The sickened luna’s last chance

Chapter 95

Chapter 95

Alexander nodded and began setting up the pieces, explaining each one’s movement as he placed them on the board.

“White goes first,” he said, gesturing to my side of the board. “Your move.”

I hesitated, then moved a pawn forward two spaces. Alexander nodded approvingly and moved one of his own pawns.

The game progressed slowly, with me making cautious moves and Alexander responding with quick, strategic ones. It was clear he’d played this game many times before, while I was just guessing at the best course of action.

“Knight to E5,” I said after a few minutes, moving my piece.

Alexander’s lips twitched. “You just moved your bishop, not your knight.”

I looked down at the piece I’d just moved, then back at Alexander. “Wait, which one is the knight again?”

“The horse,” he said, pointing to the piece shaped like a horse’s head.

“Right.” I felt my cheeks heat. “I knew that.”

have been something akin to amusement. I moved my actual knight this time, only

I muttered. “I should

Alexander explained. “Always look at

the board, trying to think three steps ahead like Alexander clearly was. But after a few more moves, Alexander had captured half my pieces while I’d only managed to take two of his

rook to his growing

“You’re not that bad.

right about now.” I gestured to the scattered

in surprise. His smile transformed his face, softening the hard lines around his mouth

9/2

Chapter 95

hair falling into his closed eyes. I

in five years of marriage. Not even

This laugh was real. And it

blushed, looking away, and cleared my throat. “Um… Castle to

well

watch. “It’s late, and

spend the night with me like a normal husband would. Because he wasn’t a normal husband. And our

nodded, pretending-even to myself-that I didn’t care. “Right. Thanks for bringing