The sickened luna’s last chance

Chapter 60

Ella

It happened again.

I was walking toward Alexander when my knees suddenly buckled beneath me for a second time. This time, Thad nothing to catch myself on, and I felt myself pitching forward toward the marble floor.

But strong arms caught me before I could hit the ground. Alexander’s hands moved across my waist, gently tugging me up and into his embrace.

“Are you alright?”

I blinked, trying to clear the dark spots that had appeared in my vision. When my sight returned, I saw green eyes staring down at me with concern, and then it hit me–I was pressed firmly against Alexander’s sturdy chest, palms splayed across the firm muscles, the scent of bourbon and woodfire smoke so strong it blotted out all else.

My heart pounded. Stupid, traitorous little thing.

“1-1, um…1’m not feeling so well…” I started to respond, but then, over Alexander’s shoulder, I saw Gabriel watching from across the room. His mouth was set in that familiar disapproving line.

Immediately, I snapped my mouth shut, biting my tongue. Gabriel was waiting for me to show weakness.

Waiting for me to prove that I was the weak, pathetic excuse for a Luna that he thought I was.

Maybe it was juvenile of me, but I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.

“I’m fine,” I recovered quickly, stepping back. “My shoes are just killing me. These heels are way too high.”

It was a believable excuse. Every woman at this event was wearing ridiculously tall heels, and I’d certainly complained about sore feet before. Alexander’s eyes searched my face for a moment, and it seemed like he

wasn’t entirely convinced, but he didn’t push it.

“Actually,” he said, reaching into his jacket pocket, “I have something that might cheer you up.”

I frowned, watching as he pulled out a small velvet jewelry box. “What’s that?”

“I saw it at one of the auction tables and thought of you.” He opened the box to reveal a delicate silver bracelet with a tiny cherry blossom charm dangling from it. “I know it can’t replace what you lost tonight,

but…”

My breath caught. The bracelet was beautiful–simple and elegant, perfectly feminine and understated while having enough shine to it to catch the eye. The cherry blossom charm was perfectly detailed, each tiny petal etched painstakingly into the silver.

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didn’t have

the box and gently took my wrist, fastening the clasp with careful fingers. The metal was cool against my skin, contrasting sharply with the heat of his hand, and the charm caught the light

it. Alexander had bought this for me. He’d seen

with Lilith’s locket.

finish that thought, a camera flash went off nearby, followed by

back down around me.

a genuine gesture. Alexander had spotted the photographers circling us like vultures and decided this would make a perfect

replace what was lost. It

my face go blank as I looked up at

he noticed the

as more cameras flashed, lifting my wrist so the bracelet was clearly visible.

ate it up, snapping picture after picture of Alexander’s romantic gesture. I wondered how long it would take for the

we were.

head back inside?” Alexander asked. “I think they’re about to start the

and let him guide me back toward the main ballroom

was beautiful, but

passed in a blur. Alexander and I bid on a few items–nothing too expensive,

show that we were participating. I made

pack politics.

the while, the exhaustion grew more and

like I might. My knees were weak, my back sore, my

I managed to stay upright–if only to spite

to the dessert course of the meal portion

I picked at

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Chapter 60

“You look like hell.”

beside our table with a champagne flute in her hand and that familiar smirk on

somewhere.

me?” I said.

and honestly…” She leaned in, dropping her

if she hadn’t stirred up

thanks for asking,” I said, slamming my fork down so hard it rattled the table and made nearby guests jump. “And maybe next time you

went red, and for a moment I thought she might throw her champagne at me. But we were surrounded by too many important people for her to cause a scene.

and picked up my fork,