My finger traces the inside of my upper arm, brushing past the pale scar that has been there for as long as I can remember. My eyes burn through the looking glass and into the stubborn blemish, yearning for its scarcity.

I drop my hand after a moment, a heavy feeling sinking in my chest, but I don't let my mind dwindle on that path for long.

I swiftly tug my sleeve down and toss my overcoat on. The dark cloth dances just above my ankles, much like my dresses do, only today, I've decided against wearing one.

I tell myself it's because the chill of Autumn is settling in and because I don't feel like trekking the town in a nice dress today, but truthfully... I'm being combative.

I cherish my brother and wish to celebrate him in all things, but today is different. Today, I don't have the heart to dress in any way that could imply I am happy for what is to come.

I push open the bedroom door, making my way to the front of the cottage.

My plan to step into my boots and head out the door is halted when I spot Orion, my youngest brother, sulking at the worn-down table in the sitting room.

His pale eyes brighten when he sees me, but his frown persists.

It isn't abnormal to see Orion at the cottage occasionally. Rather than walking back and forth between the castle and the forest, he tends to leave his hunting gear with me. 

While Orion does have hunting plans today, I can tell he's been waiting for me. He's got a grim look about him, and I know a self-righteous Orion when I see one.

I clear my throat, tilting my head at him. "How long have you been here?"

"Are you going to the party later?" he presses, shrugging me off.

I shrug back. "It's our big brother's birthday. Shouldn't we be there?" I mutter.

Striding across the room, I take a seat at the table across from him, resting my hands on the rickety surface.

Orion cocks an eyebrow at me. "S'pose so. It's not really the party I'm dreading though. You know what I mean—It's just hard to feel excited about anything right now, knowing what's to come."

Ah, yes. Just what I didn't want to be thinking about right now.

Orion likes to dwell on things. I think it makes him feel like he has a sense of control. I'm the opposite. Dwelling makes me uneasy.

"I just..." He shakes his head in frustration, looking down at his hands.

I purse my lips, drumming my fingertips across the table. 

His head jerks back up, eyes determined as he leans in.

"I just refuse to believe that our own father would condemn us to the same fate as lower-class Moonborns! Our family built this country, this town, the laws—"

"No, our father did all of those things," I interject. "We were just born with Moon magic, same as everybody else. And as Dad said before any of us were even born," I straighten my posture and clear my throat, composing myself to mimic our father's stern demeanor, "'Those born with the magic of the Moon are required to abide by the laws enforced by the Van Blake family.' Which means, if Dad didn't hold us to the same standard as every other Moonborn in the country, it would be chaos," I finish irritably, my tone returning to its normal hum.

Orion scowls. "Look, it wouldn't be simple for anyone to let us go on as we have. I get that it would upset people, but do you really believe he would actually do it? You think Dad would make us kill each other for power?" he insists, eyebrows raised high.

My tongue clicks. "I think our father loves power."

"We're already the strongest bloodline out of all Moonborns!" he bursts out. "Surely his children mean more to him than some extra magic boost. He knows none of us would even dare to lift a finger to hurt little Juniper, let alone each other!"

I want to tell him that he's right, but my tongue stays bitten. There's no point.

Dad would never want to put any of us in harm's way, yes, but this isn't a matter of what he would or would not want. This is a matter of what he will have to do, given his place of power. 

He can't make his people sacrifice all but one of their children consistently and then not pay the piper when his turn comes around.

Orion leans back in his chair with a creak. "He's the king. If he wanted to protect us, he could. And I have to believe that he will," Orion declares, but the conviction he had before has left his voice. "He will..." he trails off.

I let out a small sigh, looking away. 

My eyes mindlessly trace around the wood patterns etched into the cottage walls as guilt grows in my stomach. 

I should say something to keep his always bright eyes from dimming, but what is there to say? Anything I could say would just be false hope.

The silence is heavy now as he fidgets with the edge of the table, eyes downcast.

I push my hair behind my shoulder with a sigh, then clear my throat.

The only thing I can do for him now is move on to something else so that he doesn't dig himself into complete hopelessness.

But because it's Orion, I know he won't want to drop the subject. When my brother gets wound up, he tends to keep talking in circles around a subject until he feels better.

His curious eyes reveal themselves when I push away from the table. 

I know it will only frustrate him further if I completely change the topic, so instead, I grin at him. 

"Perhaps I'm just being cynical. Maybe you're right, maybe you're not. But I'd be happy to wager on it," I offer, feigning arrogance.

A tiny smile graces his lips before he can stop it. "You're always cynical, Cal, but you know I'm always happy to take someone's money and prove them wrong at the same time."

"We'll just have to see how it all plays out. I expect at least twenty coins when we're out in the town square casting curses on each other though," I tease.

He shakes his head, chuckling. "Sure, sure. I'd be happy to take those coins off your hands, thank you."

I cross my arms and smile tightly. "Whatever you say, kid."

He laughs in response, his shoulders visibly relaxing.

"Do you want to go with me to get Atlas's present?" I ask.

He jumps up from the table dutifully, his happy-go-lucky attitude finally returning. Dimples cave in around his curled lips. 

"No, I'm going hunting with Eros today. He's probably already down by the woods, so I'll walk you down the street, but you'd better not spend too many coins. Remember, you'll have to cough up that money for me soon enough."

I roll my eyes, ignoring his jibe. "I'm surprised you talked Eros into parting ways with Nova. They've been all over each other every day since last year."

It's also a rare occurrence for Eros to agree to a hunting venture, but I don't mention it. 

Eros doesn't care for anything remotely violent, but he likely agreed to accompany Orion to either offer or gain some peace. The Moon knows we could all use some of that today.

"I know!" Orion exclaims as he grabs his bag and crossbow beside the door. "I feel like we barely spend time with him now since they got together. I'm happy for him but oh my Moons, they're driving me nuts!"

"That's what you get for spending so much time with your big brother instead of your big sister," I declare, sticking my tongue out at him as I open the front door. 

Before he can get any smart comments in, I'm already stepping outside into the afternoon sun. 

The air has a cold bite to it but the sun melts pleasantly into it, warming my face.

Orion catches the door and trails behind me clumsily. 

Despite me being three years older than him, he has some height on me so he catches up in just a few short strides. 

He gives my arm a soft shove and mutters something childish under his breath, making my eyes roll.

The silence that inevitably falls between us is comfortable and familiar, seeing as we're both naturally in our thoughts most of the time. 

My eyes drift to the side, where the streets are lined with the renowned white and purple flowers my mother was named after. 

The fragile, little petals make me think of both the Moon and my mother. She's been ill for so long now that it's nearly impossible to not picture her in a decrepit state. 

Looking at the lunaria makes me sad but at the same time, the flowers always give me hope. 

They remind me of when Mom was healthy, singing as she brushed my hair as a child, laughing and dancing with my father in the ballrooms...

Most people in our town think the flowers were planted around town simply because of their likeness to the Moon. Very few know that the flowers are my father's way of offering respect for my dead grandmother, whose favorite flower was Lunaria, or that they're his way of expressing his love to his dying wife, or that the legacy of the flowers even manages to pull on my heartstrings years later.

It's confusing, honestly, knowing how contradicting my father can be. 

Minutes after Orion and I part ways, the dark pavement beneath my boots transforms into the titanium-white pavement that nearly covers the entire town square.

The buzz of the townsfolk meets my ears as I wander deeper into town. Selene City has been my home since birth, but the beauty of it never ceases to amaze me.

Black and white buildings and landmarks that remind me of chess boards and ballrooms surround me. Fountains carved against magnificent statues are on almost every corner, reflecting rainbows between sun and water.

Spherical shapes and vibrant patterns become more prominent when I finally reach the heart of the city.

I've always loved window shopping and the Lunar Square is the perfect place for it, but the usual joy I feel when approaching the square is not here today.

Not on Atlas's twentieth birthday. Not when our eldest brother's new age is what condemns all but one of us to death. 

As I approach a familiar jewelry store, an elderly woman gasps when she sees me. 

"Van Blake," she wheezes out as she gives her best attempt at a curtsy when she sees me. The man next to her, her husband I think, offers a bow, tipping his hat gracefully and respectfully.

I give them a polite nod, trying not to look as uncomfortable as I feel anytime that happens. 

My father has had to reiterate to me many times when I was young that we are royals and that I should have pride in our blood—that my humility could look like a weakness to the wrong people if I'm not careful.

I've lived here as Alberich and Luna Van Blake's daughter all of my life, so I try to hold my head high like the rest of my family, but it's never felt natural to me.

Inside the jewelry store, I smell the familiar scent of rosemary. The Moonborn that owns the shop is very fond of her herbs and candles. 

Excitement bubbles in my chest, pushing down my negative thoughts. I already know the gift I want for Atlas. 

When Ms. Marble sees me, she beams at me. "Princess!" She gives a soft bow of her head. "What brings you in?"

I want to tell her she doesn't have to address me so formally, but I bite my tongue. 

Because her daughter is smitten with my brother, and I've been in her store quite often, our families have grown familiar with one another, but I know my father wouldn't approve of me turning down respect for our family name, so I let it be. 

I do my best to match her warmth. "Hello, Ms. Marble. I saw an old pocket watch here a couple of weeks ago. Atlas treasures such things, so I was hoping it was still for sale?"

Her eyebrows raise. "Ah, yes. I saw you eyeing it before. I'm surprised you didn't buy it right then."

The only reason I didn't buy it right then is because it felt silly to celebrate a day that foretells death to the Van Blake siblings, but ultimately, I decided to come back for the watch today because I didn't want the fear of the Moon Gathering to take anything else away from us.

Ever since we were children, Atlas and I have always bonded over antiques. He has a stronger love for such things, but I have always cherished any vintage piece of jewelry or treasure that he has given me. He even spelled some of the gifts to both protect and entertain me as a child. 

He appreciates the rarity and beauty in antiquated baubles, while I admire the nostalgia they inspire between us.

I shrug. "I was overthinking my gift for a while. I'm certain now."

She opens a glass cabinet behind her desk with a key from her pocket and produces a small velvet box. 

She waltzes over to me excitedly. "I saved it for you. I had a feeling you'd be back. Your brother will love this, sweetie. This is a big day for him. Being the eldest in a Moonborn family is quite an honor, but it is still a glorious day for you as well," she cheers with glee.

The only thing more honorable than aging, according to our culture, is dying. 

Being murdered by your own blood as a sacrifice for your family's bloodline is the most honorable death you can get. 

Instead of voicing my bitter thoughts out loud, I give her a tight smile. "Yes, it is a big day. Thank you so much for saving the watch for me. How much will it be?" I ask.

"A hundred coins, princess."

I reach into the satchel balanced against my hip and collect two coins, each worth half a hundred, and extend my hand out to deposit the golden coins into the pouch she holds open to me.

She quickly spells a pen to start scribbling on a piece of parchment at her desk across the room, then hands me the red box containing the golden pocket watch. I take it from her but before I can blink, the pen clanks down on the desk and the paper shoots across the room in a flurry at the wave of her hand. 

She catches the paper swiftly, presenting it to me. A record of my purchase for me to keep.

Ms. Marble always likes to send customers off with a flourish of magic when she can, and she is one of the few Moonborn bloodlines strong enough to do so with the sun still out.

I offer my thanks and return to the chilling breeze outside.

Most Moonborns can't do any magic at all during the day. The few who can, like Ms. Marble, are just powerful enough to put away a small amount of magic into an object for later, but when the sun fully sets, The Moon will take her place and gift us our magic for the night. 

But the Moon makes no difference to me. I'm an exception, but unlike Ms. Marble, I have magic all the time and don't have to store it elsewhere. 

One of the perks of being a Van Blake, I suppose.

Well, almost. 

My parents have explained to me from a young age that my ability to practice magic during the day will likely diminish over time. As a result, they've always insisted I don't use magic when the sun is out. 

Not that it matters, since I am likely to die in the weeks to come when I'm forced to duel my siblings for power.

I shake my head and silently scold myself. I can't let myself think about that right now.

As I make my way back towards the cottage home, I peer into the velvet box eagerly. 

The watch opens and closes smoothly, of course, and the shell of the piece is etched with lovely golden and faint copper swirls. The inside of the trinket that contains the actual clock also has a small sword engraved in it with Lunaria curling around its blade. It's the symbol our warriors wear when going into battle.

Atlas fought alongside my father last year when our army ventured out to conquer a strip of land in our realm that was being invaded by mortals. I don't think the mortals knew they were trespassing, but that doesn't matter to those who would defend Lunaria with their lives. 

My father isn't a merciful man when it comes to anything less than a Moonborn being. Mortals, or otherwise, are executed on sight.

While I don't agree with the violence of it all, my brother sees battle, be it with swords or magic, as a great honor. The pocket watch will hold more value to Atlas than any other watch, simply because of the symbol carved on the inside.

Back at my grandparents' old cottage, I toss my satchel onto the kitchen table Orion and I had been sitting at not so long ago. 

My mind wanders back to our earlier conversation—The Moon Gathering. 

A chill jumps up my spine as dread constricts me. 

I have to take a breath, then another.

At the very least, I know we're all safe for the time being. The ceremony can only happen at night when the Moon is full.

Atlas is likely stronger than all of us, seeing as he is the oldest. I'm just one year behind him in age though, and I am presumably more powerful than my siblings since my magic is strong enough to survive in the sunlight. 

But I haven't used magic in a war like him. Neither has Juniper, Orion, or Eros. Atlas could make quick work of us all with ease. 

I swallow the lump forming in my throat, shaking my head in frustration. Stop. Thinking.

I take one of the many silk pouches out of the kitchen drawer and slide Atlas's gift into it. For now, I place the silk bag containing my brother's birthday present in my satchel on the table. 

I stare out one of the cracked windows wordlessly, zoning out, letting my mind go numb for a moment.

"More jewelry, I presume?"

I spin around at the unexpected voice. Eyes like Orion's meet mine, only these are icier.

"Dad," is all I manage to say. 

I haven't seen him in weeks, and seeing him here in our grandparents' old cottage is not common. I'm here more than anyone and usually alone unless Orion stops by for a chat.

I only see my father when I choose to go to the castle or if he calls for me to meet elsewhere, but both of these occurrences are rare as well.

"You promised me you would take guards with you anytime you went into the city. You know I dislike you staying out here enough as it is, Calypso."

I frown. "I wasn't gone long."

He takes a step towards me, abandoning the door frame he had been leaning against for who knows how long. The corners of his lips twitch, but his natural frown remains.

"I've missed you, Calypso," he says in his usual authoritative tone, but I can tell by the slight softness to his almost always hard expression, that he is being sincere. 

Because Dad and I handle our emotions in similar ways, I tend to read him very well. 

"I would like to see you tonight at your brother's party. All of you."

I clear my throat. "Yes, I'll be there. That is actually a gift for Atlas," I murmur, motioning to my bag on the table. "Sorry I haven't been to the castle in a while, I just..."

"There is no need to make excuses. I'm not here to scold you, Calypso."

I offer a small smile and say, "I miss you too." And I have. I hadn't realized it until he appeared in the family cottage before me just now, but I do miss him. 

I miss our early morning banter, our walks to the town square, and the safety I have always felt in his presence. 

"I would have come to the castle if you had asked. You didn't have to come all the way here."

He shrugs, his blue robe swaying with the movement. "I didn't want to wait. And besides, I have something to tell you that I don't want the others to hear just yet."

Oh no. 

This has to be about the anticipated Moon Gathering, but why is he only coming to me about it? Has he already spoken to Atlas and the others?

I shake my head, silently answering my unspoken question. Doubtful.

My father isn't one to bring up a sore subject to just anyone. He does not care for big outbursts or overreactions. Or any visible emotions, really.

That's why he favors me.

I used to think it was because I was the only girl out of the bunch—His little girl. Then, little Juniper came along. Of course, he also doted on her, but his bond with me remains unwavering.

"And what's that?" I ask wearily.

A line of stress forms between his dark, furrowed brows. "As you know, when the eldest sibling in a family turns twenty, that family becomes eligible for the Moon Gathering, and your brother, Atlas, is now of age."

There it is.

I wait for him to continue but he doesn't. 

"Yes, I'm aware," I reply impatiently.

His eyes don't tear away from mine. It's as if he is looking for something specific in my expression. 

"Your mother has gotten worse. She may not make it into next week," he says softly, still studying me. This announcement takes me off guard, making my heart race at his words. "You would do well to see her while you can," he finishes gruffly.

"What?" I whisper. My throat is too tight to say anything else.

"Although, I'm sure it's not lost on you, strengthening the bloodline could save your mother, or at least buy her more time."

Strengthening our bloodline would mean participating in the inevitable Moon Gathering, spilling my siblings' blood across the clean, white stones in theThe Lunar Square, no longer just for power but to save our mother.

Any hope of Orion being right about our father showing us mercy has become null and void.

If it's a choice between his children or his wife, he will choose her as he always has.