Page 155 of Magical Moonbeam
I stumbled to my knees, breath gone, and heart racing.
Celeste reached me, eyes wide. “Mom—”
I pulled her in, arms tight around her.
“I’ve got you,” I whispered. “We’ve got you.”
Keegan knelt beside me, his hand wrapping around mine.
And as the Moonbeam’s light dimmed, casting the forest into soft, silver twilight, I realized—
Maybe tonight wasn’t about breaking the curse after all.
Maybe it was about keeping the heart of magic beating long enough for us to try again.
Together.
And to show Celeste the possibility of magic for the new generation.
The light of the Moonbeam was still fading when I stood and gathered the others around me. Our breaths clouded the coldair, and the silence that followed the magical shockwave seemed almost holy. But I knew better.
We’d bought ourselves a breath, nothing more.
I turned to the group, my voice low but firm. “We don’t have long. The Wards must be checked before we enter the Academy. All four. If even one of them is compromised—”
“The curse strengthens,” Nova finished for me, her tone grim.
I nodded. “We split into groups.”
Nova and Lady Limora exchanged a glance and then looked at me.
“You two,” I said, “Stone Ward. You’re our strongest shields, and if Gideon’s placed anything near that barrier, I trust you both to handle it.”
Nova gave a sharp nod, her hand already on her staff.
“Bella,” I said, turning to the fox shifter, “take Ardetia. The Flame Ward is closest to the town center, and I don’t trust the wind tonight. Too many shadows riding it.”
Bella grinned, flashing the edge of her teeth. “I’ll keep her warm and fired up.”
Ardetia raised a brow. “I always have my methods.”
And to think, shifter and fae protecting our beloved ways…together again.
Stella stepped forward before I could speak.
“The Maple Ward?” she asked, already knowing.
“Yes,” I said. “Take Mara, Vivienne, and Opal. If that Ward’s grown brittle, you’ll need reinforcement magic. And the more the better.”
Twobble puffed his chest. “I’d volunteer, but I have another duty.”
He glanced at Skonk, who hopped down from the limb above, hair singed at the tips from the last burst of Moonbeam magic.
“We’ll stay with Frank,” Skonk said, his voice quieter than usual. “Keep him hidden in the Wilds. He’s already made a nest, of course.”
My heart squeezed. “Tell him I’ll be back.”
Twobble bowed dramatically. “With your daughter, and the stars themselves, if needed.”
