The Luna Queen's Rebirth Novel - Chapter 87

Chapter 87 I grab my tray. "If either of you pulls something-" Jake salutes. "Harmless. Scout's honor." I walk away. Outside, I spot Ellie across the courtyard, laughing-soft, surprised, like she didn't expect it. My chest tightens. I keep walking. Those idiots are going to make my life hell. And somehow... I don't stop them. +25 Bonus Ellie POV During healer rotations, I'd been assigned to inventory duty-cataloging salves, checking runes, stabilizing reagents. It was grounding work. And that's where I see Abigail. It's been a minute.

She's leaning against the worktable, sleeves rolled, expression calm but alert. "Abigail," I start, considering we hadn't had much time to talk about- "Timeline's delicate," she warns carefully, not looking me in the eye. "Probably best if we don't... mess with it. 'Meet' when we're supposed to." I stop mid-step. I slowly nod, understanding what she is saying but feeling a pinch. "Alright," I say. "Sudden, but agreed." Still. "It's just nice," I admit, "to know I'm not alone." Her smile is gentle. "Eyes open," she says.

"You're on a new path." When I leave the infirmary, the sun is low, shadows stretching long across the courtyard. That's when I hear "Ellie," a girl from my herbal theory class says, skidding to a stop beside me in the hall. "Uh-Dominic wants you in the gardens." I stop walking, suddenly very aware of my own heartbeat. Steady, but annoyingly quickened. "Dominic," I repeat flatly. She nods, wide-eyed, like she's afraid I'll bite. "Yeah. He said it was important." +25 Bonus I stare at her for a beat too long. "Did he say why?" She shakes her head and practically bolts. ...Right.

I exhale through my nose and adjust the satchel at my hip. It's been a minute since we've spoken. I don't have to go. I've been enjoying the distance, a week of not having a charged argument. But if this is another power move-fine. The gardens are quiet in that way that feels intentional, hedges trimmed into obedience, paths curving just enough to suggest serenity without ever allowing chaos. I step through the archway and immediately spot him. Dominic is sitting on the low stone wall near the east fountain, lunch tray at his side. Reading. That alone almost makes me laugh.

He's relaxed in a way I don't usually see, long legs stretched out, one ankle crossed over the other, and a book open in his hands. Dark hair falling into his eyes. No entourage. No tension rolling off him like a storm front. It makes my chest do something deeply inconvenient. I walk straight toward him, boots crunching against gravel, and stop directly in front of him. "Well?" I say. He looks up. And gods help me, the way his eyes sharpen when they land on me still sends a familiar pull straight through my spine like a memory. Feels like it's been longer than a week.