Where Moonlight Guide.
{Under two moons softly high,
We roam free with spirit’s cry;
Hands entwine in hushed vow,
Tonight is ours—here and now.}
The notes rolled in across the darkness like a curl of smoke. The people around them melted back into the noise of the world, until even the wind grew still, listening.
Nova felt the pain of it settle deep within her chest. She didn’t talk—couldn’t, really. It was the sort of song that sent silence into reverence.
Leon did not stir. He merely gazed at the singer with something awed in his eyes.
As the last note died, the silence lingered like a held breath. Then, gradually, warm applause swelled up from the seated crowd. Not raucous—just genuine. Gentle claps. Murmured thanks. A soft, holy thanks.
Nova applauded lightly, still under the spell. Leon joined her, the edges of his mouth curving.
He leaned in and whispered, "That was... perfect. Beautiful song."
Nova nodded minutely, her voice barely above a whisper. "It was."
The singer bowed graciously; hands clasped before crowed. "Thank you, dear hearts. May love find you all, and the moonlight guide your ways."
Couples came to him, one at a time, placing coins in the plain cloth pouch on the ground before him. They mostly left silver, though some left copper. The old man bowed to each, never tallying—only smiling as though each gift was wealth.
Leon stood up softly, smoothing his coat pant as he approached.
"Sir," he said with a smile.
Sir," he said genially. "Your voice has something unique. My partner and I." He turned back to Nova. ".We’re thankful. That song resonated with something in us. We’ll never forget it."
The old man cocked his head, a small smile beginning to form in his creased face. "Thank you, young man.
Leon pulled his storage ring out and pulled out a velvet pouch. Its soft ringing drew a few of the nearby people’s attention. He didn’t appear to notice.
"I believe songs like that are worth more than coin and anything," Leon said, "but... this is the best I can do now."
He offered the pouch to the singer.
The man’s fingers shook as he took it, fingertips touching the velvet as if it would disappear. "This is... too much," he breathed.
Leon’s golden eyes softened. "Not for a blessing."
The singer glanced from him to Nova, who had stood up to stand alongside Leon, her eyes warm.
The old man nodded, his voice low and rich with significance. "Then listen to me, both of you."
His eyes trapped theirs.
[May the moon always illuminate your union.
May every fight bring you closer—never shatter you.
And may your evenings be warm... and lit.]
Nova’s mouth opened, but she had no words. Just a smile—a huge, soft grin that made Leon’s chest hurt.
Leon bent his head in a shallow bow. "We’ll take that blessing."
"Be careful, both of you," the singer whispered, her eyes following them as they walked away.
Hand in hand, they disappeared into the crowd again—moving as a matched flame, two beings with a spark between them that ignited the air.
The old man stood by the fountain, his gaze tracking them until they were engulfed by the lanterns and laughter. Then, with a deep breath, he unzipped the pouch completely. Gold flashed back at him—not a single coin, but enough to provide for his family for generations.
Elsewhere, Leon and Nova strolled in quiet rhythm with the night. Nova now held a puff of candy flock—light, pink, and faintly shimmering like enchanted cotton. Leon had one too. They brought them close and shared a bite, lips brushing for the briefest moment.
Leon smirked, leaning a little closer. "Your candy’s sweet, but I’m pretty sure your lips are sweeter."
Nova raised an eyebrow, her pace slowing just a little. A flush rose onto her cheeks, but the soft smile playing on her lips betrayed her. "Gods... that was terrible," she said, racking her head. "Cheesy as sin."
Leon didn’t blink. He regarded her with a layabout grin, eyes glinting. "Yeah, but it made you smile."
She glanced at him again—this time, lingering just a moment longer—then looked down, toying with the edge of her candy. "Still," she murmured, almost like she didn’t mean for it to come out loud, "I liked it."
Leon’s grin shifted—quieter now, softer. He didn’t need to joke, not in this moment. "I’m glad," he said simply.
The group swirled around them, but it was all a blur—like the world had receded at the edges. They walked together under the floating lanterns, their footsteps slow and easy. Music wafted on the air, combining with the smell of spice and sugar, calming the night into something dreamlike.
Nova picked up a bite of her glimmering candy flock, then licked a bit of sweetness from her thumb. "I loved it," she said after a moment, her voice softer now. "Not only the market. Just. us. This entire night."
Leon shifted his head slightly, observing her. The light of the lantern illuminated her features in gold. She seemed different tonight—lighter more lovely, as if she’d shed some invisible armor.
"I did too," he replied, a slight smile playing at his lips. "Especially the part where I made it through the entire night without getting punched."
She gave him a sideways smile, her eyes teasing. "Don’t let it go to your head."
He chuckled. "Wouldn’t dream of it."
They halted by a street vendor who was roasting spiced meats over red embers. The pungent smell was irresistible. Leon paid a few coins and came back with two skewers—juicy, tender, still hot.
Nova popped hers back with a satisfied hum, already chewing on the first morsel. But as she turned to glance in a walking acrobat show, Leon moved in—leaning forward, he made a bold bite out of the remaining one on her stick.
Nova stopped in mid-stride.
She gazed down at her now-vacant stick... then slowly turned back to him.
"You ate my last meat bite."
Leon held up a finger, serious-faced. "Correction—I rescued you from a horrible destiny."
Nova’s eyes became slits. "What horrible destiny?"
He leaned forward, voice falling into a pretend-whisper. "Getting obese."
She blinked in confusion. "Excuse me?"
Leon chuckled, palms up in pretended surrender. "Not that you would, clearly. I’m just saying... it was an act of mercy. A heroic one."
Nova glared at him, unimpressed. "You’re lucky I’m stuffed or I’d knock you on your butt."
He smiled, not a bit bothered. "You were too busy staring at the bracelet I gave you to pay attention anyway."
She threw up her hands, but raised her wrist anyway. The slender silver bracelet he’d purchased before glistened in the light of the lanterns, a teardrop crystal shining brightly at the center.
"It is pretty," she conceded. "Still convinced it could be cursed.
"I’d never curse you," he whispered, tilting forward just slightly. Leon cocked his head. "And if it is, it’s only cursed to make you think of me and perhaps Seduce too."
Leon smiled, slow and smooth, his eyes resting on her as if she was the only thing that shone in all of Moonspire.
Nova smiled back at him with a faint warmth in her cheeks, but didn’t say anything—just pulled another piece of candy into her mouth and let the silence develop comfortably between them.
They walked past a square where music burst around a circle of dancers spinning around. Women danced in flowing skirts that opened like flowers, and children raced through the spaces between them, laughing. Enchanted lights drifted overhead, pulsating to the beat.
A little girl near the edge of the square sold glowing glass roses from a wooden basket. Each flower was handcrafted; petals infused with faint mana that made them glow like moonlight.
Without hesitation, Leon stepped over and bought one.
Nova saw it too late. "Leon, don’t—"
But he was already tucking the luminous rose behind her ear with a careful touch.
She stared at him. "You’re ridiculous."
"You keep saying that."
"And yet, I’m still here."
Their eyes met again, and this time neither looked away. They both smiled.
The square faded behind them as they continued walking, slower now, closer than before. The sounds of the city faded into a soft hum. Above them, the twin moons of Moonspire shone full and bright, casting silver light across cobbled streets and empty rooftops.
And for now—for just a while longer—it was only them.
Enjoy reading on NovelHub - your free online novel platform.(c)om