Lunara had never witnessedan Occurrence before. The last time they’d happened, it had only been two years after her parents’ death, and she’d been in no place for celebrating anything.
Besides, without Malachyr, Nachthelliae hadn’t been able to have one at all.
The Evesong needed its Keeper to act as a conduit, taking all the raw power from the twin moons and funneling it down into the land and creatures. She knew it required a blood gift, an offering of sorts, but that was as far as her knowledge of the particulars went.
Doesn’t matter, because you won’t be doing it.
Right.
Straelani of every age surged around Lunara, their raucous merriment so full of joy that it was almost impossible to dwell on her own shite.
She clung to Magnus as they wound their way through the throng of Demons, the aroma of rich perfumes and countless foods bombarding her as they dodged feet and elbows, trying not to be trampled.
Because every last one had undergone their change.
Males and females alike had forgone most of their clothing, their Sienna skin glowing under the hazy lamplights, horns and fangs glistening. So many whorls and patterns in their individual markings, all of them incredible.
The first topless female had been something of a shock—mainly because it had been Nyri, and Lunara hadn’t ever thought to see that much of her young friend. Now, all she saw was their absolute freedom.
Andshewas probably overdressed, despite nearly every part of her threatening to spill out.
Nyri crowed in front of her, bouncing on the balls of her feet. “Look at it!”
She ran off, her absence revealing a magnificent wooden dais—and a stone obelisk jutting up from its center, so fucking huge it may as well have been a monument to how bleeding distracted Lunara was.
The pillar shot into the sky, as tall as any of the surrounding trees and so black it put the chasm’s shadows to shame. She probably could’ve lived inside of it, it wasthatwide.
But when Magnus led her up the steps, every other thought fell away because she was finally high enough tosee.
So much color. Flowers strewn and strung everywhere amidst boughs of evergreen and silk garlands, tiny twinkling lights among them. Canopies and booths dotted the square, brightly still in the chaos.
The crowd was a living thing, writhing and churning before her, the sea a glittering backdrop behind them. Most were Demons, but creatures from other realms had come to bearwitness as well. Children clung to their parents, perched on shoulders and grasping horns of every shade in their little hands. Families and friends mingled, heads tipped back in laughter or bent towards lovers.
Her heart squeezed as she watched one couple, tangled together for all to see. It was like a sickness how starkly she missed her own Demon. How desperately she wanted to touch him.
Magnus bumped his shoulder against hers and pointed, and she followed the gesture to the other side of the platform. There, perched on the corner in an elaborate stand, was a golden spyglass.
“Ever hopeful, my brother. He had it placed there just in case, so you could see him.”
“I need a spyglass to see him?” she asked, as confused as she was relieved for the moment.
She wasn’t ready. He’d asked her to come, had practically begged but still.
What if…
Magnus chuckled. “Aye, he’s up on the mountaintop for now.” He pointed up beyond the city and castle, and Lunara gasped.
The Sacred Sisters.
Beholding the two jagged peaks from the ground like this—jutting into the sky and making the rest look like hills in comparison—stole her breath. The only thing more incredible was that she’d actually stood upon their majestic heights, watching a sunset with Brand as their souls had taken the first shy steps towards melding together.
“What is he doing up there?” she whispered, almost to herself.
“He’s to announce Solyrian’s rising. Lyriat will answer him, and Brand will join us quickly after. Then, the Occurrence.”
“What do you mean Lyriat will answer him?”
Mischief glittered in his eyes. “Ach, witchling—let an old wolf keep some of his secrets, aye? The surprise is half the fun.”
