When The Luna Broke Her Chains novel Chapter 77

er 77 The Wrong Reason

[XENA]

Goddess, what am I saying?

She turns a little, hands full now, and looks at me with a frown. “I’m just saying that you’re a good person. You’re kind,” she explains with an unsure smile.

I nod slowly, feeling deflated. “Oh… I understand. I hear that a lot. But it’s rare to receive that kindness in

return.”

Her brows narrow. “I didn’t realize that,” she claims in a small voice.

I shake my head. “That’s alright. What I meant was, you’re kind too. Thank you, Your Highness, for giving me these clothes. I have done nothing to deserve them.”

I take them from her, feeling their weight in my arms.

She watches me silently for a few seconds, then lets out an exhale, masking her thoughts with a smile. “You saved my son, Xena. You can forget that someday, but I can’t and I won’t. And Knox won’t either. Dion is his favorite person.”

I listen to her quietly and nod.

She shrugs and gestures at a distance. “Put them there, on that chair. I’ll have someone deliver them to your chamber. I don’t want you carrying all that while you’re recovering.”

I don’t argue. “Sure, Your Highness.”

“Call me Aria.”

I shake my head.

She laughs. “You defy me?”

I smile softly, feeling light–if only for a moment. I turn around and let my gaze sweep over the little details of the chambers. I wonder how long she’s lived here, and how she spends her time. If she plays that harp, or the flute in that corner, or if it’s only a piece of decoration. If she sits by that cushioned bench pushed against the window to read a book from that massive bookshelf. If that unfinished painting on the canvas was something she started.

I wonder–a little intrusively, too–where her husband is, and who he is.

Aria clears her throat, breaking through my thoughts. “Take a seat, please.”

“You want me to stay?” I ask, failing to hide the surprise in my voice.

“Why not?” she says simply with a shrug before clasping her hands neatly. “I wish to talk to you. About

Knox.”

My throat works. “About him? Alright.”

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Chapter 77 The Wrong Reason

Finished

She starts unexpectedly. “Knox is a very private person,” she says, pacing over to the canvas and regarding it with a look I don’t quite understand. “He doesn’t… mingle. He prefers spending his time alone. At least in recent years. He keeps to himself, and he almost despises conversations. His apathy infuriates me sometimes, if I’m to be very honest.

“But I think,” she continues, a small smile touching her lips, “he sees a friend in you.” She nods softly. “That day at breakfast was the one time in a long time he spoke to me properly. He looked eager to talk. His replies weren’t one–worded, snaps, or dismissive. I think he enjoys spending time with you, around you–as one does with a friend.”

I find myself shaking my head. It’s true–Knox asked me to be his friend. But his intentions weren’t exactly

pure.

I sw

ng my gaze. “It’s not that,” I correct her before she can say more.

k so?” she counters.

erate to keep the the ing me any sort of

on me. The golder otect it. And that’s

y eyes. “It’s because of the wolf,” I confess. “If you not because of me, it’s because the wolf has

it I was human, and it thought I could protect it. That I cause he cares for the wolf, doesn’t he? That’s the only

er the words are uth. Prince Kn

question he

Aria bli

I ca

1. 0.

in my chest. But it’s soon followed by emptiness. That’s the was interested in me because I intrigued him. I was another

1. “Oh,” she mumbles, swallowing

ore. They fall in a silent gush.

hands clamping on my should

‘s grim.”

r goddess. Why are you

htly. “Did he hurt you

vay? No, Knox woul

ath, trying to s

coerce you to help him with the ena?”

give me. I’ve cried all over your hands.”

Bu

m my face.

cern. “I should’ve known,” she says finally with gritted wolf was the only reason he bothered.”

on you’re crying. Goddess! You must feel used. That wasn’t

way, out of the chamber. I run behind her. “Wait, where are you

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Chapter 77 The Wrong Reason

going?”

“To Knox, of course,” she replies, not stopping or slowing.

* Finished

I swallow the lump that forms in my throat at the thought of seeing him again after all this time. I barely keep up with her long strides.

She enters a wide double–doored entrance, disregarding the protests of the guards, but I hear one of them say, “I don’t think His Highness wishes to be disturbed right now.”

I follow too, despite the alarmed looks on their faces.

We round a corner, and I watch as Aria walks into a smaller, brighter room. My feet freeze on the spot when I take in Knox sitting at a round table with his back to us, his presence commanding even as his shoulders remain relaxed in that chair.

Davina is beside him, the ghost of a smile plastered on her perfectly beautiful and radiant face, like she just finished laughing at something Knox muttered.

Aria’s shoulders fall as well, her anger dissipating as Davina glances up at us, her brows rising. “Princess Aria,” she mumbles, getting to her feet gracefully before dropping to a gentle bow. “We weren’t expecting you to join us for lunch.”

Knox turns late, but his face is set like he already knows I’m there–like he recognizes me by my heartbeat.

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When The Luna Broke Her Chains