“Well, steel yourself. We’ve got business to attend to, Your Highness.”
ChapterTwenty-Four
Everything had changed about the Lunar palace in her absence.
She could smell it in the crisp Autumn air, feel it whispering through the moonblossom petals as they sank to the ground.
She’d parted with the king in the quiet hours of the morning, after a lengthy discussion on how to shield herself from Astra’s prying mind, but she still feared the sight of those wild ruby curls.
First on their long list of action items was to find the commander.
Mercury had arrived before the Lunarians—Oestera insisted on an agonizingly silent breakfast with the king and Yallara. Lunelle took full advantage of the chaos of returning to slip away from the Lunar Gate and rush through the halls, Lura hot on her heels.
“I’m to have tea with Ameera this morning to catch up on anything vital we missed,” Lura said quietly as they rounded the corner to the Andromeda wing.
“I cannot imagine how long a list that will be,” Lunelle muttered. “The king and I are meeting with Luxuros. He’s to catch us up on Nova activity in Ellume. We’re going to tell him what’s happened. Mirquios wants his take on how to handle Arcas.”
“Your mother aims to assemble the council in an hour.”
“I’ll see you then,” Lunelle said, parting with her at the end of the hall. Her feet carried her to the library unconsciously. Her safe space—the only space she could think clearly in.
Mirquios and Luxuros were already halfway into a kettle of coffee when she found them behind a row of shelves, dark bags under both their eyes.
“Princess,” Luxuros said, rising from his perch on the arm of the couch as his king stood and hovered, his eyes struggling to stay neutral.
She’d forgotten in all their time on Pluto what she looked like under pure, unfiltered moonlight. She was always intriguing to watch, no matter her surroundings, but the way the Moon embraced her, bounced from her pale skin… it reminded her that she was so much more than mere regent.
She was magic in her own right.
“Commander,” she said, nodding as she reached for the empty teacup on the table. Mirquios leaned forward, sifting through a pewter box of tea bags until he found a chamomile sachet. He placed it in her cup and added a splash of cream before she could even get her bearings.
“Well then,” Luxuros said, a soft chuckle leaving his throat. “I can’timaginewhat urgent matter you two need to discuss.” He folded his arms across his chest, his eyes darting between the two of them as they orbited one another on the sofa, maintaining a plausible amount of distance.
But it did not matter.
It never had.
Lunelle sighed. “Luxuros?—”
The commander held up his hands. “Please, only tell me what I must know. I can only keep so much from your sister.”
“I believe we’re all of the same fear where Astra is concerned,” Lunelle said.
Mirquios winced. “Here is what you need to know—the princess and I Tethered. Obviously, not ideal in and of itself, but the Plutonian prince has made a bad situation worse. You no doubt heard about the raid on The Underground shortly after you left, Luxuros. That led to us unfortunately exposing our association to Arcas, which he is now using as a threat to force Lunelle to marry him.”
Luxuros let out a breath, shaking his head.
“What a fucking mess,” he said.
Lunelle pursed her lips.
“Sorry.” The commander offered a pity smile, but he was right. It was a mess.
“Arcas is bad enough,” Lunelle said. “But then there’s Astra’s heart to consider, as well.”
Mirquios and Luxuros exchanged a look.
The commander tilted his head. “Do you really think your sister would hesitate for one moment if you told her the truth?”
