The Luna Trials by Marissa Gilbert

25. Gilded Armour

Savvy clenched her lips so tight that they formed a thin white line.

“Can you imagine how great it would be if Kai ended up marrying a witch?” Kyle snorted loudly while typing something on his laptop. “We will be able to mock the North for the rest of our lives for having a Witch Queen! This is just precious!”

“You Lycans and your love for the same species!” Zara gave him a mocking eye roll.

“If you want me to help him end up with Mavis, just tell me!” Kyle winked at her, and the bird shifter’s face changed at once.

“Anyone but that botch!” The girl crossed her hands on her chest. “With her on the throne, you will have a war at your doorstep in no time!”

“Yeah, she doesn’t seem particularly charming!” Kyle agreed and looked at his childhood friend. “Savannah, what do you think? Mavis or Salome?”

His smile dropped when he saw her pale face. He knew her too well to not understand that something was going on.

“What is it?” “Is it that piece of sh-t Zack screwing someone again?” He asked her bluntly without beating around the bush.

“Show me the pictures,” Savannah ignored the question. “Sav, you look a bit pale,” Zara walked towards her with a concerned look. “Are you sure…

“Show me the pictures!” the princess demanded, and her assistant got out her phone, swiping her fingers across the glossy screen a few times. Then she handed her the device, and Savannah saw Kai walking in the garden with Salome attached to his hand. The two of them were

glancing at each other and grinning like two happy children, and Savvy felt nauseous from seeing them like this.

She started scrolling. Picture after picture of what looked like a proper date. Then, a new notification came, and she clicked on it without thinking twice, opening the most recent photo. Kai pressed Salome’s hand to his lips while giving her a playful gaze. The gaze she knew too well. The gaze she thought he only gifted her with.

Savannah’s heart clenched painfully. She had already done this. She had already been through this. Betrayal was not new to her, but why did it hurt so much again?

“What the hell, Sav?” She didn’t even notice that Kyle was already standing next to her. She knew that her eyes were getting watery. The tears she would never let fall were burning her eyes, and she blinked them away quickly. She was crying for her fated mate for one day! The Northern King would not be getting such honour. They were no one to each other after all.

“I am fine!” She forced a smile, but her friends didn’t buy it. Kyle was watching her intently with his brows furrowed. Nevertheless, it was Zara who said the words loud and clear, “You like the King.” The silence in the room was heavy.

“What?” Kyle let out à nervous laugh, but then his eyes locked with Savannah’s for a few seconds before she turned away.

“Oh, no!” He shook his head and ran his fingers through his hair. “No, no, no! Savvy, you can’t!”

“And I will not!” She practically yelled at him, and the trio got silent. Until Kyle interrupted again.

“How?” He looked at his childhood friend questioningly. “When?!” “It’s a long story!” Savannah sighed, bitterness lacing her words.

on the next one. Kyle returned

everything and being done with it. “Forget

years in the Red Harem, Savvy,” Zara tilted her head slightly. “I know the look on your face far too well. I saw it in the mirror and on every other girl’s face. But the thing is that you brought us here for a reason, and I hope that it means you can

but Savvy took her hand and squeezed

glances and, taking a deep breath, told them everything, not withholding

when she was done. “Before you say anything,” the princess warned them, “I know I am pathetic. First

this….”

nothing pathetic about you,” Zara assured her. “Zack was your mate, and

his laptop. “He

forgotten. We are back to plan one. I am winning and

Kyle nodded eagerly and opened his laptop back. “In the meantime, the Truthteller has something to say about

to stop him. “Please,

start me on that other guy and his gifts! What

thoughtfully and raised her brow when Savvy

I’ll wear this one for the interviews,” she chewed on her lip, throwing a quick glance at her assistant, who had a hard time holding back a little smirk

neck. He always supported all her crazy actions, but when it came to her outfits, he always sided with Gideon and Reid, wishing for her

275

a good

letting him

***

woman who had been on his mind since the moment he let her go the night before. He managed to

the dark passage of the castle, already knowing that she would use the secret backdoor he had shown

However, the Northern King lost his breath at the sight of the

intricate patterns hugged her curves perfectly, while the soft organza and tulle skirt cascaded to the floor like a cloud of iridescent pale pink mist. Kai couldn’t take his eyes off the slit at the front where her slender tanned leg that definitely belonged to a well-trained warrior was appearing and disappearing in the layers

was itching to do just that, watching her wearing the sleeveless dress with such confidence as if it was golden armour. The embellishments gleamed as they caught the light from the tiny lamps installed on the walls. She looked like a fragile fairy who arrived into this world by mistake. Beautiful and ethereal. Gilded leaves in her extravagant updo in the latest northern fashion helped her look the part,

were many beautiful women in the world. He had eleven others waiting for him just a few feet away, but

king inhaled it deeply, waiting for her to stop in front of him. She was

past him, her heels clicking on the cold northern

his throat, but

ready for the game of chase. If she was ready to hide, he was

saw how tense her shoulders were, and it made him worried. This did not resemble the playful chaşe he

was actively avoiding

believing that this was happening after what they

This was the best thing she could do because, technically, she could win without even as much as having to talk to him. The North wanted a