The festival began at sunset.
The village had transformed while no one was looking. Garlands of flowers hung from every hut. Lanterns made of hollowed gourds floated in the air, their soft light casting dancing shadows on the ground. The central fire had been built twice as high as usual, its flames reaching toward the darkening sky like hungry spirits.
And in the sky, the twin moons were rising.
Not staggered, not one following the other. Together. Side by side. Two silver coins pressed against the velvet dark.
The Moon's Embrace had begun.
Bai Yue stood at the edge of the clearing, watching the tribe gather. The cubs were running in circles, too excited to stand still. The young beastmen had washed their fur until it gleamed. The females wore flowers in their hair and pretended not to notice the males staring at them.
She felt a hand on her waist.
"Come, my love," Zhāo Yàn murmured against her ear. "The festival waits for no one."
