As the envious murmurs grew louder, Luna proudly approached Davide, linking her arm through his. She moved through the crowd the way she always did when she had an audience. Chin lifted. Shoulders back. A woman performing the role of queen in a kingdom that didn't belong to her.
"Honey, what are you doing here?" she asked, smiling sweetly.
Davide gave her a loving smile and replied, "Didn't you mention you had a little run-in at the academy?" His palm smoothed slowly down the front of his tie. "Of course I came to back you and our son up."
Luna batted her eyes at him, clearly enjoying the attention. "Really? So no matter who messes with me, you'll always be on my side?"
Davide didn't hesitate. "Of course. You and our son are my treasures. Anyone who dares to hurt you will have to deal with me."
The words landed in my chest like something cold and precise. Not because they were cruel. Because I had heard them before. The exact same cadence, the exact same promise. Spoken to me, in a different room, in a different life. Before I understood what his promises were actually worth.