Vesryn, current king of Kruti, stood on the balcony and admired the full moon. He had been the first to be chosen by the Moon Goddess in centuries. A new bloodline to rule, a sign of change, and proof of Her presence.

He remembered how this all started, four years ago, during his coming-of-age ceremony. The moon, full like tonight, had grown brighter and then a flare of light occurred. Past and present collided in his mind as the memories of those chosen before him assaulted his consciousness.

When he came to, he heard a gasp. The gold of his eyes had been consumed by black, leaving only specks of gold in its wake, a starry night sky in his eyes. His brown hair turned long and silver. Proof of being chosen.

News quickly reached the palace and a tearful goodbye soon followed. His mother’s hug had been particularly strong as he prepared to leave everything behind. He joked that you would have thought he had been cursed. She hadn't laughed.

A year after being named king, the search for a spouse began. He fell for you during your courtship, though he wasn’t sure if you felt the same.

A part of him selfishly hoped you loved him, but the rest would be happy if you didn’t. Guilt weighed heavily upon him. There was a secret he was keeping from you, and the kingdom as a whole. The ones chosen by the Moon Goddess never lived to see the age of 28.

Now, he was halfway through his 25th year. A year and a half remained, perhaps a little more if the Moon Goddess shined upon him. He wondered if his mother had known and that was why she hadn't laughed. She must have thought it a curse. He couldn't view it that way though. It had led him to you.

You, who rivaled the moon in his eyes. Seeing your smile, knowing you would be taken care of when he fulfilled his role, that was all he needed. Some nights he wondered if you would re-marry. He wouldn’t blame you if you did.

Pulling from his thoughts, he turned and offered you a small smile from where you sat.

“Join me on the balcony?”

The words ‘my love’ went unsaid.