When The Luna Broke Her Chains novel Chapter 78

Chapter 78 Something That Has To Die

[XENA]

Davina doesn’t even seem to notice me standing behind Aria until a few seconds later. When our eyes meet, her smile drops.

I don’t mean to make a sound, but it slips out of me anyway–an audible exhale, loud enough to bring all attention to me.

Knox straightens immediately. Aria steps back instinctively, nearly stumbling into me. “Oh, forgive me,” she says in a rush. “The Prince is having an audience with this Guild scholar. We–we have interrupted them.”

ps frown when I note the hesitation in Aria’s voice. She’s deliberately trying to deflect me from what

eing with my own ey

re Knox and my step–sister Davina leisurely dining together.

d, I think instan

f course, he’s Moon–blesse

I swallow

asked b

conc

1. id.

m so stupid.

avina is with him. Why wouldn’t she be? She’s his future. His chosen. The e has already decided will win.

feet to stay planted even as something rom me. That would make sense. It woul Not his presence.

m like this, sitting together, eating tog e I didn’t realize I was still holding.

days, I thought that meal we shared

er throat and straightens, breakin ha, let’s leave.”

s, but his gaze doesn’t leave laying at this moment-

e says smoothly with

as her mouth, th

olitics, pr

ists in my chest. Maybe Davina

nable. I’m not entitled to his

ke this is ordinary–it steals

ughts. “I apologize for the intrusion,

ok away but I can’t. I want him to see what my

or sadness.

ctically see the thoughts colliding in her head- convenient truth.

ply.

de breathes out and explains, revealing the truth. “Xena knows.

as if reminding herself.

1/3

Chapter 78 Something That Has To Die

Finished

Davina turns toward me fully now, her smile settling back into place. It’s the practiced one–incapable of hiding the unrest in her gaze. “Of course,” she says. “It’s good to see you well, Xena. I’m sorry I couldn’t come to check up on you. I was kept very occupied.”

“I’m better,” I reply quietly, ignoring her implication. “Thank you.”

Knox turns to Aria. “Xena knows,” he repeats calmly. “About the arrangement,” Knox continues. “The facade of the trials. I told her.”

Davina’s smile tightens.

She didn’t know.

The realization settles cold and clear in my chest. She thought I was still in the dark about this little fix. That I was harmless and ignorant.

Interesting.

I neyer even considered it until now–how I can use this against her. How I could give Cassian a little nudge and show him just what his mate has planned for her future–one that I’m certain does not include him.

Aria studies Davina for a beat, then nods. “Well. That simplifies things.”

Davina laughs softly. “Does it?” she asks.

Aria ignores her and turns to Knox. “It would be better though, if you decided to keep the truth to yourself, Knox. We don’t need more people knowing about this. We’ve already risked enough as it is. The Luna Choosing Trials begin tomorrow,” she says briskly.

Knox’s gaze flicks to me for a brief second, making my heart halt momentarily. He sighs when he answers, “You’re the eighth person to remind me about it this afternoon.”

Aria shakes her head. “If you’re going to be–if you will be dining with Davina again, make sure your chambers are less easy to barge into.”

Knox snickers. “Fear not, Aria. No one else dares to barge into my chambers except you and the King.”

Alright, that’s enough. I don’t want to be here a moment longer.

I interrupt them. “I must leave,” I mutter. “Good luck,” I say, turning to Davina. “With the trials.”

Her brows lift. “I won’t need your luck,” she says. “Goddess knows you’ve never had any to spare.”

The words land exactly where she intends them to.

I feel Knox’s attention snap back to me instantly. I don’t look at him, but I can sense the shift in the air.

Davina notices too. “Oh,” she adds quickly, tilting her head. “I didn’t mean-” She laughs softly. “I’m only saying I’ll win regardless. The trials are already… decided. As you know.”

Rigged.

1:43 pm

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