Page 5 of A Hunter for Luna

I waited for her to continue.

"He seeks retribution for his older brother's death." Vala glanced away, sipping her wine. “This quest keeps him from home. You’ll live with me and his father until you’re old enough to keep your own household.”

I nodded again. If something happened to Rose, I’d do my best to avenge her. Since her mother and mine had been married in the strict form, our father owned us until he passed us to our husband and could do whatever he wished with us. I was safefrom him as long as my husband didn’t reject me, but Rose was still under Father’s hand.

His friends’ opinions influenced his decisions. He didn’t want to look bad in their eyes. It would lose him status. I’d always thought that’s why he hadn’t sold me to a brothel.

Dessert, sliced fruit in cream, was brought to the table and we finished eating in silence.

Lady Vala’s voice broke my chain of thought. "Go to your room and rest now, Lunetta. Benedetto will be here soon."

I paused. “My Lady, once my husband comes home” I flushed, “may I invite my sister and her tutor to visit?”

She smiled at me. “Of course!”

The sun had nearly kissed the horizon, filling the dining room with dull golden light. Vala lifted a finger and a servant hurried forward to escort me upstairs. In my room, with the help of a maid who’d been waiting for me, I was unlaced and undressed, the jewelry put away in a small chest near the mirror.

The nightgown the maid pulled over my head was soft and white and shockingly transparent. Worry nagged at me, but the exhaustion of the day folded over me. My eyelids drooped as I climbed into my bed. I’d wake if footsteps approached my door.

The sound of the younger maid slipping into my room woke me, “He’s here. You need to be above the covers so he can see you,” she whispered, snapping her fingers to summon a tiny flame to light the bedside candles.

I moved the covers and sat up. She went to the wall and pushed the tapestry to the side, slipping out through a hidden door.

Vala’s voice came clearly through the shut door to the hall. "All you have to do is what comes naturally. Just pretend she’s another man’s wife, you seem to have no problem lying with them.” The tone was sharp and tart.

The door swung open, revealing my husband. He was even taller than his mother, with sharp golden eyes, black hair and tanned skin. His tunic didn’t hide broad shoulders, and he wore a sword at his hip, even indoors. Leather gloves were clenched in his left hand.

His expression was annoyed and harassed; someone being nagged.

Despite what the servant had said, I tugged the sheet toward me.

The air chilled. His expression morphed from annoyance to disgust, lips thinning, his fury a presence in the room with us. He took another step in, staring at me, and I braced myself for a blow.

He was like my father. All my hopes crumbled.

"This is a child." He snarled, turning away as though the sight of me burned his eyes. "Dead gods, did you really think I’d fuckthat, Mother?"

The door slammed behind him, hard enough the tapestry rippled in the breeze.

What should I do now?

CHAPTER TWO

LUNA

Answering myself was easy.I should get my sister and Sofia, before anyone could change their minds. Once they were here, I was sure Lady Vala wouldn’t send them away, especially since she’d said I could invite them.

A few steps took me through the passage to my chamber. I opened the wooden chest, and pulled out the dress I’d arrived in.

At least I didn’t need help putting it on!

A few moments later I found a pair of low boots that fit better than the ones father had given me.

From my walks with Sofia and Rose I knew enough of how Lenali was laid out to find my way home, though it would be a long walk. Even the unfavored daughter of my house would not be permitted to walk alone in the city, but I hoped we would all be forgiven once I was back at the d’Alvarez house.

I flitted quietly down the stairs and into the yard, then out the gate when the guard took a privy break. The cool wind made me shiver, but excitement warmed me. We’d all be together again soon, and in a better home with enough food.

I did need to be careful Father didn’t see me, though.

---