Chapter 7 The Moon Goddess's Blessing

He stormed away as if fleeing a plague. I stood alone in the snow, watching his retreating figure, feeling my soul flayed layer by layer. Even my own brother wished me dead. Like a ghost, I wandered the familiar grounds of the territory, seeking solace in places I once knew. In the old garden, three years later, my favorite cherry blossom tree still stood defiantly—the one I'd planted with my own hands before leaving.

"I want to be strong like this tree," I had told Kaelen. Now it bloomed alone in the harsh winter, struggling to survive against despair, just like me. As I gently touched a petal, I heard familiar voices.

"It's too warm here for my taste. I long for my homeland, for the nest steeped in Iron-claw tradition."

"I will rebuild everything for you, adorn our new home with the most precious treasures." By the pond, Lydia nestled against Kaelen like a small bird. Kaelen stroked her hair tenderly, his voice softer than I'd ever heard. "You are the mistress here now. Everything is yours to command."

Lydia smiled contentedly, drawing her sharp, curved blade from her waist. "Exchange weapons with me. In Iron-claw, this signifies the highest level of loyalty and trust. Blade crossing blade, heart bonding with heart—it is the supreme Mate bond."

Kaelen drew his own sword without hesitation. Lydia examined it, then suddenly wrinkled her nose in disgust. "A fine blade indeed, but this pitiful tassel ruins its perfection." She ripped off the carefully woven tassel and tossed it carelessly into the pond. "Now it's perfect."

She left, satisfied. Kaelen watched her go, a tenderness in his eyes I had never witnessed. I stepped from the shadows, watching the tassel float on the water's surface, a heavy stone pressing on my chest. Memories flooded back like a tide.

"That tassel... I wove it myself, for three whole months. I prayed over it for eighty-one nights in the Silver-moon Chapel. I gave it to you, praying the Moon Goddess would protect you in every battle, bring you home safely."

While Kaelen fought across the lands, I had spent weeks weaving that tassel, then climbed the nine hundred and ninety-nine stone steps to the Silver-moon Chapel's peak for its blessing. Even the priest had been moved by my devotion. Now, Kaelen had let Lydia discard it like trash.

My voice shattered: "Have you forgotten your blood oath? You swore to bond only with me as your Mate..."

Kaelen turned to leave, his voice icy: "Childish words spoken long ago. They mean nothing now. Have some pride, Princess."

"Mean nothing? Pride?" The words wrapped around my throat like a noose, choking me.

I saw something flicker in his eyes, but it vanished instantly. He took a step away. Splash! A huge spray of water erupted behind him. He spun around, startled, to see me plunging into the freezing pond.

"Elena!" Without thinking, he leaped into the icy water, his powerful arms dragging me out. "For a worthless rag? Are you insane?"

I clutched the soaked tassel, my whole body shaking violently. "To you, it's just a rag. To me... it was my entire world."

Complex emotions stormed in Kaelen's eyes...