Yes, it was going to suck to carry on her illness façade, but at least she would never again have to think about using magic.
As comfy as the robe was that Damien had given her, Luna longed for her own clothes. Moonlight streamed through the open curtains, casting a faint glow across the room, and she sighed softly, rising from the bed to light the candle on her nightstand. The flame flickered, catching the edge of something on the vanity.
A small silver box sat there, gleaming in the soft light. Luna’s fingers brushed its surface, her curiosity piqued. She reached for the latch, only to find it locked. A combination lock. She paused, searching her mind for the right numbers, then turned the dials until the lock read 5-3-4. The latch released with a soft click.
Within was a note and a necklace, strikingly similar to the one she had lost. Though the pendant was more of a cold white, than hers had been, she doubted anyone else would be able to tell the difference. She unfolded the note, it read:
Some pray to the stars,
a few wish.
Others die then become,
You create.
Was this Damien’s version of a love letter? She subconsciously touched her hair as she read, recalling how her heart had leapt when Damien had placed a flower in her mane.
Smiling softly, she folded up the note, and placed it back into the box before slipping the necklace on. Although it couldn’t replace the sentimental value of her original one, it was sweet of Damien to try. And now, no one would ask where her necklace went.
Finished, Luna strolled over to her wardrobe, selecting a light blue button-up nightgown to wear and hiding Damien’s gifted robe in the back. She probably should’ve thrown it out to remove any evidence of her escape from the palace, but she couldn’t bring herself to do so. Just as she closed the wardrobe’s doors, a faint knock sounded on her window.
Clyde was standing there.He must be here to visit me.Warmly, she smiled at him, but he didn’t return the expression.Was he upset?She hurried to the window.
“Where were you?” His voice was sharp, the words cutting through the silence as soon as she opened it. She flinched, taking a step back from the unexpected harshness. Once he was inside, he stood tall and rigid, his presence looming over her. His gaze felt like a weight, scolding her like she was a misbehaved child. Luna fought to hold her ground, forcing her body not to shrink under the pressure.
Meekly, she answered, “Nowhere.” If he didn’t know about her little escape from the palace, she wasn’t about to give him any clues. Lifting her chin, she gestured around her room. “I’ve been studying.”
He crossed his arms, tensing his muscles. “I was told you were in the library. But you weren’t. Someone else said you were in your room . . . but when I came to visit you earlier, I was welcomed by a human body of pillows.”
She bit down on the inside of her bottom lip. Of course, he’d come to visit her tonight when she wasn’t where she was supposed to be. “I wasn’t expecting you.” It was the truth. She had thought the other night would be his last midnight visit. She should have known he would go looking for her, especially after not seeing her all day.
“Clearly, so I’ll ask again. Where were you?”
Screwed, that’s where she was. Totally and completely screwed. If she was honest with him, his sense of duty would compel him to tell not only her parents, but the king as well.
Her mind raced and she tried to think of a reasonable excuse, but she came up empty-handed. Best to just deny everything and change the subject. Nonchalantly, she turned away from him. “It’s not important.”
“Not important?!” He grabbed her arm and whirled her around. “Do you have any idea how worried I was? I almost sounded the alarms. Another minute longer and I might have done just that.”
Her lips pursed together in quiet defiance.
“Luna,” he cooed, his voice soft as he gently brushed a hand along her arm. “You’re not going to tell me where you went? We tell each other everything.”
“I’m sorry I scared you.” Luna flicked her hair over her shoulder. “I needed a break. I didn’t want to study anymore or hear a lecture from mom, so I hid in Emily’s room.”
He released an exasperated sigh. “Next time, fill me in on your plans. I know you hate that you’re sick, but you need protection. Let me protect you.”
Guilt gripped her heart. Normally, she would have melted into a puddle hearing how much he cared, only now the words made her think about all the secrets she would have to keep from him. She didn’t know how he’d react to finding out she wasn’t sick, just that she’s a unicorn. And what if that information ever got out, what kind of future would they have? No. It was best not to tell him anything. Best to pretend everything was as it had always been.
She forced a smile, crinkling her eyes and angling her face to catch the light. Her lips curled just enough to show a hint of teeth—a smile she had perfected over the years, one she wore when she felt like dying inside.
He cupped her face in his palm, his fingers tracing down her neck, skimming over her collarbone, and ghosting along the curve of her breast. She shuddered.
“I missed you, my pretty little Luna,” he whispered in her ear. “Let’s enjoy some alone time before the sun comes up.”
Moving almost mechanically, she draped her arms around his shoulders as he leaned down for a kiss.
“What exactly do you think you are doing with my sister?” Emily stood at the door, fists clenched at her sides.
