Chapter 87

MAEVE POV

I glanced at the overhead clock. 10:20 o’clock…

And I was supposed to be at the palace in ten minutes!

I was cutting it close. Very close.

Dr. Meadows’ clinic was, by no means, far away from the palace. Not only was it within two miles of Mona Road, but we had even finished with nearly forty minutes to spare.

What I’d forgotten to take into account was the tests she’d ordered following my appointment. Peeing in a cup was not quite an experience I thought I’d ever have, but what was done was done and I wanted to forget the whole thing happened. And then there was the bloodwork, which was my first time being poked and prodded by needles. Of course, it didn’t help that my veins were smaller than average and required more pokes and prods than I’d like.

And then there were my clothes, which were completely—and horrifyingly—inappropriate to wear in the presence of the Luna Queen, of all people. Yesterday, I’d been advised by the receptionist over the phone to wear comfortable clothes for my appointment, but I’d quickly realized during the drive back that my loose v-neck shirt, black leggings, and canvas flats had to go.

Now, I found myself wearing a simple navy blue sundress and white dress flats—simple yet comfortable and, most importantly, suitable to wear to the palace. It was a very… very necessary change, but it also threatened to make me late.

By the time the car managed to finally roll to a stop, the clock hit 10:25, which meant it was my cue to leave. I all but threw myself out of the car as soon as it was safe and hurried into the palace, where I was surprised to see Charlotte making her way towards me.

“Good morning, Maeve,” Charlotte greeted with a smile. “I was beginning to worry you might not make it after all.”

I hastened my steps until I finally reached her and quickly fell into a curtsy. However informal and friendly we were in private, I did not feel comfortable disrespecting her station in the middle of the royal palace, where anyone could walk upon us.

“I’m sorry,” I said, out of breath. “I should have called, but I was distracted by an appointment I had this morning.”

“An appointment?” Charlotte repeated, glancing me over up and down. “Are you unwell?”

I shook my head. “No, it was just a check-up for the baby. Everything’s fine.”

The subsequent relief on her face was a pleasant surprise that filled me with sudden warmth. “Of course it is. My nephew is a tough little boy. There’s nothing he can’t overcome, especially with you and my brother to take care of him.”

I smiled, quietly thanking her for the sentiment. “Are you joining today’s lesson?”

She shrugged disconcertingly, despite the knowing, growing grin she not-so-subtly displayed. “In a manner of speaking, but the short answer is yes. Come on, I’ll lead us there.”

I waited a moment to see if she would elaborate on her mother’s plan, but when she simply stood there with such an expectant look on her face, just waiting for me to follow her, I realized she did not have anything else to add.

Was that… all she would say about it?

“You… wouldn’t happen to know what we’re doing, would you?”

“So many questions!” she quipped, looping her arm around mine. “You’ll find out when we get there. My mother is waiting in the gardens for us.”

That baffled me even further. Charlotte was in on this apparent secret, too? What on earth could the Luna Queen have planned… and why were they both so cryptic about it? Did they really want me to learn what to do on the fly?

Was this some sort of test?

I tightened my grip on Charlotte’s arm as she led me through the palace. If it was, in fact, a test, I wanted to do my very best. No more fighting with others and no more awkwardness.

Within minutes, we finally made it to the gardens, where I found myself surrounded by the most beautiful diversity of flora and fauna, all groomed to classy perfection, vibrant and fresh in the late morning sun. And there, in the center of it all, Queen Leonora stood, speaking with an attendant.

“Mother,” Charlotte beckoned, prompting her mother to turn around, “our last guest has finally arrived.”

“Your Majesty,” I whispered, curtsying before lifting my gaze to meet hers. “I’m sorry, I hope I’m not too late.”

Queen Leonora shook her head. “Nonsense, you’re right on time.”

For the first time since entering the garden, I took a proper look around and was surprised to find that we were, in fact, not alone.

There were perhaps fifteen… no more than twenty women gathered in the garden with us, all spread out at small tables and chatting amongst themselves. Most of them looked more similar in age to me, with others appearing closer to their thirties or forties. All were dressed nicely, indicating they were likely from alpha families.

And sitting among the women, in a gold, flowy dress that accented her pretty blonde up-do… was none other than Isabelle.

But she had not yet noticed me, it seemed. She was too busy enthralled in her conversation with three other highborn girls that I’d never met before.

Thank goodness for that.

But… why was she here, too?

My anxious silence must have spoken volumes to the queen, because she broke her silence then.

“You have nothing to be worried about,” she gently insisted. “As a matter of fact, I think today’s activity will be perfect for you. Remember to keep in mind everything you’ve learned thus far, but above all, I want you to trust your instincts.”

“My instincts?”

Queen Leonora smiled. “Yes. Do what Maeve feels is right.”

Do what feels right, I mused. That sounded easy enough.

“Ladies,” she called out, gently clapping her hands together and bringing the garden to a silent standstill, “come, let us gather around now.”

Quickly, anyone who was not seated took their seat and anyone who’d been busy chatting silenced themselves. Charlotte discreetly pointed me towards a table with an open chair, which I was grateful to take.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Isabelle glare in my direction, but she otherwise kept to herself.

I suppressed a sigh. As long as she left me alone, I’d be fine.

Queen Leonora stayed in place, where she could see everyone. “Welcome to our lovely gardens. I see a few familiar faces, and plenty of newcomers,” she said, smiling as her gaze briefly skimmed over me. “Before I let you get started on your projects, I’ll just leave you all with this: we may hold the world on our shoulders as women, but never forget,” she enunciated with the power of a true Luna, “that we are just as strong as the men at our sides.”

“Although, some might say,” she continued with a teasing lilt, but the fire in her eyes showed otherwise, “that we are stronger.”

A chorus of laughter and cheers rang out from the women in attendance, and I felt compelled to partake in the revelry.

And suddenly, it dawned on me what was going on here. This was no ordinary gossip circle for highborn Lunas and mates to have fun and talk willy-nilly.

This was a support circle.

In other words, this was a chance for me to practice what it meant to be a Luna Princess with those unsuspecting.

I steeled myself. I could do this.

There was a variety of different activities laid out for us to engage in. Many chose to draw, while some chose to knit, and others even chose to arrange flowers. They all were things I’d never had the opportunity to try before, and I was filled with the urge to try every single one.

But there was one craft I found myself inexplicably drawn to.

I wasn’t sure how I’d do it, but I wanted to make a bracelet.

I gravitated toward lovely ocean blues and warm forest greens—the colors soothing something deep inside my soul—and began to weave them together as one might braid several strands of hair. The image I’d envisioned in my head was adorable, but it was nowhere near the mess I was making in front of me.

“Ah, that’s not how you do it.”

I glanced up at the girl seated at my right—young and pretty, with light brown hair and a lovely pink dress—where awkward confusion was written very clearly across her face.

“I… have no idea what I’m doing,” I admitted with a helpless laugh.

She gave me a small smile, putting down her own project and scooting ever so closer to me. “You see, you take the colored strings you want, and then you tie a knot at the top here,” she said, pointing at the end of my batch of strings and watching as I followed her instructions. “Make sure it’s nice and tight. Now, you weave them together, like this—”

She picked up her strings and demonstrated for me. “This,” she said, holding one string, “crosses over this one. And this one over here crosses over this one. And you continue the motions until you get to the end.”

I watched her work before turning my attention back to my own. There were a lot of steps to remember, but it all sounded so simple when she put it like that.

“Okay… I think I got it.” I smiled up at her. “Thank you…?”

“I’m Clara.”

“Maeve,” I offered.

“I don’t believe I recognize you. Are you mated to a soldier?”

“I’m engaged. We’re still waiting to be mated,” I said, avoiding any specifics, since it wasn’t of any particular importance here.

Another girl—young with curly, dark hair and a cream, floral dress—leaned in. “I hope you’re ready for what’s to come,” she muttered before returning to her drawing. “Being mated to a soldier is no easy task, especially with what they’ve been saying on the news about this war.”

Instantly, the memory of that talk I’d had with Xaden some days ago sprung to mind. He’d tried so hard to hide the truth from me, but I could see it in his eyes… just how much he dreaded the thought of what could happen.

Of what could be close to becoming our reality.

I twirled the strings around my fingers. “It’s scary,” I admitted. “Not knowing if they’ll be okay or not.”

“Tell me about it,” the curly-haired girl mumbled, her pencil slowly coming to a stop. “I worry every night might be our last. If we really do go to war, I’m afraid I’ll never see my Noah again.”

An older woman at our table shushed her. “Don’t jinx things, Eloise,” she scolded, prompting said girl to quickly snap her mouth shut. “You should have faith in our great monarch and his army. No matter what happens, they will take care of everything.”

“There’s nothing wrong with being afraid,” I insisted, pulling the attention of the table back to me. “That’s what makes us all… normal.”

The woman stared at me curiously before trimming the leaves off a rose stem. “Why on earth is that? That certainly wouldn’t do me any good with my husband on the alpha council.”

I smiled ruefully. Little did she know my future mate was her superior.

“I don’t want to hide my burdens behind him,” I admitted, filled with thoughts of Xaden as I continued to weave my bracelet. “I want to share his. I want him to know he’s not alone—that I’m his partner in this, through and through. After all,” I continued, glancing up at the ladies around my table, “isn’t that what makes us Lunas? Not by hiding behind our mate, but by standing beside him?”

To my surprise, the rest of the table was stunned silent.

I blinked. Had I said something wrong…?

But then Clara spoke up. “You have a wonderful way of looking at things, Maeve.”

Eloise agreed with a bright, curious smile.

Even the seasoned Luna had nothing to counter. “It sounds like this fiancé of yours is quite the lucky wolf. Does he share your sentiments?”

Shyly, I opened up to the table, and this was one of the rare times I felt like I could fit in with a group of strangers.

Maybe… just maybe… I could do this Luna Princess thing.