Page 114 of The Vixen

I have.

I didn’t realize how much until now.

Liberty was my responsibility,mineto protect, but Luna made me promises. If I’d known this would happen, if I’d known how limited her power was…

How could I bring Liberty here? How could I bringanyonehere?

Luna’s icy demeanor begins to thaw, first in her eyes then in her shoulders. If shame weren’t the cause, maybe I’d be glad. “I let Persephone stay in my library last night. She found the check I wrote for you and brought it to my father.” She glances at Liberty. “Everything he did was in retaliation for my betrayal… I’m sorry.

“But thatgirl,” Luna scoffs before I can respond. “She’s obviously a problem I need gone, so just… Take her with you.”

Her gaze breaks from mine, her breath unsteady. If I didn’t know her, I’d believe her disdain. The story of the vengeful witch, cutting prisoners free just to spite her father, wouldn’t seem so unstable. I’d buy it all, and it would be so incredibly easy to hate her—like denouncing a Disney villain, censoring a psychopath. Condemning a trafficker.

I’m not that lucky.

I cup her spared cheek and bring her to look at me. It’s terrible luck that the trees block the sun, because in its absence, Luna’s Icy blue eyes pierce my chest. I’m reminded of themoment we met, standing in this very forest, my tongue halfway down my throat as I tried to ignore that twitch in my gut. She’s a greater casualty now, as my captor, than she ever was as my captive.

The most ferocious of cages have invisible walls; no need to run when you think you’re free.

I open my mouth as if potent enough words exist, but instead press my blue lips to hers. My thumb smooths a path along her cheek bone.

I want to say thank you, but I’m not thankful. I’m just sorry.

“Come with us,” I whisper as I pull back. “I’ll show you the world. I’ll keep you safe… Please.”

When she tenses, a final breath ghosts my lips. A second of anticipation passes, but there’s no real question what her answer will be.

The warmth of her cheek recedes. She takes two calculated steps and rolls her shoulders. From wounded doe to Ice Queen, crown and all.

“I have to say, I’m disappointed things didn’t work out, Dreg.” She swallows and tucks her hands in her pockets. “Maybe in another life…”

With that, she gives one last glance at Liberty and crosses the river on a fallen tree. Her hands cradle her ribs as she rises onto the stump. I watch her disappear into the trees, white hair blending with the snow.

My breath fogs with a heavy sigh.

I’d forgotten the cold.

CHAPTER 31

LUNA

Icount four distinct sources of cracking pain along my rib-cage. They seem to take turns depending on movement—an unrelenting ache as I breathe, an agonizing jut as I turn, a sharp burst when I bend. One break, three fractures, if I have to guess, though I try not to.

No one is here to see me wrap the bandage around my torso, but I still don’t cringe. My abs flex, teeth biting down so hard there’s pressure in my ears. If I cried, no one would know; not a soul would hear if I hissed. From my understanding, a normal woman wouldn’t care either way.

I don’t know why that makes me feel… pensive. My face remains impassive, my eyes clear as I watch my hands maneuver the bandage as if they belong to someone else. The thoughts that come feel even less like mine.

I wonder how sand feels.

Like dirt … probably. Or grainier, like tiny pieces of rock. But it doesn’t hurt to walk on, otherwise ‘sand between my toes’ wouldn’t be a sentimental cliché. And Sawyer wouldn’t take another step.

I bet he’ll live by the beach.

Not New England. Somewhere warmer—the Caribbean maybe, or Australia. Someplace safe, someplace lively. Beautiful, like the photos. Beautiful, like his island. Beautiful, like him.

I try to picture it. Try to be happy.

A knock sounds on my door as I’m pulling my shirt down. After a few seconds of me not answering, Thorne slowly steps inside.