Elara was still in bed. She hadn't fallen asleep until dawn after spending the entire moonfall staring at the ceiling.
Four days before the royal mating.
Her fingers tightened around the blanket. She had loved Bernard with everything she had, and she had never doubted he loved her too. But he had shut her out when it came to his mother. That was the part she couldn't get past.
"Elara," the High Luna called.
She blinked, rolled onto her back, and rubbed at her swollen eyes before looking at the wall clock.
9:33 a.m.
"Moonrise, my High Luna," she replied, forcing her voice to sound normal.
"When did you get back? And why did you switch off your device? Emma has been trying to reach you."
"I got back at dawn."
"Then why did you switch off your device?"
Elara looked at the device on the bedside table without reaching for it.
"I don't want to talk to anyone."
The High Luna was quiet for a moment.
"Your sibling called me too. He said he wants to talk to you."
