The Abandoned Luna's Journey to Power Chapter 377: Shameless

Cindy's POV:

"Now that's what I call sharing in the blessings!" Stick protested, rubbing his backside as he shamelessly edged his way back toward the queue. "The Moon Goddess's radiance is infinite, is it not? What harm is there in a second helping?"

"Sharing in blessings? You look more like you're stocking up for market!" Viola shot back with a laugh.

Stick took no offense. Quick as a shadow, he dodged and weaved, refusing to be driven off. His brazenness proved so infectious that soon everyone was laughing at his antics.

"Alright, alright. Give him some."

I was laughing hard enough that my sides ached, waving for Jewel to toss him another handful.

Tyrone accepted his winnings like a man crowned in glory, grinning so wide it was almost radiant.

But would you believe it? Just as the distribution was winding down, the rogue reappeared yet again, this time with his face smeared in soot scraped from the bottom of a cooking pot. He attempted to join the queue for a third round!

Even Adam had reached his limit. He seized Stick by the scruff and deposited him unceremoniously beside the roasting spit. "One more attempt at fraud, and tomorrow's guard training will be doubled."

That, at last, did the trick. Tyrone behaved himself after that, settling down with a rack of lamb and keeping his ambitions in check.

The fire painted every face in shades of gold and amber, and laughter echoed across the estate grounds until it seemed to shake the very rafters.

I leaned back against Adam's chest, watching this raucous assembly of friends and faithful servants. The lingering shadow of Sephiria's passing, the suffocating undercurrents of court politics... All of it dissolved in the presence of something so vivid, so alive.

This was what I had wanted. A home filled with warmth, life, and joy.

The revelry continued until dawn began to creep across the horizon.

A faint line of pale gold appeared in the east.

The servants had long since retired, leaving behind scattered barrels and the faint scent of spilled drink.

Astra, still only a child, had succumbed hours ago, slumped in his chair in deep sleep.

"I'll take him back to his room," Tyrone muttered, a hint of a slur in his voice as he rose. Despite the drink, his movements were careful as he lifted Astra into his arms and carried him toward the rear wing.

"We should rest as well."

Adam turned to me, and in the first light of morning, his golden eyes seemed deeper than I had ever seen them.

He did not wait for my answer. In one smooth motion, he bent and lifted me into his arms.

A startled sound slipped from me as I instinctively looped my arms around his neck. "What are you doing? I can walk..."

"The night is always too short," he murmured, a low note of amusement threading through his voice as he carried me toward the bedroom. "Even when it becomes morning. And after all the generosity you showed tonight, as your mate, I think I'm entitled to a reward of my own."

"You're shameless..."

I buried my burning face against his chest.

The bedchamber door swung shut behind us, and the heavy crimson curtains descended, sealing out the rising sun and all the weariness of the world beyond.

...

Sleep claimed me completely, deep and unbroken. And exhausting.

When I finally opened my eyes again, the blackout curtains were still drawn tight, but a thin blade of sunlight slipped through the edges, hinting that the day was already well past noon.

Every muscle in my body ached with a sweet, familiar soreness that served as vivid testimony to the stamina of that "reward-seeking" Alpha from the night before.

I stirred with a soft wince, attempting to sit up, when the door swung open with a decisive thump.

"Well, look who's finally awake. Sun's practically setting, Your Highness."

Viola strolled in, balancing a tray of juice and pastries as if she owned the place. She set it down on the bedside table, her gaze immediately sharpening with mischief as it swept over the thoroughly disordered bed and me.

The smile that followed was nothing short of insufferable. "Well, well... Seems His Highness truly lives up to his reputation. Even you, who could run 12 miles with full gear back at the academy, can't get out of bed today." She clicked her tongue in mock amazement. "If word of this got back, I'm sure it would leave half the academy speechless."

"Viola!"

Heat flared across my face. I grabbed a pillow and hurled it at her without hesitation. "You've got some nerve. Get out! I need to change!"

"Peace, peace! I yield!" Viola caught the pillow with practiced ease and settled herself on the edge of the bed, her expression shifting from mischief to something more serious. "Drink your juice first. I came on business. Fern's hawk has returned."

That was enough to sharpen my focus entirely. "What did Blaze Pack say?" I asked, already bracing myself. "Has the council started applying pressure? Did they agree to Prince Niall's proposal?"