The Raven Beneath the Moon

The Moon Prince

Chapter Two

The Moon Prince

The rain began before midnight.

It struck the windows of the antique shop like impatient fingers

Yaali opened her eyes.

For several seconds, she couldn't remember where she was.

The ceiling above her was unfamiliar.

Wooden beams.

Faint candlelight.

The smell of sandalwood.

She tried to sit up.

Pain shot through her head.

"Don't."

The old woman's voice came from somewhere nearby.

"You've been unconscious for almost three hours."

Yaali turned toward her.

The woman was sitting beside a small table, preparing tea.

"What happened?"

"You touched the painting."

"I know."

"And you remembered."

Yaali stared at her.

"Remembered what?"

The old woman placed the teacup down.

"You tell me."

Yaali frowned.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

The woman studied her face.

Then she sighed.

"Of course you don't."

She walked toward the painting.

It was lying against the wall.

The glass had shattered.

Yet strangely, the painting itself was untouched.

The woman beneath the red moon still stood there.

So did the man.

Yaali looked at him.

Something inside her tightened.

"Who is he?"

The old woman remained silent.

"Please."

Her voice cracked.

"I need to know."

The old woman finally answered.

"His name is Xian."

The name echoed strangely inside Lohes.

Xian.

She had never heard it before.

Yet her heart reacted as if someone had whispered a secret directly into her soul.

"Who is Xian?"

The old woman looked toward the painting.

"He was once a prince."

"Once?"

"He died five hundred years ago."

Yaali stared at her.

"Then how can he be outside?"

The old woman's eyes moved toward the window.

"He isn't dead."

A chill travelled down Lohes's spine.

"But you just said-"