Chapter 105 – The Luna Trials Novel by Marissa Gilbert

Filed To Story: The Perfect Luna by Marissa Gilbert

“No wonder you hate roses when you smell like forest flowers,” he was so close to her that his beard tickled her. Savannah never liked beards. Or man buns. Those were two things that she hated. But Athena, who was always very defensive about their personal space, was unexpectedly quiet now. “Bluebells?” their eyes met when she heard the word. No one ever guessed that on their first attempt. Not even Zack.

“Look at you,” the girl rolled her eyes and tried to push him away, but he didn’t move an inch, “a true master of your trade.”

“is that why you hate roses? Because they are more exquisite in comparison?” he teased her, and she did not appreciate it,.

“Exquisite?” Savvy scoffed. “Those weeds that grow practically everywhere, that come in every colour and still lack originality. Not to mention that they literally try to hurt everyone who touches them. How can you even compare this to the bluebell, a flower so rare it needs protection that only blooms once a year and in the most secret of places. Although maybe you are just one of those who likes…ordinary things.”

“Are we still talking about flowers, feisty maid?” the man’s lips stretched into a smile.

“I don’t know,” Savannah raised her brow, “are we?”.

He leaned lower, and his beard prickled her again, the closeness getting too much. However, for the first time since Zack, Athena was behaving. She didn’t growl at the stranger, did not protest, did not make Savvy feel sick. And it was so new and freeing.

But she had to stop. It was one thing to pretend to be a maid, and it was another to actually k*iss one of king Kai’s men. She wasn’t risking that much, considering that she already had a plan of action in mind.

So, no matter how tempting it was to k*iss that man right now, she knew she couldn’t. His lips were almost brushing over hers when she twisted one of his arms quickly, making him lose balance and almost smack his face on the desk while she ran to the other side of the room.

She turned to take the last glance at him and giggled at his startled expression. He was probably the lady’s man here and used to getting it easy with all the maids, considering how confident he was.

“Didn’t you know you are not allowed to pick bluebells?” Savannah smirked, and the look he gave her was not what she expected. She expected disappointment or maybe even anger. But if anything, he was amused.

“They don’t grow in the North, blossom,” the gardener chuckled,.

“Too bad for the North,” Savvy shrugged her shoulders. “They are beautiful in spring.”

She turned on her feet and stormed out of the library, not wishing to continue this encounter. It was exciting but so wrong. And she couldn’t afford it.

Kai stood where she left him. The little feisty maid with a sharp tongue that reminded him so much of someone… She irked him. But in a way that piqued his interest.

Which he had to K*ll, of course. His house was now full of women who belonged to important packs and kingdoms and who came here to compete for his attention. He still did not know how to get out of this, but one thing was certain — he couldn’t insult any of them. So, a fling with a western maid was out of the question. No matter how good she smelled, no matter how attractive she looked, no matter how his wolf wanted more right now when he usually barely tolerated females seeking their attention… He came here to look for ways out of all this mess, and he couldn’t get distracted.

This was exactly when he noticed the books that the maid was reading, and his mouth opened in shock. He lifted one of the oldest-looking books and saw the title on the thick ancient tome: “The Luna Trials Guidelines.”

Whistling, he took it and quickly looked through the other books. He counted at least five, and all of them were about the ancient traditions of the North. It was a good thing that it was literally impossible to study them so fast. He knew that the little maid worked for the western princess. The last thing he needed was for that woman to know all the rules about the event. So, he gathered all the books and went to his room. No one would ever find them there.

Savannah found Kyle outside, and he showed her the way to her designated room.

 “Just don’t be angry, okay?” he snorted as he led her in the direction opposite to the main building where everyone else was going

“What, did Elene give me the worst accommodation possible?” Savvy scoffed. After everything today, it wasn’t a surprise. It was something that she expected. But when they entered the dark passages that led to a very gloomy tower, she couldn’t hold in her laugh anymore. It didn’t look like this part of the castle was used much.

“At least we are not the only ones here,” her friend joined her.

“Moon Goddess! Who does Elene Fionnlagh hate as much as me?” she snorted and that was when a door opened right before the two of them. The princess gasped when she saw who had walked out.

“I guess that would be me. Long time no see, Savannah…”

Savannah couldn’t believe her own eyes. After she heard about the Luna Trials, she was sure that she would see a few familiar faces here. But this was one face that she did not expect to see at all.

“Brigit?” she tried not to sound too surprised at the sight of the werebear shifter. She used to be one of the “red girls” from the harem that her brother Gideon and sister-in-law helped to set free. She was also a friend of Riannon. Or at least that was what Savvy thought. When Brigit left, she claimed that she looked forward to her freedom and finding her true mate. Yet now here she was — at the Luna Trials. A place where none of that mattered. And it looked like she was one of the contenders.

“Princess Savannah,” the girl greeted her unemotionally. As if they barely knew each other and never fought side by side in the blood*iest battle just months ago.

Then again, Bridgit wasn’t exactly Savannah’s friend. She had a complicated relationship with Riannon too. So, could they really expect any kind of loyalty from her? After all, when a person does something good sincerely, they shouldn’t expect to be paid back. Good deeds only remain good when there is no ulterior motive.

This was why Savannah breathed out and f0rced a polite smile on her face, “I didn’t expect to see you here. That’s a… lovely surprise.”

“There is no need for that,” Brigit stopped her with a gesture of her well-trained hand. She was the daughter of a white werebear Alpha and her kind was known for being tall and muscular. From the olden days, both men and women were trained to be warriors. And Brigit was no exception. She was the epitome of a female warrior with her strong, athletic build. Her hair used to be longer than what Savannah remembered and now it was cut short so that it barely reached her shoulders. It was straightened to perfection to give her a more polished look. Yet she remained true to herself, as her dress was metallic grey, resembling armour with a few thin silver chains forming intricate patterns on her shoulders.

“Look,” she sighed, “I know very well that you did not expect any of this in the first place. But I am not going to apologise. I am doing this for my people. I need to win this thing whatever it costs me.”

“Be my guest,” Savvy shrugged her shoulders. “All I need is an alliance. I never wanted to marry that prick in the first place.”

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