Rebirth Of The Rejected Luna Chapter 218: Her Body. My Soul

Tiana's POV

Peter turned to me with an expression that was hard to read, but his eyes seemed to be hiding something. "As the new commander, you'll be getting new living quarters," he said, his voice calm and controlled. "Something better suited for someone in your position." I was taken aback by the sudden announcement. "New quarters? But I'm fine where I am."

Peter raised an eyebrow, a tiny smile playing on his lips. "You were sleeping in a tiny room that's barely big enough for a bed, Talia. You deserve something better." I started to argue, to tell him that I didn't mind the small space, that I had gotten used to it. But the look on Peter's face told me it was no use. He had already made up his mind.

Without saying another word, Peter gestured for me to follow him. I hesitated for just a moment before walking beside him. As we moved through the barracks, I could feel the eyes of dozens of soldiers on us. They whispered to each other in soft voices, their words echoing off the stone walls. Some looked unsure, while others seemed angry. The fight earlier had made most of them stop openly disobeying me, but I knew it would take time to earn their loyalty.

I could feel their judgment weighing heavily on me, making it hard to breathe. Peter seemed to notice how I was feeling. "They're watching you," he whispered. I let out a quiet laugh. "I know." Peter looked at me, sizing me up. "Just give it time. They'll start to trust you."

I wasn’t so sure about that. Loyalty wasn’t something easily earned, especially not in a place like this. But I didn’t say that aloud. Instead, I nodded, keeping my focus ahead as we moved through the winding halls of the palace.

After a few more turns, we finally stopped in front of a big, heavy wooden door. Peter reached for the iron handle and pushed it open, showing me the room inside. I took a step forward, and my breath caught in my throat. The room was much nicer than anything I was used to.

The walls were covered in shiny, dark wood panels. There was a real bed with thick blankets and a comfortable mattress against the far wall. There was a large closet, a sturdy desk, and even a fireplace with a small fire burning in the corner. It all felt too fancy, too luxurious, and too permanent. I let out a deep breath.

"This is... surprising," I said. Peter leaned against the doorframe, smiling slightly. "Now that you're in charge, you should get used to having nicer things."

Before I could say anything, a group of servants came in, carrying my few belongings. They quickly and efficiently put my clothes away in the closet and arranged my weapons on the wall. I watched them, feeling a bit disconnected from everything. It was like I was watching someone else's life, not my own.

Peter moved closer, his voice softer now. "They'll be done soon," he said. I nodded, still taking everything in. "How does it feel?" he asked. I swallowed hard, trying to find the right words. "It's overwhelming," I admitted. "I didn't ask for any of this."

Peter tilted his head slightly. "Maybe not, but you deserve it," he said. I turned to look at him, searching his face for any sign of mocking or condescension. But there was none. Just Peter, standing close enough that I could feel his warmth.

The last of the servants finished their work and bowed slightly before leaving the room, closing the door behind them. And then, suddenly, it was just the two of us. The silence between us was thick and heavy, like a weight that was hard to ignore.

Peter’s gaze flickered down to my lips. "Talia…"

I knew what was going to happen before it did. The tension between us had been building for weeks, and it was impossible to ignore. Peter hesitated for just a moment before he stepped closer and kissed me. It was a hard, urgent kiss that took my breath away. I grabbed onto his shirt, unable to control my actions, pulling him closer, and his hands found my waist.

A strange feeling started to build in my chest, like something was shifting inside me. I started to panic, feeling like I was losing control. Erika, the presence inside me, was stirring, pushing against my own thoughts and feelings. I tried to fight it, but she was stronger than before. I, as Tiana, did not want this but Erika did. It was her body performing the actions. Why was I bothered if my soul was present in the body? Why did it feel like my body was betraying me?

The kiss deepened, and it felt reckless and desperate. We were doing something we shouldn't be doing, but we couldn't seem to stop. Or at least he could not stop and Erika's body and soul could not stop. It was like I was a spectator but then...

I held onto Peter tightly, hoping that would keep me from feeling overwhelmed. He groaned against my lips, pressing me back against the desk, his hands touching me everywhere. But then, just as suddenly as it had started, everything stopped. Someone knocked on the door, breaking the spell. We pulled away from each other, both of us breathing hard.

I muttered under my breath, trying to calm my racing heart. Peter looked just as confused, his chest rising and falling as he ran a hand through his hair. The knock came again. I turned toward the door, my hands shaking a bit as I opened it. Lord Dune stood there, his sharp eyes looking at Peter and me. A knowing smile played on his lips.

"I just wanted to congratulate you," he said smoothly. "But I see you're... busy." His tone implied that he knew exactly what was going on before he interrupted us.