Page 32 of Luna's New Reign
He presses a kiss to my temple, grounding me as best he can. “It will. You’re pushing too hard, Bambi.”
I know he’s right, but I’m too frustrated to admit it. We aren’t any closer to finding Locke, Maverick passed out again this morning—even if no one will admit to it, and now my magic is acting like a spoiled brat. The bonds feel… strange, too.Like a thread got tugged somewhere, unraveling slightly before stitching itself back together. It’s faint, but I know something’s off.
The sound of a door creaking open jolts me out of my spiral. My head snaps toward the clinic just as the door swings wide and Maverick steps out. He’s pale and unsteady, his shoulders tense as he grips the frame for support. My heart leaps into my throat and before I know it, I’m moving.
I launch myself off Darius’ lap and sprint across the room. Maverick barely has time to blink before I collide with him, wrapping my arms around his neck as I bury my face against his chest.
“You’re okay,” I mumble, my voice shaking as I clutch him tighter. “Tell me you’re okay.”
His hands come up slowly, hesitantly, as he holds me back, his body still too unsteady. “I’m okay. Kitten, I’m fine.”
I pull back just enough to look at him, my hands coming up to cup his face. His skin is too cool, his expression drawn, but the bond hums faintly with life again—weak, but there. “The bonds felt weird,” I say, my voice cracking. “It felt like I lost you, Maverick.”
“You didn’t lose me,” he whispers, his gaze softening as he leans into my touch.
I don’t think. I press my lips to his, desperate to feel the connection, to feel somethingreal. Maverick stumbles a little, his hands tightening around my waist to keep us both upright. The kiss is brief but firm, my lips lingering against his as I breathe him in.
“Easy,” Darius warns from behind me.
Maverick huffs out a weak chuckle, though he looks ready to collapse. “You don’t have to attack me every time I walk through a door, precious.”
Before I can respond, Asani steps out of the clinic, holding something small and delicate in his hand. His sharp gaze flicks between me and Maverick, then settles on me as he steps closer.
“This should be yours.” Asani muses, placing something cool and light into my palm. I blink down at it, my fingers curling instinctively around the soft object.
It’s a feather.
A single black feather, as dark as night, its edges shimmering faintly in the light.
I look up at Asani, my heart pounding. “What’s this?”
Asani’s lips twitch into a knowing smirk as he meets my gaze. “Ask him,” he says, nodding toward Maverick. Maverick lets out a soft, guilty chuckle, his eyes flicking between me and the feather I’m still clutching in my hand. He looks exhausted, like his body’s still struggling to keep up with what’s happening, but I can’t help the grin splitting across my face.
“Youcanshift,” I breathe, barely able to contain myself.
Asani steps forward, the amused gleam in his dark eyes making it clear he’s ready to intervene. Before I can throw myself at Maverick for another hug, Asani’s strong hands settle gently on my waist, pulling me back with practiced ease.
“Not so fast, precious,” Asani teases softly, nudging me just enough to give Maverick some breathing room. “It wasn’t a full shift yet. But there’s no doubt—one day, Maverick will.”
I twist in Asani’s hold, still giddy as I look back at Maverick, who gives me the faintest smile, his face flushed. The idea of Maverick shifting, of him fully embracing his power, feels like something monumental, somethingright. I want to celebrate it, scream it to the damn world, and—
“Alright, that’s enough.” Darius’ voice cuts through my excitement as he strides over with a knowing grin, slipping his arms around me and pulling me up against his chest like I weighnothing. I squeal in surprise, my legs kicking as he hefts me off the ground.
“Darius!” I pout, squirming half-heartedly as his warm laughter vibrates against my back. “What are you doing?”
“Rescuing Maverick from being smothered to death,” he replies dryly, holding me tighter when I wiggle again. “And taking you for a bath.”
“A bath?” I echo, pouting harder. “I don’t need a bath. I’m perfectly fine here.”
Darius just chuckles, carrying me effortlessly toward the stairs. “You’re pent up, Bambi,” he says, his tone a mix of amusement and authority. “You’ve been bouncing off the walls since breakfast, and if you don’t relax, you’re going to implode.”
I tip my head back to glare up at him. “Sex would fix that,” I quip, flashing him a wicked grin.
Darius barks out a laugh, the sound deep and rich as it echoes through the hallway. “You’re impossible,” he responds, nipping at my lips but not putting me down.
“You love it,” I tease, grinning as he steps into the bathroom and sets me down gently on the closed toilet lid.
He kneels in front of the tub, turning the knobs and letting the water run until steam starts to curl into the air. The sound of the bath filling is soothing, the faint scent of the lavender oil Darius must have added already calming my racing mind.