Page 87 of A Hunter for Luna

This tangled the politics even more. If Father married Rose to Vivaldo’s, then we needed to be even more careful to keep Rose free.

"Go away, Father," I said steadily despite the fear churning in my gut. "Know this, we will never stop fighting you. Rose will be free, no matter what you, or Vivaldo, or anyone else tries to do to us."

Emiliano bared his teeth in rage, but there was a flicker of unease on his face. He wasn’t used to being challenged.

"You'll regret this," he said. "You'll regret ever defying me."

Sofia stepped forward, her expression icy. "Enough," she said. "You've made your point. But remember, part of my job is to guard Rose from threats. Up to this point, everything you have achieved has been within your rights as her father. Past this point, I will consider you a threat if you continue."

Emiliano glared at her. "You wouldn't dare."

Sofia stepped closer and smiled at him. "Try me."

I held my breath.

Emiliano clenched his jaw. For a long, tense moment, he stared at Sofia, the air thick with unspoken threats.

Then, a breeze swept through the shop, carrying with it the scent of roses and decay. It ruffled Emiliano's hair, tugging at his cloak, and he shivered.

I looked around me, trying to find its source. I would have thought Sofia, but it didn’t have the texture of her magic.

Then he turned and stalked out of the shop, his guards surrounding him as he walked away.

He backed down. Relief washed over me in a dizzying wave.Thank the absent gods.

I let out a shaky breath, my knees suddenly weak. We did it. We stood up to him, and we won.

Rose sagged to the floor, her face pale and drawn. I joined her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, holding her close.

"It's okay." I pressed a kiss to her hair. "You're safe."

Sofia turned to us, her expression like stone, fingers flexing. "There are days that I wish that noninterference in discipline clause had not been written. Are you two all right?"

I swallowed past the lump in my throat. "We will be. Thank you. May the absent gods keep you."

She reached out to squeeze my hand. "No debts are owed between us, no thanks are needed. Let’s go back to the villa."

The walk back was a blur, my mind still reeling from the confrontation with Father. Pip curled around my neck, his warm weight a comforting presence as his tail brushed against my cheek. But even his presence couldn't chase away the echoes of Father's cruel words.

He called me a sneak, an ugly pervert with forbidden magic. He said no one loves me.Even though I hated him, even though I knew he hated me, the words stung like salt in an open wound, and the old, familiar ache of insecurity rose in my chest.

Did Benedetto really care for me? The thought he might not made my throat tighten, and I swallowed hard, trying to push it away. But it lingered, insidious and relentless.

Since he’d visited his brother, Benedetto had been different. Distant. Quieter. He hadn't touched me the same way. Was it because he'd realized I wasn’t good enough?

"Stop it." I clenched my fists so tightly my nails bit into my palms. "You're stronger than this. He chose you. He loves you… doesn't he?"

But what if he doesn't?The thought slammed into me like a physical blow, the pain stealing the breath from my lungs.What if he's only convinced himself to love me because I'm useful in his quest? Because I'm part of his plan?

We reached the villa, and Rose headed straight for her room, her face still pale and drawn.

Sofia paused, her brow furrowed with concern. "Are you all right, Luna?"

I forced a smile, nodding. "I will be. I just need some time to myself."

Sofia hesitated, looking like she wanted to say more. But she simply squeezed my shoulder before retreating down the hall after Rose.

And then I was alone, standing in the entryway as the shadows of the afternoon crept in around me. I hugged myself tightly as I sank down onto a bench. The thought wriggled in my head, intrusive. Shutting them out was impossible.Maybe Father was right. Maybe no one really loves me, not even Benedetto.

---