9. Luna

NINE

luna

I 'll come with you. They were the words on the tip of my tongue, yet I couldn't work them free. He said he would keep me safe, but it was at the cost of giving up the only life I'd ever known. To leave my home and my sister behind.

A deal with the devil. A shudder ran down my spine.

Even knowing the truth of what this man was, I still couldn't help my attraction to him. There was something electric between us, something that lit me up inside and threatened to swallow me whole.

His kiss made me melt against him. Like he knew I would give in to anything, he asked with the press of his lips against mine. Zain's tongue darted into my mouth, practically devouring me with each lick, each taste.

Me . He wanted me.

But what did that mean? Maybe it was just sex for him. The physical response my body had to his, and maybe there was something to trading my life and my freedom for his protection.

Was it enough ? I'd always been a hopeless romantic. I loved those bodice rippers I found at the library in my teens, devouring every romance novel I found, imagining it was me falling in love with the devilish rake or the handsome duke.

Love .

All my life, I'd always imagined I'd marry for love. Not a marriage of convenience with a demon prince. A laugh bubbled free from my lips, thinking about the fact that I was living out the plot of a romance novel after all—just not one I'd ever imagined.

Gods, what would Willow think? Learning I was marrying her boyfriend's brother? Because I was going to.

I was, wasn't I? Somewhere in my freakout, I'd decided without even realizing it.

"Okay." I straightened my shoulders.

"Okay?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Okay," I repeated. "Yes. I'll marry you."

Zain smirked, the devilish expression lighting up his face. "Good." Those golden eyes were so strange—so familiar. I'd seen them before, hadn't I? Somewhere in the deepest recesses of my memory, they lingered. Somewhere between sleep and awake…

What was it about him that always had me agreeing? This was a terrible idea, and yet, here I was—agreeing to it. To marry him. To leave my life behind.

"Well, shall we?" He extended an arm towards me.

"Shall we…"

"Go?"

" Now?" I looked around the apartment. "What about everything?" Waving my arms, I gestured at my stuff. "Do you expect me to just leave all of this behind?"

He gave me a thoughtful look before dipping his face in a nod. "Alright." Zain pressed a kiss to my cheek. "I'll be back in an hour."

Like that was enough time to sort out my entire life .

"Where are you going?" I quirked an eyebrow. "I thought I wasn't safe?"

He gave me a smirk, crossing his arms over his chest as he propped himself up against the door frame. "You truly think so little of me, Moonbeam?" One arm was on the top, his hip leaning against the wood.

"I…" What did I think? I didn't really know him. Today had proven that. Yet I'd let him… My cheeks flushed as I crossed my arms over my chest. I was doing just fine until you came along. I bit back the retort. Was I? Or had this loneliness been festering inside of me for a long time, and I hadn't realized it until I met him?

"No," I finally settled on. Because despite myself, I did trust him. And I needed to show him that if we were going to make this deal work.

The demon—I was trying to remind myself of that fact because it still seemed surreal to me—let loose a sigh. "Get your stuff together. I'm just going to make sure everything is ready." He cleared his throat. "For you."

"Okay," I whispered the word.

Turning, I looked back at my apartment. What would I even take with me? Essentials . I needed to start with the essentials. It's not like they'd have my favorite brand of shampoo just hanging out in a demon drug store. Right? I started a mental checklist.

Tampons, lotions, and the makeup bag I always had handy. Most of my nightstand drawer.

"What do you even wear in the demon realm?" I asked, looking over my shoulder, but Zain was already gone.

I frowned, and Selene meowed at me.

"Am I making a huge mistake?" I asked her, shaking my head as I moved into my bedroom. I rubbed at my chest, but while I thought I would be filled with fear or apprehension, I just felt… curious—warm, like that first night with Zain.

My cat sat on my bed, watching me with her big eyes, that tail flicking. "Don't worry," I murmured, rubbing the top of her head. "I'm not going to leave you behind."

Pulling out a bag, I started chucking all of my bathroom stuff inside of it.

Another meow, but this one felt amused. She'd always been able to read my emotions, and I liked to think I knew what she was thinking, as well.

Of course not, her tail flick seemed to say. I never thought you would. She licked her paw, cleaning her bright white fur. Like snow—or the moon. Two things I loved.

"Do you think we'll like it there?" I asked her, letting the softness of her coat calm me down as I ran my fingers over her back. She purred in response, which I could only take as a good sign.

After nuzzling her for a few more moments, I stood back up, attempting to condense the rest of my life into a few bags.

And despite my head telling me to run, that it was a terrible decision, my heart beat steadily.

Like it knew something I didn't.

Like it knew I was making the right decision.

I just hoped that was true.