The night sky stretched endlessly above the Blood Moon territory — a canvas of silver and shadow, scattered with stars that seemed to shimmer just out of reach.
And beneath that sky, in the quiet solitude of his chamber, Aldus stood by the window, his hands resting loosely on the stone frame as his gaze traced the pale glow of the moon.
It had been over a month.
Thirty-one days since the night he last held her.
Thirty-one nights since he last heard her voice, felt her warmth beside him, or breathed in the familiar scent that always calmed the storm inside his chest.
And yet… he was still here. Still waiting — just like he promised.
"I'll wait for you," he whispered into the night, repeating the vow he had made before she left. "No matter how long it takes."
The wind shifted gently, cool and sharp, rustling the curtains as if carrying his words toward her — wherever she was.
