Chapter 6 +25 BONUS Chapter 6 I drew a steady breath and stepped into the church . Waiting for me was the surgeon who had done my skin grafts , my senior from university , Simon Hale . Back then , our paths had only crossed over study groups and lab notes . After he graduated , he joined a major hospital , and we lost touch . Years later , when I was burned saving Mason , Simon was the one who treated me . I had been wrapped head to toe like a mummy . When the nurse finally loosened the bandages around my eyes , the first face I saw was Simon's . " Simon ? " I exclaimed in surprise . He smiled . " I'm surprised you still remember me . " His gaze was heavy with heartbreak and pity , though at first I couldn't tell what it meant . Later , during my follow - up , a pretty doctor brought in my meds , and I joked , " Do all the female doctors here look so beautiful ? " Simon glanced up from his notes and said , " None of them could ever be as beautiful as you . " I glanced down at the uneven grafts and let out a bitter laugh . " Please don't tease me . There isn't a patch of unscarred skin left . How could I possibly look beautiful ? " He shook his head . " To me , if it's you I froze , unsure whether he meant to me ΟΙ meant every word . one who looked after me . He even brought bone broth he had Whenever Mason skipped my appointments , Simon was the cooked himself . " Do you cook for all your patients ? " I teased . " I'm a doctor , " he said , ladling a bowl for me . " Taking care of patients is my job . " He hesitated , then added quietly , " But I only care this much about you . Heat rose to my cheeks . So , this was what it felt like to be looked after . Because of the grafts , I wasn't supposed to be in the sun . Simon would work late just so he could walk me out after dark . But once , Mason disappeared for three days , and I searched for him under the blazing sun until my new skin split . The pain knocked the breath from my lungs . I broke down and sobbed . " I can't go out in the sun anymore ... " Simon changed my dressings patiently . " Then , we'll visit the moon instead . We'll go to Moonlight Bay and look for the Moonlight Gemstone you're always searching for " I stared at him " How did you know ? " I was there the night you inade that wish , " he said gently . When I was young , Floved the story of Moonlight Bay , where the Moonlight Gemstone was said to bring happiness . Sometimes , I went searching for it alone , never knowing Simon was always there , quietly protecting me from rogues . I understood his feelings for me , but I had nothing to give in return . " My marking ceremony is next month , " I told him " Please come . " Chapter 6 +25 BONUS He took the invitation , sadness flickering across his face before he forced a smile. " If you ever change your mind , come find me . I'll be here . " That night , after overhearing Mason's conversation with his friends outside the private room , I called Simon right away . " The venue is set . Will you go through the marking ceremony with me ? " He went silent for a heartbeat , then joy broke through his voice . " Wait for me ! I'm on my way ! " Seven days later , the ceremony at Moonlight Bay began as promised , only the groom was no longer Mason . Moonlight spilled over us like the Moon Goddess's blessing . We held each other , and for the first time , I felt safe and protected . Chapter 7