Second Chance for the Barren Luna (Talia and Jason) novel Chapter 416

Talia’s POV

I walked to Henry’s room and knocked. He opened the door, his eyes wide when he saw me.

"Luna Talia, what are you doing here?" Henry said as he stepped aside. "You came all the way here?"

"I did. It's just a hallway, Henry. Not a mountain trail," I said as I stepped inside.

"You’re having twins." He said it as calmly as always, which somehow made it worse. "You could have mind-linked me. I would’ve come. You don’t need to be on your feet. You need to be resting."

"Seriously, Henry? I’m pregnant, not fragile. Do you tell all the pregnant women here not to walk down a hallway?"

“No. Goddess, no,” Henry said. “I didn’t mean it like that. I only meant that if you needed something, I’d rather come to you than have you come to me. That’s all. I apologize.”

When I didn’t answer, Henry started to panic. He kept searching for the right words. When I felt I'd messed with him enough, I finally smiled. "Relax. I'm not upset. You’ve gotten so serious as you’ve gotten older."

He exhaled in relief. "You’re cruel, Talia. You know that?”

"A little." I glanced around. The room was neat and minimal, just like I expected. He’d only been here one night, but everything was already in place. "Are you settled in? Need anything?"

"It's more than enough. Bloodmoon’s been generous," Henry replied. "You didn't come just to check on me, did you?"

"No, I didn’t."

"This is about Arya."

"Of course it is." I sat by the window, my back already aching. I remembered the tense silence when Geoffrey tore into Henry, and the way Arya looked when Henry stayed quiet. I needed to know where Henry stood with Arya.

“What do you want to know?” Henry asked.

"I’m just going to come out with it," I said. "Do you want to fight for your mate bond, Henry? Last night, you didn’t act like yourself, and I want to know what you’re thinking."

He was silent long enough that I thought he might not answer.

"She’s my mate," Henry finally said. "The Moon Goddess chose her for me, and I knew it the moment I saw her. Of course I want her."

"But?"

He sat on the edge of the bed. "But her brother is Geoffrey. He’s been conniving and ruthless for years. He wants power more than anything, and he’s patient. He acts more like a cat than a wolf. It’s unsettling."

"And you’re worried Arya might be like him."

Henry shrugged. "I don’t know. That’s the problem.”

“Talk to me, Henry. Just be honest.”

"So don’t do it again. Don’t let your experiences with Geoffrey decide what you think about your own mate."

"And if she still chooses him at the end of the week?"

"Then she chooses him, and at least you were honest with her." I let my voice soften. "Give it a week. Actually talk to her. Find out who she is, not just who her brother is."

"What should I expect?"

"She’s young and impulsive. She’ll probably say things this week that make you want to tear your hair out," I said. Henry chuckled. "But she has a good heart."

He stood up and hugged me before I could react.

"Thank you," Henry said. "I needed to hear that."

"You’re welcome." I patted his back, laughing a little. "You’re allowed to be happy about this, you know. That’s what a mate is for."

The door opened.

Arya stood in the doorway. Her smile vanished when she saw us. For a split second, something sharp flickered in her eyes. Hurt, maybe, or suspicion. She straightened, jaw tight.

"What," she said, "is going on here?"