Page 31 of Luna's New Reign
I shift slightly and that’s when I realize I’m in someone’s arms. My body is curled against Asani’s chest, his scent anchoring me, steadying the magic that still pulses faintly inside me like a low flame. “Welcome back,” Asani murmurs, looking down at me with a mix of relief and exasperation. “You’re lucky I was here.”
I blink again, groaning as I try to sit up. My muscles ache, but Asani doesn’t let me go far, his arms firm as he keeps me steady. “What… happened?” I rasp, my throat dry.
Remi moves closer, his brows knitted together with worry. “You scared the hell out of us, that’s what happened,” he says, his usual playfulness gone. “You passed out, Maverick. Your nose wouldn’t stop bleeding.”
My gaze falls to the floor, several bloody towels and tissues littered across the wood. A trashcan nearby is full of red cloth as well. Asani cuts in before I can say anything. “It’s your magic, isn’t it?” he says quietly. “You’re holding onto it too tightly and it’s breaking you apart.”
I don’t have the energy to argue with him, not now. I press a hand to my temple, the remnants of the headache still lingering. “It’s… different. It doesn’tfeelright.”
Asani sighs, his thumb brushing against my jaw. “Because it’s not just magic, Maverick. It’s you.”
He leans forward, pressing a slow, deliberate kiss to my lips, one that steals the breath from my lungs and grounds me more than anything else has. When he pulls back, he holds something in his hand. A single black feather.
I frown, staring at it as he places it carefully in my palm. “What is this?”
“Proof,” Asani says, his voice steady. “It’s not only Nepheline who’s changing.”
It all clicks. The magic returning is bringing back everything. Including an Oraculum who shifts. Victoria mentioned before that it was strange that I didn’t shift—whether into a wolf or something else but the feather proves that the magic isn’t done working. A shuddering breath falls from my lips as I twirl the feather between my fingers.
“I shifted?” I ask in disbelief.
“Not completely. It was more a flurry of magic than anything but you have a beast and I suspect it’s why the magic feels so heavy. Because you’re keeping your beast at bay. It’s not a dangerous thing, Maverick. Having that other half is natural, a second skin of sorts and I can’t wait to see yours. I bet you’re gorgeous, shimmering black feathers. I wonder if you’ll be big like our wolf or be able to sit on our Omega’s shoulder as she commands the pack.”
I snort, feeling some relief as I relax in Asani’s arms. I think his words are what I needed—words that made me remember that this pack is going to love me regardless of what I am.
Remi grins at my side, softly patting my arm. “No more trying to contain it. I’ve seen more blood today than I have in weeks. Besides, what the fuck would have happened if Nepheline had seen this? Just… let it happen, Maverick.Please.”
I nod, my eyes fluttering close as I take a few minutes to myself.
18
NEPHELINE
I’m sitting in Darius’ lap, curled against his chest as I glare at my hands like they’ve betrayed me. After a second attempt with Victoria, I gave up and marched inside, intent on finding Maverick. When that failed—Remi telling me that I couldn’t go into the clinic—I plopped onto the *couch to wait.
And now the room is quiet except for the soft ticking of the clock and the distant clatter of Remi, there, and Maverick moving around in the clinic. I can feel Maverick through the bonds, faint but steady, and even though Remi swore up and down that he was fine, I can’t shake the heaviness sitting in my chest.
“Breathe,” Darius murmurs, his hand stroking slow circles over my back.
“Iambreathing,” I grumble, holding up my fingertips and focusing on the magic that won’t come.
A faint, warm pulse sparks at the tips of my fingers, but it flickers out before it even becomes anything substantial. I let outa frustrated noise, somewhere between a grunt and a growl, and slump back against Darius with a huff.
Victoria’s voice echoes in my head—Feel the magic, Nepheline. Let it come to you. Don’t fight it.
Easier said than done.
Two days ago, I’d managed to channel my magic so effortlessly it shocked me. I’d touched my mates, and their strength had amplified—River even said he’d never felt his wolf so close to the surface. But since then? Nothing. Not unless I get flustered, angry, or sad. The most inconvenient emotions possible.
At least I get those really cool midnight eyes. That’s something, right?
“Try again,” Darius says, trying to give me something else to focus on.
I hold up my hand again, staring at my fingers with all the determination I can muster. Iknowit’s there. I can feel it, bubbling just below the surface, tangled with something darker. Something cold.
The whisper is faint, just beyond the edge of hearing, like a shadow brushing the back of my mind. I can’t hear the words, but I feel the weight of them—the chill that coils in my chest and leaves my skin prickling. Darius stiffens beneath me, his arms tightening protectively around my waist. “You’re shaking.”
“I’m fine,” I snap, though the tremor in my voice says otherwise. I try again, teeth gritted, trying to shove away the darkness clawing at the edge of my thoughts. “I just want it towork.”