Claiming His Luna

Cercei’s POV

After the intensely passionate kiss we shared last night, the memory alone makes me blush with anticipation.

Lucian revealed every detail to me. It turns out that Monsieur and Vienna tirelessly explored every corner of the globe in search of us. I can’t say I’m surprised, but a part of me had secretly hoped they had truly abandoned their pursuit. Perhaps I was merely deceiving myself. After all, they were the ones who harshly cast us out onto the rain-drenched streets.

How foolish I was to entertain the notion that freedom was within our grasp, that redemption was within reach.

The men we encountered in the café the other day were, as it transpires, Monsieur’s henchmen. This revelation shed light on Lucian’s strange “emergency” that day. Moreover, he was the mastermind behind the cunning hack of the CCTV system.

“Why did you feel the need to hack the CCTV? You had already dealt with them physically,” I asked, perplexed by his actions.

“It wasn’t for the purpose of gathering intelligence on Remus’ men,” he replied, averting his gaze.

“Then who was it for?” I furrowed my brow in confusion.

“Tsk,” he scoffed, still refusing to meet my eyes. Now my bewilderment deepened. If it wasn’t about those men, then who could it possibly be? I highly doubt any of the other café patrons posed a threat, except perhaps Remus and Vienna’s men. Could it be the other customers? Unlikely. They appeared to be nothing more than ordinary individuals seeking a comforting cup of coffee, maybe accompanied by a delectable pastry.

Am I simply being foolish and naïve? How could I have been so oblivious that those men were faking as innocent customers if not for Aunt Melanie’s revelation?

It appears I let my guard down far too easily.

“What’s going to happen now?” I asked him, my voice filled with fear, not just for myself but for my family too. My mother has endured so much, and my aunt has already built a life here. When Monsieur gets hold of us, he will ensure that we regret every step we took outside that mansion. And Vienna will unleash chaos in this world, making us realise that there are places worse than hell.

And then there’s Lucian, supposed ally to Monsieur. Yet now, he stands ready to wage war to shield us from their clutches. I can’t understand what I have done to deserve his staunch loyalty. I’m not blind; I am aware of his affection towards me, but I never imagined it ran so deep that he would risk everything in my name.

“I know how much this place means to you, and I’ll strive to ensure it remains a haven for as long as I can,” he reassured me, his words penetrating my heart and causing a lone tear to escape my eye. My father was the only man who had ever truly cared for me, and after his passing, I believed I would never encounter such sincerity from another man. How wrong I was to have doubted him.

“Why?” My voice trembled with emotion.

“Why?” He repeated my question, and his brows furrowed in confusion.

“Why do you treat me with such kindness?” I managed to choke out between my sobs. His eyes fixated on mine, searching for a glimpse into the depths of my soul.

“You know the reason why,” his voice carried a hint of frustration.

I shook my head, although deep down, I had a clue. Yet, I was afraid I had misinterpreted everything, that I had perceived his actions differently from his true intentions.

“No, I don’t,” I whimpered, tears streaming down my face.

“You damn well know, Cercei,” he murmured, pressing our foreheads together. He gently guided my hand to his chest, allowing me to feel the rapid pounding of his heart.

“Feel the rhythm of my heart, and you’ll understand the reason,” he uttered with heaviness in his voice.

I closed my eyes as he kissed me again, the intensity surpassing our previous passionate kiss. It was a genuine exchange of passion, desire, and love, an unspoken language spoken through intertwining tongues. It felt undeniably right as if we were destined for one another.

****

“You look like a lovesick fool,” Claire remarked, her voice filled with amusement. We were back in the café, serving coffee and pastries as usual.

“Yeah,” I absentmindedly replied, caught off guard by my own words.

“I mean, what?” I stammered, realising the slip-up a moment too late. A wide grin stretched across Claire’s face.

I pulled a face and reached for a tray to serve a customer’s order.

“Finally, what took you so long?” Lucian remarked, feigning impatience with exaggerated drama. I rolled my eyes at him.

“Terrible lack of respect and service,” he teased me with a smirk. I chuckled in response.

“Sorry, Sir, we seemed to have forgotten your order,” I said playfully, placing his pancake garnished with sprinkles and cream on the table.

“Tsk, tsk,” he shook his head with mock disappointment. I rolled my eyes once more, unable to hide my amusement.

“You know, you could pass as an actor,” I chuckled, teasing him in return. He merely pulled a face, the King in the North sitting at my table, bringing laughter to my heart. The mere thought of his countenance instilled fear in his enemies while evoking joy in me.

We were locked in a playful banter when the door swung open, causing my heart to plunge as I recognized who had entered.

With her red stilettos, form-fitting black dress, stylish blazer, and glistening red lipstick, Vienna strode into the room with an air of confidence. A smile played on her lips as her eyes met ours, waving as if we were the closest of friends. The tray in my hand tightened under my grip, nearly cracking from the pressure.

She approached us with excitement, removing her shades and planting a kiss on my cheek.

“Fancy seeing you here,” she uttered, offering me a cloying smile while I likely resembled a terror-stricken shade. I could feel cold sweat forming on my palms. Why was she here? Did she bring her men along? I scanned the surroundings, but there was no sign of any guards.

“Oh, hi, Lucian,” she greeted, her tone laced with flirtation, playfully waving her hand. Lucian rose from his seat, his expression stoic.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

“Why are you here, Vienna?” Though my insides quivered like a leaf in a storm, I managed to force a high-pitched tone.

“Coffee, duh,” she replied, her hands gesturing as if I were stupid for even asking her purpose.

Lucian instinctively stood protectively in front of me. Vienna rolled her eyes.

“Goodness, darling, relax. I come in peace,” she made a peace sign with her fingers.

“Today…” she trailed off, her words laden with meaning. I clenched my teeth; she had the audacity to walk in here as if she hadn’t shattered our lives. I had endured years of physical and emotional abuse at her hands.

She settled into Lucian’s chair and glanced over the menu as if it were an ordinary day. Lucian turned to face me, and concern etched on his features yet offering reassurance.

“Can I have un pan au chocolat and a coffee, please?” she requested with a hint of a French accent, accompanied by a flirtatious smile.