"I have nothing more to offer you, Damien," she said.
"You’re my mate," he said, stepping forward again. "You have everything to offer me. You’re the only thing I’ve ever truly wanted. Do you think that’s something I can just... walk away from?"
"And you’re a vampire!" she shouted, her composure shattering. "Your kind cannot be with my kind. It’s despicable. It’s...what would my people say?!"
Damien blinked, stunned. "My... my kind?"
"I..." Luna’s lips parted, regret already curling at the corners. "I didn’t mean it that way."
"Yes," he said coldly, "you did. What’s wrong with my kind, Luna? Do we not feel pain because our hearts don’t beat? Is that what you think? That vampires are just... monsters."
She didn’t answer. She didn’t have to.
He gave a bitter laugh and looked away. "So what is it really, Luna? Is it your people or am I the one who repulses you?" .com
That one word gutted him. Took the floor out from under his feet.
"The Moon Goddess must have made a mistake pairing us," she whispered.
"She doesn’t make mistakes," he said darkly. "But you clearly do."
He turned and made for the door, every inch of him seething with hurt pride and heartbreak.
"Goodnight, Princess," he said without looking back. "Go marry your mutt."
And with that, he left. Left behind the girl he’d waited centuries for.
In the silence that followed, Luna stood frozen.
She had just broken her own heart.
Kyllian stood beside the marble fountain, the water’s soft gurgling barely louder than the sound of approaching footsteps. He turned as Luna emerged from between the rose arches, her royal blue dress hugging her frame. She had that look again—eyes too serious for someone her age, like she carried kingdoms on her shoulders. Which, well... she did.
"Hey!" he called out with a grin. "Was I in your dreams last night? Surprised to get your message this morning to meet."
Luna rolled her eyes, the corner of her mouth twitching despite herself. "You wish."
"Well, a poor old alpha like me can dream," he replied with mock sadness, placing a hand dramatically on his chest. "So, what’s up?"
Kyllian blinked. Then looked at her, then around the garden. "Sorry, come again?"
"You heard me," she said with a shrug.
Kyllian tilted his head, arms folding across his broad chest. "What’s going on, Luna? Just yesterday you were threatening to throw me off a cliff at the mere mention of marriage. Now you’re proposing. Am I missing something?"
"You told me to do what’s best for my people," she said.
"And you think marrying me is best for the kingdom," he said. "I mean, I’m flattered, really. Princess proposes to Alpha? I didn’t see it coming. But I hope you grasp fully what that entails."
"I do," she said. "I become Queen, and you become Alpha King."
Kyllian stepped closer. "It’s a lot more than that, my dear princess," he murmured, reaching up to tuck a rebellious strand of hair behind her ear. His fingers lingered just a second longer than necessary. "Marriage isn’t just crowns and politics. It means waking up beside me. It means dealing with my snoring, my bad side, and, oh...yes...it means I get to fuck you, Princess. Whenever. However."
Luna’s throat went dry. A very traitorous heat crept up her neck. "Men," she muttered, "always thinking with their dicks."
Kyllian chuckled. "Guilty. But that doesn’t mean I don’t think with my heart too."
He leaned in, his gaze searching. "Tell me, how many men have you been with?"
Luna recoiled slightly, eyes narrowing. "What? That’s highly inappropriate!"
"Maybe," he said. "But if I’m going to marry you, I need to know you. The Luna who’s been kissed... or hasn’t."
Luna’s cheeks flushed as memories of her encounter with Prince Damien surged back. The intensity of their kiss, the way his cool lips had ignited a fire within her—it was her first kiss, a secret she intended to keep. Kyllian didn’t need to know; no one did. She straightened her posture, determined to maintain her composure.
"What are you implying? That I’m a slut?" she snapped.
Kyllian raised an eyebrow, unfazed. "No, just curious about your experience." He stepped closer, his presence commanding.
She took a step back. "It doesn’t matter."
"I prefer my women experienced, Luna," he said.
Her eyes narrowed. "What do you want from me? Should I find the nearest servant to fulfill your requirements?"
He chuckled, closing the distance between them. "No need. I’ll teach you." With that, he released her and walked away, leaving her standing amidst the roses, bewildered.
Later, Luna entered the throne room, her resolve steeled. The grandeur of the hall, with its towering pillars and ornate tapestries, did little to ease her turmoil. She couldn’t allow anyone to discover that the Moon Goddess had paired her with a vampire, even if he was a prince. Her people wouldn’t understand; they would see it as a betrayal.
Yet, a part of her yearned for Damien. His kiss had awakened something within her, a longing she couldn’t ignore. His touch had made her feel alive, cherished. But duty called, and she couldn’t let her heart overrule her responsibilities.
She could still feel the weight of Damien’s heartbreak. The look in his eyes last night haunted her. It clung to her memory. And yet, what choice did she have?
"Princess... I didn’t see you at breakfast," King Magnus said, looking up.
"Apologies," Luna said. "I had business to take care of." She stopped right in front of him, standing tall, the way she was taught. She looked him in the eye, inhaled once, and let the words spill out before she could change her mind. "I have decided to marry Alpha Kyllian Rykers, Father."
King Magnus gave a loud, unexpected whoop of delight that echoed off the marble walls. "Ah! I knew you would come around!" His booming voice startled the guards, who straightened abruptly. He rose from his throne with surprising agility for someone of his age and wrapped his arms around her.
@ivy_mandy, @smiles: Welcome on board