Chapter 16 My language?
BRYNNE
Lilith’s voice cuts through me, bringing my thoughts to a halt. Maeve’s language might be colorful, but she’s saying what nearly everyone in this hall is thinking. But before I can utter a word, Maeve’s mouth pops open again.
“My language?” Maeve shrieks. Her sister yanks on her hand, trying to quiet her, but Maeve steps forward, her body taut with anger. “That bitch stole what should have been mine. Sheila, are you going to keep quiet? Prince Brynne should be mine.”
Sheila gulps audibly, trying to back up her sister. They stand side by side in quiet solidarity, nervous but unwavering, and I’m glad neither of them got picked. I don’t care about love and fairytales, but I also want a reasonable Luna, not someone obsessed with power.
No one owns the Luna spot until the Moon Goddess selects. Most importantly, I belong to no one, and I like it that way. If they are already claiming me as theirs before any official declaration, I don’t want to imagine what will happen if either of them is selected as my Luna.
“This has got to be a joke, right?” Maeve continues. She rushes to Lilith, trying to hold her hand. But one glare stops her in her tracks. “Priestess, please. This must be a prank. The Moon Goddess can’t choose her to be a Luna. She’s weak. She’s an omega. If she can barely heal, how can she stand by the prince and fight wars or rogues? She will doom us all, I promise you.”
As if waiting for that, the crowd chants in protest. Maeve might have stated those reasons out of spite, but they make sense. As Alpha Prince, I’ve been training long before I got into Shadowspire Royal Academy. As the captain of my set, I’ve had to train and work harder than my peers. I need someone who’s just as strong by my side, not a weak, scarred wolf with a boyfriend who can’t protect her.
Lilith releases a heavy sigh and says, “I’m sorry.” She must sense my disapproval because she flashes me a soft smile. Will she give up this easily if it were Kade? I know she has a soft spot for him. If I have to give up my room in the academy to him so he can help me stop this menace from escalating, I will. “But this is out of my hands now.”
“Conduct the ritual again,” someone demands from the crowd. I nod, completely in agreement with them.
“Something must have gone wrong,” another voice mutters. “Conduct the ritual again, Priestess Lilith.”
“Yes,” the others chorus. “Do it.”
“No,” Lilith counters.
Her voice is tired, but she remains unfazed by the hatred coming from multiple directions. She’s strong, I will give her that, but I doubt this is the hill she wants to die on. Soma, or whatever her name is, isn’t worth the conflict that will rise from the people.
“The Moon Goddess has made her choice. Who are we to challenge her?” she asks, looking around as she speaks. Mouths open, but no one says another word. “There’s nothing we can do about this, not even me.”
Everyone seems to accept that answer. Everyone but the sisters.
“That’s a lie,” they chorus. Maeve points a finger toward Soma, spitting venom with every word. “You really expect us to believe the Moon Goddess wants this waste to rule the kingdom? That she wants the pack doomed?”
“That’s enough,” a new voice states.
Father.
Maeve pales, ducking behind her sister as if that will protect her from Father’s wrath if he decides to punish her. His crown sparkles as he makes his way to the stage. Lilith curtsies, and I bow. What would Mother have said if she were here? Will she like her successor?
For the first time since the ceremony begin, a pang of unease settles in my chest. Mother always advocated for kindness, but this... this is an unacceptable choice.
As Father joins us on stage, his piercing gray eyes turn to Sheila, and she trembles. He shakes his head slowly and looks away.
“Guards,” Father calls.
Is he taking the side of the people? That will be great because we can’t let Soma have her way simply because Lilith claims the Moon Goddess ordained it. This might be a ploy by her and her boyfriend to get their revenge. I don’t know, but this makes zero sense.
Besides, if the Moon Goddess wanted her to be as powerful as a Luna, she would have been born into a better family. Not one made up of fools who are known by the royal house for their poor decisions.
Footsteps pound against the floor as they rush in. Sheila and Maeve cling to each other, muttering pleas under their breath. But Father hardly glances at them. What does he plan to do?
Two guards step forward, both of them going down on their left knees to receive instructions.
Father points toward Soma and shocks all of us by saying, “Seize her.”
Relief flutters in my chest. I shouldn’t have felt that way, but my chest pumps with happiness. If we have to redo the selection, that’s fine with me. Otherwise, I’m fine with picking whoever I want as my Luna.
“Your Majesty—”
“Not now, Lilith,” Father cuts in before Lilith finishes her statement. To the guards, he repeats, “Seize the girl.”
Soma blinks, her mouth opening and closing. She moves, but she doesn’t get far. Her body sways, and she drops to the floor.