Chapter 105. The Bridge of Two Names

“What does that mean?”

“It means the test comes now,” said another voice.

The chamber brightened without light. The Moon did not enter. She simply became the room.

Orla bowed her head so quickly she smudged her own chalk-line. Mavienne did not kneel, but she lowered her eyes. Neris went very still. Kael’s hands tightened on my arms—not in fear. In refusal to let go.

“Child,” the Goddess said, and the word undid me worse than any blade. “You burned the music out of war. Good. Now we see what you make in its silence.”

“What do you want?” My voice sounded different. Smaller and larger at once.

Her gaze moved to Kael. “One of you will not survive the world you unmake if you leave this as it is.”

The bond flinched.

“Choose,” she said, echoing the First Luna—but hers was not a dare. It was an invitation. “Bring what remains. Leave what you burned.”

“What am I choosing between?” I asked, throat raw.

“Between a bond that sustains o