His Silent Luna (Verity and Felicity) novel Chapter 31

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Cassian’s Perspective

I carefully lifted Verity from the cold floor where she had collapsed, her frail body almost weightless in my arms—as if she were composed of glass and air rather than flesh and bone. The fragility of her frame struck me deeply, and a wave of concern washed over me. She needed nourishment—real, sustained care. I resolved silently to arrange a proper meal plan tailored specifically for her, to ensure she received regular snacks throughout the day to help her regain strength and bulk up.

But then, a flicker of doubt crept in. Was I becoming too invested? Was this care more than just duty? I shook my head firmly, pushing the thought aside. Now was not the time to question my feelings or whatever this complicated mix of emotions was. There were far more pressing matters demanding my attention. Besides, if she wasted away from malnutrition, how could I ever hope to uncover the answers I so desperately needed?

Deep down, I realized that my concern was less about strategy and more about something I wasn’t ready to admit to myself.

Gently, I settled her into one of the tall chairs by the window, then pulled a soft fur from the reading bench nearby and draped it over her shoulders. For a long moment, I simply watched her.

Her face, softened by sleep, was a stark contrast to the tension I had seen earlier. The pale skin was as smooth and flawless as polished glass, almost translucent in the dim lamplight. Her lips were parted slightly, revealing the delicate pink hue and the perfect curve of her cupid’s bow. Her long, dark lashes fanned out against her cheeks, quivering faintly with each shallow breath. In some ways, she reminded me painfully of Felicity—the shape of her jaw, the line of her nose, even her entire presence—but there was an otherworldly quality to Verity that Felicity had never possessed. Something ethereal, almost untouchable.

I caught myself staring longer than I intended. With a small, self-conscious shake of my head, I stepped back and turned to face Caleb and Kin. Both men were watching me carefully, their expressions unreadable beneath calm façades.

I had no excuse ready for why I’d been so transfixed by her, and honestly, I lacked the energy to fabricate one.

Before I could say anything, a knock at the door interrupted the silence.

My wolf stirred instantly, restless and uneasy. I could feel the tension ripple through me like a warning. But I took a deep breath and forced calm over the beast within.

“Enter,” I called out.

The door creaked open slowly, revealing a guard whose armor caught the soft glow of the lamplight. He bowed his head respectfully. “Your Majesty,” he announced, eyes briefly scanning past me to the others in the room. “A seer has come to see you.”

Every muscle in my body tensed. A seer.

It had been years—since before my parents’ deaths—that I’d encountered one of their kind. Born blind, yet cursed and blessed with a sight beyond ordinary vision. They wandered wherever the goddess willed, never tied to any kingdom or mortal ruler. They rarely sought out kings or queens, and when they did, it was never without weighty reason.

Kin’s voice cut through the quiet, sharp and wary. “What business does a seer have here?”

I silenced him with a firm command. “Send them in.”

The guard nodded and withdrew. Moments later, the slow, deliberate tap of a cane echoed against the marble floor.

An elderly woman appeared in the doorway, her shoulders stooped with age, hair a shimmering silver-white. Her eyes—oh, those eyes—were clouded and milky, yet beneath that blindness burned a faint, otherworldly glow. My wolf shifted uneasily in my chest, as if sensing something about her that I had yet to grasp.

At first, I thought her gaze was fixed on me, but then I realized her sightless eyes were directed just beyond my shoulder.

I followed the line of her vision, my stomach tightening with unease.

Her expression softened as she turned to Caleb. “Ah, you, young one. Curiosity will lead you far—and rightly so. But beware: some paths are lined with thorns. Yours already has protection, but protection is no shield if you look away. Guard your brother. Guard the girl. And all will be well.”

Caleb inclined his head quietly, a respectful acknowledgment.

Then, as if her purpose had been fulfilled, the seer shuffled toward the door, her cane tapping steadily on the marble. Without another word, she slipped into the hallway.

The room fell silent in her wake. No one dared break the quiet, though I heard Kin sigh in frustration.

I glanced back at Verity, curled beneath the fur, her face peaceful in sleep. Far more important than I had ever imagined.

A prophecy.

A secret that must be kept.

My fists clenched tightly at my sides.

If the seer’s words held truth, then the game we were playing was only just beginning.

But the question that gnawed at me, burning brighter than ever, was this: who exactly was this girl with the violet eyes?