The Praise Moon Festival, open to all unmated beastkin in the tribe, was held once every three years. Whoever caught a moonflower could enter a binding contract ceremony. I had planned to stay home. But Ash, my fiancé, loved a spectacle. He signed me up without asking. So I pulled my brother James and my childhood friend Liam aside. “Tomorrow, three females will toss their moonflowers at the same time. If Ash can’t catch mine, you two need to make sure you grab it for me.” They both nodded and promised. But when my moonflower fell, they charged toward Chloe—a rabbit beastkin from our tribe—and helped Ash catch hers instead. My moonflower landed squarely in the hands of Rex, a lone dragon beastkin who’d lost three mates and was about to leave the territory for good. My heart hammered with panic. I went straight to the Elder to negotiate the return of my moonflower and cancel the binding contract. But at the corner of the hall, I overheard the three of them whispering. James spoke first, addressing my fiancé. “Ash, you caught Chloe’s moonflower. By tribal law, you’ll have to enter a contract with her. What are we going to do about my sister?” Ash cradled Chloe’s moonflower like something precious. “What can we do? It’s just a ceremony. It’s not like we’d have to register it with the Alliance. It’s a fake wedding, nothing more.” “At least this way, Chloe’s mother will stop pressuring her to marry.” “As for Iris—worst case, she throws a fit, refuses the contract, and gets her tribal mark erased. She’s a female avian beastkin. What difference does it make whether she stays on the Clan Register or not?” Liam chuckled in agreement. “Iris has always believed in the Moon God’s blessings. Just sweet-talk her a little, and she’ll go along with your contract with Chloe.” I stood frozen in place, a bitter smile pulling at my lips. They’d all forgotten. Staying on the Clan Register to inherit my mother’s land was the dream I’d carried my entire life. It was the reason I needed to marry in the first place. And now the Moon God had given a sign. How could I possibly refuse? … The walk home was short. When I pushed through the door, James was the first to greet me, his voice low and urgent. “So? You went to the Elder to refuse the contract. What did he say?” Our parents looked over too. I hung my coat on the hook by the door. “Nothing much.” My father slammed his teacup down on the table. “If you refuse the contract, you know what that means—tribal law demands your mark be erased. Don’t come crying about it later.” “You’ve been with Ash for eight years. How did you let something like this happen?” I said nothing. After all these years, I was used to it. Whenever something went wrong, he blamed me. Never stood up for me. Never once felt sorry for what I went through. He only ever cared about Chloe, because Chloe was his first love’s daughter. Anything involving the Bennett family, and he’d take their side without a second thought. Even when it was never my fault. My mother had always been timid, silent in the face of my father and James’s favoritism. She opened her mouth as if to speak, then simply pushed a bowl of hot corn chowder toward me. I glanced at her and felt nothing I hadn’t already made peace with. As long as she was safe and well, that was enough. I could marry anyone. The doorbell rang just as I sat down. James went to answer it. Ash and Liam walked in side by side. Chloe trailed behind them. The moment she stepped inside, she called out in that sweet, clinging voice of hers, “Uncle! I’m here to mooch dinner!” Her rabbit ears drooped slightly, and she gazed up at my father with that coy look of hers. He beamed, couldn’t stop grinning. “Sit, sit, come sit down!” He pulled out a chair for her himself. They’d just come back from the sanctuary, where the Moon God’s blessing had been confirmed. Chloe’s moonflower had landed right in Ash’s arms. By tribal law, they were now “destined by the Moon God.” As for whether I accepted or refused the contract—none of them cared either way. Chloe settled into the seat beside Ash. He forked a piece of barbecued rib onto her plate first, then seemed to remember I existed and dropped a chunk of roasted bell pepper into my bowl. “You should eat too, Iris.” I looked down at it. I set it aside without a word. I’d hated bell peppers since I was a child. Was he so giddy from catching his sweetheart’s flower that he’d forgotten even that? At dinner, James started cracking jokes. “Rex showing up to the Praise Moon Festival—can you imagine? The guy must be desperate for a wife.” Liam leaned in eagerly. “Right? He’s been in the western territory less than three months. Word is he killed off three mates before he got here. Dragon bloodline or not, who’d marry a cursed beast?” My father took a sip of tea. “Tribal law says whoever catches the moonflower enters the contract. There was a bit of a mix-up today, but Ash and Chloe—their contract stands.” “Chloe and her mother have had it hard enough. They can’t lose their tribal marks. Everything else can wait.” My mother spoke up, her voice tight. “But what about Iris—” “And whose fault is that?” My father cut her off, his tone sharp. “She couldn’t even convince the Elder herself.” “When the time comes, Ash and Iris can register at the Alliance. For now, we follow tribal rules.” My mother’s eyes brimmed with tears, but she could only lower her head. I was about to tell her not to worry when Ash took my hand. His voice was patient enough. “Iris, nobody wanted this to happen today. Three moonflowers fell at once—it was chaos.” “I didn’t expect to catch Chloe’s either.” “Once things settle down here, we’ll go register at the Alliance. Nobody’s going to remember a ceremony. Okay?” I took a sip of soup and nodded. “Okay.” He blinked. I rarely gave in that easily. In the past, I would have made a fuss, waited for him to coax me, dragged it out a little before letting it go. But his surprise lasted only a moment. Then he released my hand, quick and relieved, like he’d finally set down something heavy. He turned to Chloe, his gaze soft. “What about you, Chloe?” Her face flushed instantly. The tips of her rabbit ears trembled. “My mom insisted I enter the Festival. She wanted me married off. I didn’t have a choice. But at least it was you who caught my flower.” “I’ll do whatever you all decide.” Everyone laughed and launched into plans—how grand the ceremony should be, which band to hire for the Moon God hymns. No one remembered that I was supposed to be Ash’s bride. I finished my meal in silence and set down my fork. “You all keep talking. I’m full.” The chair legs scraped against the floor. The table went quiet for a beat. As I walked away, I heard Chloe whisper, “Is Iris upset?” Ash reassured her gently. “Don’t overthink it. Iris isn’t the sensitive type. She’s probably just tired from the Festival.” My steps faltered for just a moment. So that’s how useful the word “tired” was. It could explain away every grievance, silence every question, and let everyone feel perfectly justified.
I walked out into the yard. The moon hadn’t risen yet. Only the stars scattered coldly across the sky. “Iris.” Ash followed me out, a half-smoked cigarette between his fingers. “You barely ate. Are you angry?” “Yes.” Honest as always. He laughed once and stubbed out the cigarette. “Don’t be petty about this. It’s your tribe’s customs that caused the mess. Three flowers dropped at once—who could tell them apart?” “Like I said, the tribal ceremony doesn’t count. Once we register at the Alliance—” “Ash.” I cut him off. He paused. I lifted my head and looked into his eyes. “From the very beginning, I told you I didn’t want to enter the Praise Moon Festival.” This was the tribe’s marriage tradition. It meant the Moon God had witnessed two souls and joined them as one. For thousands of years, the tribe had believed in it. I respected that belief. I didn’t want to participate because I already had Ash. I didn’t want to make a mockery of the Moon God’s will. But he’d had James put my name on the list. By the time I found out, my name was already recorded. There was no taking it back. Back then, I had no idea Chloe was also entering. He stared at me for a second. “It’s already happened. What’s the point of bringing this up now?” “You’re right. Nothing I say matters, because you never listen.” Ash frowned, his lips pressing into a thin line. That look on his face—I’d seen it for eight years. Impatience, barely held in check. “Iris, what’s the point of digging up old grievances? The Festival was an accident. There was nothing I could do. If you’re really that unhappy, I’ll have someone talk to the Elder tomorrow. We’ll just go through the motions—keep it simple so you don’t lose face.” I looked at him. “Just go through the motions?” “A binding contract means marriage. Everyone in this tribe understands that. Are you really going to pretend you don’t?” Ash pinched the bridge of his nose. “Iris, be reasonable—” “Reasonable?” I let out a short laugh. “When I try to reason with my father, he says I’m talking back. When I try to reason with my mother, she tells me not to take things so seriously. When I try to reason with James, he calls me petty.” “I thought being with you would be different. But it turns out you’re exactly the same.” His mouth opened. “I didn’t—” “You didn’t listen to me,” I said. “You just assumed I’d give in eventually.” The way my father assumed I’d shut up in the end. The way my mother assumed I’d swallow it. The way James assumed I’d shrug it off. “Iris…” His voice softened. He reached for me. I stepped back and turned into the darkness. The plume feathers along my spine shivered in the night wind, as if they, too, were trembling on my behalf. Behind me, his footsteps followed for two paces, then stopped. Chloe’s soft voice drifted over—”Ash, what happened?”—and someone inside called him back to discuss the ceremony. He didn’t come after me. Three years ago, when he proposed, his eyes had been full of light—bright and warm and all for me. Now that light had gone somewhere I couldn’t find.
I stayed out until late. No one came looking for me. When I returned, they were all gathered in the yard around a bonfire, setting off fireworks. Beside them sat roses, wine, and grilled meat that Ash had prepared. Chloe held a sparkler, her face lit by the glow. A few stray sparks clung to her rabbit ears. “Ash, do you think Iris will be upset? Us having fun out here like this…” James waved his sparkler dismissively. “Upset about what? Chloe, you’re too kind. The more you worry about her, the more entitled she gets. Just ignore her.” Liam chimed in with a grin. “Exactly. Don’t waste your energy on her. Think about it—Ash caught your moonflower, of all people. If that’s not fate, what is? The Moon God himself is matchmaking for you two.” Chloe’s blush deepened, her ear tips drooping shyly. “Stop saying things like that. Iris would be upset if she heard…” Ash chuckled but didn’t deny it. “The Elder says all three couples from the Festival will hold their ceremonies together.” “One pair refused the contract, so it’s down to two.” “I won’t let anyone outshine you. I’m going to make sure your ceremony is perfect.” After all, this was the only thing he could give her. A small compensation for her feelings—the ones he couldn’t accept. Chloe lowered her head, her voice thin as thread. “But my gown won’t be ready in time. I’ll have to wear something plain.” James laughed. “Ash already thought of that. He had Iris’s dress altered to your measurements.” Chloe looked up. “Really? But what about Iris?” “She won’t need it.” Ash struck a match and lit Chloe’s sparkler. Silver sparks showered down across his shoulder. I couldn’t move. That dress. I’d had it made by a friend in the tribe who specialized in traditional craft. I’d used feathers from my own molting season, sewn on one by one. There was only one like it in the world. Ash had volunteered to oversee the progress. He’d taken my measurements himself. But when the dress arrived, it was too tight. Now I understood why. The March night wasn’t cold anymore, but a chill crept down my spine in waves. “But getting your tribal mark erased—that hasn’t happened to anyone in thirty years. Iris must be devastated.” Ash reached over and tapped Chloe’s nose with his finger. “You almost ended up married off to a stranger, and you’re still worrying about someone else.” His voice carried a smile—intimate, certain. “Iris does what her father and brother tell her at home. Once she’s married, she’ll do what her husband says. Getting removed from the Clan Register isn’t a big deal.” “Did you see her stand up to me today? She didn’t. She was calmer than I expected. She’s afraid I’ll actually leave her.” Chloe’s voice went small and muffled. “I just think Iris is so pitiful…” “Pitiful?” Ash looked down at her. “All she’s doing is giving up her spot in the tribe to you. Outside of here, nothing changes.” The night breeze carried his cigarette smoke and his laughter straight to where I stood. I gathered my emotions, packed them away neatly, and walked back in.
The yard went half-silent the moment they saw me. Ash still had an unlit cigarette between his fingers. Chloe scurried over and grabbed my sleeve, her rabbit ears quivering. “Iris! You’re back! I was just about to come find you—” I raised my hand to pull free. She tumbled backward with a little yelp and landed on the ground. The sparkler rolled away across the stones. “Chloe!” Ash closed the distance in three strides, shoving me aside. I stumbled back, tripped over the pile of spent firework casings, and went down hard. My palms hit the hot debris. The burn seared through me and I curled inward. James and Liam rushed over too. They hovered around Chloe like she was made of glass, helping her up with the tenderest hands. Not one of them looked at me. Ash turned his head in my direction. His eyes were blazing. “What the hell is wrong with you?” “Chloe was just worrying about you running off. She was worried about your safety.” “And you come back and shove her? Is that how you were raised?” The pain in my palms throbbed upward in waves. Moonlight fell across my hands. Blisters were already rising. He noticed me cradling my hand, and his tone softened—barely. “…Are you okay?” I didn’t look at him. I braced myself against the ground and stood up on my own. A laugh escaped me. “Worried about my safety. So worried she’s out here setting off fireworks to celebrate.” Ash faltered. “What are you talking about? Fireworks after the Praise Moon Festival—isn’t that your tribe’s tradition?” Yes. Tradition. But what did any of it have to do with me? “Move.” My voice was quiet. His brow furrowed. “You shoved someone and you’re just going to walk away without apologizing?” I looked up at him. My palm pulsed with every heartbeat. “Apologize?” I said. “Ask her. Did I even touch her?” Ash didn’t turn around, but behind him, Chloe let out a soft, wet sniffle. That single sound swallowed whatever words he might have said. “Iris, for both our sakes, you’d better apologize right now.” “If you really cared about us,” I said, looking straight at him, “you’d walk out of here with me. Right now.” “Go register at the Alliance. Forget Chloe. Forget the Moon God’s blessing. Forget everything about this Festival. Do you dare?” His lips moved. I waited for him to speak. Waited for him to take that one step toward me. But he hesitated. His head turned, just slightly, and he saw Chloe sitting on the steps, gazing up at him. Those red eyes, glistening and wet. Those rabbit ears, drooping like wilted petals. “Iris…” His voice sank low. “Don’t push me like this. There’s no rush for us. Chloe, she—” “Forget it.” I cut him off and brushed the ash from my skirt. “I was joking.” I already knew the answer. Why force him to say it out loud? Behind me, Chloe choked out, “Iris got burned. Let me get the first aid kit—” Ash grabbed her arm immediately, his voice going hard. “Leave her. She’s the one who shoved you first. Who is this act for?” I pushed open the bedroom door and walked inside. The footsteps outside faded. I sat on the edge of the bed and looked at my hand. The burn had blistered right across the softest part of my palm. It hurt. It hurt so much that everything went numb.
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