I Am The Luna

ZAIA.

Blow after blow…

The pain in my body is screaming at me to stop, to take a break and breathe… but I don’t want to.

I refuse to.

This is a way to release the rage inside of me and it’s… empowering.

“Zaia… let’s take a break.” Atticus’s breathless voice comes as he grabs my fist, yanking me against him, and twists my arm behind my back. “That’s enough for today.” He says, looking down at me.

His hair is drenched in sweat, as is his body. I’m the same. The hairs that refused to stay back are sticking to my face and I can feel the trickles of sweat dripping down my bare stomach as we stand there chest to chest.

“No. I’m not… but if you want to go, I’ll continue with one of my guards.” I say quietly, breaking free and turning away from him, about to summon one of my men when he grips.

hold of my elbow and forces me to face him.

“Zai “There’s concern in his eyes as he

obst s me, but I refuse to let people see the cracks within me…

I raise an eyebrow and tilt my head.

“What’s wrong Atticus? Can’t you handle me?” I ask challengingly as I slowly tug out of his hold and cross my arms.

He smirks slightly before sighing and shaking his head.

“Alright then, Red, let’s go again.” He says as he adjusts his sweatpants and re-ties the string. He’s shirtless, and he’s getting a lot of attention from the other females here and a couple of the guys.

He would make a good partner. I just hope he finds the one and gets that happily ever after he deserves without being hung up over me.

“Checking me out?” he asks, cocking a brow.

“I appreciate the view, but no, I was just thinking you aren’t getting any younger. I want to see you settle down.” I say as I fall into stance. I’m proud to say I’m a fast learner and this time I make the first move.

“That won’t happen,” he replies as he blocks me

“Ok, I’m done, even if you aren’t. I give up.” Atticus says breathlessly as I pin him to the ground, I’m straddling his stomach a dagger to his throat. He raised his hands in surrender, dropping them onto the ground beside his head as he looks up at me.

Hours have passed and we are the only ones left in the training hall. I know I pushed him today, but I feel a little calmer, or maybe that’s because I’m just exhausted.

“You went easy on me, didn’t you?” I ask, tilting my head.

“Honestly? No. I didn’t because this isn’t a joke, and I don’t want you to underestimate the

enemy or a real match. Not that you don’t know how to handle yourself on the battlefield,” he says quietly, slapping the side of my thighs. ” You did good Red.”

I suddenly become aware of our position and dropping the dagger, I climb off him groaning at how achy my body is.

says, grabbing my arm ling

back hits the mat beneath me as I lay there beside him staring

our thundering hearts as we recover is loud in the

silence between us until he

down…” Atticus says, making me turn my head to look over

any younger. Find a good woman. Life is short.” I say with a small

fair to the woman?” he

you can

any right to give him advice when my own relationship

I settle for when I am in love with someone else?” his voice is quiet, but his words

worth it,” I say q…etly

end… I’ll still wait.” He sits up, but I refuse

saying let it go, I’m never going to return those feelings… don’t waste your life

“Hey, look at me.”

you get it? I

trying to keep my face

that. But you don’t have the right to say whether they are a waste of time or foolish, because that’s my choice and I don’t think they are. You are an incredible

“Atticus…”

trying to make

He says, grabbing my arm pulling me

hits the mat beneath me as I

of our thundering hearts as we recover is loud

silence between us until

making me turn my head

younger. Find a good woman. Life is short.” I say with

would that be fair to the

you can be a little annoying,

to give him advice when my own relationship is something

am in love with someone else?” his voice is quiet, but

him. “I’m not worth it,” I say quietly

end… I’ll still wait.” He sits up, but I refuse to look at

never going to return those feelings… don’t waste your life over me. It’s foolish.” say, about to stand up when he takes hold of

“Hey, look at me.”

it? I can’t deal with

trying to keep my

never reciprocate those feelings, and I respect that. But you don’t have the right to say whether they are a waste of time or foolish,

“Atticus…”

use your emotional state to forward my gain, but just remember, you are worth way more. There are so many men who ould sacrifice the world to have you

the one I

away, ashamed that I let

you tonight,

He replies softly as I take my

of the showers. Switching it on, I sink to the ground, wrapping my arms

If only…

Love hurts…

the one who doesn’t care for me,

my mind, telling me that the kids are asking for me. The mind link is

I get

still want to do this

Atticus asks.

report of Mom’s postmortem,

had several broken bones, along with so

test out the Moon Dust, but the report

Mom had been sick.

Cancer…

and it seemed that the poisoning around my birth had just

out who administered the poison back then,” I say quietly. “I’m assuming it could be the man

“I’ve been trying to find some clue, anything that could help. We do have footage of every New Year’s ball and I have had the tapes searched. Some files were deleted, but we are trying to recover them. Someone should show up, the main hall was

I need to know…” I

sick. Did she never mention

squeeze as she stands behind me and I

She never did.”

feel like I didn’t

the dark?” Jai sounds a little

worry me… Even though it