When The Luna Broke Her Chains novel Chapter 104

When The Luna Broke Her Chains

Chapter 104 That’s The Problem

[XENA]

**Pantsnert

I let out a shaky breath, my fingers tightening around the leaf bowl, nearly crushing it as I try to remain upright.

Goddess.

I wish the ground would open up and swallow me whole right now, spare me this moment, spare me him, and the way my heart is already betraying me. I close my eyes briefly, hoping that might help me gather whatever dignity I have left, but it does nothing.

When I open them again, Knox is already looking at me.

He knew I was here long before I saw him. He didn’t need to turn or hear my steps. He can probably hear my heartbeat from where he stands, loud and frantic, like it’s trying to escape my chest. He can smell me, too, and I hope for my sake that I’m not smelling awful right now. I’m just aware I haven’t looked as unkempt in a long time, at least in front of him.

I glance over my shoulder at Iver, and he immediately lowers his head in guilt.

“So that’s where you disappeared to,” I accuse him, the words coming out sharp.

I should be furious, and I should feel betrayed. Instead, I just feel… exposed.

I’ve avoided Knox. After that moment in the corridor, after the way I had stood there and almost–Goddess, I almost begged him to kiss me. I had dreaded seeing him again, dreaded facing what that moment meant, what it did to me, and now he is here.

Right in front of me.

I could turn and run. I could walk away, pretend I never saw him, but that would only make this worse, make me look weak, make it obvious that I can’t even stand in the same space as him without falling apart.

He’s the Prince, a voice in my head reminds me sharply. Fear him.

But I don’t. That’s the problem.

He has never scared or intimidated me. Not the way he should, considering his position and level of authority. He has unsettled me, yes. Made me aware of myself in ways I didn’t know were possible. Made me question things about myself. He has angered and frustrated me more times than I can count.

And he has saved me.

If I’m going to do this, I might as well do it quickly. Get it over with and leave. Offer what I brought to the Goddess and return to where I belong to that narrow cot, to that suffocating room, to the quiet misery that at least makes sense.

So I walk toward him. Each step feels impossibly heavier than it should, my heart pounding so hard I am certain I might stumble or drop the bowl entirely, but I don’t stop or slow down. And Knox straightens from where he leans against the pillar, his posture shifting the moment I approach, his gaze never leaving mine.

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fam standing right in front of hom. Ar th. And then mine drops, instinctively, to his wrist.

ppointment moves through me before before I can stop it, and I hate it instantly. He ay anything about it, and I’m grateful fondful for that.

ghtly. “Your Highness,” I say.

ediately.

he meets my gaze. something softer settter setting into his expression as he says, “Happy

se burse he couldn’t keep it to himself. I should should’ve known better than to trust him. ows hows quieter, more unsettling.

the w he walk into that hall, full of people, full og mall of attention, with

he colic could meet me here?

a

trial

OL BOSLOossible.

going on,

urt out out looking away from him, from that face the face that seems to undo me every

low and wand warm, and it does something to me that that I don’t want to examine too

nk youranteu at least.”

8

sharp and parut unforgiving. “Thank you, Your Highness.g

to his voice.

int to talk about?”

tilt downward slightly. “Offer your or your prayers first,” he

Chapter 10

[XENA]

Leisurely.

The word echo walk away from

gone wrong in

Or… with me de

I know which o

Goddess.

She stands tall, s soothing about in a place like th

The last time I l discovering the

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