When The Luna Broke Her Chains novel Chapter 79

Chapter 79 Attention I Never Asked For

[XENA]

Morning comes too quickly.

Light spills through the tall windows of my chamber, pale and unforgiving, and for a moment, I pretend I don’t know what day it is. That if I stay very still, the world might forget to move forward without me.

As soon as we’re both done with breakfast, Astrid begins laying dresses across the bed, picking them one by one from the chests Princess Aria had her guards carry to my chamber. I tried to count them the previous night. There are three dozen of them, at least. Silks and velvets and embroidery with gems so fine I’m afraid to breathe near them for fear that they’ll be ruined.

I stand before them, fingers hovering. They’re all beautiful. And I feel unworthy of them.

“Which one?” Astrid asks, watching them from the corner of her eye.

I hesitate, then reach for a deep blue set inlaid with a sapphire at the center of the blouse. “I think this is the feast glamorous of them all. Or I could just pick something I own?”

Astrid’s brows knit closer. “You own these now. They’re a gift from Her Highness, aren’t they?”

“Yes,” I mutter sheepishly with a sigh.

Astrid nods and helps me into it, her hands confident as she fastens the clasps of the blouse. She brushes my hair slowly, lost in some thought. I watch her reflection in the mirror–and notice the way her gaze lingers on the dress.

“You should take one,” I say suddenly.

Her hand stills.

“There are enough,” I add quickly. “Pick one you like.”

Astrid’s eyes widen. She shakes her head at once. “No. I couldn’t.”

“Why not?”

“These belonged to a princess,” she says quietly. “You can wear them because you’re the wife of an Alpha. I’m just a healer.”

“Oh,” I murmur.

She lowers her gaze, resuming her task, but something has shifted. The fragile comfort that had settled between us over the last few days due to Morrin’s petition and the betrayal we got from Cassian–quiet meals, shared silences, occasional exchange of smiles–fractures cleanly.

But it isn’t her fault–it’s mine.

I don’t want her to confront me and ask why Knox has been looking at me. I don’t want her to know the truth about Vera. About the imprinting, and the humiliating fact that the Prince’s attention wasn’t earned

1:43 pm

Chapter 79 Attention | Never Asked For

by me, but by a wolf who mistook me for something else.

I can’t bear for anyone to know.

Finished

When we leave the chamber, I feel hollowed out. Uncase runs through my veins at the thought of being surrounded by so many people again. I’ll be seeing Cassian, and Lady Mara, and Oriel. Maybe I’ll be subject to much cruelty when people realize I’m the woman the Prince has been giving so much attention

1. to.

The grand hall is filling up when we arrive. Astrid and I slip in amidst the crowd. Voices echo off marble and gold, both nervous and excited. I take my place with my family, wiping my clammy hands on the fabric of my flared pants, loose and flowing around my ankles, as I sit.

“Well,” Oriel says loudly, glancing at me from the corner of her eye. “Look who finally decided to show her face.”

I stare straight ahead.

Oriel turns to me fully, and takes me in, her lips twisting. “What is this that you’re wearing? Who did you steal from this time, Xena?” she mocks, voice full of venom. “The Prince’s tower houses many wealthy nobles! Bet one of them pitied your state. Didn’t you almost die? That was the rumor going about.”

Astrid exhales behind me. “Ignore her,” she whispers to me.

Why should I remain quiet? I’m tired of being treated like a rag

cloth.

“The dress is a gift from the Princess,” I answer smoothly, giving her a grin. I regret it soon enough because that answer earns me a lot of undesired attention.

“Princess Aria?” someone mutters from behind in shock.

“Is that a sapphire on her chest?”

“What did she say her name is? Xena? Isn’t that the woman the Prince is-”

Someone shushes her off before she can complete her sentence.

Lady Mara leans closer, her smile thin. “Don’t get comfortable,” she murmurs. “Special treatment fades quickly. It takes mere seconds to lose favor.”

I say nothing and stare forward instead, but the whispers around me don’t stop. They continue to talk of me, my name whispered in shock and jealousy. They talk about my clothes, and speculate on my relation

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify