, too, was staring up at the moon in that moment and thinking of me, as I was him.

Tears welled in my eyes, but before they could fall, the door was suddenly shoved open. I turned on my heels, reaching for the Southern dagger I now kept hidden in my top at all times, when I realized it was just Robyn.

“Stars, you scared me. Maybe knock next time?” I said, sniffling and wiping my eyes with the back of my hand. I noticed he, too, had changed—now in a more regal outfit, he wore black pants with a silky white, button-up shirt with golden accents and buttons.

I also didn’t miss how he had rolled his sleeves up, showing off his markings from Atlas, but also showing off his fresh tattoo on the inside of his other arm.

If I were representing the moon tonight, he was my sun.

Robyn stood in the threshold, staring for a moment. I could feel his confusion in my chest, but I offered no explanation as to why I had been crying, and he didn’t ask. Though I couldn’t help noticing the way his eyes dragged up and down my form, the small smile that formed on his lips.

“I didn’t know I needed to knock on my own door,wife. Apologies.”

He tossed his bag next to mine, then stepped farther into the room, the door falling shut behind him.

“Wait,” I said, “your room? Ezra said I was staying in here, but if you—” realization washed over me. “I see. Still pretending, are we,husband?” I asked, placing my hands on my hips.

That obnoxiously handsome smirk crossed his lips once again, dimple flashing. “We can pretend all you want, Aviva. Doesn’t make this,” he motioned between the two of us, “any less real.”

I flushed, but didn’t answer, hands still on my hips.

His smirk softened into a smile. “You look beautiful. Only one thing…” he trailed off as he reached out for the bottom of my messy braids. Gently, he freed my waist long hair of their plaits, fluffing them out, my waves now on full display.

After, he took a step back and simply took me in. I could feel his warm emotions in my chest, but I deliberately didn’t focus on them.

“Come with me.” He held out a hand. “I want you to experience the festivities firsthand tonight. With me.”

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