No Longer Luna novel · Chapter 22 of 24

Chapter 22: Win or Lose

Skye's POV

I got as far as my father's truck.

I put my hand flat on the cold door and waited for him.

He came down the dock fast.

He didn't touch me.

He stood two feet away with his hands open at his sides.

"You said it ends tomorrow," he said.

"I said term three says so. Do you remember it?"

"It ends at the Harvest Moon challenge. Win or lose."

"Win or lose." I turned around. "What happens to me if you lose?"

His jaw moved.

"You go home to Fernbank. Boyd keeps the river off Cinderfell's maps. You owe me nothing."

"And if you win?"

"The same."

"The same." I nodded slowly. "So that's the deal. Either way, when the circle ends, I'm free."

"That isn't what I meant."

"It's what we agreed, in your truck, with the wipers going."

"Skye."

"No, you listen." My voice came out steadier than I felt. "I'll keep every word of it. When that circle ends, there's no claim and no deal."

"And no gate," I said. "Nobody's Luna, and nobody's mate by any bond."

His eyes had gone silver at the edges.

"So tomorrow, if you want me, you ask me. You, as yourself, in the daylight, with nothing riding on it."

"Not to win a seat. Not because a rose bush lit up."

"If you ask and I say yes, I'll take your mark in front of anyone you like."

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