The Luna Queen's Rebirth (Ellie and Dominic) novel Chapter 72

Chapter 72

Ellie POV

+25 Bonus

I didn’t realize Sarah was serious about “getting fresh air” until she dragged me past the school gates.

“Keep walking,” she ordered, tugging my sleeve like an overexcited wolf pup.

“This feels illegal,” I muttered as we crossed into the outer woods. “And vaguely cultish.”

“It’s a walk, Ellie. Not a blood pact.”

“Same energy.”

Sarah elbowed me, smiling. “You need real air.”

I snapped my swim suits strap under my tank top. “So, what are these for then?”

She just grinned and kept pulling.

We walked deeper into the trees-sunlight slipping through branches like it was trying to guide us somewhere. The stones covered in moss and crawling ivy. My muscles ached from days hunched over books. My brain felt bruised. But each step loosened something tight inside my ribs.

I hadn’t seen so much green in a minute. I missed it.

“Seriously, where are we going?” I finally asked.

“A place nobody bothers me,” she said. “Except you. Because I like you.”

I snorted softly. “Lucky me.”

And then the trees thinned… and the world opened.

A clearing stretched out before us, quiet and golden, grass bending in a soft breeze. Beyond it— a lake.

Bright, glass-still, framed by rocks and dipping branches. The kind of place paintings try to imitate and fail.

For a second, I forgot how to breathe.

r

“You… never told me about this,” I said. I wanted to say even when we were friends before… this was new.

Sarah shrugged. “I didn’t want it ruined. But you’re worth the risk when your so stressed. I can see how hard your working for yourself now. I just…support it.”

I looked at her and she get my gaze with a warm grin. “Come on!”

Without warning, Sarah kicked off her shoes and sprinted straight into the water, her clothes flying off her in a flurry.

“Wait!” I said. “Is it-”

“It’s warm!” she shouted, splashing dramatically. “Stop being old and get in!”

“We are both teens,” I protested. “Not old.”

1/5

+25 Bonus

Mentally? You like fifty-three. Minimum. Now get in!”

I hesitated at the shoreline, watching ripples catching sunlight. The water looked clean. Safe. Uncomplicated.

Unlike everything else in my life.

So I stepped in.

It was warm. Comforting. A little shock ran up my spine as I waded deeper, until the lake was hugging me from all sides. There were rocks, sharp and big all around butit got deep quick. And I mean quick.

Sarah splashed me immediately.

I gasped. “You did not just-!”

The splash fight was inevitable. And ridiculous. And exactly what I needed.

We laughed-loud, ugly, real laughter-until my stomach hurt and my cheeks burned and something inside me loosened that I didn’t know was clenched.

For the first time in days…

maybe weeks…

I wasn’t thinking about the test.

Or the warning.

Or Dominic’s stupid jawline.

I was just… Ellie.

When we finally drifted to a calmer spot, floating on our backs, Sarah tilted her head toward me.

“Okay,” she said gently. “Talk.”

And somehow, I did.

The words started slow, then poured out. Kinda like with Lucas, only, this time it was easier. I had practice.

The conduct warning, this midterm was lke a guillotine blade with my name carved into it.

The exhaustion.

The panic.

The quiet terror that I might lose everything I’d worked for.

Sarah didn’t interrupt. She just listened, her hand occasionally brushing mine in the water.

“And Dominic,” she added softly. “You didn’t mention him.”

I groaned and covered my face. “Because he’s… not relevant.”

“Mhm.”

215

+25 Bonus

“He’s not,” insisted.

“Ellie.”

“He’s just… everywhere. And I don’t understand why. I don’t want him. I don’t even like him these days.’

“But he keeps showing up,” she said.

“Exactly.” I kicked the surface, sending little waves across the lake. “Like a very persistent rash.”

Sarah snorted. “A hot rash.”

I shot her a look. “Do not sexualize my metaphors.”

She laughed, then softened. “Maybe you two are a little fated.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify