Page 8 of A Hunter for Luna

The dirt and blood floated off me into the water and I sighed in relief. Sofia flicked her fingers toward the tub and the dirty water splashed in it.

"Are you going to be alright?" Sofia asked.

I looked up, meeting Sofia's gaze. "Maybe. I hope so. I have to be, for her."

Moving to the side of the bed, I smoothed Rose’s golden hair away from her face. She looked so peaceful, so innocent. I wished I could shield her from the cruelties of the world forever.

Lady Vala cleared her throat from the door, making me jump. "Sofia, may I have a word with you?"

Sofia bowed her head then followed Lady Vala out of the room. I lingered by Rose's bedside, watching the steady rise and fall ofher chest, until curiosity got the better of me. Creeping to the doorway, I strained to hear the conversation.

"...impressive credentials," Lady Vala was saying. "I do find it odd a sorcerer’s apprentice is tutoring Rose."

"I don’t presume to question Soulrider’s decision," Sofia said. "Rose is a talented child."

"Of course," Lady Vala said. "I'm offering you a position as governess to both Luna and Rose, in addition to the task your master has given you. You will oversee their lessons and ensure their further upbringing is appropriate to their class."

Sofia sucked in a sharp intake of breath. "I am honored by your confidence, my lady. I accept."

Retreating to the bed, I sat down heavily, my mind reeling. Sofia had a strange tone in her voice, one I’d never heard before. But I was so tired.

It seemed Lady Vala's generosity knew no bounds. But I couldn't shake the nagging worry that her kindness would come with a price. My father’s house taught me that. Canta had been kind, and death repaid her for that.

I’d be strong for Rose. I’d repay what needed to be repaid.

A rustle of skirts indicated Sofia’s return. “Sleep, Luna, I’ll watch and make sure both of you are safe.”

Sleep tumbled over me. When I woke, sunlight filled the room like a golden river, and I was long. A note lay on the covers next to me.

Luna—getting clothing for Rose. Lady Vala requests you dress in the clothing provided and attend her downstairs when you wake. —Sofia

The clothing consisted of a knee length sleeveless tunic and bands to bind the breasts. Sofia had described them as something that women athletes and entertainers wore, and though I’d never seen them before, they were simple to put on.

I did wonder why I needed to wear them and felt strange with so much of my body uncovered. I opened the door, and a maid lingering in the hall bowed to me.

“Please follow,” she said.

She led me downstairs to a long room with mirrors lining the walls and a polished wooden floor. My ribs ached as I moved and my left arm was shadowed with purple and black bruises, but I’d felt worse after a beating.

Lady Vala was waiting, dressed in divided skirts and a tunic with fitted sleeves that allowed for ease of movement. She stood by an upright tube secured to the ceiling and floor that looked like it was made of stuffed leather.

After the maid left, Lady Vala picked up a pair of fans from a small side table and held them out to me. Their weight surprised me as I took them in my hands. They looked delicate, like fantasies of ebony sticks and gold-touched white lace.

"Women may not wear swords," Lady Vala said, "but other weapons are not forbidden. These fans have been magically treated, to make them sturdy. The sticks and guards will not break, and the leaf has a razor's edge."

I ran my finger along the cool metal of the fan. "Can I truly defend myself with these?"

Lady Vala smiled, the predatory curl of her lips almost making me take a step back. "Absolutely. Today, you begin your first lesson. But with a normal fan, not these. Not yet."

I squared my shoulders, meeting Lady Vala's gaze head-on. “Why, my lady?”

She met my gaze. “You will someday bear my grandchild. And I’m going to see to it that you can protect him. Or her. I come from the Imperial bloodline, and many women and children have died when they depended only on loyalty and guards to protect them. So my mother taught me and now I teach you.”

Her words made sense. The world had tried to break me, and until now I'd had no real way to fight back. Now I could learn to fight, to protect myself and those I loved. And Heaven help anyone who stood in my way.

Lady Vala circled me, assessing my stance as I held the fans before she passed me another set, just as heavy but without an edge I could see.

“Please, call me Domina, there’s no reason to be formal.” Domina was the term for the lady of the house, used by family and servants. I wasn’t sure which category she was putting me into.

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