When The Luna Broke Her Chains novel Chapter 56

Chapter 56 A Locked Door

Davina is still reeling.

The morning leaves her unsettled, her thoughts returning again and again to how narrowly she avoided being discovered with Cassian in her bed.

Stupid. Reckless. Sloppy.

She knows better than this. She has always known better. Desire is a weakness, temptation a test, and the oath she took with white fire and blood was meant to sever both. And yet Cassian only has to breathe near her for that discipline to fray. For her body to answer before her mind does.

It’s the first time she has broken her oath. And despite everything she has told herself, a part of her knows it will not be the last.

The knock, when it comes, shakes her world.

Then the voice nearly rips it apart. She recognizes it quickly: Seraphel.

Davina’s door is usually unlatched. A habit from her years in the Guild’s student quarters, where privacy was a luxury and locks were an illusion. Ten girls to a room. Shared breath. Shared secrets. Shared sleep.

But sometime, in the middle of the night, Cassian locked it. Thank the Goddess.

She is moving before she thinks–heart slamming, skin still warm, sheets still rumpled. Cassian barely has time to curse under his breath before she shoves him behind the folding screen near the hearth.

‘Don’t move,” she whispers, already weaving the words.

The cloaking spell snaps into place–tight, rushed, but effective. It drains her just enough that she has to orace herself against the bedpost, chest heaving, before grabbing a cloak and wrapping it around her bare shoulders.

Another knock. This one, impatient.

‘Davina?”

Seraphel’s voice stays calm.

Davina opens the door with what she hopes is practiced composure and not visible panic.

Seraphel’s gaze flicks to her face at once. “You took your time.”

‘I wasn’t feeling well,” Davina croaks, pitching her voice low and rough. She swallows hard.

Seraphel steps closer without asking and presses her fingers to Davina’s forehead. “You’re warm,” she says in an observant tone. “Is your wolf alright?”

Davina nods, lips tight.

If Seraphel knew why her body was warm–knew whose hands had been on her skin only moments before

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Chapter 56 A Locked Door

-she would not hesitate. Guild law is not gentle with oathbreakers. Execution would be swift.

Seraphel lingers only a moment longer before stepping back.

“You must sign up for the Luna Choosing today,” she says. “Before midday.”

Davina’s stomach tightens. “Of course.”

Finisher

She layers the words with another quiet veil, this time subtle, ensuring Cassian cannot hear what follows.

“The ritual and all the events and tests will proceed as planned earlier. Except that the Ascension will happen after Luna Choosing concludes. The Guild decided we would keep the matter–whatever happened in that dining chamber–hidden. Apparently, honesty comes after the Crown’s reputation.”

Seraphel’s tone shifts, taking in a hint of softness. “Are you certain you don’t wish to extend your servitude?” she asks. “You’ve been… exceptional. That’s what I’ve heard. I don’t think your abilities are fully understood yet.”

Davina lowers her gaze. “Perhaps it’s the Goddess’s will,” she murmurs. “And I don’t think there’s a greater way to serve the realm than as queen.”

Seraphel exhales slowly, resigned. “That’s true, I suppose.” A pause. “When I spoke to the Guild elders, they readily accepted the idea. They seem… pleased. Unexpectedly so.”

Davina keeps her face carefully neutral.

“I believe a change is coming,” Seraphel continues. “A large one. Think of it as a merging of the Crown and the Guild.”

Davina does not consider it. She only nods.

Seraphel studies her for a moment, then smiles faintly. “Break fast with me today, sister. There’s much I wish to discuss.”

“I would be honored,” Davina says, already hoping she won’t be held to it.

When the door finally closes, Davina locks it again. This time, deliberately.

“Come out,” she says, voice sharp.

The air ripples as Cassian steps free of the spell, expression dark.

“Why did you hide the rest of that conversation?” he demands.

She turns, feigning confusion. “What do you mean?”

“I heard the beginning,” he says. “But not the rest.” Realization snaps across his face. “You muted it.”

His hand closes around her arm, grip hard enough to hurt. “Didn’t you?”

Davina hisses and yanks back. “Let go.”

She touches the spot where his fingers were, testing it. If she were Xena–pathetic, wolfless–it would

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Chapter 56 A Locked Door

already be bruising.

Finished

‘She did it,” Davina says coolly. “Most Guild conversations aren’t meant for outsiders. Not even the Crown. You understand that, Cassian.”

He watches her for a long moment, suspicion flickering. Then he nods once.

‘Walls have ears,” he mutters.

“They do,” Davina agrees.

She crosses the room and shoves his clothes into his chest. “Then dress and go. We’re not doing this again. It’s too risky.”

Cassian only smirks. He catches her by the neck and kisses her–hard, claiming.

For a heartbeat, she lets herself melt into it.

Then she pushes him away.

‘Go,” she says. “Now.”

***

The hall where names are being taken is already overflowing.

Davina nearly gasps when she steps inside.

So many.

She had known invitations were sent across the continent this time, but seeing it–wolves and nobles and silk and steel–drives the point home. Humans too, she realizes distantly, though they stand apart, decorative more than serious.

For show.

There is no world where a wolfless woman marries the Lycan Prince.

Davina spots Sora and Trish behind the long tables, both younger Guild members tasked with recording names and lineages. Their eyes widen when they see her.

She joins the queue anyway.

Her thoughts flick briefly to her family. Mother, Father, her brother. Aurelia will be insufferable when she hears. But Davina will need them here–visible, proud, reminding the court exactly who she is.

She will win.

Around her, women glance at her robes and scowl. White and gold. Guild colors. Purity. Oath.

If she wore red, they would not look at her this way.

She ignores them. Then she looks up. And meets Oriel’s gaze.

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Chapter 56 A Locked Door

Fuck.

Lady Mara stands just behind her.

“What are you doing here?” Oriel asks sharply.

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