Chapter 1

“In the presence of all the residents of Mistwood Vale, with the sacred full moon bearing witness, are you both prepared to stand by, protect, and love each other in joy and in sorrow until the end of your days?”

The deep voice of the wedding officiant echoed through the center of the village square, which was illuminated by numerous oil lamps that shone brightly together despite their dim individual glow.

Lyra stood gracefully in a simple, silvery-white gown. Beside her, Caelum looked remarkably handsome in a dark gray suit; his broad shoulders framed his calm figure, and his tan skin looked exotic beneath the moonlight.

“I am ready,” Caelum answered without a shred of hesitation. His golden-brown eyes gazed straight at Lyra with an unwavering warmth that never faded.

Lyra looked down at the silver ring adorned with a moonstone on her ring finger, then looked up at the silver craftsman. A warm thrill fluttered in her chest, crumbling all the fear that usually filled her days.

“I am ready,” Lyra whispered, her blood-red lips forming a breathtaking smile.

“Then by this power, you are officially pronounced husband and wife. You may kiss your bride, Caelum.”

Without waiting for another word, Caelum’s strong hand reached out gently to cup the nape of Lyra’s neck. He leaned down, closing the distance between them, and pressed his lips to hers in a deep, warm kiss filled with sacred promises. The kiss silenced all the turmoil in Lyra’s head, warming the cold magic in her chest into a deeply soothing hope.

Rousing cheers from the people of Mistwood Vale erupted into the night air. They celebrated the sacred union of the craftsman and the blonde-haired woman who had only settled in their village a few months ago.

The night grew late as silence wrapped itself around Caelum’s wooden cottage at the edge of the forest. Inside the master bedroom, dimly lit by flickering candlelight, the warmth of their wedding night enveloped them both.

Caelum’s rough, warm fingers gently brushed through strand after strand of Lyra’s blonde hair unfurled across the pillow. His soft kisses on her forehead, her pale cheeks, and her neck slowly eroded her remaining pride and awkwardness, drawing them into the deep, sacred intimacy of husband and wife.

The night's cold chill slowly melted away as Caelum pulled Lyra even closer into his embrace. Every warm stroke along her shoulder, the gaze of his brown eyes filled with profound love, and Caelum’s soft, soul-soothing whispers crumbled the last remnants of doubt in Lyra’s heart. Beneath the gentle glow of the moonlight, they surrendered their entire hearts and souls, surrendering to the height of an intimacy that bound their fates as one.

When Caelum’s breathing finally turned steady and he drifted off to sleep while holding her waist tightly, Lyra remained awake. She should have been asleep from exhaustion, but the sensation of what they had just shared granted her a newfound energy for life.

Lyra rested her head against Caelum’s bare chest, listening to the calm, rhythmic beat of her husband's heart. Memories of their first meeting up to their first date suddenly replayed in her mind like a dream from yesterday afternoon.

Lyra smiled subtly, remembering how annoying Caelum had been when she first stepped into his workshop to hide from witch hunters.

“You look beautiful.” Caelum had said back then, holding a carving tool.

“I am beautiful, no need to state the obvious.” Lyra had replied coldly without taking her eyes off the silver carving.

“But your beauty is different. Even when you just stood silently at my door, I was captivated at first sight.”

“That goblet carving is tilted too far to the left. Just focus on your work, Craftsman, instead of wasting time trying to seduce me. I’m not after muscular, rough-skinned men like you.”

“Sharp eyes. I’m Caelum.” The man had boldly offered, extending a hand wet with sweat.

“Ewww.” Lyra had blurted out honestly at the time, feeling a bit grossed out before finally replying briefly, “Lyra.”

The first date Caelum promised at the night market was far from childish romance. Lyra remembered how she didn't pretend to be a weak, innocent girl.

When Caelum invited her to a dagger-throwing game at one of the market's entertainment stalls, Lyra snatched the dagger from his hand and unleashed three rapid throws—all pinning perfectly dead center on the target board. Caelum even whistled in awe at her precision.

“You’re full of surprises, Lyra,” Caelum had praised that night.

“You’re just underestimating me,” Lyra had replied casually before devouring a piece of savory, flame-roasted meat Caelum had bought her. “Emmm, this is delicious.”

Lyra remembered how ravenously she ate that night, as if she had never tasted roasted meat dripping with natural juices. And beneath her nonchalant attitude back then, Lyra had to admit that being close to Caelum felt deeply comforting. He possessed a natural, warm aura—like the blazing sun in the dead of winter.

That sweet attentiveness continued into weeks where Caelum was always there, bringing freshly chopped firewood from the forest, carving small wooden statues to adorn her window, and eventually kneeling on top of a hill to slip the moonstone ring onto her finger, promising to be her safest haven in the world.

Lyra let out a soft breath, stroking Caelum’s handsome face as he slept peacefully beside her. However, as her gaze shifted to her left hand resting on the bedsheet, her smile slowly faded.

The moonstone on her wedding ring suddenly throbbed, casting a faint blue glow. The lunar magic in her blood began to churn once more, stirred by the cold wind of the approaching full moon outside the window.

Lyra clenched her fist tightly, her chest haunted by a deep foreboding. As a fugitive Moon Witch, happiness obtained too quickly usually vanished just as fast. Her dark past had never truly allowed her to live in peace.

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