Chapter 45 Piper arrives 2

Chapter 45: Chapter 45 Piper arrives 2

Talia’s POV

I stared in shock at Piper, still trying to understand what she had just said.

"I do not know the details." Piper leaned closer. "But I heard her talking with Celeste, and they were laughing about it. They said the Luna Celebration would be your end."

They were laughing? Like my pain was a joke? Like everything I had survived meant nothing? I felt the anger rise in my chest, hot and sharp. I pressed my nails into my palms to keep from screaming, and I whispered to myself, ’Not yet.’

I could not break yet. But someday, I would make them pay.

The Luna Celebration. Aldric had mentioned it, and said it was a celebration to welcome me as Luna, and it would be held at Mooncrest Hall.

Vivienne would be there, and she was planning something.

"How do you know?" I asked.

"I snuck into the pack house after everyone was asleep, because I heard Vivienne tell Celeste that they would talk about it that night. So I went in, and I hid in the hallway outside her room." Piper’s voice was shaking. "I know it was dangerous, but I had to find out what they were planning."

"You could have been caught," I said with fear in my voice.

"I know," Piper said.

"You also could have been killed by Vivienne if she had caught you," I said.

"I know, Talia." Piper grabbed my hands. "But you are my best friend, so I was not going to let them destroy you without a warning."

I stared at her as my eyes were burning with tears.

"Thank you," I whispered.

Piper squeezed my hands. "That is what friends are for."

We sat in silence for a moment as the fire crackled, and the shadows danced on the walls.

"What are you going to do?" Piper asked.

"I do not know yet," I answered truthfully.

"You need to be careful, Talia. Vivienne is not stupid, and whatever she is planning will be very dangerous," Piper warned.

"I know," I said, smiling lightly.

"And you cannot tell anyone you heard it from me," she warned again.

"I will not," I said with my hand on my chest.

Piper stood up. "I should go. I cannot stay long, because if someone finds me here..."

"You are right." I stood up too. "But you cannot walk back tonight. It is dark and cold, and you need to rest."

"I cannot stay here," Piper argued.

"You can stay with Nora, the kitchen maid. She is kind, and she will not ask questions," I said.

Piper hesitated, then she nodded. "Okay."

I walked to the door and opened it. I looked up and down the hallway, and it was empty.

"Come on," I said. "I will take you to her."

We walked through the pack house in silence. The torches flickered, and the shadows danced on the walls. Wolves passed us, but they did not look twice.

I led Piper to the servants’ quarters and knocked on Nora’s door.

Nora opened it, and her eyes widened when she saw me and Piper.

"This is my friend," I said. "She needs a place to stay tonight for just one night."

Nora looked at Piper, then she looked at me, before she stepped aside.

"Come in," she said.

Piper hugged me one more time. "Be careful," she whispered.

"I will," I answered.

Then she disappeared inside, and Nora closed the door.

I stood there for a long moment, staring at the wood. Piper was safe here, for now, and that was all that mattered. I pressed my hand against the door and whispered, "Thank you."

I did not know if she heard me, but I meant it. She had walked three days to warn me, and I would not waste her sacrifice.

I stood in the hallway for another short moment, staring at the closed door. Then I turned and walked back to my room.

Kaelen was there when I returned.

He was sitting on the edge of the bed, with his elbows on his knees, and his head bowed. He looked up when I walked in.

"Where were you?" he asked.

"Walking," I managed to say.

He studied my face. "You have been crying."

"No, I have not," I argued.

"Your eyes are red," he said, pointing at my face.

"That’s because I was watching the sunset," I lied.

He did not believe me, and I could see it in his eyes. But he did not push it.

He stood up and walked to the bathroom. "Do not stay up too late."

Then he was gone.

I stood in the middle of the room, staring at the closed bathroom door, with thoughts running through my head.

Piper was here, Vivienne was planning something, the Luna Celebration was coming, and I had no idea what to do.

I walked to the window and pressed my forehead against the glass. The valley was dark now, and the stars were starting to come out.

I thought about Piper, about Nora, about Kaelen, and about all the people who had shown me kindness when they did not have to.

I knew that I was not alone. Not anymore, and that had to be enough.