Chapter 82 Betrayal

Chapter 82 Betrayal
Gale’s POV

My liege  appears, and I tense uncontrollably, wondering what thoughts are in that head of hers.

Calla glances between the two of us; she is the one that ventured out to find Luna after breakfast, and the same one who seems intent on playing peacekeeper.
I shouldn’t feel so guilty, I have not done anything wrong.

It’s unbelievable how much my loyalty to Luna has changed me. I wonder if it’s the same for her, a Lord with a vassal.

“Ahem,” Calla clears her throat and both Luna’s and my eyes flicker to settle on her. “We have to train. Not stare at each other. Gale, you said you can take us on hand-to-hand combat, so please.” She glances at Luna as she says the last word, as though it is aimed toward her.
I can read the unspoken words: play nice.

Tilting my head I exhale and wait for Luna to agree. She nods slowly, turning to me with a stoic expression. Despite her presence obviously brimming with command, she still evokes a sense of fragility in the way her skin remains starkly pale, long lashes fluttering, her lips pink. Her slender figure is cloaked in a grey shirt and athletic pants, waiting for me to act.

I look away, grunting wordlessly. Then I begin to direct Calla and Luna into starting warmup exercises. I show them the moves, focusing on fluidity, mobility and cardio. The warmup covers the basics of most self-defense training.

I survey both Calla and Luna, my lips twitching as I watch the caramel-skinned disciple of the Sacred Order flounder at the tail end of every exercise. She is good with form, I think, but lacks stamina.

“You’ll focus more on building your strength,” I tell Calla. “You can’t retain that energy for long. Continue with the warmup.”

I then proceed to give her some adjustments, to ensure she gets the most out of the training. Tomorrow, perhaps, we can continue with sparring. I have no damn idea what the Council intends for the fourth to sixth tasks, but we better be ready to take on whomever comes our way. Especially with that madwoman Xena still in the Trials.

Calla gives me a look of annoyance, but agrees silently. After seeing her make the adjustments on the moves, I tell her, “You’ll focus more on weapons training. You don’t have the physical strength Luna and I have. Perhaps I could talk someone here into getting me access to the armory…”

A voice, low yet steady, shakes me out of my reverie.
“Ymir will help you with that.”
Luna is still on the warmups, having completed the given sets a handful of times over.

Calla glances at me, and I glance back, unsure of what to say.
Then the damned girl tilts her head towards Luna, her eyes narrowed on me.
‘You caused trouble, you fix it.’ Her eyes seem to say.

I scoff internally.
She thinks she can control me? Who the fuck does she think she is?

Calla seems to have some idea of what I'm thinking, cursing her in my head, and she gives me the dirtiest look I’ve ever seen on her.

Rolling my eyes openly I raise my hands in mock surrender and walk over to Luna.
From behind, Luna’s back is taut, not one hint of perspiration on her. Her silver hair is tied up into a bun, wisps of baby hair framing her face which looks so much like mine.
She handles each warmup with perfect form, not too fast, not faltering at the end.

“You’re better than expected,” I start off in conversation. “You and I can focus on precision in your strikes. And some weapon training would do you good.”

“Alright,” Luna’s tone is curt, a signal to end any conversation.

She’s still upset.
Somehow the thought makes my chest fully ache.
I sigh, covering my face with my hand.
“Look, Luna,” I try to maintain composure. “I'm sorry, really. About last night… I may have kept some things from you before…”

“Dont talk about it,” Luna stops her drills and turns to look at me. Her eyes are dull, yet focused on me.
The sting of betrayal runs deep in her gaze.

“I never wanted to hide anything,” I say in the long silence that stretches on. She stares at me, unmoving. “You’re the true mood of our lineage. It’s my duty to follow you. These powers… it’s my responsibility to use them in my service.”

“But you didn’t tell me. It’s not merely about the powers, Gale,” her voice is low, hushed. As though afraid of breaking some silent truce. “It’s about trust. I need to trust you. If not, can we truly rely on each other? You know everything about me, but I know nothing about you. Is that fair?”

I part my lips, words fail me for a brief moment. My heart hammers in my chest as I look at her, pain flickering.
Do something, a voice tells me inwardly. It sounds almost like the Compass, the very heirloom that isn't mine to keep. Everything I am now, I know it is merely to serve as Luna’s foil. I have known that for a long time. My parents were silent protectors too, never failing in their duties. When they died with me in their arms,  they did so to take the attention off of Luna’s birth and the deaths of Luna’s parents.

I have a duty I must uphold, but can I truly do so
My knees buckle and I fall to the ground. I do not get uo, despite my bruised pride.

“Im sorry,” I lower my gaze tk the floor.
Luna takes a step toward me.

“Get up Gale,” she orders, but I shake my head. I hear Calla gasp in the background but pay her no mind. “Please.”

Luna’s voice is softer at the last word, and I raise my gaze up to look at her.

“Okay, but only if… you won’t hold it against me. I’ll tell you everything. We can trust each other from now on,” I implore.

Luna’s eyes soften as she sighs.
“Im still learning all of this,” she waves her hand. “I know it’s a lot to get used to. But I’m willing to try again.”
…