Sheenah woke the next morning feeling lighter than she had in weeks. The warmth of last night's laughter and shared stories still lingered in her chest, mingling with the lingering mystery of the midnight-blue book resting on her bedside table. The soft glow of dawn filtered through the curtains, casting pale light across the room.
As she stretched and prepared for the day, her thoughts kept returning to the old man's words: "Those who never believe in magic, never find it." It was a phrase that seemed simple but carried a weight she couldn't yet understand.
After a quick breakfast, Sheenah tucked the book carefully into her bag. She wanted to keep it close but knew she needed to focus on her classes and work. Still, the story—the Duke, the curse, the empire—played on her mind like a melody she couldn't forget.
The day passed in a blur of lectures and busy café shifts. Yet, every spare moment, Sheenah found herself stealing glances at the book's cover, feeling its subtle pulse beneath her fingertips. It was as if the book was alive, waiting for something—or someone.
That evening, as twilight deepened and the city lights flickered on, Sheenah stood by her window, gazing up at the sky. The blue moon hung low and luminous, casting an ethereal glow over the rooftops. The world outside seemed quieter, as if holding its breath.
Her phone buzzed softly. It was Leah.
"Ready for round two? Movie marathon at my place?"
Sheenah smiled and typed back quickly, "Absolutely. Be there in 10."
At Leah's apartment, the familiar scent of popcorn and lavender greeted her. They settled in with blankets and pillows, the glow of the television painting soft shadows on the walls. As they watched their favorite films—romantic comedies, fantasy epics, and silly chick flicks—their conversation drifted back to the book.
"Do you really think magic could exist?" Leah asked suddenly, turning to Sheenah with curious eyes.
Sheenah hesitated. "I don't know. But maybe believing in it is the first step. Like the old man said, maybe it's about hope—and about daring to dream."
Leah nodded thoughtfully. "I like that. Hope and dreams."
They talked late into the night, sharing their own stories of loss, longing, and the little sparks of magic they'd each held onto in their hearts. The night felt endless and safe, a cocoon against the world outside.
As the clock edged past midnight, Sheenah's gaze drifted to the book lying on the coffee table. Its cover shimmered faintly in the moonlight, almost as if it were breathing.
A sudden chill brushed her skin, and the room seemed to grow quieter. Sheenah's heart quickened.
"Do you feel that?" she whispered.
Leah looked around, eyes wide. "Feel what?"
Before Sheenah could answer, a soft glow began to emanate from the book's cover, pulsing gently like a heartbeat. The air in the room thickened with a strange energy, warm and electric all at once.
The blue moon outside seemed to shine brighter, its light streaming through the window and pooling around them.
Sheenah reached out, her fingers trembling as they hovered over the glowing book. A voice, faint and distant, whispered in her mind, "The story is not finished. The true journey begins now."
Leah gasped softly, clutching Sheenah's hand.
"What… what does it mean?" Leah asked.
Sheenah swallowed hard, a mixture of fear and excitement swirling inside her. "I don't know yet. But I think… I'm meant to find out."
As the glow faded and the room returned to normal, Sheenah felt a new resolve settle within her. The magic she'd only believed in through stories was reaching out to her, inviting her to step beyond the pages.
Tonight, under the watchful gaze of the blue moon, Sheenah's ordinary life was about to change forever.