Rebellion

Chapter Seven: Edward

Chapter Seven: Edward

            The door to the other room creaked, dragging me from my sleep. I half-opened one eye, and saw Luna trying to cross the room without making any noise.

            “Where are you going?” I asked.

            She stopped, and her shoulders fell. “Do you ever sleep?” she snapped.

            “I was sleeping, and enjoying it, until you started trying to sneak out,” I said, sitting up and scowling at her.

            “Then go back to sleep and I’ll just walk out. No sneaking involved.”

            “That would be difficult now, because you’ve entirely woken me up. And besides, I’m curious now,” I added. “So where exactly would you be going at—” I peered out the window, “night?”

            She snorted, and I would’ve sworn she rolled her eyes. “I could be going back to my rooms at the palace. The bed’s more comfortable there.”

            “You could be,” I acknowledged. “But you’re not.”

            “And how would you know?” she demanded.

            I shrugged. “You wouldn’t be this defensive if you were actually going back to the palace.”

            She sighed. “I’m going to find Luke,” she said in a low voice.

            I laughed. “Luna, he usually stays out until dawn—or later—when we’re in Lunandra. He’ll probably come stumbling in after the sun’s up, reeking of alcohol and cheap perfume.”

            She sucked in a deep breath. “He’s not in Lunandra, Edward,” she said softly.

            “Of course he is,” I said, confused. “Where else would he be?”

            “I don’t know,” she admitted. “But I can’t feel him anywhere.”

            “What do you mean, feel him?” I asked.

            She shook her head, making her hair dance in silvery strands in the moonlight. “I don’t have time to explain this to you, Edward. I have to go find him.”

            I looked at her carefully, considering. “Then let me go with you,” I said finally.

            “No.”

            “Luna, be reasonable,” I argued. “You can’t go traipsing off after Luke by yourself.”

            “I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself, Edward,” she said coldly. “You don’t need to interfere.”

            “What if I want to?” I asked, standing and crossing the room so that mere inches separated our faces.

            “Edward, stay out of this,” she said wearily. “This is between Luke and me. You don’t need to get involved.”

            “I could always tell your parents and your grandmother what you’re intending to do instead,” I suggested.

            “That’s blackmail,” she scowled.

            I shrugged. “Maybe.”

            “Edward, please,” she said. “I can do this on my own.”