The following night, Elena returned to the riverbank, her heart a tangle of anticipation and dread. The moon hung low, its silver light painting the oak in ethereal hues. She told herself it was for the moonflowers, to check their progress, but deep down, she knew she hoped to see Julian again. The memory of his smile lingered, a warmth that clashed with the chill of the whisper she'd heard the night before. She pushed the thought aside, focusing on the delicate blooms, their fragrance a balm to her restless mind.
She didn't have to wait long. Julian emerged from the trees, his figure familiar now, his steps purposeful yet unhurried. He carried a small sketchbook, its edges worn, and a pencil tucked behind his ear. "I couldn't stay away," he admitted, his voice carrying that same warmth that disarmed her. "The moon called me back."
Elena smiled despite herself, gesturing for him to join her. His hand found hers as he sat beside her, the contact sending a shiver through her. The warmth of his skin grounded her, and for a moment, she let herself lean into it. The world seemed to hush, the usual night sounds fading into a distant hum, leaving only the rhythm of their breathing and the gentle lapping of the river.
"I heard an old tale today," Julian said, his voice low, almost reverent. He traced idle patterns in the dirt with a stick, his focus on her. "About the moonlit vows. They say if two hearts pledge under this light, no force can break them. It's a legend passed down in Lunaris, tied to this very spot."
Elena's heart raced. She knew the story well—her grandmother had spun it into bedtime tales, her voice rich with wonder. It spoke of lovers who, under a full moon, bound their souls with a vow that transcended time. She wanted to believe, to let the magic of the night sweep her into its embrace, but the scars of her past whispered doubts. The secret she carried—a betrayal that had driven her from her hometown—loomed like a shadow, threatening to unravel any hope of trust.
"And if one heart hides the truth?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. The words slipped out, a confession she hadn't meant to voice.
Julian's thumb traced her palm, his eyes steady and unflinching. The touch was gentle, yet it carried a promise that made her breath catch. "Then we uncover it together. Starting now," he said, his tone firm but kind.
Elena's pulse quickened. Could she trust him with the shadows she carried? The memory of her ex-fiancé's deceit flashed through her mind—his lies, the night she'd found him with another, the way her world had crumbled. She'd rebuilt herself in Lunaris, brick by brick, but the fear of vulnerability lingered.
"I don't know if I can," she admitted, her voice trembling. "I've been hurt before."
Julian's expression softened, and he shifted closer, his knee brushing hers. "I'm not here to hurt you, Elena. I see strength in you, and I'd like to know the woman behind it. Whatever you're hiding, we'll face it together—if you'll let me."
The sincerity in his eyes pierced her defenses, and for the first time in years, she felt the stirrings of hope. The moon seemed to approve, its light bathing them in a glow that felt almost sacred. But as she opened her mouth to respond, a sharp crack echoed from the trees. Her head whipped around, her heart sinking. A figure darted through the shadows, too quick to identify.
"Stay here," Julian said, rising, but Elena grabbed his arm, her grip tight.
"No," she whispered, her voice laced with fear. "We need to go. Now."
The figure vanished, but the sense of being watched lingered, a cold reminder that her past might not stay buried.