The Luna Trials by Marissa Gilbert novel Chapter 19

19. JUST A Gardener & A Maid

Savannah was preparing for sleep. There was no way she was going to that … ‘date’. She took a long bath, so lengthy that she was going to miss that dinner, after which she was not going out of her room. Then she brushed her hair and curled it slightly with her straightener because she was still not going anywhere and had all the time in the world. She did very light make-up. Just because she wanted a little practice. Her eye was constantly on the clock.

“Let’s go!” Athena urged her, but, of course, she ignored her. She was the decision-maker. Not that wolf.

No one, absolutely no one, was going to force her to make a wrong decision.

She had already made one of those with Zack and now faced the music each time he had fun with someone else.

She did not need this. She did not want this …

“Ridiculous!” Savvy told herself and went to look for outfits. She sent Kyle and Zara away early today and had all the time in the world.

Savannah found her favourite pair of ripped jeans and added a beige satin chiffon top to it with two layers. She found herself buckling the straps of her white sandals very soon after that.

Why? Because she was just going to check if the Lycan King of The North had bothered to show up himself. That was why. The only reason.

It was already well past dinnertime, and Savannah didn’t expect to see him there. He wouldn’t be waiting for her for an hour.

Although … he never told her the exact time. So, technically, she wasn’t even late.

Her heart was beating so fast that it felt as if it was going to jump out of her chest any moment now. It only got worse with every step she took toward the pond.

Kai called it their spot. Wasn’t it ridiculous? It was. Despite the fact that this was the place her mind went to when he mentioned it, it wasn’t their spot. They didn’t have a spot. They were nothing to each other and would never be anything. They would never have “a spot”.

They were not even …

“You came!” his voice emerged from the darkness, and she had to adjust her vision to see him sitting under a tree. One hand on his knee and the other brushing his hair that looked … as if he was nervously fiddling them for hours… He did not trim his stubble and looked more like the gardener she knew again, especially in his white t-shirt and jeans paired up with a black leather jacket.

“I was just … passing by,” Savvy mumbled, turning on her heels, but Kai was next to her in a blink of an eye.

“Of course you were,” he chuckled, towering over her, his eyes exploring every inch of her. “Better late than never, Savannah.”

“How long were you going to sit here?” She found herself asking, even though it didn’t

matter.

“Long.” His voice became deeper and raspier. Her lips curled into a little smile because she could sense that he was genuine.

“Well, I just came to tell you not to bother and go to sleep.” The girl lifted her chin defiantly and saw a smirk forming on his lips. He was enjoying their game.

“That’s so sweet of you.” He nodded, and she did the same. “How can I thank you for doing this? Otherwise, I’d be here until morning.”

“Don’t mention it!” Savvy tried to walk away, but he caught up with her instantly.

“That would be rude!” he chuckled. “I may be just a gardener, little maid, but I am not some brute.”

“Good for you,” she raised her brow, trying to walk around him to no avail. “Will you excuse me?”

“Let me at least feed you,” he offered, adding, “I know you skipped dinner.”

“And how would a gardener know that?” Savannah couldn’t help the grin that was forcing itself on her face.

“Gardeners know things!” Kai cleared his throat, and the next time she tried to walk away, he caught her in his arms, pressing her tiny body against his broad chest. It felt nice, and he didn’t want to stop. The excited glint in her eyes told him she was also enjoying the game. The King was happy to oblige.

“And I thought you are not a brute,” she taunted him, but did not struggle against him.

“I am just a concerned gardener. Maids have a hard enough life to skip meals.” His hands locked on her waist. She seemed so fragile that he felt he could snap her in two if he was not careful. However, he knew it was a wrong impression because the woman in front of him radiated confidence and power. ‘

“True,” she agreed with ease. “There is so much work now with the Luna Trials. That king is such a jerk for making twelve women compete for him, don’t you think?”

“I don’t know,” Kai shrugged, taking her hands into his large palm and pulling her after him. “|| only heard great things about him.”

He was taking her away from the castle and deeper into the garden, using the passages in the vast green maze of his home.

“I also heard he is insanely handsome,” Kai chuckled. “Maybe that’s the secret to why they chose to compete?”

“Yeah!” Savannah snorted loudly. “That’s unlikely. If I were him, I would sleep with my eyes open if he ends up marrying one of these women after all. There is absolutely no way in hell for any of them to ever forget the humiliation of this stupid contest. Being given tasks and then graded based on the performance … Jike puppies in a dog show. None of these strong, fierce females will ever forgive him.”