Daydreams And Nightshade (DaN #1)

Chapter 26: Worries

The road back to South Kerilia felt longer than Luna could have imagined. She'd been in such a rush to get there before and had barely paid any mind to how long it had taken but now, after all that had happened it was as though it would never end.

Lucius had been quiet all the way after retrieving the now officially named Lord Neigh Clopsson, only stopping briefly to thank Ethan for his help first. Luna thanked him as well, of course. Even though he'd kept some things away from her he'd still— mostly accidentally— clued her in on a lot of things.

Even so, she still had so many questions for her father, most of all regarding the biggest reveal of where she and Noah actually came from, and if all they needed for that was Noah, then she wouldn't have to wait much longer. Surprisingly enough, once they'd gotten halfway to South Kerilia it was Lucius who broke the silence.

"No open wounds I hope?"

Luna looked up at the darkening sky.

"No."

Her father nodded slowly, letting a moment of quiet hesitation go by before speaking again.

"And your bracelet didn't break?"

Luna looked down at her wrist.

"It wouldn't break from something like that."

"That's good."

The awkward silence returned and Luna squinted as she looked down at the path. It was getting late and in the shadows of the trees surrounding them it was hard to see. Lord Neigh Clopsson still managed to keep them on the road without trouble and while Lucius' speckled horse did the same, he seemed less eager to walk through the dark, nervously looking around at the swaying firs.

"So... you really can't touch them?" Luna broke the silence next.

"It's not like I turn to dust or anything. They just burn real bad."

"Like for Uncle Ethan?"

Lucius nodded.

"Fortunately I can be out in daylight and don't have to drink human blood."

"I guess that's something." Luna chewed on her lip. "Though Uncle Ethan doesn't seem to be struggling with personality changes."

She noticed her father tense up, but she couldn't leave it unmentioned either.

"Those things you said back then... About me and Noah ruining things with our behavior and oddities... It didn't seem like you. To say nothing of the whole engagement issue."

"It's not like me," Lucius agreed, hesitating before continuing. "I... I was cornered, and... And I didn't know what to say. People are always waiting for me to mess up and I haven't exactly been perfect with or without... Well, you two. And Finn's father's... He..." He paused again, and Luna glanced over to look at his troubled expression. Then he took a deep breath.

"He's good at convincing people. Charming them, even. I—I couldn't just say no."

"If one word is too hard for you," Luna muttered.

"I'm not gonna keep telling you excuses. You've already heard a bunch of them. I just don't know what to do about it now, but... I'm sure we can find a way to get out of it."

"How about just ending the engagement?" Luna raised an eyebrow.

"Well... That wouldn't look good for any of us at this point. Everyone already knows by now, and if I just up and end it for seemingly no reason—"

"Other than your daughter's will?"

"They'll look down on us. I can't show weakness like that. I can't make it seem like my children are bossing me around."