Bound To The Moon Priestess Chapter 08

Bound To The Moon Priestess Chapter 08

That day, when Dad brought milk to Isara, he actually struck up a conversation with me for the first time

ever.

“Still sorting temple records? Turn in early, okay?”

Ever since that incident, Mom always acted awkward around me.

I heard her ask Dad by the door, “How is she? Is she asleep?”

But I didn’t want to talk to her. I pretended I’d turned off the light and gone to bed.

In the end, I heard Mom stop her footsteps, then head back to her room.

I tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.

I didn’t know if I was still upset about that late apology she never gave me.

And I didn’t know if I could ever go back to how things were even if she did apologize.

There were just so many unanswered questions in the world.

In June, the annual Summer Solstice Hunt was right around the corner. Everyone was speculating whether

Roran or Leoric would bring in more game.

For weeks before that, both of them trained twice as hard at the training grounds.

The day before the hunt, Leoric came to find me and told me to wait for him at the altar. He said he’d bring

me back an arrow stained with prey blood as a gift.

That was so cool, I was totally hyped for it.

But right when the hunt was almost over, Isara suddenly tracked me down. “Brother, Mom and Dad have been paying more attention to you lately. They probably see how much potential you have as a Sun Priest.”

Isara had no idea I was actually her sister.

I just smiled and nodded. “Yeah, you’re right.”

Isara didn’t say anything else.

A moment later, she suddenly gasped.

“Oh no, I forgot my water! Ugh, I’m so forgetful.

“Caelum, go grab it for me, it’s in the temple basement.”

I hesitated, and for the first time ever, I said no to Isara.

“[promised someone I’d wait here for his gift after the hunt. The temple isn’t far from here you can go get it yourself.”

Isara nudged me a few times.

“C’mon Caelum, it’s so hot out, I don’t wanna walk all that way.

This time I didn’t cave in to her begging, and told her seriously.

“Fine, I’ll go get it this time, but it’s the last time. From now on, do the things you can do yourself. I’ll still be nice to you, but I need you to respect my boundaries too.”

Isara froze in place, finally looking lost.

The temple was close by.

I should’ve made it back in time.

I got to the basement.

Isara’s water was on a really high shelf, and I couldn’t reach it even standing on my tiptoes.

In my hurry, I pulled too hard, and the whole shelf came crashing down on me out of nowhere. Thick dust hit my face, and my ankle throbbed with searing pain.

“Is anyone there?”

I yelled toward the door several times, but no one answered.

All the temple guards had left for the hunt, no one could hear my shouts from the basement.

In the total silence, I suddenly realized-this was Isara’s plan.

Disbelief, shock, fear, anger-they tore at my heart all at once. It hurt worse than any fall, burned hotter than any fire. Dark emotion swallowed my whole soul.

“I’m sorry, Leoric. I think I’m gonna have to break my promise.”

After what felt like forever, footsteps sounded from the entrance.

Someone carefully moved the shelf off of me, then lifted me onto their back.

A cool, woody scent washed over me.

I jerked my head up.

Who would’ve thought it?

Ruran was the one who came.

He still had that same cat, unreadable look on his face.

“Just passing through.”

No one just passes by a temple basement. That excuse was too bad.

The next second, Roran’s eyes landed on the blood on the back of my hand. He froze. “You…”

I quickly covered it with my robe and fumbled, “It’s fine, just a little cut. Thanks for helping me, but I need to go bandage this now, don’t bother sticking around.”

Roran’s hand froze mid-air. He stared at me for a long moment, then nodded.

By accident, I caught sight of his necklace. It had a wolf-shaped agate set in it.

My breath caught. That was the gift I’d sent him years ago. I never thought he’d still keep it.

When he noticed my staring, he tugged at his collar awkwardly.

Just as I was about to walk out, Roran called my name.

“Oh, by the way, Caelum. Isara didn’t mean it. She only set you up because she was jealous. You’re okay now, so I hope you don’t hold it against her.”

Roran said this really sincerely, his voice soft and gentle.

I turned around and tried hard to make out Roran’s features.

He was still just as handsome as ever.

But the sad truth was, I wasn’t attracted to him anymore.