When The Luna Broke Her Chains novel Chapter 82

Chapter 82 What Slips Through Her Fingers.

Davina returns to her chamber long after night has settled into the palace.

She closes the door behind her and exhales slowly, like she’s taught herself. Always remain in control, no matter how bad it gets.

The Moon Guild meeting had been ugly.

The women who had signed up for the Luna Choosing Trials sat in a tight cluster, voices shaking only when they tried to keep them steady. They had brought lists, dates, comparisons, and names of ancestors. Proof of service to the Goddess. Evidence of suitability.

They had valid claims. Davina knows that much.

They asked why they weren’t chosen. Why others–less devout, less powerful, less prepared–had been picked instead. Why were humans picked over them?

Davina had stayed silent. She sat among the other Guild women, hands folded in her lap. She didn’t speak or defend herself even though she knew she was the target of their complaints.

Seraphel did that for her.

“You were not found worthy,” Seraphel said simply, to one woman in particular whose voice had cracked when she spoke. “The selection was thorough.”

“Based on what?” the woman asked, desperation sharpening her tone. “May we see the records? The evaluations?”

Seraphel’s voice hardened. “This matter is handled primarily by the Crown.”

“The King,” Seraphel continued, “the Prince, and Princess Aria made the final selections. The Moon Guild merely hosts the Trials.”

“So the Guild has no say?” another woman demanded. “The Elders here are a part of the judging committee!”

“You have no right to question the Crown or the Guild,” Seraphel snapped. “Nor the process.”

They were all dismissed then, asked to leave. Davina waited behind, and although she received dirty looks, she ignored them. The door was shut by an Elder, making her believe maybe they did have something to

tell her.

“Is that what you call it?” an Elder raised the question, scraping his chair back from behind the table. “A process? Or a performance?”

Seraphel’s nostrils flared. “They were disrespectful, Elder.”

“Oh, that is disrespectful?” he replied dryly. “Not the fact that these women are being scammed under the guise of divine will?”

Seraphel inhaled sharply, then turned to Davina.

10:19 am PPPP

Chapter 82 What Ships Through Her Fingers

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Finished

“We have no other choice, as this is the Prince’s doing,” she said. “Davina, you may leave, too.”

Davina had risen at once, spine straight, face blank. As she passed the elders, their accusing gazes followed her. She didn’t flinch then. But now, back in her chamber, the memory needles at her.

Oriel’s face intrudes next, making her recall the way she ignored Davina earlier today.

Davina tells herself she deserved it. Oriel is her competitor now. That’s how this works. Still. They grew up together. Shared rooms and secrets. She’d been loved by her.

She isn’t important, Davina tells herself sharply. The Crown is.

Knox is. Being his wife is.

The thought doesn’t settle the anger burning in her chest.

She fixes her gaze on a chalice from the table and hurls it at the wall. Nothing happens. The chalice clatters uselessly to the floor after being dragged off the edge, metal ringing sharply in the silence.

Davina stares at her hand. “No,” she mutters, shaking her head. She tries again–focuses, gathers, reaches. Nothing. She gasps. “Fuck.”

Panic curls hot and fast in her gut. Her powers aren’t working–but this isn’t because she’s exhausted or distracted.

Her mind snaps to Xena instantly.

Her wolf confirms her doubt, ‘Her lunar energy has stabilized. She’s starting to get stronger.‘

The truth hits like ice water.

“How did he let this happen?” Davina whispers angrily. “How?”

As if summoned by her fury, Cassian’s voice presses against her mind.

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