Eighth-Born Luna (Emily and Nathan) novel Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Emily’s POV

My jaw dropped. The royal residence, as in the place where Nathan lived.

My heart sank painfully. “No.”

Meredyth blinked. “No?”

“I can’t stay here.”

“Why not?”

“Because Nathan won’t like it.”

Meredyth smiled gently, reaching over to squeeze my hand. “Oh, Emily. That is the last thing you need to worry about.”

Before I could argue, Liam opened his door and stepped out. He walked around to my side, opened the door for me, and waited as Meredyth and I got out.

“Well, make yourselves at home,” he said with a grin. “I’m heading out.”

He climbed back into the front seat and pulled the door shut. A second later, the SUV drove off, leaving us by the entrance.

On the steps near the front door, two guards stood waiting. My legs felt weak, and my ankle protested right away. One of the guards stepped forward to carry me, but I quickly shook my head.

“I can walk.”

Meredyth’s brow lifted. “Can you?”

I took one step, and a sharp ache shot up my leg. I froze. Meredyth and the guard said nothing, and I hated both of them a little for being right.

“I can walk slowly,” I corrected.

Meredyth smiled. “Of course.”

She slipped an arm around me, supporting most of my weight without making me feel helpless.

The guards opened the double doors. As soon as I stepped inside, I stopped in my tracks, stunned by how massive it was. The entrance hall was huge and bright, with two wide staircases curving up on both sides to meet at a balcony above. A crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, catching the light and scattering it across the polished marble floors. The air smelled faintly of cedar, fresh linen, and something warm I couldn’t name. It didn’t feel like the cold luxury I expected. It felt lived-in and safe.

“This way,” Meredyth said.

She led me through the main floor. On the left was a large living room with deep sofas and a fireplace big enough to warm ten people. To the right was a white kitchen with a huge dining area attached. It looked like the kind of kitchen where people actually gathered. Not just servants, but family.

On the other side of the house were private offices. Meredyth pointed toward a hallway. “That wing belongs to Garrett and Nathan. However, you can go to the library—it’s right at the end of the hall.”

Two guards stood at the entrance. I nodded quickly. “Translation: do not disturb them. Understood.”

As we walked down the corridor, Meredyth opened a smaller door. “I’ll tell you a secret—this is one of my favorite places.”

I stepped inside and instantly fell in love too. It was a small library, not grand or intimidating, but cozy. Bookshelves lined every wall, and a soft armchair sat beside a tall window overlooking the garden, with a cream blanket folded over the back. There was even a small table for tea.

My fingers brushed the spine of one book.

“You can come here whenever you like,” Meredyth said.

I looked at her. “Really?”

“Really.”

Something in my chest warmed. No one had ever said that to me before, not in a way that made me feel like I belonged somewhere.

I couldn’t move. Nathan? Had Nathan brought me here? No, that didn’t make sense. He avoided me, pushed me away, and looked at me like I confused him. Sometimes it seemed like he hated that I existed. And yet…

“You look beautiful.”

The memory rushed back so suddenly that my cheeks warmed. Maybe he hadn’t meant it, or maybe he had only been polite, but Nathan didn’t seem like the kind of man who said things just to be polite.

Meredyth tucked the blanket around me. “Try not to think too much and get some rest.”

That was impossible, but I nodded anyway. She left a few minutes later, promising to return soon.

The room became quiet. Too quiet. I looked toward the balcony doors, watching the forest shift in the evening wind beyond the glass. I let myself remember the wolf run. The wind in my fur. Freedom.

But with it, another memory also came. A light-haired wolf slammed into my side, and the cliff disappeared beneath my paws.

My fingers tightened around the blanket. I hadn’t slipped. I hadn’t fallen by accident. Someone had pushed me.

A soft knock sounded at the door. I flinched.

The door opened before I could answer, and Stella stood in the doorway.

My blood went cold.

She smiled slowly, cruelly. “Well,” she said, looking around the room. “Looks like little Emily finally found a way into Nathan’s house.”

Stella stepped inside and closed the door behind her.

“And now, we need to talk.”