Bound By The Moon: The Eternal Bond - Chapter 36: Chapter 36

The morning light filtered through the towering arched windows of the Northern Manor, casting soft gold onto the white-marble floor. A symphony of birds chirped in the distance—too cheerful for Lily's taste. She sat by the grand vanity in her chamber, brushing her raven-black hair with deliberate strokes, each motion calculated—controlled.
A knock came at the door, but she didn’t answer. It opened anyway, and her mother entered, carrying a tray full of hot tea and pastries.
“Morning, darling. I brought you some tea. I thought you might be hungry,” the woman said softly, her eyes hopeful.
Lily didn’t turn around. Her tone was velvet over steel.
“You should know by now I don’t eat sweet things in the morning, Maria.”
Her mother flinched at the edge in her voice and how she suddenly addressed her by name.
“Oh… I must’ve forgotten, darling.”
“Yes,” Lily said coldly, placing her brush down, “you do tend to forget a lot, don’t you, Mother?”
The word was spoken with such chilling detachment that it didn’t sound like a term of endearment at all. Lily stood and walked toward her mother, smiling faintly.
“You’ve done your part. You brought me into this world. But let’s not pretend you were ever good at raising me.”
Her mother blinked rapidly, her lips parting in silent hurt.
“But don’t worry,” Lily added, brushing past her and taking a single sip of tea. “You’re safe here. Just... try not to embarrass me.”
She stood there, her slightly wrinkled fingers trembling as she held the tray. She knew she had failed her daughter. She had never been a good mother, but she had hoped things could be like they used to be when Lily was a child. She even regretted the way she had always mistreated Julia and wished she could turn back time.
Before her mother could respond, Lily’s phone buzzed on the table. She walked back with calm grace, glancing at the caller ID. Her eyes glimmered, then dimmed with a calculating coldness.
Julia.
How delightful. She turned around, dismissing her mom with a flick of her hand. The woman walked out with the tray, closing the door silently behind her.
Lily accepted the call, bringing the phone to her ear, a smirk playing on her lips.
“Julia,” she said smoothly, “what a pleasant surprise.”
Julia’s voice came through, soft and hesitant.
“Lily… I’ve been thinking. I want to clear the misunderstandings between us.”
Lily’s lips curled slightly. Of course you do.
“Misunderstandings?” she echoed gently, fingers twirling a strand of hair as she moved to sit comfortably on the plush chaise lounge at the corner of the room.
“Yeah. I... think we should really put our differences aside and be like we used to be?”
There was a long pause. Julia thought Lily was going to reject the offer, so she quickly added,
“And the pendant—I want to give it to you. I—” she paused, as if searching for the right lie, “I thought of offering it as a gift. To make peace. You know.”
A beat of silence passed. Lily tilted her head and replied, voice sugar-coated and sweet.
“How thoughtful. But why now, Julia? Why offer me the pendant? Isn’t it that precious to you?”
“Because…” Julia’s voice faltered. “Because we were family, once. I just want to do the right thing. And the pendant... I just want to offer it as a peace offering.”
Lily smirked. Poor, naïve little dove.
“Of course, Julia. I’d love to meet.”
Her voice shifted to an almost cheerful tone.
“So, where shall we have this little reunion?”
Julia gave her the location—a secluded glade at the edge of the Shadowpine Forest, where the river met the stone bridge. Neutral ground. Safe. Peaceful.
“Perfect,” Lily said sweetly, ending the call with a soft hum.
As soon as the line went dead, the mask slipped.
Lily’s eyes narrowed, dark with delight. She let out a low, venomous chuckle.
“Oh, Julia,” she whispered, staring at her reflection, “this time… I’ll make sure you suffer. And I’ll give you a sweet little surprise.”
She stood up and went to her dressing table.
“Those fools… they really think they can outsmart me?”
She laughed again, cruel and unhinged, her eyes glinting in the mirror’s reflection.
“They’ll soon learn…”
Julia stood by the ceiling-to-floor window, her phone in her hands. She knew Lily wouldn’t refuse to meet her—but she had accepted too fast.
She flinched when a pair of hands snaked around her waist. Valen leaned in, his head resting on her neck, inhaling her scent.
“Valen, you know better than to sneak up on me like that,” she began.
Valen just stood there, saying nothing for a while. Then he spoke, his tone low and rough.
“You look troubled, my princess.”
He withdrew and pulled her toward the couch. He sat down and brought her onto his lap, his hand wrapped possessively around her waist.
“Nothing. Just tired, that’s all.”
“You sure, princess? Because to me, you seem to be planning something shady.”
Julia stared at him, eyes widening, questions racing through her mind.
“Planning to go on a secret training with Jessy again?” he asked, almost seriously.
Julia was stunned for a second, then laughed nervously.
“Oh... that.”
Valen’s hand gently squeezed her waist, pulling her even closer to him. His nose nuzzled her neck, his lips leaving a trail of hot kisses that made her body shiver uncontrollably.
“And what did I say about that? You know I don’t like seeing you getting hurt,” he whispered against her neck. Then he lifted his head, searching for any sign of injury.
Julia’s face was flushed. Valen had found out about the secret duel with Jessy. But she was also relieved he didn’t know about their plan yet. After all, what she was doing was to help and protect him.
Valen slowly leaned in, capturing her lips in a hungry kiss that left both of them breathless, his hands rubbing gentle circles on her waist.
“Valen, what are you doing?” she asked breathlessly as they parted from the kiss.
Valen smirked, his voice low and gruff.
“Do I need to tell you? You know exactly what I want, princess. And right now, what I want is you—and I won’t be denied.”
He leaned in again, finding her sensitive spot on her neck, biting and nibbling at it. Julia unconsciously let out a moan, and all of Valen’s restraint snapped. He got up, carrying her bridal style and heading to the bedroom.