His Forsaken Luna-Chapter 76: Aftermath (1)

I was in my palace before I could process everything. Sverre didn’t comment about the state of Theo and probably my lingering scent on him as he gave the crow shifter some trousers under my order. Afterwards, we went to my study, where I slumped over at the desk and stared at nothing in particular. My thoughts swirled with the events that had happened.

Was Faidon okay? I didn’t see the extent of his injuries, but he hadn’t been moving. I clutch at the heated gem still in my pocket, the one Kharis gave me, and roll it around between my thumb and finger. The motion soothes me, but only a little.

If I wasn’t thinking about Faidon, then my thoughts jumped to Eryx. He was an Alpha Prince, and that being tossed him aside so easily. The sound of bones breaking as he slammed into a tree made me shiver.

"Are you going to tell me what happened?" Theo’s face appears before mine, almost startling me out of my thoughts. He’s leaning against the desk, staring at me intently, concern furrowing his brow. "And will you introduce me to this mysterious stranger?"

"Sverre," Sverre answered for me from where he stood behind me, staring out of the window, looking as suspicious and mysterious as Theo claimed. "Your slave has quite the mouth on him."

My eyes flick back to the crow shifter without turning to look at him. "That he does," I murmur, and a smirk flashed on Theo’s lips. "And the palace was attacked," I add without emotion.

"I know that..." Theo says quietly and reaches for my hands. But with Sverre, a guild master in Ulfstad, I slid my hands back, hoping Theo read my gaze well. He does, settling his hands back. "Are you okay?"

"I am not the one injured or..." The bodies flash across my mind. "Dead."

Sverre clears his throat, pushing open the window. "Kharis has returned. If you need me..." He trails off, holding my stare, his words from last time ringing in my mind. I nod, and he hops out of the window.

Theo rushes past the desk in awe as a crow squarks and flies away just as Kharis bursts through the doors in nothing but leather trousers. His gaze scanned over me swiftly, no doubt searching for injuries; when he found none, the Southern Were relaxed a little before going to the window and shutting it. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

I stand from my chair and spin around. "How is Faidon?"

"Recovering," Kharis replies as his gaze sweeps over the room, searching for any threats that might linger in the shadows. He is on high alert still.

"And Eryx?"

"With Faidon." Kharis’ attention rests on me again. "Eryx sent me here. You should try to get some rest, tomorrow will be a long day. The Alpha King has yet to return. The palace is in a state of unrest, aware their protector and ruler is not here."

I move from the desk and shake my head. "If my brother hasn’t returned, I should be out there helping-"

"Everything is under control, Princess. Your Beta is commanding the guard. The best thing for you to do right now is stay out of trouble." I frown at his words. "My Prince has given me my orders; I cannot go against them."

My eyes narrow on him, and I cross my arms against my chest. "You will make me a prisoner in my own home?" My voice grows steely. I didn’t mean to sound so harsh, especially to someone who is merely following orders and someone I like. But I won’t act like this makes me happy.

Kharis bows his head in response. "You should tell your Prince that I am not happy and I am not a part of his court to follow his orders."

"He said you would say something like that... it is for your protection."

"If my protection is sooo important to him, then he can do it himself. You’ve been guarding me all day," I counter, though I spoke the truth. Usually, Faidon would replace him. His shadow is severely injured, though.

"He is by Faidon’s side..." Kharis trails off, those vibrant eyes dimming a little.

My heart pinches at the mention of Faidon and the state he is in. I drop the subject with a curt nod. "Try and get some rest, Kharis. I am sure the threat is gone for tonight."

Kharis bows his head without responding. I know he will not rest until his Alpha Prince calls him back. "Then I will try to get some rest." I know sleep will forsake me tonight, not after what I witnessed.

When I was finally in my bed chamber, I didn’t resist when Theo began undressing me and dressing me again in a nighty and led me back to bed. I didn’t argue as his arms wrapped around me and tugged me closer, ’spooning’ me.

I expected him to fall asleep quickly, but his breaths never deepened; his fingers never stopped as they played with my hair and massaged my head, saying comforting words to me.

Why did that creature attack us? What were its intentions, and were its powers really weakening, which was why it retreated? The whole attack happened so quickly that I kept replaying it and forming even more questions.

By the time light began to stream through the window, Theo had worked me down with his comforting touch, and I told him everything I’d witnessed. Feeling a little more weightless, I was able to sleep.

My dreams were fitful, going between the horrors I’d witnessed and being cuddled by a handsome man. The darkness that had been clutching my mind with images of blood-stained snow and scorch marks transformed into a mystical forest, and the handsome man stayed.

He petted my hair and told me he would protect me. He speaks to me in another language, but somehow I understand it. I shrug it off, though. It is a dream world.

’I don’t need your protection.’

’Until you are strong enough, you do.’ The man with vivid green eyes whispered into my ear. We were naked, lying down in the forest, long grass flattened beneath us where we’d been mating. Or so my mind had made up.

The stars twinkled above us through the leaves of the trees. ’Is this real?’ I found myself asking.

’Who knows?’ His smooth accent melted over my skin like warm butter. ’Do you want it to be?’

I look back at him, my answer dancing on my lips, but my gaze snaps at the black ribbon on his wrist. For some reason, the image pricks at the back of my mind, and the world flickers a little around us.

The man sighs, drawing even closer to me. ’I’m just making sure you are okay,’ he murmurs into my hair before kissing the top of my head, inhaling deeply. ’It’s not quite the same as real life.’

’What isn’t?’ I ask with a sigh, feeling more content after his fingers draw circles on my stomach. I forgot what we were talking about. Being beside this man had a soothing effect on me.

’Your scent.’

I hum back, not quite understanding what he says and accept his soft kiss before the night sky rips apart and blinding light forces my eyes shut.