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.

grabbing my arm

hits the mat beneath me as I lay

we recover is loud in the room, but it’s

silence between us until he

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

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

the woman?” he asks,

ask. “I mean, you can be a little

him advice when my own relationship

I settle for when I am in love

worth it,” I say q…etly as I

I’ll still wait.” He sits up, but I

feelings… don’t waste your life over

“Hey, look at me.”

I

look into his eyes, trying to keep

love, and 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 think they

“Atticus…”

trying to make matters

arm pulling me onto the

me as I lay

thundering hearts as we recover is loud in the

between us

says, making me turn my head to look over

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

would that be fair to the woman?” he

do you mean?” I ask. “I mean, you can be a little

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

be fair to the woman I settle for when I am in

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

still wait.” He sits up, but I refuse to look

don’t waste your life over me. It’s foolish.” say, about to stand up when he takes hold

“Hey, look at me.”

you get it? I can’t deal with

trying to

feelings, and I respect that. But you don’t have the right to say whether they are a waste of

“Atticus…”

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

the one I

eyes and I look away, ashamed

see you tonight, Atticus,” I

replies softly as

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

If only…

Love hurts…

who doesn’t care for me, and the one who wants me… I

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

so… for them, I get up and push the emotions

still want to do this

Atticus asks.

the report of Mom’s

with so

were ready to test out the Moon Dust,

Mom had been sick.

Cancer…

report, she’d been sick for a while… and it seemed that the poisoning around my birth had

the poison back then,” I say quietly. “I’m assuming it

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 definitely covered

need to

knew… that she was sick. Did she never mention it to you?”

as she stands

never did.”

feel like I didn’t

she just kept you in the dark?” Jai sounds a little frustrated now, but deep

me… Even though it upsets me;