When The Luna Broke Her Chains novel Chapter 20

Chapter 20 Defense From The Unlikely

[XENA]

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Lady Mara lifts her chin and launches into her performance. “I went to sleep,” she says, voice trembling with well–practiced fragility. “And I had the most terrifying dream. A dream of you-” she points a shaking finger at me “-attacking me. Scratching at me like a feral thing. And when I woke…”

She tilts her face to the hall’s light. Nestled among the dark mottled marks, angry red welts streak down her neck–ugly, raw, and unmistakably real.

My stomach drops. Those aren’t scratches someone can fake. But I didn’t do it.

Did she really do these to herself just to accuse me? Is that how far she’s willing to go? How has their ill intent towards me suddenly accelerated?

Cassian’s jaw grinds once.

“I woke up with these wounds,” Lady Mara continues breathlessly. “So tell us, Luna… can you prove you didn’t do it?”

A murmur ripples through the hall. I swallow hard.

Despite everything–despite how he’s treated me–I still expect Cassian to stand, to say something rational. That I’ve been bedridden. That I could not have burned clothes locked in a chest or appeared in Lady Mara’s bedroom with enough force to harm her.

But instead, he looks at me, cold and almost amused. “Prove your innocence, Xena.”

A soft gasp escapes me. Then I see it–the faint curl at the corner of his mouth.

Ah. That’s what this is. He wants me to beg. To fold. To apologize for daring to say Davina’s name yesterday before a crowd. For daring to imply something true.

I straighten my spine. “I didn’t leave the healer’s quarters.”

“Who can vouch for you?” Oriel demands, eyes gleaming with victory.

My mind scrambles. “Kasumi.”

Lady Mara snorts. “She’s not posted there, is she? I had her wash my clothes.”

Oriel lifts a hand. “She braided my hair. She can’t have been with you the whole time.”

Their words don’t support their accusations in any sense, but somehow they dismiss my innocence just as easily.

My shoulders sag as the room blurs. I know I’m defeated. A new punishment. A new humiliation. I brace myself for whatever Cassian decides–for whatever lie they’ll pin on me next.

But I won’t bend. I won’t say I did something I didn’t. Even if staying silent means they break me further.

“So Kasumi can’t vouch for you,” Oriel concludes smugly.

“Luna Xena didn’t leave the quarters.”

12.23 Thu, Jân L

Chapter 20 Defense From The Unlikely

Astrid steps forward.

My breath catches. Astrid… defending me?

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Even Cassian is shocked, his brows coming together, as he shifts again. She bows deeply, looking up at him through her thick lashes and doe eyes. “Alpha Cassian, if I may, allow me to vouch for the Luna.”

Cassian barely hides the way his throat works. “You may

Oriel sneers, yet there’s nothing she can do but remain silent.

Kasumi clearly speaks, “I was posted in the quarters to look after all those admitted for the last two days. You can check the attendance scroll. I hadn’t left the quarters until now, and I can say that Luna Xena was there. Chief Healer Morrin advised her not to move at all. Her maid Kasumi, visited her often, whenever she could–I suppose–and took care of her. Fed her, clothed her. She didn’t leave her bed.”

Lady Mara steps forward. “Oh, yes? Show me this scroll you speak of.”

“No need for that,” Cassian cuts her off, using his Alpha authority through his voice. She’s forced to lower her head. I feel the command too, weakening my knees further.

Astrid exhales, and I see her hands are shaking.

Cassian declares, “Luna Xena is innocent. The next time I expect distinct, and clear proof to be brought to me before anyone decides to accuse my wife. I will not tolerate it.” He pauses, his eyes straying to his mother. “As for what happened, I’ll have people investigate. The true perpetrator shall come out soon.”

He rises, dismissing the session, though prematurely. Everyone bows.

I stand there frozen, unmoving until he’s completely out of sigh. Then I shudder in a breath as my eyes Astrid. I’m certain my confusion shows on my face. She holds my gaze for a second before she turns and walks away.

Perhaps there is more than one way…

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12:23 Thu, Jan 22 GAD.

When The Luna Broke Her Chains