Chapter 9 Secrets Revealed
Secrets Revealed
Strong arms held Luna as she drifted in and out of consciousness.
“We can’t help her until we have Nina,” a honey-sweet voice said.
“I don’t trust those humans. They’ve been lying to her for her entire life—telling her she is human when she’s not.” Damien.
“She told me they kept her on a tight leash,” a different voice replied, who Luna recognized as Marion. “But, she didn’t give me any reason to think she was being harmed by them.”
Damien interrupted, “That doesn’t mean she’s safe.”
“As long as they don’t suspect she knows the truth, I’m sure she will be fine,” Marion continued. “If Luna goes missing, they’ll hide Nina, and we may never get our hands on her. There’s no guarantee we’ll be able to locate her again.”
“That’s not an option, we need Nina,” Damien replied. “But this feels awfully like throwing a sheep into a lion’s den and hoping for the best.”
“We get it. You’re in looovveeee,” the female with the honey-sweet voice teased.
“I didn’t say that.”
“Would it be so bad?” Marion retorted, “I know you like to pretend that cold black heart of yours is impenetrable, but—”
“Can we stay focused, please?” Damien interrupted.
Another male spoke up, “We have enough to worry about. Let’s focus on the problems at hand, not add more.”
Luna groaned and tried to open her eyes, but her lids were too heavy and she couldn’t muster the strength.
“What do you want us to do, Damien?” Marion asked.
“I’m going to bring her back to the palace,” he answered. “Then we’re going to adjust our plan to take both of them home with us.”
As he spoke, Luna’s awareness waned, her mind slipping back into the depths of unconsciousness.
The next time she awoke, Damien wasn’t there, and she was back in her bed.
Home sweet home, she thought to herself.
She slammed her hand to her forehead, and when she didn’t feel a horn, she smiled.
Pure bliss hugged her, warming her from the inside out.
The nightmare was finally over. She nestled back into her soft sheets, more than thankful to be human again.
Now she could carry on with her normal human life.
Yes, it was going to suck to carry on her illness facade, 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.
Luna jumped, whipping around to face her sister, her mouth open, but no excuse came to mind: They’d been caught in a compromising position, there was no explaining it away.
Emily stormed into the room, her narrowed eyes pinning Clyde in place. “I warned you,” she growled, her voice a low, feral snarl—like a bear poised to tear into its prey.
“I didn’t know you were—” Clyde started, voice faltering.
“Here?” Emily cut him off, her voice like a blade. “In my own home? Yeah, I figured as much.”
Who did Emily think she was, barging in like this? They never entered each other’s rooms uninvited. “Why are you here?” Luna asked, her voice edged with irritation.
“The better question is: Why is he?” Emily rolled her shoulders back, her small stature commanding enough to make mountains bow.
She glared at Clyde with such hatred Luna was surprised he didn’t spontaneously combust. “You slimy bastard. Where’s your damn honour?
” Emily hissed, spitting each word like venom.
“You’re supposed to protect her.” She charged at him, waving her index finger in front of his face.
“I knew something was going on. Silly me for giving you the benefit of the doubt. I could tell by the way you watch her. You had that stupid glint in your eye, like a proud conqueror.” Emily prowled forward, backing him up against the wall.
“Now, burn my words into your puny mind. She’s.
Not. Yours.” She pointed to the window, her nose turned up with disgust, daring him to object.
“Get out. I need to have a word with my sister alone.”
Clyde didn’t move. His expression wavering between defiance and defeat. His eyes, dark with unspoken words, searched hers—waiting. Hoping. Silently pleading for her to stand with him, to push against her sister.
But Luna said nothing.
She could feel the weight of Emily’s glare press down on her, the heat of Clyde’s expectation. This was her moment to speak . . . to fight for him. For them. And yet, she stayed frozen, her fingers curling into her nightgown, nails digging into its fabric.
Why was she hesitating?
Because deep down, some part of her feared Emily was right.
The tension stretched unbearably, thick as the silence between them. Clyde’s expression shifted, his shoulders drawing inward, the light in his eyes dimming like a flame suffocated by the wind.
Then, without a word, he turned and swung a leg over the windowsill, his movement stiff—like a marionette cut loose from its string. His hands gripped the frame, knuckles white, but he didn’t look back. Not once. And that hurt more than anything Emily had said.
Luna’s heart splintered. Clyde had only been watching over her .
. . his way of showing love. How dare her sister barge into her room and scold Clyde; she knew nothing about their situation, their feelings.
Not only had Emily ruined one of the rare moments Luna had with him, but she was acting as if they’d committed a crime.
And just like that, he was gone.
Emily slammed the window shut, whirling around to face Luna. “I. Don’t. Like. Him,” she spat out, her hands on her hip.
Like that wasn’t obvious by the way she practically threw him out of her room. Luna smoothed out her nightgown. When in doubt, feign innocence. “You don’t like that my guard guards me?” Luna retorted.
“Cut the crap. I know what’s going on. I’ve seen the stolen glances, the eyes you make at him. I just didn’t realize he was leading you on.”
Leading her on? What was Emily talking about? They were in love! Stolen glances were all they had, thanks to people like her, so concerned about stations and class. Why couldn’t her sister just be happy for her?
Emily continued her lecture, “You can do better than him. You deserve better than him.”
“Ugh!” Skies above! Miss Gossipy Pants was so judgemental. Luna threw her hands up. “You act like you know everything, but you don’t. You didn’t even try to understand him.” Tears welled in her eyes, but she held them back, refusing to let Emily see her break.
“I don’t need to. I know his type.”
“Which is?”
“Shameless.”
How dare she! Luna wasn’t a violent person by nature, but images of throwing a book at her sister flashed through her mind.
There was no way she was going to stand here and let Emily spew insult after insult about the man she fancied.
“You’re being completely unreasonable; I think you should leave. ”
“No.” Emily crossed her arms. “Unreasonable would be telling Father.”
A bolt of icy terror speared through Luna. “You wouldn’t.”
“Maybe not.” Emily released an exhausted sigh as she took a seat on Luna’s bed.
“But think about it, Luna. If he truly cared, would he drag this out? No. He’d ask for your hand, make it official.
You’d be poor, but you’d be happy. Together.
If he actually loved you, would he risk creating a scandal?
Destroying your future? No. A real man would do the proper thing. And he hasn’t, has he?”
Luna thought back on all their moments, stolen or otherwise, and Emily did have a point. He hadn’t offered her marriage or even brought up the subject. Luna figured he might be shy or needed more time. “I’m sure he has his reasons.”
“Or he wants to see what it’s like to be with a . . .” Emily shut her mouth, whatever she had been about to say she had decided against it. There was a short pause before she cleared her throat and tried again. “You always see the best in people, but what if this time you’re wrong?”
Luna shook her head. Clyde was a good man.
All he had ever done was try to be there for her and protect her.
Sure, that was also part of his job, but it was more than that.
He genuinely cared about her and if Emily was too close-minded to see it, that was her problem.
Luna shook her head, insisting, “It’s not like that. ”
“Trust me. It never feels like that until it does, then you’re left with a broken heart and those pieces don’t go back together very easily.”
“You’re just jealous! I won’t let you drive a wedge between me and Clyde.”
“Jealous?!” Emily recoiled, rising to her feet. “You know what? Screw you! If you think that, then you are a fool.” She spun on her heel, heading towards the door. “I’ve had enough. I’m tired and going to bed.”
“Fine with me.” Luna wanted to storm out after her, tell her how wrong she was, but she thought better of it. She huffed and crawled into bed, needing sleep. However, sleep did not come easily. The silence stretched long, her thoughts circling like vultures.