Chapter Twenty Four

Chapter Twenty Four
The streets slowly cleared after the battle, but the air still smelled like dust and burnt magic.The villagers slowly came back outside but were still very scared. Guards formed a tight circle around us as we prepared to return to the palace.

Maximus brought his horse forward, a tall, midnight-black stallion with silver armor around the neck. A horse fit for a king.

Abel guided my own horse and helped me mount it, positioning his foot so I could step up easily.

I smiled at him “ I can mount my horse, my legs ain't hurt.

He smiled back, “I know but you will still need help Anna.

The king frowned, he didn't seem to be comfortable with Abel calling me by my name “I know you guys are childhood friends and whatever, but you will accord the Luna with the respect she deserves.

“I'm starting to think it was a bad idea to let you be her guard”

Abel didn't look at him, he just replied “I'm sorry your majesty, i will stop being so casual with the Luna.

“I’m riding with her,” Abel said casually as he reached for the reins and placed a foot in the stirrup to climb up behind me.

Maximus froze. Even the guard froze.

I even felt my horse freeze.

“No,” Maximus said sharply.

Abel blinked. “Your majesty?”

“The Luna rides with me,” Maximus said, voice calm but icy. “You will ride behind with the other guards."He pressed on the word “guards” as if to remind abel that that was all he was

Abel straightened slowly. “With respect, your majesty, it’s my job to protect her. If I’m on her horse I can”

“You can protect her just fine from the back,” Maximus cut in, eyes hardening. “Or are you suggesting the king is incapable of keeping his wife safe?”

Silence.

Abel’s jaw tightened.

I could feel the tension surrounding us like fog.

“This is not about capability,” Abel said quietly. “It’s about proximity.”

Maximus’s eyes darkened. “Exactly. And you seem very… fond of proximity.”

My breath hitched.

Abel’s eyes flickered to mine for a moment—soft, reassuring—before he stepped back and lifted his chin.

“As you command.”

Maximus held my gaze for a heartbeat longer than necessary.

“Come,” he said.

I slid down from my horse, and Maximus immediately reached out, hand steadying my waist as if I might fall. The warmth of his fingers burned through the fabric. He guided me up onto his horse, settling me in front of him, his arm instinctively circling my waist when the horse shifted.

Abel looked away, disgusted by the king's hand on my waist, angry that a man with no power and couldn't protect me was my husband.

Abel’s eyes said a lot and right now that was i wad seeing in them.
And I felt guilty for reasons I didn’t want to think about.

The ride back was quiet, except for villagers whispering blessings and guards murmuring orders. Maximus kept me close, his chin occasionally brushing my shoulder when the horse moved.

Almost like he was trying to mark his territory.

When the palace finally came into view, Abel immediately rode ahead to hold my horse and help me down. But Maximus came off first and lifted me down himself, ignoring the way Abel froze mid-reach.

“I have her,” the king said softly.

He placed me on the ground with infuriating gentleness.

Abel bowed stiffly.

Tiana rushed down the palace steps the moment she saw me.

“My lady!” she gasped, skirting around Maximus to check me over. “I was so worried! They said it was rogues and arrows and”

I looked at her stunned, it was a wonder how fast news travelled.

“I’m fine,” I assured her quickly.

But her eyes were wide and troubled. She searched me with her eyes to see if I was hurt and when she saw my arm she dragged me.”come let's go to the royal doctor.

The king nodded in agreement, “ yes I agree, I think that would be best so it doesn't leave a scar.

She dragged me all the way to the royal doctor, Mrs Heidi, she was a mature woman who always minded her business.

At one look at the arm she smiled warmly “it's just a little deeper than the surface, the arrow merely scratched you your highness.

I turned to Tiana”I told you” she smiled back. She was starting to make me regret the fact that I didn't have any siblings but. She was the sister I never had. The one who reminded me to be strong when I become weak.

Miss Heidi continued “ here your highest, apply this ointment so it wouldn't leave a scar and you'll be fine.

When we left, tiana turned around to make sure no one was around them and said “I have something to tell you Annabelle”.

I gasp “ how dare you care me by my name, did you have no respect for the Luna of highgale.

She giggled “ as if, come with me” she dragged me into my room and shut the door, then dragged me further into the balcony.

“My lady… Elder Elduran came back to the palace earlier. He met quietly with Lord
Adrian.”

Tiana lowered her voice, glancing around nervously. “I didn’t hear what they were saying… but they promised to speak again in the evening.”

A chill went through me.

So they were plotting something together

Again.

“Was that all Tiana”

Tiana nodded, I didn't hear much Annabelle, I'm sorry.

“Don't be” they were planning something new.

“Are you ok Annabelle” she asked concern in her eyes.

I nodded slowly. “I’m fine.

I sat in my room painting and reading for the rest of the afternoon and feeling extremely bored.

I couldn't wait till evening so I could go meet the unhinged for our first lesson.

But suddenly I remembered Abel, and how he almost shifted twice before my eyes, one in my past life and one now.

Was he of royal bloodline, then why isn't he in the palace, was he switched at birth.

I turned to Tiana “please get Abel for me, tell him we need to talk.

Tiana nodded still reading and left, almost immediately a knock greeted my door.

“That was fast, Tiana, why are you knocking, it is not like you ever do before.

A guard approached, bowing.

“My Luna. His majesty requests the Luna's presence in his room. Immediately.”

My heart dropped.

“Why”.