Rebirth Of The Rejected Luna Chapter 210: Not Good Enough

Tiana's POV

The palace felt off after the attack. It wasn't just the obvious things like the bloodstains on the floor and the smell of death in the air. There was something deeper going on. The whole place felt like it was on edge.

People looked at me differently now. I knew I was still an outsider, no matter how hard I fought for this place. Trust wasn't something that came easily here, and right now, it was more valuable than gold.

As I walked through the dark hallways, my mind kept circling back to what the Bridge Man had said. "The man who took the fall for the murder you were accused of had friends in the palace." "They weren't powerful, but they wanted revenge." "They thought the king was just as guilty as you."

I hadn't thought much about the man who died in my place. I hadn't let myself. But now, I knew he wasn't innocent. He had killed someone before. Did that make it easier to accept? Did that make it right? I didn't know, and I didn't have time to figure it out.

Because something bigger was coming, and I needed to be ready. I could feel it in my bones. The palace was on edge, and I was right there with it. I needed to stay focused and stay alert. Whatever was coming, I needed to be ready to face it head-on.

*+*+*+*+*+*+

I wasn't surprised when I didn't get invited to the meeting. But it still hurts. Peter found me later in the east wing, his face tense and hard to read.

"They don't trust anyone right now," he said. "It's not just you." But that didn't make me feel any better.

"What did they talk about?" I asked. Peter looked around cautiously before answering in a low voice.

"Security. The spies. They're sure someone on the inside helped the assassins get in. Someone who knew the palace layout really well."

I let out a sharp breath. I had suspected as much.

"They're also..." Peter hesitated. "They're putting together a team." My stomach twisted with anxiety.

"For what?" I asked. Peter's silence was enough. My fingers curled into fists. So, I was good enough to fight when the palace was under attack, but not good enough to be trusted with whatever came next?

No way. If there was a mission, if something was happening, I was going to be part of it. I turned sharply and walked away.

"Talia—" Peter called after me.

"Later," I said over my shoulder. I had things to do. I was going to find out what was going on, and I was going to make sure I was included.

*+*+*+*+*+*

I found Commander Rhylen at the training grounds, exactly where I thought he'd be. He was watching the warriors spar, his arms crossed and his face expressionless. I didn't waste any time.

"I want in," I said. He barely looked at me.

"No," he replied. My jaw tightened.

"I fought during the attack," I reminded him. "I killed—"

"So did many others," he interrupted. I stepped in front of him, forcing him to meet my eyes.

"You need fighters," I said. "I am one." He sighed and turned fully toward me.

"You're untested," he said. "New. You could be a risk." I clenched my fists.

"I risked my life for this palace," I said. "If I wanted anyone dead, I would have let the assassins do their job." He studied me for a long moment, then smirked.

"Fine," he said. "You want in? Prove yourself." He nodded toward the training grounds, where a group of warriors were sparring. His eyes landed on one of them—a huge man with a scar running down his cheek.

"Defeat him," Commander Rhylen said. I barely had time to process before the man stepped forward, cracking his knuckles. So this was a test. Fine. I wasn't going to fail.

"+"+"+"+"+"

He moved fast for someone his size. I barely dodged his first strike, rolling out of the way just in time. The force of his swing alone would have broken something if it had connected. I didn't have time to think. He came at me again.

This time, I blocked, but the impact sent a jolt through my arms, forcing me back a few steps. He was too strong, too heavy. I needed to be smarter. I let him advance, dodging and weaving, letting him think I was retreating.

Then, when he overextended, I struck. A kick to the knee. A sharp jab to his ribs. He grunted but didn't go down. I didn't stop. I kept moving, kept striking, using every trick I knew to try and take him down.

I moved like fire, fast and relentless. I ducked under a swing, slammed my elbow into his stomach, and then twisted, aiming a knee at his jaw.

He caught me off guard, and for a split second, I was weightless. Then I was slammed onto the ground, the air forced out of my lungs. Pain exploded through my back, making it hard to breathe.

He pinned me down, his grip tightening. "Give up," he growled. But I refused. I twisted sharply, slamming my forehead into his nose. There was a sickening crack, and he flinched, loosening his grip.

That was all the chance I needed. My knee shot up, straight into his gut. He choked out a breath, and then I was on top of him, flipping our positions. My dagger was pressed against his throat, and he froze.

The only sounds were our heavy breathing and the metallic tang of blood in the air. Commander Rhylen chuckled, breaking the silence.

"Well done," he said, stepping forward. He nodded in approval. "You're in." I didn't move, still pinning the warrior to the ground.

*+*+*+*+*

I cleaned the blood off my hands, wincing at the sting of my wounds. But it was a satisfying pain. I had won. I had forced my way into the mission.

As I stared at my reflection in the water basin, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I had just stepped into something much bigger and more complicated than I was prepared for.

The Bridge Man's words echoed in my mind. "You think you understand what's happening, but you don't." I let out a deep breath. I had fought to be included, but now I had to survive what came next.