Chapter 154: She Senses It (I Do NOT, Maria)

"Both Kings died of old age after peaceful, yet very sad reigns. Neither loved another ever again or sired an heir. Both passed their crowns to someone they deemed worthy in their bloodline." Freya set her teacup on the table beside her with a quiet click that sounded like a period at the end of a very long sentence.

Nova’s good hand flew to her chest for a second time in this story after realizing Freya didn’t have any more to add and that was the end. "That’s so sad."

"Yes. It is," Freya agreed. "That’s why the Moonseals were given. The gods were not foolish enough to believe the vampires were finished forever. The mark would pass from father to children, generation to generation, ensuring that even when the names of the original Kings were forgotten, even when their faces faded from memory and their deeds became legend and legend became myth, their descendants would be able to bear the light of the queen if she ever called upon them."

Maria started clapping before Freya finished her last sentence. It was so enthusiastic that Nova couldn’t help but smile. "Incredible delivery, Freya. Truly. The pacing, the fire, the dramatic pauses. Exceptional."

"It was," Nova seconded. "Thank you for sharing that with me."

"My pleasure." Freya rolled up her sleeve, revealing a mark that was glowing blue. But unlike Maria’s, hers was a symbol that resembled an ocean wave. "Somewhere back in my lineage, I was related to an Alpha King. I want that noted."

"Is your Moonseal Wavecrest?" Nova asked.

Freya smiled. "I’ll tell you. Before I answer, are you able to sense what mine is?"

Maria started clapping.

"No, but that would be interesting if I could. It just looked like a wave," Nova answered quickly before Maria got any ideas.

Maria stopped clapping and shot Nova a sideways glance. "Is this one of those times where you can but you say you can’t."

"There has never been a time where I have done that. I realize the optics suggest otherwise and I wouldn’t believe me. But I am telling the truth. The fire does what the fire wants."

"For now," Maria corrected.

"Yes, mine is Wavecrest. That was my pack before Thunderfang," Freya answered.

"Guess mine now," Maria said, showing it to Nova, her face dead serious.

"Maria, if my shoulder were not injured, I would hit you with the pillow it’s resting on."

"Hey. I thought you said you can’t sense it."

"Yours looks like a literal flame. Your wolf is flame."

"Could have been a coincidence."

"Maria."

"Fine. But what element is it?"

"Fire, Maria. It’s fire. Freya told the class it was fire. Your last name is Emberclaw. Your wolf shifts fire. Your mark looks like fire. You have beautiful hair the color of fire. Red flame surrounds you when you walk through fire. The color of your mark was red. Everything about you is fire. This is the least mysterious thing that has ever happened."

Maria gasped. Dante laughed into his tea. Maverick’s mouth twitched. Freya pressed her lips together.

"The gods bestowed the Moonseals for a reason," Dante said after a moment. "The ending of this legend has always been told two ways. My wife will have my head if I tell them wrong."

"He is not wrong," Freya agreed before holding up one finger. "The first ending says that if vampires ever rose again in the presence of a virgin Alpha princess carrying a Moonseal, one deemed worthy by the Goddess, then she would manifest the queen’s light so that she may protect her kingdom. But if the queen’s light is able to find her, that means she is moon blessed. Until she is marked by an Alpha, her blood is a cure for vampires if spilled upon one of their sacred altars."

She held up a second finger.

"The second telling is that both kings would be reborn. Her rebirth would be after them, occurring on the nearest Celestial Blood Moon. Both kings would carry the ability to recognize her before the Goddess revealed her and both would have the ability to alter fate, stopping death’s claim on what was once taken until she bore their marks as she was theirs to protect."

"Which version is true?" Nova asked.

Freya smiled. "That is the question every elder with a Moonseal has asked for thousands of years. But the story being told is already seen as myth by most. What is agreed upon is that those who bear a Moonseal are able to scent vampires, thus recognizing their presence even when concealed by magic. They are also able to command their bloodline’s elemental power to a certain degree, with the reigning Alpha and his direct descendants manifesting the ability most strongly. Those unworthy would be denied the mark, while a worthy descendant far removed from the throne might still receive one."

Nova thought about the Starbornes. She had never seen Kai or Alpha Starborne shift. But she had seen Celeste shift from a distance. To her knowledge, Celeste’s shift didn’t have light or any element. She couldn’t help but wonder if it was the Starborne bloodline lacking a Moonseal or if it was Celeste specifically. Or if she was taking this legend entirely too seriously.

"Blood determines the strength of the gift. Worthiness determines whether it was given at all," Maria summarized.

"Exactly," Dante said. He rolled up his sleeve to reveal a neon blue lightning bolt.

"Which pack, Nova?" Maria asked.

"Thunderfang, Maria."

Maria looked at Dante who gave a single nod.

"Correct."

"She senses it," Maria said.

"Maria, there is a literal lightning bolt on that."

Nova looked down at her tea, wondering if Derek had one too.

Freya gave Dante a small nod, passing the conversation like a baton. He accepted it without ceremony.

"There are ten types of Moonseals," he began. "And they only reveal themselves every Celestial Blue Moon, the rarest kind of moon that happens every ten years. Or, legend has it, if the queen calls to them with her light. And I can confirm the next Celestial Blue Moon isn’t for two years."

Every pair of eyes in the room found Nova. She could feel them. All of them. Landing on her at the same time like a spotlight she hadn’t auditioned for.

Maria, who had never in her life waited for the appropriate moment to say something, did not start now.

"When is your birthday, Nova?"