Chapter 21 - Chang'e's Palace

The moon is not a place; it's a forgotten memory, and tonight, a blue queen… will rediscover it.

The blue tower slept at this fragile hour, between the end of one dream and the beginning of another the light no longer came from candles or stars, but from the memory of cherished things Saphira was alone, or almost Élya rested against her side, wrapped in a blanket woven with constellations she hadn't spoken since sunset there was nothing to say, only to feel then, somewhere in the room, the old mirror murmured gifted by Morpheus, it served neither to reflect a face nor to adjust a hairstyle it existed only for the nights when the soul bowed under the invisible weight of the role it carried a voice rose from the silvered glass, soft and calm, like a sung memory:

—"Little queen, would you like to taste the moon tea?"

Saphira wasn't afraid she held Élya close and replied simply.

—"I'm coming."

The blue door opened in a flash of water, and it was not earthly water. It was made of ancient tears, soothed shadows, light never screamed. A staircase slowly rose; each step was just a breath, a thought, a forgotten note. Saphira climbed barefoot, her dress floating behind her like a promise unwilling to break. She didn't rush. She knew there was nothing to catch up to. The void around her wasn't empty; it was full of anticipation, of attention, full of all the times she had smiled without showing it.

Chang'e's palace didn't shine. It listened floating above a violet sky, it welcomed souls who no longer knew if they were strong or fragile. Its courtyard was a garden of silver cherry trees whose blossoms sang when gazed upon the fireflies dancing around lit nothing; they accompanied footsteps. Chang'e waited on a terraceless balcony she seemed made of silk and silence her dress undulated like unspoken thoughts.

—"You have a soft light within you,she said upon the young queen's arrival,but also a pain you hide."

Saphira looked down.

—"I am not a true queen i am a plush toy governing by accident."

The Goddess offered her a steaming, calming cup of jasmine tea.

—"Then drink with me, and become again the little girl… you have forgotten."

The tea wasn't hot; it was gentle. each sip awakened an ancient memory, buried in the folds of a heart that had carried too much.

She saw again Diva's red breath embracing her with both arms, her hair wild with laughter. Destiny's rare but tender gaze, one day when he told her, "rest." Kael, silent as a storm sky, placing his hand on her head.  Pink, forging stars, without a word, just for her. Kaela, asleep against her, in a moment that refused to end.

Saphira trembled.

—"Why am I so afraid of being loved?"

Chang'e approached, placed a hand on her chest.

—"Because you were taught to protect, to bear, to lead, but not to open your arms here, there is nothing to carry, only to receive."

When the tea was finished, Chang'e handed Saphira a silk fan, embroidered with moving constellations. It seemed to hold a promise.

—"You can stay here as long as you wish you can lay down your role, or leave… and take the moon with you."

Saphira remained silent for a moment. She looked at the Blue Tower, far, far away, appearing in the blueness. She held Élya close.

—"I want to go home, but I will return when I want to remember… that I am gentleness before I am thunder."

She descended the staircase of stars backward, without rushing she wasn't crying, she wasn't laughing she was truly breathing, and each breath drew a new memory, already being born.

End of chapter 21 - Chang'e's Palace