His eyes fell to his hooves. “A man loyal to his crown and country above all else.”
“That’s why you kept telling me you were no knight in shining armour?” Luna probed. “Because you were going to betray my birth mother?”
He stiffened as if she had struck him, but he did not deny it. “I meant it before, when I said I was tired of being everyone’s protector.” His gaze lifted; his eyes found hers. “As exhausting as it is though, I can’t bear to see my family torn apart.”
Luna crossed her arms. “What about mine?”
“I promised to bring you to her, and I will.”
And that was as good as it was going to get Luna realized. She uncrossed her arms and let down her guard, physicallyandemotionally. “Okay.”
“Okay?” he repeated. “Okay, you want nothing to do with me? Or . . . okay, you’ll stay?”
Choosing to believe him, Luna answered, “I want to see my mother, so yes, I’ll stay with you.” Damien had kept her safe so far, and the truth was: If he’d wanted to harm her, there’d already been plenty of opportunities.
“Fair enough,” Damien said.
“But,” Luna added, tone firm, “from now on, no more secrets, no half-truths.”
He reached out but then thought better of it, his hand twitching midair before he retracted it. Clearing his throat, he replied, “Then that’s what you’ll have. I won’t betray you.”
His gaze lingered on her for a moment, taking in her outfit. “You can ask the wardrobe for different clothes. Just tell it what you want, and it’ll appear.” He turned away, strolling to the door, but he paused, hand hesitating on the handle. “If you ever wish to leave, I won’t be the one to hold you back.” Then he strode through the door, closing it behind him.
Luna flopped down on the bed, her back hitting the mattress. Thoughts swirled within her mind, chasing themselves in circles. Had she made the right choice? Only time would tell.
With quiet resolve, she rose and crossed the room to the wardrobe again. Changing out of the travel clothes felt like a small but significant gesture of acceptance. Another way to confirm her decision to stay, for now at least.
“Magic wardrobe, can you please give me normal lady clothes, something like Winta’s but simpler.” She ran her hand over her mossy top. “Not whatever this is.”
A soft shutter clicked from within the wardrobe before it creaked open, revealing rows of beautiful fabric dresses. Luna selected a simple white dress with light green ruffles along its hem and a tiered skirt that flowed to her hooves.
After she dressed, she paused at the door, resting her palm on the cool wood. If she was wrong about Damien . . .No.She couldn’t think like that. But the thought stayed, like a splinter—one wrong move from him, and she’d be ruined. She pushed the door open anyway and strode through.
Chapter 38
No More Running
Hunched in a chair, Gregory’s eyes flicked over Luna as she came down the stairs. Something in his expression caught her. Concern? Maybe pity. The thought settled uneasily in her chest. He looked away quickly, swiping a hand across his face.
She crossed the room; her steps slow, uncertain. The silence between them stretched too long.
When she finally spoke, her voice came out sharper than intended. “Don’t look at me like that.”
Gregory blinked. “Like what?”
“Like I’m broken.”
“I can’t help it.” He went still, gaze fixed on the floor. “I was useless in that camp . . . I couldn’t stop them. Couldn’t save you . . .” His fingers curled tight around the armrests as if anchoring himself. “Just like I couldn’t save . . .”
He didn’t say her name, but Luna knew who he meant.
The sharp edge of her anger dulled; she hadn’t considered how any of this might be affecting him. “It’s my fault I ended up there.”
“No,” he breathed out, his fingers drumming on the armrests. “You did what you thought was right.” He met her gaze. “No one blames you for running.”
No one had to, she’d already sentenced herself.
She forced a half-smile, not because she felt better, but to end the conversation. Let Gregory think he’d helped. “What’s that?” she asked, nodding towards the nearby bowl overflowing with mushrooms.
