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“I cannot.”

A growl rumbled up, unbidden. “Explain.”

“Because Lunara...will...” She winced and gripped her head. “The twilight you treasure has wings, but wings can’t soar if they’re severed. Would you⁠—”

A shrill cackle shot across the sand, vibrating the sienna grains. On the horizon, just over the sea that wasn’t really there, a black spot appeared in the center of the sunstar and spread like lazy ink in water.

“Damn. We’re running out of time. The answer you seek is not one I can give you because your choice is not yet made. What I can say is that Lunara is on her way to me now. Indeed, she approaches from the far side of her own mind to face her trial.”

Brand’s head was spinning, too much going on at once, so he asked the easiest question. “What trial?”

“The one that will join her with Illamiata, should she pass.”

“She…” Brand swallowed against the wrenching in his chest. “No. No, not without me. I was supposed to⁠—”

“Not without you, for you. Would you belittle her bravery by centering your own feelings, or do you want to make the heartache worth it? Brace yourself.”

“Hello?”

Brand’s knees hit the dirt before the second syllable of that single word echoed against the cliffside in Luna’s lilt. So soft and unsure, but vibrant still for its curiosity. Its life. He dug his fingers into the ground and fought against the urge to weep.

“I tried to warn you.” Endellion sprang to her feet beside him. “You’re here!” she squealed to the churning waves, though her words were strange and far away.

At the same time, the darkness in the distance grew thicker. Nearer. Brand swore he felt it, smelt it, tasted it, a bitterness coating his tongue and every ragged inhale.

“It’s…you. The voice.”

Brand snapped his gaze to the creature beside him, tears freely falling, and so many pieces fell into place. “The Oracle,” he whispered.

“Yes, now you understand,” she said to him, right before giggling again.

Such an incongruous sound with all that was happening. None of it was fucking funny.

And he still didn’t understand a damned thing.

“It’s me!” Endellion’s lips didn’t move, but the sound of her was everywhere. She swayed, arms wrapping through the air. “Though, I wish people would stop calling me that.”

For the briefest second, he glimpsed Luna’s ghostly, glowing outline as the Oracle stepped back. Brand dove, hand outstretched, but she dissipated just as he reached her.

“No!” Brand didn’t bother swallowing his curses, his desperation, fingers tracing the empty space where she’d been. “Can she hear me in return?”

Right there, close enough to breathe the same air, but…gone. There was so much he needed to say to his little moon. So much to apologize for.

“No. You, the Greater, can sense her, but the same is not true in return. Not as long as you’re trapped here.”

“Why?”

“Because a word to me gives us a chance, but a word to her is the end. I’m sorry.”

The dregs of his hope dwindled to nothing, and Brand sagged, his forehead hitting the sand.

“Come.” Endellion turned and made for the base of the cliffs, gesturing for him to follow.

It went against every particle of his being to obey so readily, but what choice did he really have?

He dragged the weight of his useless body up and across the beach until they reached a cleft in the foundation, just large enough for him to slip through after her. Inside, a small, cool cavern awaited them, veins of prismatic light pulsing from within the crimson walls.

Just like Luna’s magic.