"Can the moon stone really not appear unless the right time comes?" Ensley asked the witch, Lumira, his tone laced with poorly concealed urgency.
"I have already clarified this for you, Prince," Lumira stated, keeping her hands flat on the wooden desk between them. "You might physically find the moon stone, but it will not follow your command. The stone will only truly reveal its power to you when the time is right."
She could sense how deeply impatient Ensley was becoming, his desperation to possess the artifact practically radiating off him.
"Can you at least find out when that right time will be?" he pressed.
"If you insist, I can try," Lumira answered. She gestured for him to extend his arm. "Bring forward your right hand."
He did so without hesitation. Lumira picked up a silver ceremonial knife and made a quick, clean cut across his palm. Ensley didn't even wince. She carefully caught the dark blood on the flat of the blade before rising to her feet.
