Page 32 of Bonded By Moons

A few seconds pass before I hear anything back. I was starting to worry he blocked out the bond as well.

Hello, my little dragon. What news do you have for me?

A warmth blossoms in my chest. Wow, it feels amazing to hear his voice even when we’re so far away from each other.

Brooks is missing and his entire family was murdered. I found Amara in utter disarray upon arriving home, and we need to know what the crown’s involvement is in solving this case.I plead but only silence greets me.

And then my senses are flooding with emotions through the bond. Feelings of anger, confusion, distress, and worry rush through me like a plunging wave.Hello?

I’m so sorry, little dragon. I will talk to my father and let you know what I can do to help. Gather the details and we will have a meeting tomorrow night after the winter ball.Do you need me to come be with you?

His offer is kind and sweet, showing compassion that I didn’t know I deserved.No, but I can’t thank you enough for your efforts.

You can thank me by sharing a dance with me tomorrow night.

I giggle out loud and Amara looks at me like I'm crazy.

I thought I told you I’m not cut out for court life.

You will be the brightest flame in the room, my dragon.

The last thing I felt through the bond before closing our communication window was warmth and… love? How could he feel love towards me so soon? I am not deserving of that feeling and it was strange to taste in my mouth. Love is a taste and sensation I only feel from Amara and Brooks and their version tastes like blueberries and sweetened cream. But, when Will sent that emotion down the bond, it tasted like the pancakes he brought me when I was staying there.

And I can’t get enough of it. Does he trust in the stars so much that he’s allowed himself to freely fall in love with me?

Honestly, that’s blind affection and bat shit crazy. Right? Or is it kind of endearing?

Ugh. He makes my head spin.

We’ve cleaned up my living room from all the fabric and sewing supplies, washed dishes from dinner, and headed up stairs to crawl into bed. We’re both exhausted and Amara will be staying with me for a while. She and Brooks shared a house previously, impatiently awaiting their bond to register, and I don’t think she’ll be able to go back there for a while.

After a few minutes of slow breathing, we both fall fast into a restless sleep. I think I maybe got 2 or 3 hours of slumber. I just couldn’t quiet my thoughts. I should have gotten aViellaelixir before we went to bed to aid in calming us. I just stared at the ceiling and thought of a different time when things seemed peaceful here in Faerelle. Long before I was born.

SIXTEEN

Ember

The next morning comes slower than I wanted. We groggily crawl out of bed and get right to work preparing myself for the special occasion this evening. We’ve called the rest of the group over to strategize on methods of extracting information out of the king while Amara and I begin the grooming process.

It’s been several hours of pampering myself to be acceptable for the court. I’ll be presented tonight, along with the prince and even though I haven’t accepted the bond yet, it seems very surreal. I never thought I would have a mate, let alone a prince with a life so starkly different from mine.

Tonight I’ll be adorned in my pink tulle gown, my celestial blade, curls that cascade down my back, and minimal jewelry. I’ve chosen a collection of vines and branches for my jewelry to pay attributes to the lands that have died from the Decay. It’s a small effort but means the world to me to represent the pain that's gone unnoticed by our king all my life. The pain that I feel constantly, hear constantly, see constantly within the earth. It’s a rebellious stance I’m incapable of resisting.

Paisley and Traeger got here an hour ago, and Brucie just walked through the door.

“Hey, how is everyone hanging in here?” he says by way of greeting the group. No one responds. There’s a heavy amount of sadness over the team today, and I think it’s okay that we just deal with things the best we can. Emotions are hard to process. I’ve not even tried to begin processing what it means for Brooks to be gone. I might be an empath, but that doesn’t mean I know how to deal with shit.

I just can’t spiral right now. I have to stay focused.

As the empath of the group, and the leader, I feel the need to address the troll in the room. “I completely understand how everyone is feeling right now. It’s okay if you guys are struggling with this, but it’s important we band together stronger than ever and find where Brooks was taken.” I say to everyone softly.

“Emphasis on if he was taken, Em.” Brucie addresses me directly and sternly.

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean, Brucie?”

“We don’t know if he was taken, killed, or if he killed his family and fled. We can’t leave out all possible causes.”

“Uh, Yeah. Yes, we can. Brooks would never and you know that. He has a heart of gold and has always had the best interest of Faerelle in mind. He loves his family. He’s one of the most pure souls we–”

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