The Hidden Luna Queen 2

Maeve POV

This was Xaden's mother...

I couldn't take my eyes off her. She was every bit I imagined a Luna Queen to be. Where the brash and terrifying Alpha King Arlan radiated unrestrained power and dominance with a mere glance, she glowed like a heavenly maiden that had fallen far beyond the Moon Goddess's

boundless skies, where even just breathing could settle the most chaotic of rooms-a perfect counterpart to her husband.

Whoever her successor was would have much to live up to.

It wasn't until she spoke again that I realized with embarrassment that I'd been staring.

"I cherish your visits, my darling," Luna Queen Leonora murmured, beaming at her son with otherworldly grace and brilliance that I never thought possible from a living being. "It seems I hardly get to see you anymore." Although it hadn't been directed at me, the guilt flowed unbidden.

Again, I couldn't help but feel like I was taking away whatever spare time that was usually reserved for his family.

Xaden dipped his head, a loving show of respect for the woman before him-far from the way he exhibited himself to his father. "Forgive me, Mother. I don't mean to neglect you. I've been preoccupied with other matters." "So I hear." Suddenly, she focused her attention on me, and out of instinct, I hovered closer to Xaden, much like a child would hide behind their parent from a stranger. “And who is this little gem on your arm? Is this...?" Judging by the expectant look on her face, she had either already heard whatever capital rumors were circulating or had heard from Xaden personally about our involvement. But I had no idea to what extent she was aware. I swallowed hard before curtsying. "I-I'm Maeve, Your Majesty," I said, hoping that was enough of an introduction.

"I can finally meet the one who turned my boy's head? Oh, look at you-" she cooed, reaching out for me. I prepared to flinch away, thinking she would grab or smack me like Father or Victoria had done many times before, but instead, she gently stroked my hair as she gazed at me while I stood frozen, unsure what to do or if I could move. If you are not reading this novel on Jobni_b.com, some sentences are incomplete. “I can see so much in those big, expressive eyes of yours." No one had ever touched me like this before... was it a good thing?

Upon realizing how stiff I had become under her touch, she removed her hand. "You needn't be afraid of me, darling," she added softly.

"I should hope not," Xaden commented, sounding bitter. "Father already did a number on her just now."

The smile on her lips fell. "What did he do?" she asked.

With growing agitation, Xaden recounted what had happened in the hours leading up to and during the meeting with his father. As he spoke, an array of different emotions flashed across the queen's face, from

shock to outrage to sadness as she flickered between him and me, making me feel a bit awkward.

The Luna Queen turned to me with pity. "I'm sorry, my dear. The king can be quite blunt and rude at times."

I smiled in an attempt to reassure her. "It's fine..."

However kind and understanding she might have seemed, I didn't want to speak poorly of her husband to her face. It was not my place and I didn't want to seem like an ungrateful guest in her home. "No, it's not," Xaden insisted with a frown.

"My son is right. And unfortunately, nothing I could say or do would be enough to undo what he said," she continued solemnly, "but I hope what I am about to offer you would suffice for the time being."

The way she said that, as if she had something planned for me, made my stomach twist with nerves. What did she have in mind?

But then Luna Queen Leonora smiled at me, bright and hopeful and kind." I would love the chance to take you under my wing," she said, seemingly in earnest. Her face showed no signs of deception and she had spoken without wavering. She... meant it?

My mouth parted open in surprise. "Your Highness...?"

"Please, come visit me in my parlor tomorrow morning," she insisted, leaning closer with eagerness and excitement. "I would be delighted to do whatever I can to help you feel more at home and confident. For starters, we can hold some etiquette lessons, since that was such a big concern."

Was the Luna Queen really offering such a thing? It sounded like the deal of a lifetime, to learn what I needed and to have an opportunity to bond one-on-one with Xaden's mother. But surely, she had better things to do than get involved with someone like me. "... I don't want to impose," I said, feeling uncertain.

"Nonsense, it would be my pleasure," she entreated. "I want to do this for you, not just as my son's Luna, but woman-to-woman. This world has always been unkind to us, so it is our responsibility to find strength anywhere we can and persevere, even when it seems impossible. I want to help you-show everyone who's ever dared to put you down just how foolish they were to doubt you."

The thought was daunting, but oh so tempting. I knew all too well how severely I was lacking in many areas. All my life, I was only ever capable of embarrassing those around me or messing things up.