Not Our Luna

Zayden’s POV

“Sienna,” I muttered against her neck as she settled herself onto my lap with a satisfied little smirk.

Soft music drifted through my chambers while firelight flickered across the walls, casting golden shadows over the room. The scent of vanilla and wine clung heavily to the air. Honestly, if Raiden walked in right now, he’d probably lecture me for an hour about responsibility and dignity.

Sienna slid her hands down my chest slowly, nails dragging lightly across my skin as she tilted her head up toward me. “My king,” she purred sweetly.

“There’s that voice again.” I smirked. “You only use that tone when you want something.”

“Maybe I already have what I want,”

“Dangerous statement.”

She laughed softly before leaning closer, lips brushing my jaw while her fingers worked at the buckle of my belt. “You’re distracted tonight,” she whispered.

“I run a kingdom. Being distracted comes with the crown.”

“Mm. Poor king.”

I rolled my eyes dramatically. “The sympathy is overwhelming.”

Sienna laughed again before shifting lower between my legs, keeping her gaze locked onto mine the entire time. She clearly enjoyed the attention almost as much as I enjoyed giving it.

Honestly, I respected the confidence.

“You know,” Onyx drawled lazily inside my head, “Raiden’s going to smell this room and judge you silently.”

“He judges loudly,” I laughed out.

Sienna’s hands slid upward again while she pressed teasing kisses against my stomach. The girl knew exactly what she was doing, and judging by the smug little smile she wore, she knew I knew it too.

Manipulative. I liked it.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked softly.

The second the words left her mouth, the palace doors slammed open hard enough to shake the walls.

Well. There it was.

Lorna stormed inside looking absolutely furious while two other Waiting Ladies hurried behind her trying, and failing, to keep up. “You sneaky little slut!” Lorna screeched.

Sienna blinked once before slowly standing from the floor beside me.

I leaned back against the couch with a tired sigh. “And here comes tonight’s entertainment.”

Lorna marched forward dramatically, heels clicking against marble as she pointed directly at Sienna. “What gives you the right to be all over my man?”

Sienna stared at her blankly for half a second before laughing outright. “Your man?” she repeated. “There’s no ring on his finger, sweetheart.”

Oh this was getting interesting.

Lorna’s face turned bright red. “You have no right touching him!”

“And you do?” Sienna shot back with a raised brow.

“Yes! Everyone knows I’m the future Luna!” Lorna screamed from the top of her lungs.

Onyx started cackling. Obviously finding this funny. I pinched the bridge of my nose. Moon Goddess help me. Before I could speak, Lorna slapped Sienna across the face.

Then Sienna calmly turned back toward her and punched her square in the mouth.

Hard.

Lorna stumbled backward with a scream while one of the side tables crashed sideways beside her.

“Well,” I muttered. “That escalated beautifully.”

“You’re enjoying this too much,” Onyx snorted.

“A little,” I admitted.

“Enough!” Raiden’s voice thundered through the room before the entire atmosphere shifted instantly.

My brother stepped into the chambers looking one second away from killing somebody. Dark clothes. Sharp stare. Pure irritation radiating from every inch of him.

His eyes flickered across the overturned furniture, Lorna clutching her face, Sienna looking ready for round two, and finally landed on me.

“Brother,” I greeted calmly.

“Don’t brother me.” Raiden narrowed his eyes. “What the hell am I looking at?”

I gestured vaguely around the room. “A misunderstanding.”

“A misunderstanding,” he repeated flatly. “Interesting. Because from where I’m standing it looks like a brothel exploded.”

Sienna coughed trying not to laugh.

Lorna immediately rushed toward Raiden dramatically. “My king, she attacked me.”

“And why exactly did she attack you?” Raiden asked coldly.

“Because she refuses to accept I’ll be the next Luna!”

The entire room froze. Then my brother slowly blinked once. Dangerous.

Very dangerous.

“And who,” Raiden said carefully, “told you that?”

Lorna hesitated slightly. Beside her, Mary stepped forward quickly with a bright smile plastered across her face. “My king, everyone knows Lorna is your future Luna.”

Absolutely the wrong thing to say. Raiden’s expression darkened instantly. “And you are?”

Mary straightened proudly. “Mary, my king. One of the Waiting Ladies.” She reached toward his arm flirtatiously.

Big mistake.

Raiden immediately stepped away from her touch like she carried disease. “Do not put your hands on me without permission,” he said sharply.

Mary paled immediately. “I…. I….apologize, my king.”

Silence swallowed the room. Honestly, I almost felt bad for her.

Almost.

Raiden turned toward all of them slowly, irritation practically rolling off him in waves. “Let me make something perfectly clear since confusion apparently thrives inside this palace.” His voice cut through the room like a blade. “Neither my brother nor I are choosing mates from this arrangement the elders forced together.”

Lorna opened her mouth. He held up a hand instantly. “Not another word.”

She snapped her mouth shut.

“You are guests within this palace. Nothing more. Stop acting like crowns have already been handed out because I promise none of you are becoming Luna Queens through manipulation, gossip, or delusion.”

Onyx nearly howled laughing inside my head.

Raiden glanced toward me briefly. “And you.” He narrowed his eyes. “Control your disasters. Maybe even try keeping your dick in your pants for once,” he rolled his eyes so hard I thought his eyes would stick.

“I try.”

“No you don’t.”

With one final irritated look around the room, my brother turned and headed toward the doors.

“Raiden,” I started.

He stopped briefly. “What.”

“You seem tense,” I chuckled.

He stared at me like murder was genuinely on the table. “You’re unbelievable.” Then he disappeared down the hallway.

The second he left, Lorna spun back toward Sienna furiously. “This is your fault!”

“Oh please.” Sienna rolled her eyes. “You walked in screaming like a lunatic.”

“You little tramp….”

Before she could finish, Sienna punched her again. Directly in the face.

I blinked slowly. “Well damn.”

Mary gasped loudly while helping Lorna back upright. “Know your place, you gutter slut!” Mary snapped at Sienna. “Everyone knows Lorna belongs beside the kings.”

“Belongs?” Sienna scoffed. “Sweetheart, nobody here belongs to anybody.”

“Enough!” I barked finally.

Silence dropped instantly.

I stood from the couch adjusting my shirt with a long sigh. “Guards,” I called sharply.

Several palace guards appeared within seconds.

“Escort the ladies back to their quarters. And for the love of the Moon Goddess, keep them separated before somebody loses teeth.” I rolled my eyes as irritation set in fully now.

“Yes, my king.” A chorus of apologies and angry muttering filled the room while the guards began ushering everybody toward the doors.

Peace at last. For approximately three seconds. Then Gamma Ryker’s voice slammed through the mindlink. “My kings. Rogues at the south border.”

Every trace of amusement vanished instantly.

“How many?” Raiden demanded through the link.

“Twenty to twenty-five. More moving through the tree line. This attack was planned.”

Onyx growled lowly. Clearly sensing the danger. I grabbed my weapons immediately. “We’re on our way.”