AYLA'S POV
(THREE MONTHS AFTER THE HARVEST MOON)
The nightmare came at dawn.
I woke gasping, silver light bleeding from my skin. Beside me, Kael jerked upright, reaching for his blade instinctively.
"What is it?" His voice was rough with sleep. "What's wrong?"
"A vision." My hands shook. "The Moon Goddess—she sent me a vision."
Through the bond, he felt my terror. His arms wrapped around me instantly. "Tell me."
"Darkness. Something coming from the Outlands. Something old." I pressed my face against his chest, trying to steady my breathing. "And a voice. It said: 'The bond you remade has drawn attention. What sleeps beneath stirs. Your child will wake it—or end it.'"
Kael went very still. "Your child?"
I pulled back to look at him. "I'm pregnant, Kael."
The words hung in the air between us.
We'd known it was possible. Had been trying, actually, much to the Council's delight. But hearing it confirmed—feeling the tiny spark of life through my Luna senses—made it real.
