Chapter 17 The Prophecy Finished I'm exhausted by the time I return from the training yard . My arms ache , my legs feel like jelly , and my palms are raw from gripping the staff too tightly . After a long bath , I let the maids go and ask for my food to be brought to my chambers . Brin's antidote sits waiting on my table . I down it in one swallow . It no longer tastes foul or makes my body shudder like carlier . He told me earlier we're almost done with the detox- " Just a few more nights , " he said . " You'll feel whole again ." I hope he's right . The food arrives . I eat quietly . When I'm done , I blow out the candles one by one until the room softens into shadow . The moment I pull the blanket over my body , a sudden sound cuts through the air . A whoosh . My eyes snap open . The drapes ripple , revealing a shape standing on the balcony . Cold shoots down my spine . I reach for the pointed staff by the bed , grip it tight , and rise . The silhouette shifts . The firelight from the hearth catches a familiar outline - broad shoulders , messy hair , eyes that gleam green even in the dark . Rowan . For a heartbeat , I forget to breathe . He looks radiant , almost otherworldly . It's only been a few days since I last saw him at the border , but it feels like years . " Rowan ? " My voice trembles with relief and confusion . " How - how are you here ? " I wrap my arms around myself , shyness taking over . The thin nightdress barely covers me , the fabric brushing my knees , leaving my arms bare . He's watching me with a burning focus that makes my pulse race . I can't look at him too long . He takes a step forward , the faintest smile ghosting his lips . " I wanted to see you ." " You can't be here . The borders are sealed . The patrols- " " I know , " he says . " I shouldn't have come . But I couldn't stop myself . I had to- " He cuts himself off with a sigh . " I'm sorry . I should leave ." " Wait . " I reach for him instinctively , fingers brushing air - only air . My hand passes straight through his arm . 1/4 21:34 Wed , Oct 15 Chapter 17 The Prophecy : I gasp and stumble back , staff raised , a shudder running through me . " W - What are you ? " ( 15 Finished He looks guilty . His outline flickers faintly , light shimmering through him . " I couldn't walk here ," he says quietly . " This is only a projection . " A projection . My throat dries . I stare at him , taking in every perfect detail - the shadow of stubble , the faint scar at his jaw , the way his hair falls into his eyes . He's real and not real all at once . He lifts his hand slowly , palm open . " It's still me . " I raise mine , hesitating , until our palms almost touch . The air between us buzzes , faint and electric . It prickles across my skin like static . ' Magic ,' Nyx growls inside me . I should pull back , but I don't . Rowan's voice softens . " Not all magic is bad , Freya . It lets me see you ." His throat works as he swallows , his gaze boring into mine . His fingers move closer to my face , but I feel no touch- only that strange , tingling warmth . " I hate that I can't feel you ," he murmurs . My heart twists . He's the Rogue King , a phantom in my room , and still he looks at me like I'm something worth crossing worlds for . " I shouldn't be afraid of you ," I whisper . " But I am . " He smiles faintly . " Be afraid of what I am , not of me ." I think about the boy he was - the one who loved me before the world broke us . The one who was exiled because he refused to stop loving me . I step closer . " You shouldn't have risked this . " I'd risk worse , " he says . " Don't , " I whisper . " Don't say that . " He doesn't move , but his voice is low , almost pleading . " I hate that I can't touch you . I hate that this- " He gestures between us , at the space we can't cross . " -is all I can do ." My breath trembles . " Rowan ... " my I lift face to his , my heart pounding hard enough to hurt . His lips part , and for a moment , I think I'll kiss him . I want to . I want to feel something that isn't pain or loneliness . 2/4 21:35 Wed , Oct 15 Chapter 17 The Prophecy But before our lips meet , I stop . The spell breaks . ( 15 Finished I turn away , wrapping my arms around myself again . " Elder Thane ," I say suddenly . " He's part of the High Council . I thought they'd help me get justice , but Izel's tied to him somehow . She's corrupted even them . I don't know what to do . " Rowan's expression hardens . " You don't need the Council , Freya . You're powerful enough on your own . Once you claim Severance , no one can hold power over you . " " Powerful ? " I laugh hollowly . He steps closer , the shimmer of his form glowing faintly . " You are High Luna , Freya . " " High Luna , " I echo , sounding ridiculous . " It means everything ." His voice deepens . " I looked into it deeper , and I found a prophecy . A High Luna who would bring a new world - one who would reunite rogues and packs , and end the false reign of the High Council under the Moon's eye ." I stare at him . " That's absurd . " " It's the truth ." I scoff . " I'm not that . I barely have control over my own children , let alone the world . " Rowan's mouth curves . " Empires don't fall to armies first . They fall to the truth . And you- " He looks at me intently . I shake my head . " This is too much . I'm not ready for any of this . " " Then let me guide you ." " How ? " " Win over your pack ," he says simply . " Even if Kade stands against you . Show them why you're right . Expose Izel . Let them see who she really is . Stir the rebellion he's afraid of ." His words leave a hush between us , broken only by the quiet flicker of the hearth . Then he does something that makes my breath catch - he bends his knee . " Rowan- " He bows his head . " I pledge my loyalty to you , Freya Vale - Thorne . Until my death ." " Don't ," I whisper . " Please , rise . You've already sacrificed enough for me . You can't give your life too . " 3/4 21:35 Wed , Oct 15 Chapter 12 The Prophecy Finished He lifts his gaze . " My life was never mine alone . It's always been yours . " My throat tightens . " You can't say that . " " I can , " he says softly . " But I won't ask you to say it back . I don't expect you to love me . I only want to love you . Freely . Respectfully . " I can't speak . His eyes - those green eyes that once meant home - hold me still . They remind me of sunlight through trees , of peace , of the girl I used to be before everything fell apart . I step closer . My breath hitches . I close my eyes , leaning up just a little , until the faint hum between us brushes my lips . " I want to kiss you , " he whispers . " When we meet again ," I whisper back , " for real ... I want you to ." When I open my eyes , he's no longer there . The air is still . The balcony empty . Only the faint scent of pine and ash remains . And the ache in my chest tells me that somewhere , across the mountains , Rowan feels it too . Send Gifts B