Chapter 17 Is there a problem?
SOMA
Mason sits beside me on the bus, his shoulder rubbing against mine as we go over a bump. My hand clenches tight around his, afraid to let go of him. None of us dares to breathe as the bus glides down the long, dark stretch of road that will lead us out of Shadowspire.
We’re finally leaving.
“It depends on where we settle,” he whispers. “I can fix cars until I save enough to open my auto repair shop.”
“Nice. I’ll probably wait tables.” No one is on the bus with us, yet my voice remains a whisper. “At a diner.”
“Only for a short time, though,” he says.
“Well…”
As my voice trails off, he scoffs and flicks a finger over my forehead. “Dream bigger. You can’t wait tables all your life.”
Says who?
My shoulder hikes in a half-shrug. I’ve served my aunt and cousins for as long as I can remember. What’s wrong with getting paid for doing the same thing? But the way he frowns makes the words hook in my throat. Besides, Aunt Helen has my diploma. I can’t get a better job or higher education without it.
Mason throws his arm around my shoulders, pulling me closer. I melt into him, thoughts of our future filling my mind. Will we finally become a couple? Since he hasn’t found his mate, will he choose me?
“Goddess, I can’t wait for our new life together,” he says.
A laugh escapes me, and I wince when he loosens his grip around me without warning. No longer supported by him, my body tips forward. My arms flail as I reach for balance, but there’s nothing there.
“Mason?” My voice trembles. “Mason?”
His features blur. The familiar blue of his eyes fades into a cloudy swirl. His body begins to dissolve, smoke curling from his skin like he’s being peeled away from this world.
What’s happening? I reach for him, but my hands go through mist. Something heavy and invisible grips me, keeping me on the bus seat. I struggle against it, panic rising in my chest, but whatever holds me is stronger.
“Please,” I sob, thrashing. I won’t survive Aunt Helen or her daughters. “Mason. Don’t go. Don’t leave me.”
“She’s regaining consciousness.”
The unfamiliar voice cuts through the fog. They sound muffled and distant, like they’re speaking with a voice over their mouth. Who are they talking about?
Another joins it. “Someone fetch her a glass of water.”
My head spins, and my limbs feel like lead.
“Soma? Somadina?” The sharp voice draws closer, sounding more real. “Aramide? Can you hear me?”
The rest of the smoke clears, and my eyes snap open to bright lights and a mix of familiar and unfamiliar faces. Lilith. Brynne. Kade. King Rowan. Tristan. The guards who rushed to seize me at the king’s command.
Memories trickle in slowly until everything clears up. The selection. The moon’s choice. Me.
What a joke.
Noises hum behind the door of whatever room this is. The white, bare walls seem to close in on me, and I inhale deeply before my breathing returns to normal. Sitting up with a groan, I flinch when Lilith’s hand shoots out to assist me. She lowers her arm without touching me, waiting until I’m seated at the edge of the bed before pushing a cool glass into my hand.
“Drink,” Lilith tells me. I stare at the clear liquid, my fingers curling around the glass. With all of them watching me, I worry it’s poisoned. After all, I’m better off dead than being Shadowspire’s Luna. King Rowan grunts in annoyance, and Lilith collects the glass, taking a sip before returning it to me. “It’s safe.”
Brynne scoffs, and I down the entire drink in a few gulps. Minutes pass, but nothing happens. A ghost of a smile flies across Lilith’s lips as she pries the empty glass from me.
“Thanks,” I say low enough for only her to hear. “Thank you.”
“Can we proceed?” King Rowan asks.
He sits in a high-backed chair that’s directly across from me. I dart a glance at Brynne and wish I didn’t. Annoyance reddens his face, and he fists his hands so tight that veins curl around the back of his palms. It’s not my fault the Moon Goddess chose me to be his Luna.
Where’s Mason? I don’t want to be in this room any more than they do. I want to leave with my best friend.
“Do you feel okay enough to talk?” King Rowan asks.
He rubs two fingers over the greying hair at his temple. Even after four kids and long years of rule, he still looks handsome. The older version of Brynne.
“Y-yes, your majesty.”
“Good.” He doesn’t move, but the air shifts as he fingers the signet on his ring. “While you were unconscious, we had some time to think this through. Lilith and I have come to the conclusion that a piece is missing. There must be a reason the Moon Goddess chose you. I don’t support her choice, but I’ve never been one to go against her wishes, and I don’t intend to start now. Hence, we’ll accept the… result. For now. Until we find out why she considers you special.”
“What?” Brynne thunders. His eyes flash with a mix of rage and indignation. “Father, you can’t be serious.”
“Oh, I am, son. My decision is final.” His tone brooks no argument, and Brynne’s shoulders sag. I can’t stop my lips from curling into a smile. Whatever this is, we’ll suffer it together. “Does anyone else have anything to say about this?”
No one makes a sound. It’s almost as if everyone in the room is collectively holding their breath. King Rowan rises to his feet, and Brynne backs further away from his father.
“There are important matters I must tend to,” he tells the room. His eyes center on me. I know he doesn’t approve, but he keeps the disdain out of his gaze. “Lilith will see to your relocation to the palace immediately. In the meantime, get some more rest. You’ll need lots of it with that body.”
“What?” flies out of my lips. What relocation?
“Is there a problem?” he asks.
My head shakes, but my mind riots with protests. Moving into the palace is the last thing I want. King Rowan’s gaze lingers on me, silently daring me to argue. I’m not that stupid. So, I clamp my mouth shut. I’ve made enough enemies already. I won’t add the king to that list.
King Rowan walks out of the room, and the guards fall in step behind him. Tristan and Kade sigh. This is the quietest and most serious I’ve ever seen Kade. He stares at the door, squeezes his eldest brother’s shoulder, and drags Tristan out of the room.