Chapter 1The Silver Invitation
The night sky glowed brighter than ever before.
Aria stood outside her small home, staring at the giant silver moon hanging above the mountains. The villagers whispered nervously around her. Everyone knew what tonight meant.
“The choosing begins,” someone said softly.
Aria pulled her cloak tighter. She never believed the old stories about the Moon Palace or the royal family hidden beyond the northern forest. Those were only legends parents told children before sleep.
But then the wind suddenly stopped.
A silver light appeared in the center of the village square. Gasps filled the air as glowing symbols circled across the ground. One by one, the lights moved past every girl in the village… until they stopped in front of Aria.
Her heart froze.
“No…” she whispered.
The symbol on her wrist began to glow.
The villagers stepped back in shock.
An elegant carriage made entirely of silver appeared from the mist. Guards dressed in moon-colored armor opened the door slowly.
Then a deep voice echoed from inside the carriage.
“The Palace of the Moon welcomes Lady Aria Vale.”
And for the first time in her life, Aria realized the legends were real.
