Claiming His Luna

Cercei’s POVContent protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

“This is an act of suicide,” I murmured quietly, my words escaping in a hushed breath.

Presently, I find myself at the airport, preparing to travel North to take back my dear mother. Our eagerness in pursuing this seemingly foolish scheme is adamant, which is why I stand here now. When I set foot in the Northern region, Lucian’s henchmen will undoubtedly swoop down on me, whisking me away to their stronghold.

“Relax,” Vincent’s reassuring voice sounded through the discreet earpiece I wore. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes, though I knew he couldn’t see my gesture.

“Easy for you to say while seated comfortably in your office,” I retorted sharply.

“I am the one helping you,” He countered, brushing off my sly insult.

“Yes, indeed, my husband,” If the elders were to learn of our audacious plan and Vincent’s involvement, they would undoubtedly have us bound by matrimony already.

“Enough banter,” He playfully growled, and I could envision him rolling his eyes at my jest.

“Wish me luck,” I uttered as I settled into my seat on the plane. The flight attendant graciously handed me a drink, which I gratefully accepted. I rarely indulge in alcohol, but at this moment, I felt the need for something to calm my nerves.

“Be careful, my dear shithead, remember, this line is always open. If things go awry, just press the button, understand?” I chuckled at his chosen moniker for me due to my chestnut hair-a characteristic jest from Vincent. Before my departure, he gifted me a bracelet with a discreetly concealed button linked directly to him. He instructed me to press it only in dire circumstances, signaling that I required immediate help. According to him, he would dispatch an entire army to the North upon receiving the signal.

“Thank you, dumbhead,” I replied warmly and then switched off the earpiece. Leaning back, I sighed, staring out of the window as the plane lifted off the ground. I am on my way, Mamà.

****

“Thank you for flying with us,” the flight attendant beamed as we disembarked from the plane. I smiled back, disguising the thoughts of the reckless undertaking I was about to take on.

As expected, the airport surroundings were teeming with Lucian’s men, their imposing figures refusing to blend into the background as they dominated the space. Clad in vibrant black suits, they moved with purpose, their eyes trained on me as they conversed discreetly through their earpieces.

Calmly, I collected my luggage and feigned ignorance of their intense scrutiny. Aiming for a semblance of normalcy, I even strolled over to the airport’s Starbucks to order a coffee.

“What the hell!” I exclaimed incredulously as panic suddenly rippled through the crowd. In an instant, the entire airport was put on lockdown; glass windows and doors were sealed shut as security personnel ushered everyone out.

Did they truly think such excessive measures necessary for a solo person like me? I couldn’t understand their rationale.

Clutching my iced coffee tightly, I watched in bewilderment as ten suit-clad men began to approach me. This was it-the moment I had anticipated.

“Cercei Forbes, we need you to come with us,” A tall man that I guess to be their leader spoke sternly. Despite the fierce beating of my heart, I maintained a facade of composure, casually sipping my coffee and adjusting my glasses.

“No, thank you,” I quipped with a shake of the cup, the sound of ice tinkling against glass surprisingly satisfying even amidst the tense situation.

“Hey!” I protested when two men forcibly grabbed my arms, causing my iced coffee to spill. My beloved hazelnut with an extra whip!

“That is not the right way to treat a woman!” I attempted to wrestle free, but my efforts were met with handcuffs swiftly confining my wrists.

“Are you kidding-” My words were abruptly silenced by a piece of duct tape pressed against my mouth.

Assholes! Every fibre of my being wanted to retaliate, to unleash fury on them, but I reminded myself that this was all part of the plan. I needed to be captured and delivered to their headquarters.

Oh, how I yearned to press the button concealed in my bracelet and have Vincent’s men swoop in to deal with these brutes. Yet, I understood that they were reluctantly carrying out their orders. One petite woman against an army of towering giants, restrained by handcuffs and silenced by duct tape, was utterly infuriating.

If glares could inflict mortal wounds, they would have been attending their own funerals by now. I attempted to curse them even through the muffling tape, but it came out as nothing more than unnoticeable murmurs. I ceased my futile struggle; it was a waste of energy.

Yes, I cursed, and perhaps rightly so, given all that I had endured. Surely, even the Moon Goddess would understand the depth of my frustration.

“You’ve got to be joking,” I mumbled as they ushered me into a waiting vehicle, my eyes instantly blindfolded .

Now rendered blind, mute, and virtually powerless, I sat stoically, resigning myself to the reality of the situation.

“Lord Lucian will be most pleased,” one of them declared. If only I could roll my eyes, I would have done that abundantly.

“I was the one who spotted her first,” claimed another, their voices filled with a mislaid sense of pride.

“That’s utter rubbish; it was me! I was the one who spotted her first!” The other also insisted, their squabbling continuing even in this tense moment.

“Enough, both of you or I’ll personally put a bullet through your damn heads!” Their leader’s commanding voice barked, and for a fleeting moment, I silently cheered him on. Yes, do it, sir!

The car came to a halt, indicating our arrival at our destination. They dragged me out, and I seethed beneath the tape that muffled my curses. If only I were free, I would have rained my fury on them without restraint.

Blindfolded and disoriented, I stood among the silence, and the coldness in the air confirmed we were indeed in the North.

I strained to listen, footsteps approaching, and then that scent, unmistakably familiar, it was Lucian’s. My heart swayed at the memory it invoked. How long had it been since I last encountered that alluring and seductive fragrance-I couldn’t help but inhale deeply, savouring it despite the circumstances.

“Seriously?” It was Frank who spoke.

“What’s wrong with you guys? Release her,” he commanded, and the men promptly uncuffed me, removing the tape with such haste that it stung, followed by the removal of the blindfold.

As my eyes adjusted to the dim surroundings, the first sight that greeted me was Lucian’s form standing a few paces away. Yet, when I met his stare, I felt a sharp pang in my chest. His eyes were vacant, devoid of any emotion. There was no hint of anger, no indifference, not even a trace of longing. They were simply blank, empty.

My anger momentarily subsided as I locked eyes with his greyish-blue eyes, which used to be like two mesmerising pools I could lose myself in. Lucian’s stern demeanour and stoic facade were familiar, but this time they appeared colder than the very weather that surrounded us. His face was covered with scruffy stubble, adding to his already intimidating aura.

At this moment, my anger lessened, replaced by the realisation that he had changed. Evidently, he no longer looked at me like he once did. There were no emotions in his eyes, as though I held no significance in his life anymore, as though our past connection had been erased, rendered meaningless.