#Chapter 135: Brazen

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 sup