When The Luna Broke Her Chains novel Chapter 22

Chapter 22 The Sweetness Of Poison

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[XENA]

Three evenings pass before I’m deemed healthy enough to leave the healer’s quarters. I don’t let anyone but Morrin examine me, feigning fear. No one else is eager to care for me either. This time, when she pulls up the blanket covering me and sees the smooth skin of my arms, she just raises a brow and sighs.

“I hope for Goddess’s sake, you aren’t doing anything unholy,” Morrin remarks before letting me go. “I’m just glad you don’t have to suffer like a human.”

In that time, I’ve avoided Astrid’s seething glares, Lady Mara’s venomous tongue, and Oriel’s spiteful smugness. The calm is temporary–I can feel it. The Moonborne Gathering draws nearer every day, and with it… the small, shriveling sense of helplessness blooming inside my ribs.

I won’t be rid of Cassian anytime soon. I’ll be bound for at least another year.

The pack’s keep only reminds me of it, over and over again, so I decide to leave it for some time. And there’s only one place I can go to.

I sit in front of the Goddess’s idol, its stone face serene as always, carved into an expression meant to inspire comfort. But all I feel is that tight sting of betrayal.

“You didn’t protect me,” I whisper inside my skull. “You didn’t stop any of it. Even now, you show no mercy. No path I can pick to free myself.”

My hands clasp together, but there is no prayer on my tongue. No faith left to offer.

A part of me knows why I’m really here, and why I choose to stay for so long.

For him.

For the stranger whose presence cracked something open inside me. For the man who healed me-who keeps invading my dreams like a half–remembered prophecy.

Some silly, desperate part of me thought I’d find him here again. That the recurrent dreams meant I was supposed to see him again. I thought he’d be waiting, hooded or unhooded, sitting in the shadows like last

time.

But as I pass the bread along the rows of weary faces, there is no sign of him. No tall, broad–shouldered silhouette. No flicker of storm–grey eyes.

Just hunger, desperation, and miserable silence broken by pleas and murmurs of gratitude. And the truth that I was foolish to come here for something so impossible.

I lower the last offering, bow to the Goddess without feeling a thing, and start toward the exit, Kasumi tailing me.

The palanquin meets me before I even reach the steps. It bears the Moon Guild’s sigil–silver threads swirling like moonfire. My heart drops.

No. Please, no.

The curtains part with delicate, purposeful grace, and there she is: Davina.

Five other guild women flank her, stepping down with impeccable posture, but Davina’s eyes go straight to

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Chapter 22 The Sweetness Of Poison

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1. me. Her smile blooms instantly–sweet, polite, and practiced. A façade she wears only when she has an audience.

“Sister,” she calls, her voice smooth as silk. “What a pleasant surprise.”

I stand straighter. “Davina.”

She glides closer. “We’re on our way to the royal palace for the Moonborne Gathering. Didn’t Alpha Cassian tell you?” Her lashes lower. “He offered to host us for the night. So thoughtful and generous of him.”

Her smile widens when she sees the stiff curve of my own.

Of course he did.

***

Cassian, who is always too busy to greet anyone–not even his own Luna when she returns from certain death–stands outside the keep to welcome them like some adoring suitor.

He bows to the Guild women, especially Davina.

“It’s an honor to host the most gifted among the continent,” he says warmly. “Your service to the Moon Goddess blesses us all.”

His eyes drift to Davina again, softening in a way that clenches something inside me. She returns the look- blushing faintly, dipping her chin.

They look at each other with blind faith and devotion, and with something that looks disgustingly a lot like

lust.

At dinner, the arrangement is predictable. Mara. Oriel. Cassian. Davina. And then… me.

Davina should be dining with the other Guild women in the guest hall. But somehow Cassian got special permission for her to dine here.

A romantic dinner with just the two of them? Even he wouldn’t dare–yet.

Oriel practically vibrates with excitement. “You look radiant, Lady Davina. The Guild robes suit you beautifully. When you finish your oath, you’ll be unstoppable.”

Davina giggles softly. “You flatter me, Oriel. It’s so good to see you after all this time.”

Then Mara cuts in, stirring poison into the air with every word. “I like to believe it’s not too late for it. I do hope Xena learns something from you,” Mara says sweetly. “You carry yourself with such grace. She could use a fraction of your discipline.”

“Mother-” Cassian starts.

“No, no,” Davina says quickly, all polite humility. “I’m sure Xena tries her best.”

My grip tightens on my spoon. I drop it.

Their eyes snap to me.

“I’m finished,” I say calmly, rising from my seat.

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Chapter 22 The Sweetness Of Poison

“You didn’t even ask to leave,” Mara scolds.

“How rude,” Oriel mutters.

Davina watches me with a curious glint.

I don’t honor any of them with a reply. I turn to leave.

***

“Running away, sister?”

Davina’s voice trails behind me as I step into the quiet corridor. I stop because I want to hear what she thinks she can say.

She strolls toward me, hands clasped behind her back, the picture of serenity. “Did I make you feel like a stranger in your own home?” she asks, tilting her head. That wasn’t my intention.”

“Yes, it was,” I say plainly.

Her smile freezes. She didn’t expect me to respond to her harshness.

“But I wasn’t thinking about that,” I add. “I was wondering how I’ll petition the Guild.”

“What… petition?” she whispers, brows slightly rising.

“About what you did to me,” I answer. “All those years ago.”

Color drains from her face instantly. She tries to laugh but it comes out thin. “Xena, what are you talking-”

“I know everything,” I say, stepping closer.

Her throat bobs. “You’re confused. What are you implying-”

I shake my head. “You know exactly what I mean. But regardless, if you’re trying to make me jealous,” I cut in, “you’re wasting your time. You can have Cassian when your oath is done. You can have him now if you wish it, so I can be free.”

Her eyes widen.

“But just so you know,” I add quietly, “he hasn’t waited for you as faithfully as you imagine.”

Davina’s lips part in shock.

I smile and walk past her, leaving her in the hallway, trembling for the very first time.