15. Luna

FIFTEEN

luna

H ow did he have time to do all of this?

He'd left me for an hour , if that, before teleporting us to the demon realm. There was no way he'd been able to get me a ring, right?

Except… it glinted in the light, and I couldn't help but admire it. I'd never seen such a beautiful ring. Truly, that was an understatement. It was gorgeous, yet it also felt like me. A giant, flashy diamond wouldn't have been my taste, but this was.

Honestly, it was too much. I needed to pull back, needed to not let myself get swept up by this man. Not again. I'd given him my body before, and I needed to be careful or I would do it again.

Even if he was charming and seemed to know exactly what to say to make me melt.

It's my first time showing you off to my people. His eyes flared with a predatory, possessive gleam. I want them to know that you're mine.

It was hard to argue with much when he said that.

Still, standing at the top of the grand, sweeping staircase in a dress that looked like literal starlight was almost surreal. It looked like hundreds of tiny stars had been interwoven together, sparkling every time it caught the light.

And then there was the tiara of crystals sitting on my head. A reminder of the vow I would take soon. Becoming Zain's wife.

The ballroom practically came to a standstill as we came to the top of the stairs, our hands interlaced together. Zain's face was focused, his jaw freshly shaven, which somehow made him appear younger. I couldn't decide which I liked better.

He looked over at me, and the serious expression on his face faded, warming as he gave me a once over.

Ready? He thought into my mind.

If I say no, can I go back to hiding in my closet?

He laughed, and the sound filled my chest. Unfortunately, I think we're stuck. I grumbled, and he kissed my hand. I'll be right by your side.

"Now presenting, the Crown Prince and his fiancée, our Princess-to-be. Prince Zain and Lady Luna!" The room erupted into cheers as the demon finished his proclamation, stepping back into the shadows.

Princess of the Demons. Goddess. Had the fates really predicted this? Maybe they were wrong. Or maybe Zain was. Because how could I possibly be the one they'd imagined being their queen?

I was just Luna—just me.

Zain squeezed my hand as he guided me down the stairs, and I was careful not to step on my dress. My new wardrobe also included dozens of heels, and though I'd never felt clumsy before, I was terrified about tripping in front of everyone.

It was like being under a giant microscope as we headed towards the front of the ballroom with everyone watching us.

I eyed the golden crown sitting on Zain's head. His tux was black, adorned in golden accents that brought out his eyes, and I kind of liked that we were each other's mirrors.

His black and gold to my white and silver.

His darkness to my light.

We reached the dais, Zain stepping up the steps first and then offering me a hand. My breath caught in my throat. Earlier today, only one throne had graced the throne room.

Tonight, two sat side by side.

His—and mine. Neither was taller than the other, just a matching set. My heart fluttered in my chest.

It was like he was claiming me as his equal.

And I didn't know what to do with that.

We danced for what felt like hours till my feet felt pinched in the brand-new pair of heels, and I begged for a moment of respite to sit down. He agreed, leaving me on my throne as he grumpily went to mingle with some of the demon lords—which was perfectly fine with me.

If I was introduced to one more person tonight, I thought my brain might explode.

I glimpsed Willow and Damien in the corner, both sipping on what Zain had informed me was demon wine. It was a gold, sparkly substance, though I'd only had a few sips of my own before I'd been swept off to dance with Zain.

Luckily, it had been easy for me to fall into step with him, to let him guide my body even through the complicated waltz. Somehow, it was like I always knew where he was going to go, how he was going to move.

Because despite everything, I still trusted him.

Zain's companions surrounded me the moment I was left alone, and even though I'd just met them earlier today, I could see the easy playfulness between them. How easily they all teased each other.

"So, how long have you all known each other?" I asked. Perhaps getting to know them would give me a deeper insight into Zain's life. The parts he hadn't told me about.

"A long time," Asura commented, taking a drink of her sparkly beverage. "For each one of us, Zain changed our lives when he took us under his wing. If not for him, I'd probably still be living in the slums somewhere." She'd changed into a form-fitting, one-shoulder dress, not bothering to hide the scales on her arms or the markings on her face.

"The slums?" A sickening feeling formed in my stomach. "The demon realm has a place like that?" Looking around this room, all the wealth and power displayed, I couldn't imagine anyone living in poverty here.

She sighed. "Unfortunately. But in rescuing us?—"

Lilith draped an arm over her friend, her strapless crimson dress showing off her cleavage. "You're making him sound soft, Asa. He had his reasons for bringing us in under his wing." She winked, flaring out her left wing with the same movement.

Asura shrugged off Lilith's arm, giving her a small glare, before turning back to me.

Thorn snorted. "It's not like you can blame him. He's the product of his own upbringing." His blonde locks were styled now, brushed back with what I assumed was gel, which made the horns on his forehead even more prominent. Without the facial scar, I probably wouldn't have been able to tell the two apart.

"What was he was like growing up?" I frowned, looking down at my hands, the glass I'd hardly touched since it was given to me. "Zain hasn't told me very much about his childhood."

Talon nodded his head. "Kairos was there for most of it. He's the closest in age to Zain, though you'd never guess it. He doesn't like to talk about what it was like, though. Losing his mother. Enduring his father's punishments."

"It was that bad?" I whispered the words. Somehow, I knew they wouldn't be answered.

I looked over at Zain, who had once again settled into his crown prince persona. With all that swagger and self-confidence, he practically oozed power.

Was any of it real? Or was it that the person he was with me, soft and caring, was the fake? Maybe it wasn't either of those things. Maybe, just like me, he'd built up walls around himself to protect himself.

Lilith's hand rested on my knee. I blinked, securing my mental barriers. "Luna?"

"Hmm?"

"Teach him it's okay to love, will you? He needs that. More than anything else."

My palms were sweaty. "I don't…" I shook my head. "It's not like that between us." I tried to swallow the lump in my throat, but my mouth was bone dry. I took a chug of my wine, ignoring the way my head spun a little after.

"I told you," Asura said, her shoulders drooping slightly. "He didn't listen to us."

"I know," Lilith said with a sigh.

Something Zain had said earlier came to mind, even as the two seemed to share a conversation all of their own. "Can you all talk to each other?" I asked, looking between the group. "You know, mind-to-mind."

Thorn gave me a confused look. "No. That's reserved for—" The girls cut him off with a glare, but I was just confused.

More than anything, I needed a break—some air.

"I need a moment," I mumbled, standing up and gathering up my skirts so I didn't trip on the shiny fabric. They let me go, though I figured that none of them would be too far behind, monitoring me anywhere I went in this place. Sure, I wasn't a prisoner, but I wasn't exactly free , either.

"Luna!" I turned, finding Willow waving at me, her face bright.

I breathed a sigh of relief, practically walking into her arms and letting my sister wrap her arms around me, hugging me tight for the second time this evening.

My heart felt fuller just knowing my big sister was here . I loved her more than anything, and there was a part of me that wanted to go home. To take the easy way out, to go back to my life. But I meant what I said to her, too. I felt like I had to do this. To see where it went between us. Even if it was crazy.

Going back to my old life no longer even felt like an option. We'd have to talk about what would happen with the bakery before she left. It had never been her dream, after all—it was always mine. And while I'd always loved the happiness it had brought me, it was time for a new dream. Was there a chance that I could have it with Zain?

"Wow. This is beautiful." Willow looked appraisingly at my gown.

"Thank you." Looking down, I messed with the skirts. Unlike the dress from earlier, it didn't have a slit in the leg—but it dipped massively low beneath my breasts and down my back. Suddenly, I felt like I didn't know what to say to her. "Did… Damien give you yours?"

Willow nodded. Her silky gown was a midnight blue that blended into dark purple, adorned with hundreds of tiny diamonds, which looked like a blanket of stars set against the night sky. Even more gems detailed the sweetheart neckline.

Her gaze was distant before she murmured out a, "Can we talk?" She gestured to the outside balcony with a tilt of her head, her hand occupied with a glass of wine .

I agreed.

The cool air against my skin was welcomed, and it felt like I took a full breath for the first time all night. The balcony gave a full view of the area surrounding the palace, lights from the nearby city dotting the skyline and the palace gardens spread out below us.

Out here, it felt like I could really see the place for the first time. The night was a deep red hue, a whole distinct set of constellations woven into the sea of stars.

I rested my back against the railing, watching Willow as she propped her arms against it, looking out. "This place is… Wow. Definitely not in Pleasant Grove anymore."

"Mhm," I agreed.Earlier, I'd had the same thought. And that was before I'd realized the sun was definitely a ruby hue, and whatever trick of the light made my bedroom so bright must have been magic.

My thoughts drifted. Hopefully no one would sneak into my room and leave the door open. Selene was always trying to escape outside, and who knew what would happen if she got loose here? It wasn't like she knew how to get home in this place. If something happened to her…

"Luna." My sister's voice was stern. "Talk to me."

I turned, looking into her eyes—bright green, the color we shared—before emitting a deep sigh. "I am , aren't I?" What else would we be doing out here?

Willow crossed her arms over her chest. "You were right."

As the little sister, I especially liked to hear that—because it felt like I was always losing the arguments on account of being younger, but I didn't feel like gloating right now.

"About what?" I quirked an eyebrow. It did also help when I knew what, exactly, she was referring to.

"Damien. Telling him how I felt."

Oh. Well, that wasn't what I'd expected. "And you told him you love him?"

"Er… Well… No ." Her cheeks were pink. "I only realized that today."

"Willow." I gave her a dramatic sigh.

"Hey. Don't sister me while I'm sister-ing you ." Willow tried to look stern, though the effect didn't quite work—given she was incapable of looking mean. She was one of the nicest people I'd ever met, sister or not. She nudged me with her hip. "Are you sure this is what you want?"

"So, you get to fall in love with a demon and be with him, but I can't?" I didn't mean for the words to slip through my lips or to snap at her, but I had.

"Do you?" She asked, voice soft. "Love him?"

I shook my head. "No." Though I wished the answer was yes, it wasn't. "But…" My eyes were watery, and I blinked, trying to clear them. The rush of emotion running through me was so strong that I wondered if Zain could feel it through whatever mental bond we shared. "I can't explain it, Wil. But when I saw him, my heart knew."

"Knew…?"

"That he was mine. That I was his." I indicated around us with my hands. "Maybe I'm supposed to be here , you know?"It was the first time I'd dared to admit the words out loud. That I felt that way, but something in him called to me, and I couldn't deny it. Not to her, and not to myself. Not when his ring sat on my finger and a crown on my head.

"But… Your bakery. Our lives. You're leaving everything behind."

I fidgeted with the ring that sat on my finger. I still couldn't believe it when Zain had given it to me, and I wasn't used to it yet.

"Lately, I've been thinking, well… I don't know how to de scribe it. Like I was missing something. And when he asked me to come with him, I didn't even have to stop to think about it. I just… said yes." Sure, there was more to the story than that, but I left out the demon attack. It seemed like more than enough information for one day.

"But he's a stranger. You don't even know him."

I blinked. "Well… That's not entirely true."

"What?"

Grimacing, I continued, knowing this wouldn't sound great—since this was the part that I had kept from her. "We'd met before. At the bar. And a few other times."

I didn't mention that we'd already slept together to her. That seemed like information I didn't need to share with my older sister.

"You didn't think to tell me you met someone?" She dropped her voice, though I could still hear the hurt echoing through it. It made my heart ache. "I'm your sister, Luna."

Biting my lip, I looked away. "I know. But you were all wrapped up in Damien, and I didn't want to pop your bubble. Plus, it's not like you were one hundred percent truthful with me, either."

"Right. Well, maybe I should have told you about his, er… demon-ness . In my defense, I thought I was doing the right thing. Keeping him safe."

"I don't think he needs you for that." The laugh spilled from my lips before I could help it, before I reminded myself of the severity of the situation, and my voice lost any hint of humor. But how could she have known about Zain? That we'd end up meeting?

"A witch cursed him," Willow offered. "That's the spell I did. Reversing it."It made sense. The spell she'd performed on the full moon, how she'd skirted around sharing what she was doing with me. Why she hadn't asked for help—from me or the coven. Even if it still stung.

"I didn't realize who he was to me. Not until later. But I think part of me knew I needed to help him. Maybe it was the same part of me that picked him out at that shelter." Willow blushed. "And I guess it was right. He's my…" Her fingers brushed over two little puncture marks on her neck. "My soulmate."

"It doesn't have to make sense to feel right," I said—because I knew that, understood that feeling more than I could put into words. "I thought I would hate it here," I admitted, giving my truth. "This place. I thought it would be Hell. But it's not. People are free to be whoever they are here. Monster and demon alike. It's nothing like Pleasant Grove."

I'd been here less than a day, and I already could feel that. Novalie had shown me that, too. She might have been a maid—a servant, not a slave—but I could sense she was speaking the truth when she'd told me she was treated well. How much she liked working here.

And this ball—these demons—none of them were like the ones who had attacked me earlier.

"No, it isn't," my sister murmured. She looked up at the sky—the crescent moon high in the sky, the red endless space freckled with stars. It wasn't our sky, but I found it calming.

Picking up her hand, I squeezed it tightly. "I don't know what will happen, but I can promise you I'm safe here. I'm not here against my will. I chose this... I choose him. "

"Okay," she whispered, squeezing back. "And if you decide this isn't what you want anymore?"

"Then I'll come back." I didn't foresee that happening, though. Already, I couldn't imagine leaving him.

"Okay," Willow agreed as we dropped hands, still staring out at the palace's surroundings.

My skin prickled with recognition that could only be one thing, and a second later, Zain wrapped his arm around my shoulders.

"There you two are," he said. "We've been looking for you."

Damien stepped to Willow's side, and she relaxed into his touch.

"Hi," Willow murmured before slipping an arm around his middle.

"We were just getting some air," I shared. "It's a little stuffy in there." I tugged at one of the sleeves of my dress.

Zain chuckled. "They're just fascinated by you, my bride. Give it time." He kissed my cheek.

I sighed into his hold. "I know."

He turned his attention to Damien and Willow. "Did you two enjoy the party?"

"Oh, yes," Willow said, eyeing her empty glass of demon wine, her cheeks turning slightly pink. "It's been lovely."

"She smells like you now," my fiancé mused to his brother.

Willow's cheeks flamed as Damien nuzzled his nose against her neck."I had to keep the other demons away from my mate somehow."

Zain looked down at me, humming slightly in response.If he'd expected me to be surprised at Willow and Damien's newfound status, well, he would be wrong about that.

That didn't mean I needed him to do the same to me.

"I can take care of myself," I muttered, rolling my eyes as I stared out at the gardens. Couldn't I? I had this magic in my veins. Once I learned how to use it, I could protect myself.

And go home. If I could protect myself, I wouldn't need to be tied to him, stuck in this world that was so foreign and unlike my own. Right ?

But why did the thought of leaving feel like splitting my heart in two?

Zain frowned at me, and Damien and Willow seemed to have some sort of mental conversation of their own, punctuated at the end by a verbal "I didn't say that" from my sister.

I raised an eyebrow at her, but she just shook her head—exasperated.

It's been a long night, Zain mused into my head.

I had to agree. A long day.

Willow shivered, resting her head against Damien's chest. When she yawned, Damien scooped her up into his arms. "Come on, my mate. Let's get you to bed."

She nodded into his chest, giggling slightly.

"Goodnight, you two," I said, offering my sister a smile.

Willow gave me a little wave. "Night." She looked at Zain. "Don't hurt my baby sister, or I'll tear your heart out." Her eyes turned to Damien and then back to Zain. "Or turn you into a cat. Might be just as effective."

Her demon laughed. "I think you had too much demon wine, baby."

"Uh-uh," Willow argued, her eyes closing even as they walked away.

And then it was just the two of us.

Leaning my forearms against the railing, I looked out once again over the grounds. What would happen if I let my walls down? If, just for a moment, I let my power free.

I'd joked about it with Willow—peering into her future. I could do it for Zain, too. Our future. Something more than just the hazy, fuzzy warmth I'd felt. But what if it ended badly?

I willed the thought away. No good would come of knowing. Not yet.

"Do you think you can be happy here?" Zain asked, breaking our comfortable silence .

"I hope so," I murmured, drawing my eyes away from the flickering lights in the distance and back to his golden eyes that were brimming with so much hope.

"Me too," he agreed before offering his hand. "Shall we call it a night, Moonbeam?"

I blushed at the nickname. "Why do you call me that?" I'd been wondering that ever since our first night together.

He frowned, reaching out to tug a lock of my hair. "Your hair reminds me of the moon." Zain twirled it around his finger.

"Oh." That made sense. He'd told me that when we'd laid under the stars. That my hair was like moonlight.

He shook his head, clearly not finished. "Because you're my light in the dark. You shine so bright, Luna. I never thought… No, could have never even imagined you. How you would illuminate my entire world."

I swallowed, not expecting the onslaught of emotions.

Somehow, I suspected I'd be thinking about those words long into the night.