Chapter 257

Audrey

I stared at my reflection in the full–length mirror, taking in my appearance one last time before the ceremony.

Today was my first Healing Ceremony; it was something that Edwin and I had discussed, a way to heal Crescent residents who needed the help without having to make a million trips to hospitals. Pre–screened pack members in need of healing would line up, and the Silver Star would heal them.

Of course, we could only help so many, and only those with minor afflictions would be cured at events like this. But it was a

start.

The dress that was chosen for the ceremony was exquisite–floor–length with delicate silver embroidery that glittered and danced as it caught the light with every turn of my hips. It was tailored perfectly to my body, the neckline stopping at the center of my throat and the sleeves coming down into two shimmering bell shapes, and the skirt flared out a little at the knees.

It was modest and elegant, but also subtly sexy.

“Do you like it?”

I turned, my eyes meeting my mother’s in the mirror. She was standing just a few steps away, wringing her hands nervously. There was something about her body language that gave me pause.

“Did you make this?” I found myself asking.

She nodded, looking a little sheepish. “I worked on it whenever I had spare time. I wanted you to have something special for your first official healing ceremony. Something that reflects both your role as the Silver Star and as my daughter.”

I turned fully, my eyes widening. The stylist had brought me the dress earlier, claiming that an unknown designer had made it. I knew something was off then, but I’d figured that Edwin had made it or commissioned it and was just trying to surprise,

  1. me.

But

my

it; her first handmade piece

me all at once, catching in my throat and making it hard to speak. Without thinking, I strode over to

perfect, Mom.

There was a little more strength to her touch lately. “You’re going to do

being held in Crescent’s largest cathedral to the Moon Goddess. People

feeling a little awkward with so many eyes on me. But with Edwin beside me, I managed a

one

first, his back hunched as he walked with the help of a cane. I placed my hands gently on his shoulders, feeling the familiar pull of my power as it flowed through me, seeking out the inflammation in his joints. His spine straightened under my touch, the wrinkles of pain on his face

broken for days and it was making him delirious. I

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Chapter 257

his mother’s eyes

draining from me like a hole

our Mindlink. “I think you need

reached for the next person in line, my hand trembling slightly as it hovered over a young woman’s sprained wrist. But before I could place my hand on her skin, I felt something warm trickle down from

in surprise, and then Edwin was suddenly beside me, his hand slipping discreetly into mine

automatically, and I raised it to my nose, dabbing away blood before anyone else

crowd. “I’m afraid the ceremony must come to an end. If anyone needs immediate

right. I physically wouldn’t be able to heal anyone else now that I was

behind the cathedral. I somehow managed not to stumble, holding my head high and back straight, until we were out of view. Once we were alone, Edwin looped one arm around my waist and the other under my knees and scooped me up. I didn’t resist as he carried me down

end of the hall, he set me down and knelt in

you doing this to yourself?” he

felt hollow even to my own ears. “I’m just trying to help

shook his head. “No, Audrey. This is more than that. You’re pushing yourself too hard. You’re

away, unable to meet his gaze. He always knew, always saw

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