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.

He says, grabbing my arm ling me onto the ground beside

back hits the mat beneath me as I lay there

of our thundering hearts as we recover is loud in the room, but it’s

us until he

says, making me turn my

a good woman. Life is short.”

that be fair to the woman?” he asks, his

ask. “I mean, you can be a little annoying,

that I have any right to give him advice when my own relationship is something

I settle for when I am in love with someone else?” his

him. “I’m not worth it,”

end… I’ll still wait.”

to return those feelings… don’t waste your life over me. It’s foolish.” say, about to stand up when he takes hold of my

“Hey, look at me.”

get it? I can’t deal with

eyes, trying to keep my

But you don’t have the right to say whether they are a waste

“Atticus…”

and I’m not trying to make matters worse or use your emotional state

arm pulling

I lay there beside him staring at the

our thundering hearts as we recover is loud in the room,

between us

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

aren’t getting any younger. Find a good woman. Life is short.” I say with a small

the woman?” he

you can be a

right to give him advice when my

would it be fair to the woman I settle for when I am in love with someone else?” his voice is

not worth it,” I say quietly

I’ll wait. Even if there’s no end… I’ll still

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

“Hey, look at me.”

you get it? I can’t deal

look into his eyes, trying to keep

I know you will 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, because that’s my choice and I don’t

“Atticus…”

hurting and I’m not trying to make matters worse or 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 by

the one I

I look away, ashamed that I let it get to

see you tonight, Atticus,” I say

He replies softly as I take my

enter the changing room, I kick off my shoes and step into one of the showers. Switching it on, I sink to the ground, wrapping my arms around my

If only…

Love hurts…

one who doesn’t care for me, and

remain under the shower until Valerie’s voice comes into my mind, telling me that the kids are asking for me.

get up and

sure you still want to

Atticus asks.

of Mom’s

had several broken bones, along with so much other

were ready to test out the Moon Dust, but the report has shaken

Mom had been sick.

Cancer…

while… and it seemed that

poison back then,” I say quietly. “I’m assuming it could be the man Annalise was speaking to in your pack. Gerard wouldn’t

tapes searched. Some files were deleted, but

to know…”

that she was sick. Did she never mention

she stands behind me and I shake

never

I

Jai sounds a little frustrated

to worry me… Even though it upsets me;