14. Zain

FOURTEEN

zain

Y ou look lovely."

Luna stood, facing the mirror, her fingers moving over her cheek as she stared at her reflection.

The dress I'd chosen for her looked stunning as if she were draped in liquid moonlight. It hugged every curve of her body, and with the slit in the skirt running up her leg, it left no inch of her body to the imagination.

"Thank you." Luna looked down at the floor, opening her mouth as if to say something but then closing it.

"I have something for you," I said, reaching into my pants pocket and pulling out a small velvet box. Would she like it? Gods, I hoped so. I'd figured I had more time before this, but I was glad I had it now. I cleared my throat. "It's not much, but…"

Opening the box, I revealed a moonstone in a silver setting flanked by two diamond-encrusted crescent moons.

Luna's mouth dropped open. "Are you kidding me? It's beautiful."

I brushed a finger over her cheekbone, tucking her hair behind her ear. "You're beautiful," I murmured, unable to hold back my thoughts.

"When did you get this?"

I ignored her question, a smirk playing over my lips. "Why don't you put it on?"

Not waiting for her response, I plucked it out of the box, sliding it onto the ring finger of her left hand. Perfect fit.

Of course it was.

"Zain," Luna said, stepping back. She brushed her finger over the ring, looking down at it. "I just need…" She chewed on her lip. "Everything is happening so fast."

"I know." I rested my forehead against hers. If she needed a second, a minute, I'd give it to her.

Picking up her hand, I kissed her knuckles. And then the ring. "Shall we go see your sister?"

I could practically feel her heart beating in her chest. "Yes." A brief nod and the light caught on the stones Novalie had woven into Luna's platinum blonde hair.

Would she forgive me? For forcing her into this, for binding her to me? For deceiving her when all I wanted was her heart?

We came to the antechamber before the throne room, and I glanced over at Luna, her beautiful face full of worry. Looking at the doors at the other end of the small chamber, I took a deep breath.

I've got you, I said into her mind, keeping my voice gentle. Don't forget that.

Stepping into the throne room, I kept my eyes focused straight ahead—on my chair, for all that my father claimed it was still his—and waited for the show to begin.

I'd felt when my brother opened the portal, and with each step he took, could feel the emotions pouring off of him. Anger, fear, and above all— worry . It tasted like something I'd never experienced before, and I couldn't decide if the feeling was altogether unpleasant.

It was a perk of sharing at least one power with my brother—the shadows he commanded also reported to me . Our connection to our father, our powers, bound us together. I'd known the moment he opened a portal into this world just like I could use those powers to command him back. It was more of a tug, really.

"Are you sure about this?" Luna asked, as if it was me who needed the reassurance and not her. Not the woman who'd uprooted her whole life in agreeing to my request.

I nodded, settling into my throne, doing my best to appear calm and collected. Trying not to think about the concern etched into Luna's face.

For me. Wasn't that the most fucked up part of all of this? I knew she was still thinking about earlier—what I hadn't told her. Fuck, I was an asshole. An asshole who had manipulated the situation so she would come with me.

Damien and the brunette witch from the bar trailed in, their hands intertwined. I quickly surveyed their odd outfits, doing my best not to raise an eyebrow at the frilly shirt my brother was wearing or the pointy hat that sat on her head. Then I remembered what day it was.

Halloween. The humans celebrated All Hallow's Eve on this day, remembering the dead and wearing the most ridiculous costumes. I'd never understand it, like most of the things the humans did.

"Ah, Damien. How nice to see you." My eyes glanced at the woman by his side. I'd only seen her in the dark corner of the bar or from afar when I'd been watching Luna work at their bakery. Never up close, in the light. "I see you brought your witch."

He bared his teeth, pushing her behind his body. "Where is she?"

Willow was focused on me, her eyes darting around as she looked for her sister.

"Who?" I cocked my head as if I didn't know the answer.

Go easy on him, Luna pleaded from the shadows. This isn't his fault.

I growled to myself. It wasn't like I could just say to her no, but if he'd have just delivered you when I asked… Because she still didn't know the full truth. That I'd been looking for her when I arrived in Pleasant Grove's dingy bar. That our meeting hadn't been by chance.

I could almost hear her reaction, see the little scowl on her face as she said, I'm not some piece of property he needed to deliver into your lap, Zain. I grinned at the thought.

"My sister," Willow said, narrowing her eyes at me.

Luna had remained tucked into the shadows, waiting for the right moment. We were putting on a show—not just for Damien and Luna's sister, but for my entire court, who would watch our every movement. This was the first in a series of moves I had yet to play.

"Ah." I gave a lazy smile. "She's right here. Come on out, Moonbeam."

I feel like a prized cow trussed up for auction. Her thoughts infiltrated my mind once again, and damn if I didn't enjoy hearing it.

Nonsense. You are stunning.

I'd meant it when I'd said it to her earlier. Walking into her room, I'd almost stumbled, seeing her admiring that beautiful white gown in the mirror. I'd traced my tongue over every inch of that body already, and yet seeing her in this dress made my want for her burn even brighter.

Fuck. Focus, you asshole , I scolded myself. This wasn't the time to be thinking of the things I wanted to do to her.

Luna walked out onto the dais, the white gossamer gown I'd given her somehow making every aspect of her pale skin and hair stand out. But those bright green eyes didn't show one hint of fear.

Willow choked out a sob. "Oh, thank god."

"Go talk to your sister," I whispered into Luna's ear. Her eyes connected with mine for a beat before she practically flew down the stairs, colliding into Willow's arms for a hug.

As if it had been weeks that separated the two instead of less than a day.

I'd never had that relationship with my brother. It had always been tense between the two of us, mostly thanks to our father. He'd been more focused on pitting us against the other than brotherly bonding.

Gritting my teeth at the thought, I turned to him, but he was watching our females as closely as I had been.

"Are you okay?" Willow tightened her arms around her sister, like if she held tight enough, she could pretend this never happened. But it had .

And it was my fault. I could have prevented all of it if I'd been honest from the beginning. If I'd just asked her to come with me, instead of manipulating the entire situation.

"Brother." Damien turned to me, face stone cold as he stepped up in front of me. "We had an agreement."Those red eyes practically bore into me, and I wondered how it was I who sat up here, burdened with a power I didn't ask for, while he'd been resorted to… what? Being my father's attack dog?

But I had a role to play now. So I rolled my eyes, somehow both annoyed and amused. "We had no such thing."

"I said?—"

I shook my head. "Damien. I don't want to fight. I…" Just wanted her.

My eyes slid over to Luna, watching her cheeks light up as she talked quickly with her sister, and I couldn't take my eyes off her. She was captivating. Enchanting . There was no other word for it.

"She's her sister, Zain." Damien spat the words.

They wounded me, and I let that sliver of remorse show, if only for a moment. "And you're…" I trailed off, looking between Willow and Damien.At the connection between them, and it was clearer than it had ever been what exactly they were to each other. But I wanted him to say the words out loud. Why he hadn't wanted to return, he'd found more than just a human to care for. He'd found…

"Yes. Willow's my mate." He chuckled. "Funny that you sent me to find your queen, and it led to me finding my witch as well."

The girls were still speaking in low, hushed voices, and I hoped they were caught up enough in their conversation so as not to overhear ours.

"You're not planning on returning, are you?"I knew the answer before I asked, but I still had to ask. Had to prepare myself for the genuine possibility that this newfound happiness he'd found would keep him even further away from me.

"No." My brother's eyes were filled with longing as he looked at his mate. "I want to stay with her."

"You love her."

Damien nodded. "Yes." I could feel the truth in his words.

"Will you be staying, brother? I'd love to get to know your mate." Not permanently, but at least for tonight. Because Luna might have been putting on a brave face, but I knew how much having her sister here during one of her first nights in this place would put her at ease.

"I don't—"He shook his head, but Willow chose that moment to come back over to us, sliding her arm around my brother's waist. She looked up at him, a silent conversation happening, before looking back over at her sister.

"Let's go home, Luna," Willow said, offering a hand.

But my brave girl shook her head, looking over at me. "I…" she joined me, coming back to my side in front of the throne.Luna let me take her hand in mine, andthe rightness spread through me. That warmth I felt from just her touch, soothing.

"I know it's crazy, Wil," Luna told her sister, giving my hand a light squeeze. "But… I feel like I have to do this. To see where it goes."She glanced over at me.

"Are you sure?"

My witch nodded, the action loosening her blonde curls, bringing them down over the delectable white dress. "I want to do this." In that moment, I was so captivated by her bravery. All she needed was a tiara, and she would look like a princess. Soon, she would be my princess, and I'd adorn her with the finest jewels in the realm, have her practically dripping in them. "We made a deal," she finished.

Willow's gasp echoed through the hall.

A demon's deal was not fo r the faint-hearted. Luna's words to me, once. But what we'd bargained for hadn't been her soul. I just wanted her heart. Not that she knew that.

"We're having a ball tonight," I announced, changing the subject. "You two are welcome to attend if you want to stay. I'll be announcing my betrothal to my fiancée."

A bit much, don't you think? She flashed the gemstone that sat on her ring finger.

The giant moonstone that had been mined just for her. The setting that I'd had designed with her in mind. Would she flee if she knew the truth?

Willow's eyes darted to Luna, the look of surprise not abating.

Maybe I should have gotten one bigger.

You're insane, Luna said, her head shaking at me just slightly.

Maybe.

"Well?"I said, sensing that the other couple was having an internal debate of their own.

What were the odds of it, anyway? That the fates would choose two sisters for two brothers. Even ones as wicked as ourselves.

Willow's face smoothed out into a pleasant smile, even as Damien looked over at her in concern. "We'd love to attend your ball, Prince Zain."

I could feel my face flattening out into a thin smile. "Brother?"

"Of course. Whatever Willow wants," he promised, his eyes flaring with possession when he looked at her, a smile curving over his canines. "I live to fulfill her every wish."

Whipped already, brother? I smirked.

He just stared back at me as if resisting rolling his eyes.

"We'll see you tonight then," I offered, flicking my eyes over to my bride-to-be.She hadn't let our hands drop, and I found that reassuring.

Willow and Damien left the room, though I saw the concern flash through their faces as they looked at us before finally exiting.

His rooms had been untouched in the months that he'd been away, but I was suddenly glad they were on a completely different floor than ours.

Neither one of us said a word as I teleported us back.

I should have been getting ready for tonight—for presenting Luna in front of my people for the first time or helping prepare her for what she'd face tonight—but I was doing none of those things. Instead, I stood below the dais as my father sat on the throne— my throne.

"You summoned me?" I bared my teeth, a low growl emitting from my throat. "What are you doing here?" I hadn't seen him as much as lift a finger in years. Yet that immense power he wielded kept the rest of us in check.

How did you defeat someone who had an endless pool of strength?

He picked a piece of lint off his jacket like he couldn't be bothered. "What do you mean, son? It's my crown, is it not?"

For now. I gritted my teeth, biting back my retort. So much good you've been doing, huh? When I was younger, I would have said it. Would have taken my punishment lying down for speaking against him. But now—I was older. Wiser. At least, I liked to think I was.

Maybe I was still the same boy who would take a beating in order for him to leave my brother alone. It had never been just me I had to worry about.

And now… Luna was here. No matter what, I had to protect her. Especially when she would be my wife soon.

"Of course." I dipped my head in silent acknowledgment. "What do you need, father?"

"I heard you're getting married."

"I am." Folding my arms behind my back, I tried to take a stance of casual indifference. Not wanting him to pry further, to even think about touching her.

"Hmm. "

"What." My response wasn't a question but a biting retort.

"Do you think they will accept her? A weak, trembling queen?"

Luna was so many things—but she wasn't weak . I'd known that since the first night we spent together, laid out on the grass. She'd survived. Persevered. Sought the life she wanted.

And you took her away from that , I reminded myself. Fates, I didn't deserve her. She deserved better than this. Better than me.

"As opposed to a demon king who hides in his palace, forcing his sons to do his dirty work? To bring down any lords who disobey you while you lead a life of debauchery?" I shook my head. "She will be my queen, father. They will come to know her as I have, and the demons will celebrate our union."

Darkness clouded his eyes, and the room grew colder, shadows rolling over us like a fog. "You think you're safe because the fates foretold you'd marry a powerful witch?" He chuckled, but the sound wasn't light. It was a thinly veiled threat. "Don't forget where you come from, son."

"As if you would let me forget." A lightning bolt struck outside, rattling the glass.

He smirked. "Once again, letting your temper get the best of you. Maybe I should have groomed Damien instead. Though he's gone soft now. Letting that witch drag him all about."

Because he loved Willow. Though that was something my father would never understand—he'd loved no one but himself.

"Leave him be," I said, narrowing my eyes. "Let him have the happiness you've deprived him of for far too long."

He smirked like he knew he'd gotten under my skin.

"I heard blood demons made their way into the human world," he observed.

Testing me. "They were handled. "

"Were they now?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" I narrowed my eyes.

He shrugged. "Guess you should go run along now and figure it out."

I turned, taking the dismissal instead of snipping back.

"And Zain?" My father's face formed into a smug grin as I looked backward at him. "Good luck with the girl."

A low snarl left my lips, and I left without another word. I'd let him have the last laugh for now.

Threats or not, I needed to get back to Luna.

Before I presented her to this kingdom as my future wife.