The Second Chance Of The Rejected Moon (Celine and Bastian) novel Chapter 182

Chapter 182

Celine

One week later.

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It is morning, and the sun is shining over Lemuria with unusual intensity. The light pours through the castle’s enormous windows and spills across the stone floors, catching golden glints on the columns and the suits of armor that decorate the corridors. After so many days of gray skies and streets covered in rubble, it feels strange to see the kingdom bathed in such clean light, almost as if the world were trying to convince us that the war had never happened.

Bastian and I walk down the main staircase to say goodbye to my new friends from the human world. The time has come for them to return, and each of them has their own battles to face. Since we arrived in Lemuria, they have helped us far more than any visitor would have been willing to, and I will not forget that.

Johan and Vladimir, meanwhile, have spent the past few days using magic to rebuild much of the destroyed buildings. The results are beginning to show. Some of the facades are standing again, the streets are clearer, and little by little, Lemuria is recovering some of the appearance it had before the invasion. However, the situation inside the castle has been… tense.

Johan’s presence has not gone unnoticed by anyone.

Tanner, the alpha of the Black Moon Pack, stands in front of his perfectly assembled army beside his brother, while the kings and princes take their places around them. Everyone looks ready to leave as soon as the time

comes.

I watch the formation for a few seconds until my eyes find Darien.

Of all of them, he seems to be the one who feels most out of place. He has been here for several days, but he has never managed to fully relax. His gaze constantly drifts toward the roads leading away from the castle, and there is something in his posture that betrays an impatience he does not even try to hide.

I think he is the one most eager to get home.

I walk hand in hand with Bastian toward them, ready to cross the portal Vladimir will create to take them back to Avalon. I smile at everyone, although part of me cannot help feeling sadness and fear at the possibility that I may never see them again.

“I don’t know how to thank you for everything you’ve done for us, guys,” I say when I stop in front of them. “I really am indebted to you. You helped me without even knowing me, you left your homes and families to make sure I got home safely, and you stayed an entire week to work with us on rebuilding the kingdom. I swear that one day I’ll repay the favor, no matter what it takes. I’ll come visit you.”

Tanner, the alpha of the Black Moon Pack, shakes his head with a calm smile.

“We help our friends. You have nothing to thank us for and no favors to repay. But we have to go home. You can visit us soon if you want.”

Killian, the vampire king of Avalon, smiles.

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16:06 Tue, Aug 18

The Second Chance Of The Rejected Moon

“Yes. She promised to visit us, and little Arman is fascinated by the future queen of Lemuria.”

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“Your boy is beautiful and very special. Just like your wife. She is kind, and I would like to see you both again.”

“Then you’ll have to come to Avalon.”

The king reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out a small red stone. He places it in my palm, and I close my fingers around it, studying it curiously.

“What is this?”

“A calling stone. If you have a message for us, no matter what world you’re in, we’ll receive it. It’s similar to sending a text message. Except in this case, the response will come directly into your hands, and you’ll be able to see it with your mind.”

I blink in surprise and raise the stone to examine it more closely. It is small, smooth, and warm, as though it still holds the heat from its owner’s hand.

“Wow… Thank you very much.”

Killian nods, satisfied, and takes a step back. Ciro, the other king and the one who appears to be the oldest of all of them, raises an eyebrow.

“Why don’t I have one of those?”

“Because it’s a stone from my kingdom, and if I gave you one, you would never stop sending messages to my wife.”

“She’s my sister.”

“Yes, and you’re an overprotective brother, so don’t even deny it. You can be pretty unbearable when you put your mind to it. My poor Zamira would spend her entire life holding a stone.”

Ciro rolls his eyes, and everyone else, including the princes, bursts out laughing.

“That’s because you don’t have sisters. I have two.”

“Thank the goddess I don’t have sisters,” Killian replies, provoking another round of laughter.

Bastian exchanges a few words with them while I watch Vladimir and his brother Johan move away from the group. They both head toward the place where they will open the portal that will take them back to Avalon.

“Vladimir.”

I walk slowly toward them. I have not felt well since this morning. It is not exactly pain. It is a strange sensation, a pressure that comes and goes through my body and that I cannot ignore. I instinctively place a hand over my belly and continue walking.

Vladimir turns toward me.

“Yes?”

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16:07 Tue, Aug 18

The Second Chance Of The Rejected Moon

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“I wanted to say goodbye. I’ve been a real pain in the ass for you since the first time we met,” I say, smiling when he lets out a small laugh.

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