Page 72 of A Hunter for Luna

"She’s a sweet child. It’s good you found her and us so quickly," I said with a warm smile.

As we headed away, Benedetto slipped a small pouch of coins into the father's hand. His expression softened as he said, "For lost business."

Then he quickly turned away, as if embarrassed by his own act of kindness. He hid any gentleness as if it were a weakness.

Rose beamed at Benedetto as we walked. "You're kinder than you let on."

Benedetto scowled, but there was no real heat behind it. "Don't spread that around. I have a reputation to maintain. And gossip is a bad habit."

I laughed, slipping my hand into his. His fingers tightened around mine, and for a moment, I imagined a future where these small gestures of affection weren’t a temporary arrangement. "Your secret's safe with us."

In rapid succession, Benedetto took us to four dealers of rare books, all of whom, while full of gossip, had no news on Tullio Lucardi’s whereabouts.

The sun dipped low on the horizon by the time we were done, painting the sky in vivid shades of orange and pink as we approached the villa. Rose and Sofia walked ahead, their laughter carrying on the evening breeze as it carried the scent of supper cooking.

I slowed my pace, falling into step beside Benedetto. The golden light cast his angular features in a softer glow, and I studied his profile.

Benedetto glanced at me, a single eyebrow arched in that infuriatingly confident way of his.

"You know," I said, "you're not as heartless as you pretend to be."

"Maybe I'm just trying to fool you," he said, his lips curving into a smirk. "I might abandon you tomorrow, for all you know."

I rolled my eyes, half disguising my laugh as a snort. "I doubt that. You're too honorable to go back on your word, even if you won't admit it."

He scoffed, but I caught the flicker of amusement in his dark eyes. "Careful, Luna. Keep talking like that, and people might start to think you actually like me. And keep in mind that my honor can be flexible when needed."

If only he knew how much I cared. If only I could be sure that this wasn't all just a game to him. And there’s been an ever so slight warning tone in his last sentence.

But I wouldn't let myself dwell on those thoughts, I’d steal joy while I had it in my hands. Instead, I bumped my shoulder against his, a carefully casual gesture. "I think I'll take my chances."

As we neared the villa gates, I reluctantly let go of Benedetto's hand. Appearances needed to be maintained in front of the servants and guards. But even as we stepped back into our roles as the dutiful nobleman and high-born wife, I couldn't shake the warmth that had blossomed in my chest.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

LUNA

The next morning,I leaned back in a chair in the study as Benedetto paced the floor, his face a storm cloud of frustration. He’d risen early.

My cycle had just ended, and I knew I wasn't pregnant. I’d gone to his room and then searched the villa for him.

Benedetto seemed consumed by finding the man, possibly fueled by his desire to be well away from Vala. She’d already left to visit friends in the city.

He muttered under his breath about Tulliano Lucardi, the elusive collector that always seemed just out of his reach. So he could start hunting Moonshifter again and he could get away from the politics now that Vala was here stirring things up.

There was a better way to do this, if I could get his attention.

I cleared my throat. "Instead of chasing after Lucardi like thwarted assassins, why don't we take a different approach?"

Benedetto stopped pacing and made a beckoning gesture. "What do you have in mind?"

"We visit mages," I said. "We lie and say you're finally interested in training your gift. Vala mentioned many times that you have a great gift and refused to train it after your brother’s accident. They'll be curious what made you change your mind, and we might get the information we need without having to chase someone throughout the empire."

He snorted and crossed his arms over his broad chest. "You think they'll believe that?"

I gave him a sly smile. "Probably. That's why it will work. They'll be curious. Especially when I'm the one asking, and your status has changed so much recently. And with your mother in town, whoever woos you to be their student can count on favors from her as well."

Just then, Sofia entered the room carrying a tray of tea and delicacies. She set it down with a graceful flourish and gave me an approving look. "I heard part of your plan. It's a good idea. And I know several who would be very interested in your request."

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