"Good morning, Luna."

Mitchell’s voice cut gently through the quiet, bright and high walls of the room as she moved toward the windows. She drew the curtains back in one smooth motion.

Sunlight poured into the room immediately.

Aire groaned softly, turning her face slightly into the pillow as the light hit her eyes.

"It’s too early," she murmured.

"It is not," Mitchell replied lightly. "It is a perfectly reasonable hour for a Luna."

Aire opened one eye, then the other.

The room slowly came into focus.

She stared at the soft drape of the curtains, and the polished floor. She softly inhaled the faint scent of oils and fresh linen lingering in the air.

She pushed herself up slowly. Her hair fell loosely over her shoulders as she sat up.

Madam’s voice came from the closet.

"King Elijah has requested tea with you before breakfast."

Aire blinked.

She turned her head slightly toward the sound.

Madam stood partially within the closet. Her fingers moved across a row of newly brought gowns, assessing them with quiet precision.

Aire sat up straighter.

"With me?" she asked, a hint of surprise slipping into her voice. King Elijah doesn’t like her. Talk more of tea.

"Yes."

Aire glanced briefly at Mitchell, then back toward Madam.

"Did he say why?"

"No."

Aire drew in a slow breath. "Then I should not keep him waiting," she said, pushing the covers aside.

Mitchell stepped forward immediately.

"Of course not," she said, already reaching for the basin.

Preparation today was quicker than usual.

Madam allowed no room for delay.

"You will not keep the King waiting," she said simply, as she ordered the maids around more urgently.

Aire nodded.

Tea? With King Elijah.

Her fingers tightened slightly as Mitchell fastened the final clasp at her back.

"What do you think he wants?" Aire asked quietly.

Madam stepped forward, adjusting the fall of the fabric at Aire’s shoulder.

"Perhaps, your opinion."

Aire stilled. "My opinion?" she repeated softly.

Madam met her gaze in the mirror.

"You are Luna," she said. "You should start understanding what that means."

Aire swallowed.

She nodded once. "I understand."

Madam studied her for a moment longer.

"No," she said calmly. "You are beginning to."

.....

The corridors were quieter in the early morning.

Aire walked with measured steps, with her hands folded lightly before her.

Two guards followed at a distance. The castle felt different at this hour with less noise, and almost no movement.

She was led to a smaller chamber, one she had not entered before.

The door opened.

"Luna," the guard announced.

Aire stepped inside.

King Elijah sat by a low table near the window.

A tray rested between the seats. Tea had already been poured in two tea cups, waiting to be picked up.

He looked up as she entered.

His gaze was calm, and observant.bservant.

"Come," he said, gesturing lightly to the seat across from him.

Aire inclined her head slightly. "Your Majesty." She moved forward and took her seat.

He watched her as she settled.

"You rose quickly," he noted.

"You asked for me," Aire replied simply.

A faint smile touched his lips. "Yes. I did."

Silence settled briefly between them.

He lifted his cup, and parted his lips. "So," he began, "tell me something, Luna."

Aire met his gaze.

"What do you believe power is?"

The question caught her off guard. She didn’t answer immediately. Her fingers rested lightly against the edge of the table.

Power?

She thought of many things.

Fear, control, and survival.

Her gaze lowered briefly to the tea. Then lifted again to meet his eyes.

"It depends on who holds it," she said slowly.

King Elijah tilted his head slightly. "Go on." He urged.

Aire inhaled softly. "For some, power is control," she continued. "For others, it is protection."

Her voice steadied as she spoke. "And for some... it is survival."

King Elijah watched her closely. "And for you?" he asked.

Aire paused. Her fingers tightened slightly beneath the table.

"For me..." she said quietly, "it is something I am still learning."

A slow silence followed.

Then, King Elijah nodded. "That is an honest answer." He noticed.

He set his cup down.

"There is a matter I am considering," he said. "And I would hear your thoughts."

Aire straightened slightly. "I will give them, if I can."

He leaned back slightly.

"The northern border grows restless."

Aire’s brows drew together faintly.

"The humans?" she asked.

"Yes."

His gaze sharpened slightly.

"They move closer. Not in force, but in intent. The now seem to know ever route around that boarder, and where to attack, if they wish to."

Aire listened carefully.

He continued. "My council is divided. Some believe we should act first."

Her thoughts moved immediately.

"And the others?" she asked.

"They believe we should wait, observe, and avoid unnecessary conflict."

Aire nodded slowly.

"And you?" she asked quietly.

King Elijah studied her. "I asked you first." He pointed out.

Aire’s breath stilled for a moment. She lowered her gaze briefly, then lifted it to him again.

"If we strike first," she said slowly, "we confirm their fear."

King Elijah’s eyes flickered. "And if we wait?"

"They grow bolder."

Aire held his gaze.

"Fear makes people dangerous," she added softly. "But so does desperation."

King Elijah leaned forward slightly.

"And what would you choose?" it was a honest question from his end.

Aire hesitated. "Neither," she said.

He stilled.

Aire continued. "I would let them believe we are choosing to wait... while preparing to act."

A faint shift passed through his expression.

"Preparation is not aggression," she added. "But it ensures we are not caught unready."

King Elijah watched her for a long moment.

Then, he smiled in mild admiration.

"That," he said quietly, "is a Luna’s answer."

Aire stilled slightly at that. The memory she had of him yelling for his mate flashed through her mind.

He lifted his cup again.

"You will attend council soon," he added. "Not as observer."

Her breath caught slightly.

"As what?" she asked.

"As a voice. You’re fully Luna now, cursed or not."

Aire didn’t respond to it.

Her fingers tightened slightly around her cup.

King Elijah watched her. "Do not shrink from it," he said. "You will not be the weakest voice in that room."

Aire met his gaze again. "I won’t," she said, steadily.

King Elijah nudged at her to drink her tea. "Sit with me for a while, would you?"

Aire gave him a thin smile. She nodded in acceptance, and took a slow sip from the tea. Then, she joined him in watching out of the window.