The Kiphir bintrayal fose of the Rejected Lung Chapter 20 The Queen's Wing I wake to soft breathing on either side of me . Finn's hand is thrown across my waist , and Ivy is curled beneath my arm like a kitten , her lashes dark against her pink cheeks . For a moment , the world is beautiful . There are no whispers , no threats , no Izel . Only my children , and a soothing peace . The curtains sway with morning wind . Dust motes dance in the pale light , cutting through cracked glass . This room hasn't been used in years . The Queen's Wing - the oldest part of the keep , shuttered since the last High Luna died . It is said to be naturally guarded - the walls themselves embedded with centuries - old protective magic . I don't want to think of why Kade let me come here , or why he let me keep Ivy and Finn with me . Is his heart slowly changing ? Is he seeing Izel for what she truly is ? No , I won't let myself hope . At least nothing from him . I trusted and loved and cared enough about that man . I don't want to give him another piece of me , no matter how small . I run a hand through Ivy's soft curls . It smells of lavender and Brin's salve , not of smoke or fear . The ugly burn on her shoulder is now a faint pink patch . " How do you feel , sweetheart ? " I whisper . " Ivy , does it hurt anymore ? " Ivy blinks awake , yawning . " Not hurting , " she mumbles . Relief floods me so hard it makes my eyes sting . " Good . That's Brin's magic and the Moon's mercy both . " Finn stirs beside us , mumbling , " Mama , it's bright ." I laugh softly . " That's what happens when the sun remembers this room exists . " He squints around . " It's big . And broken ." " Then we'll fix it , " I tell him . " Piece by piece ." *** By breakfast , we're sitting on the rug near the hearth . There isn't a table yet ; the old one's legs were rotted through . A tray of porridge and honeyed milk rests between us . " Let me feed you , " I tell them , scooping a spoonful toward Ivy . 1/4 21:36 Wed , Oct 15 Chaper 20 The Queen Wing She shakes her head . " I can do it . " Finished For a moment , I think she'll mention Izel , or cry about wanting to go to her , but that doesn't happen . So I quickly rush my words . " Allow me . " I smile . " Just once . " She opens her mouth obediently . Honey sticks to her lip , and she giggles when I wipe it away with my thumb . Finn leans close , pretending disgust . " She's sticky , Mama . " " So are you , " I tease , dabbing a bit of porridge on his nose . He laughs softly in return . Nyx hums in approval inside me . " This is what home sounds like . A knock interrupts us . Tamsin steps in , ducking under the arch . Her braid is wind - tossed , armor still dusted from training . " You look alive again , " she says , glancing at the children . " And they look happier . " " They should be ," I reply . " They finally slept next to their mother . No influence of any glamor . " Tamsin's jaw tightens . " About that - some of the household women came to me this morning . They want to see you . They say they owe you thanks . " I blink . " Thanks ? " " For saving the little one . For standing up to Izel , and ... to the Alpha's misbehavior . You showed strength at the Hunt Display and proved your worth ." She pauses , lowering her voice . " They're ready to swear to you , Freya . " Finn looks up . " Swear ? Like a promise ? " " Yes , " I say slowly . My witness circle for the Severance , I think , my heart burning with hope . " Like a promise that binds wolves . " Tamsin nods . " They're waiting in the outer hall . " I set down the bowl and stand . " Then let's not keep them waiting . " The outer hall still smells of moth and stone . Sunlight glimmers through cracked windows , Old portraits line the walls - Lunas of centuries past , their eyes proud and knowing . A dozen women stand in a rough circle . Some wear aprons stained with flour , some leather guard tunics . Two warriors hover near the back , hands to hearts . When I step in , silence falls . " Luna Freya ," one of the cooks says . " We heard the Queen's Wing was opened again . We wanted to offer our help - if you'll have us . " 2/4 21 36 Wed , Oct 15 op 20 The uptick Wing 200 " Why would I not ? " I ask them quietly . " You must hate us for following Izel ," another murmurs . I sigh . " I don't think you fully had control over who you followed then ." Now that Nyx is unmuzzled , they understand my authority once again . Whatever glamour Izel used before no longer works on them . Tamsin folds her arms . " They're here for vows , " I step forward . " Then say them ." The eldest woman kneels first , pressing her palm to the floor . " By the Moon's witness , I swear my service to the true Luna of Silvercrest . " One by one , the others follow . Knees meet stone . Something tightens in my throat . I kneel too , meeting their bowed heads . " Then I swear in return to protect you as my pack , to lead you with honor , and to never again let fear or treachery rule this house . " Later , after the women scatter to clean and light fires , I wander deeper into the wing . The air grows cooler . The corridor narrows , ending at a locked archway . Ivy toddles beside me , clutching my skirt . " What's in there ? " " I don't know , little moon . " I push the heavy door . It groans but yields . Inside lies an old council chamber , long forgotten . The walls are shrouded in cobwebs , but a faint shimmer catches my eye . I brush dust away and freeze . A mural stretches across the stone , dulled by age but intact . Figures of women stand beneath painted moons , each haloed in silver . High Lunas , the first of the pack , their eyes bright even through the grime . Each bears a mark - variedly patterned crescents etched upon a shoulder , a palm , a throat . I trace one near the center . The woman's hair is dark like mine . Her crown bears the same sapphire pattern as my diadem . But what makes my heart stop is the symbol glowing faintly at her collarbone - a silvered crescent identical to the scar on my own skin . Finn edges closer . " That's you , Mama . " 574 3/4 21:36 Wed , Oct 15 Thayer 20 The Queen WING " No. " I whisper , but I know denial is useless . " That was long before me . " Ivy tilts her head . " She's smiling ." " She is , " I say softly , fingers trembling . " Maybe she knew I'd find her . " 零 Finished Nyx's voice ripples through me . The line never ended . It only slept - waiting for you to wake it . Tamsin approaches from behind , wiping her hand across another section of wall . More symbols emerge - wolves encircling moons , threads connecting each Luna's mark to the next . " What does it mean ? " she asks . " I don't really know , " I whisper , dropping my gaze to my feet , feeling like an imposter . How would she react if she knew I bore the same mark ? The prophecy , I think . Rowan said the High Luna would unite empires . Now , as I glance up at the mural again , a strange feeling settles in my chest , something that feels very much like determination . Once , this place belonged to forgotten queens . Now it belongs to me . And if the Moon Goddess truly marked me , then let the world remember what a Luna can become when she finally stops bowing . Send Gifts ( 21 36 Wed , Oct 15