All Chapters of STAINED BY THE MOON : Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Lucas’s pov "Continue baking," I said. "Sell your bread. Feed your daughter. And when you're able, when you have surplus, contribute what you can to the village stores. That will be enough payment.""I..." Her voice failed. She pressed a hand to her mouth, shoulders shaking. Then, before I could stop her, she dropped to her knees on the threshold, sobbing. "Thank you, my lord. Thank you. I don't... I don't know what to say. I thought... I thought you'd take the cottage. Or worse. I thought my daughter would starve. I thought…""Stand up," I said, more gently than I intended. The sight of her on her knees made something twist uncomfortably in my chest. "There's no need for that."She rose shakily, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand, leaving more flour streaks on her tear-stained face. She looked at me like I was something holy, something miraculous. Like I had just granted her salvation itself.The child tugged at her mother's skirt. "Mama? Why are you crying?"The woman looked

Lily's pov "What? "I saw her." Elta's grip tightened. "Just now. I had a vision."Pierre appeared through the brush, followed by Veyla and the others. "What's happening?""Elta knows where Eleanor is," I said.Pierre's face flooded with desperate hope. "Where? Where is she?"Elta closed her eyes for a moment, as if seeing it again. "A cave. Deep in the forest, west of here. There's an opening hidden by thick vegetation, near a cluster of white rocks." She opened her eyes. "She's hurt. We need to hurry.""Show us," I said.Elta took off immediately, moving with certainty through the dense forest. We followed, crashing through undergrowth, no longer trying to be quiet or careful.She led us off any recognizable path, deeper into the wild sections where few people ventured. The trees here were ancient, their roots twisted and gnarled."There," Elta pointed ahead. "Those white rocks."I saw them, three large pale stones jutting from the earth, almost glowing in the fading light.And bes

Mirelle's pov "I'm sorry," I sobbed, still clutching at Niamh's skirts. "I'm so sorry, baby. I should have saved you. I should have done something. Please forgive me. Please…"My legs gave out. I collapsed at the base of the platform, my hands still reaching up, my whole body shaking with sobs that seemed to tear me apart from the inside.Niamh knelt beside me, her face stricken. "My lady, I'm not... I'm Niamh. Your daughter is…""Gone," I whispered. The word felt like swallowing glass. "She's gone. He killed her. He burned her alive and I just stood there. I just stood there and did nothing."The crowd began to murmur. I heard fragments of conversation:"That's Lord Lucas's wife…""She's lost her mind…""Poor woman …""She is traumatized?"Tahra dropped to her knees beside me, pulling me into her arms. "I've got you," she murmured. "I've got you."Then she froze. Her hands tightened on my shoulders."Mireille," she whispered urgently. "When did you last bleed?"I blinked, confused b

Lily’s pov “Move!” I shouted at people in our path. They scattered, eyes wide with horror.Eleanor's face had gone gray. Her lips moved, forming words that made no sound. Her eyes rolled back, showing only whites."She's seizing!" Veyla gasped from beside me, her hand pressed to Eleanor's forehead. "We need to get her inside now!"We burst through the infirmary. Marathiel, having run ahead to prepare. She'd cleared the main table, laid out instruments, and boiled water that steamed in basins."Here!" Veyla directed us to the table. "Gently, don't jostle her."We transferred Eleanor from stretcher to table."Out," Veyla commanded, not looking up. Her hands were already moving, checking Eleanor's pulse, her breathing. "Everyone who's not medical, out now.""She's my sister," Pierre choked out."And she needs space." Veyla's voice softened slightly. "Please. Let us work."Veyla was cutting away Eleanor's ruined dress with swift, the fabric fell away in blood-soaked pieces.I caught one

Lily’s pov The walk to Gavin's chambers felt endless. The compound was settling into evening routines, torches being lit, cooking fires sending up smoke, guards changing shifts. Normal life continued while Eleanor's life had been shattered.I passed people who nodded to me. Others with suspicion or contempt, former slaves, elevated beyond her station, overstepping boundaries.Let them think about what they want.I reached Gavin's chambers and knocked."Enter."I pushed open the heavy door.Gavin stood at his desk, reviewing documents by candlelight. Maps of the territory spread out before him, markers indicating resources, patrols, vulnerable points. The work of ruling never stopped.He looked up when I entered, and something in his expression shifted. Softened. Just slightly."Lily. I heard about Eleanor. Is she…""Alive. Stable. But badly hurt."Gavin's jaw tightened. "How bad?""Bad enough that Veyla looked shaken. And Veyla doesn't shake easily."He moved around the desk, leanin