When The Luna Broke Her Chains novel Chapter 25

Chapter 25 The Wrong Way Out

[XENA]

I don’t want to think about Davina.

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The knowledge that she is under the same roof–breathing the same air, walking the same halls–makes something hot and poisonous coil in my chest. The woman who ruined my life. Who sent rogues after me. Who took my wolf and nearly killed me. And now she moves through this keep an honoured guest.

Smiling. Smug. Untouched.

At least I enjoyed the look on her face when I told her Cassian hadn’t been as faithfully waiting for her as she believed.

Still, my feet carry me to the pack’s library.

If I keep my hands busy, my mind will be quiet. Maybe if I focus on something tangible, I won’t imagine Cassian’s eyes following her everywhere she goes.

I pull down every book that looks remotely promising. Ancient scripts. Old rituals. Forgotten tongues. Anything that might help me understand the glyphs in that book.

The lamplight burns low as the night stretches on.

I copy symbols. I compare illustrations. I trace lines with my finger until my eyes ache and my head throbs. Wolves dissolving into light. Women kneeling beneath eclipses. Circles within circles. Nothing makes sense.

By the time dawn bleeds faintly through the high windows, I haven’t deciphered a single glyph. Not one.

I close my eyes and let my forehead rest against the table. A tired sound escapes me. This is useless. I’m useless.

I gather the books back into stacks and return them carefully, like they might punish me for my failure if I don’t show respect. I detour back to my chambers.

Vera is still hidden in her little fortress–curled tight, breathing softly. I haven’t failed to notice how she’s gotten unexplainably bigger in no time. Perhaps that’s another alarming thing about her–something I hope others don’t notice until I can decide to let her go.

I crouch and check on her, smoothing a hand over her warm back. She stirs but doesn’t wake.

“Stay,” I whisper. “Just a little longer.”

Until I stop feeling so lonely…

I don’t want to sleep. I’m afraid I’ll dream of him again. I’m afraid of hearing that voice–of being told I have something that belongs to him. But exhaustion drags at my bones.

I lie down, hoping no one will disturb me. Morning has come, and surely the keep is too busy to remember

1. me.

A knock sounds at my door, making my heart jump. I sit up too quickly, pulse racing. When I open it,

Morrin stands there.

My mind flashes back to her questions. Her gaze lingering on my healed skin and her suspicion. But today,

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Chapter 25 The Wrong Way Out

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her expression is different. She’s not curious, but her face is masked with seriousness.

“Chief Healer,” I say, stepping aside. “Please–come in.”

She hesitates, then enters. “I apologize for the hour,” she says. “I know you’ve barely rested. I saw you leave the library.”

“It’s alright,” I reply. “Please–sit.”

She does not. Instead, she turns to face me fully. “I’ll be direct, Luna Xena.”

The hair on the nape of my neck stands from the harshness of her tone.

“What is the nature of the relationship between Alpha Cassian and your sister, Davina?”

What’s going on? Why this question all of a sudden? And that too from her?

“I-“I turn my face away. “I don’t know what you mean

Morrin’s voice sharpens. “How long have you known?”

I look back at her. “Known what?”

“Whatever has been going on between them,” she says.

My lips part. Something colder settles in my chest. “They’ve been in love with each other since childhood,” I say slowly. “They’re mates.”

“So you knew the truth, and you said nothing,” Morrin presses. “You hid it.”

“What could I have said?” I ask, feeling my face twist in irritation. “That the man I loved–the one who married me, has been waiting for his true mate to return from the Guild? For the last five years?”

I swallow, deliberately hiding the whole truth. How can I trust her not to turn on me if she knew the entirety of what Davina did to me? My sister is a powerful Guild mage. And I’m wolfless and pathetic.

“How did you figure it out?” I ask quietly. “Was it that obvious? That he’s been waiting for her?” A hollow sound escapes me. “I suppose it explains why I never conceived. And that Cassian never truly wanted me to.”

Morrin shakes her head once. “Waiting?” she repeats. “Xena… what of last night?”

“Last night?”

Her eyes harden. “Davina is sworn to celibacy. All Guild mages under training are.”

“I’m aware of that,” I say weakly, anticipating her next words.

“She has broken her oath,” Morrin continues. “Only the Goddess knows for how long.”

I gasp. The room tilts. “You mean- My voice fails. “So last night-”

Morrin doesn’t elaborate; she doesn’t need to.

“It seems,” she says, “that you did not know they were in carnal relationship after her oath was taken.”

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Chapter 25 The Wrong Way Out

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I shake my head numbly. “No. I didn’t know. I didn’t think they’d dare.” My hands curl into fists. “Cassian isn’t that foolish. He knows what it means.”

“He does,” Morrin agrees. She straightens, already pulling away. “I will be sending a petition to the Moon Guild.”

My heart lurches. “You’re certain?”

Her voice is calm. Final. “This is not a matter that can be ignored.” She turns toward the door, then pauses. “Get some rest, Luna.”

When she leaves, I stand there, shaking.

Davina didn’t just come back to haunt me.

She may have finally doomed herself. And Cassian with her.

Which means maybe I’ll finally be free of him. By his death.

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