Chapter 135

Hannah

I took a deep breath as Noah and I stepped up onto the altar. The crowd fell silent, all eyes on us as we prepared to begin the ceremony. The scent of incense filled the air as it was waved over us, the smoke curling around our bodies in fragrant gray tendrils.

“Oh, Moon Goddess…”

With practiced ease, Noah and I began our prayers to the Moon Goddess. The words—which we had been practicing for two weeks now—flowed from my lips easily, a traditional chant to plead with the Moon Goddess for the blessing of a good year.

But they felt empty—pointless. Like nothing more than reciting a lecture.

Glancing over at Noah, I saw that his eyes were downcast, his hands clasped in front of him. I sucked in a breath through my nose when he glanced back at me and caught me looking.

Focus, Hannah…

Shutting my eyes, I pursed my lips and focused on the words. Anything but that charged moment between us in the dressing room. Anything but that. Today was supposed to be about the Moon Goddess, the deity who had given me—and my baby—a second chance at life.

Nothing more, nothing less.

As we finished, an attendant approached, carrying two cloth-wrapped bundles containing our offerings.

I reached for mine, feeling the weight of my offering in my hands. The item inside was precious to me, although no one but the Goddess would know what it was. Noah did the same with his own private offering, and together we placed our bundles on the altar while the incense filled our senses.

For a moment, I lingered there over the altar, my fingers resting on top of my bundle. Noah had already finished, and was rising to his feet. But I remained.

“Hannah—”

“One moment,” I murmured, shooting him a sidelong glance. “I’m not ready.”

Noah raised his finger to stop me, but then lowered it again. The crowd was silent, save for the wind rustling through the trees. Focus, Hannah… I shut my eyes again, and this time, I really focused.

“Thank you, Moon Goddess,” I thought to myself, my fingers fluttering away from my offering and coming to settle on my lower belly. “Thank you for this second chance…”

Maybe she didn’t hear me as I thought those words. Maybe she couldn’t hear anything, and maybe I was just making a fool out of myself. But I couldn’t help it; today was about the Moon Goddess, and I needed to thank her.

Because in my past life, my death would have just been days from now. Days.

A long moment passed, the only sound that of the tiny bell chiming in the wind over the altar. When I finally opened my eyes, I was met with Noah’s concerned gaze.

“You alright?”

Nodding quickly, I sniffled and stood, turning to face the crowd. I hadn’t realized it, but a small tear had slipped free from my eyes and streaked down my face, and I quickly wiped it away before anyone could notice.

Noah and I bowed at the waist, and the gathered attendees did the same. Finally, a loud bell was rung, signifying the beginning of the Lunar Festival.

…

As the ceremony concluded, the festival burst into life around us. Music filled the air, and the scent of traditional foods wafted on the breeze. It wasn’t long before I found myself swept up in the festivities, laughing and playing games with my friends.

“Oh, look!” Viona exclaimed, pointing to a nearby stand. “They’re selling crescent cakes!”

I grinned at the mention of the treat—a sweet, ice cream-filled wafer in the shape of a crescent moon. “I haven’t had that in years,” I said as Viona grabbed my hand and tugged me toward the stand.

We made our way to the stand, joining the growing line. As we waited, I felt a tap on my shoulder. Turning, I found Drake standing behind me with a warm smile on his face.

“Luna Hannah,” he said, dipping his head respectfully in front of company. “The Lunar Festival is amazing. You’ve really outdone yourself.”

I felt a flush of pride at his words. After all our hard work, it was finally here. It was bittersweet, in a way. “Thanks, Drake. I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”

Finally, it was my turn to order. I got my crescent cake, taking a bite before the vendor even gave me back my change. As I turned to rejoin my friends, I noticed that the vanilla ice cream inside was already starting to melt in the humid evening air.

Before I could react, a drop of ice cream slid down the side of my pinky, threatening to stain my ceremonial robe. Suddenly, Drake’s hand shot out, catching my wrist. In one swift motion, he leaned in and licked the melting ice cream from my hand.

Our eyes met as he pulled back, and I felt my breath catch in my throat. There was an intensity in his gaze that made my cheeks burn, and yet I felt too frozen to even look away.

“Careful,” he murmured, his voice husky. “Wouldn’t want to ruin that beautiful robe.”

I blinked, suddenly aware of how close we were standing. A mix of emotions swirled through me then—embarrassment, confusion, and something else I couldn’t quite name. Glancing over Drake’s shoulder, I caught sight of Noah watching us from across the festival grounds. The fury in his eyes made my stomach drop.

It was only then that my muscles finally reacted.

“Drake,” I hissed, yanking my hand away. “What are you doing? That was way too brazen.”

His eyes widened, realization dawning on his face. “I’m sorry, Hannah. I wasn’t thinking. I just—”

“You can’t do things like that,” I cut him off, making a show of raising my hand to stop him. “I’m still married, you know. And even if I weren’t…” My voice trailed off, but the implication remained: even if I weren’t married, Drake and I were still just friends.

Just friends. Contrary to popular belief, apparently.

A look of confusion crossed Drake’s face. “But... I heard a rumor that you... that you wanted me. Romantically, I mean.”

“What?” I exclaimed, nearly dropping my ice cream. “Where did you hear that?”

Drake’s face fell, embarrassment coloring his cheeks. “I… I’m sorry. I must have misunderstood. Goddess, I feel like an idiot.”

I sighed and turned, pursing my lips. Rumors. Of course there were always rumors. “It’s fine, Drake. Just... promise me you won’t do anything like that again,” I muttered.

Drake opened his mouth to say something, but then shut it again. He only managed to nod stiffly before he turned and disappeared into the crowd.

As Drake walked away, I couldn’t help but glance back at Noah—hoping that he had seen me reject Drake. But he was gone.

My eyes did catch Viona, however, who was standing a little ways off—and looking uncomfortable as a young man tried to engage her in conversation. I made my way over, gently linking my arm with hers.

“Everything okay here?” I asked, giving the man a pointed look.

Viona smiled gratefully. “Yes, thank you, Hannah. I was just leaving. It was good seeing you, Andrew.”

The young man, tall and thin with sandy curls, nodded sheepishly and dipped his head. “You too, Viona. Hope to see you soon.”

As we walked away, I could already see the tension leaving Viona’s shoulders. “What was that about?” I asked softly, nudging her with my elbow.

She exhaled deeply and ran a hand through her hair. “That’s Andrew. My parents... they’re trying to set up an arranged marriage between us.”

I nearly choked on my ice cream. “What? Since when?”

“Since, like, two weeks ago,” she admitted. When I shot her a withering glare, she quickly added, “You’ve been so busy, I didn’t want to bother you.”

I pursed my lips. “But you’re so young, Viona. Why are your parents suddenly deciding to do this?”

Viona shrugged, her eyes downcast and her ice cream untouched. “I’ve told them I’m not interested, but they keep pushing. They say it’s a good match, that it’ll secure our family's future.”

“But what about what you want?” I asked, stopping and turning to look at her.

She frowned. “I don’t want to get married. Not now, anyway. I want to date, to enjoy my youth. Is that so wrong?”

“Of course not. You should do what makes you happy, Viona. Take it from me—marriage to someone without true love can be... stifling.”

As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted them. Not because they weren’t true, but because of who might have heard them. Sure enough, a familiar voice spoke up behind us, and I felt my stomach drop.

“Is that so?”