Moonlight Rejection

among the ancient trees, casting dappled shadows on the woodland floor. Gray a

s—a tentative breath, a quiet step. He twirled around, his eyes looki

ar

glow. The whole woodland appeared to be pausing its breathing in anticipation of w

that was somewhat worried and doubtfu

her cloak. She answered, her voice hardly audible above

ht fell on her features. He felt a twinge of pity well up in his c

, "You shouldn't be out here alone." "Especia

mer of Elara's fragility, a break in

"I can take care of myself." "I d

er shoulder. He pleaded, "Elara, please," in a qu

away again. She added, her voice hardly audible

powerlessness. He knew it wouldn't be that easy, but he wanted to s

," he gripped her shoulder more t

ey were alone. Then slowly, Adrian saw something flash in their depths as Elara lifted

hardly audible above a whisper. "

e prepared himself for what was about to happen because he co

e hardly audible above

yes returning to the woodland fl

" her voice shaking with pa

hovering in a shadowy, unknowable space. He looked for any hint of uncertainty or do

ained with anguish, "Why not

ad. "Because I'm not who you think I am," she continued, he

nishing into the shadows like a wisp of smoke on the wind. Adrian

ic. But at that precise moment, his world was collapsing around him as he stood the

anished into the darkness. He was filled with a plethora of feelings, competing for control:

s second-in-command, stepping out of the shadows. As Marcus drew closer, his eyes searc

ioned in a quiet, desperate v

in his thoughts. He managed to utter "Elara," his voi

ned in horror. "Rejected?" he repeated, seeming doubtfu

e rose in the back of his throat. He whispered, "So did I," as he opene

he said again, a tone of skepticism in his voice. "Adrian, it is

With a smidgen of disdain in his voice, he added, "You don't have the foggiest i

sion contemplative. "Dark?" he repeated, a h

uncertainty. With remorse in his voice, he said, "I do

stling in the wind. Adrian experienced a wave of regret as he realized he ought to hav

s he continued, "I should have been there for

him without words. "Adrian, you couldn't have

rough his mind. He stated, "I need to find her," in a h

yes unblinking. He stated, "We'll find

who would hold the key to their destiny. Adrian also couldn't get rid of the notion that their adventure was only getti

would do whatever it took to win back the love he had lost. A