17. Luna

SEVENTEEN

luna

A knock on my door startled me out of the book I'd been reading. Trying not to get my hopes up it was him, and trying not to analyze why that was my first thought, I pulled myself out of the chair by the window. In the days I'd been here, I'd fallen in love with this little corner of my room.

It was still weird to think of it as mine. All of my stuff might have been here, and Selene seemed happy to prance around like she owned the place, but sometimes I felt like a stranger floating through this place. My home was in Pleasant Grove, and I'd left it behind.

For what? A demon. Maybe I was crazy. That was probably why Willow had shown up and demanded Zain let me go home. Maybe if I was here against my will, that would be a different story.

"Oh." I cracked the door open to find Lilith and Asura—two of Zain's friends, or advisors, whatever he was calling them—standing there.

"Hi." Lilith beamed at me, her wings folded in behind her. She was gorgeous, with that inky-black hair spilling over her shoulders and lips as red as blood.

Asura gave a brief nod. "Hey."

They both were beautiful—in an otherworldly way—and even though I'd barely spent any time with them, I was pretty sure I could trust them. Or, at the very least, my senses made me feel safe around them.

Whatever the reason, I hadn't expected them here.

"Did you guys need something?"

Asura peeked inside. "We thought you might want to get out of here. Do something fun."

"Fun?" I raised an eyebrow. "Here?"

Lilith crossed her arms over her chest. "What do you think we do all day, exactly?"

"I don't know." I frowned. "Demon general things?"

The two girls looked at each other and laughed. "You're mistaking us for Kairos. Zain gives us much more important work than that."

"Still, I don't want to keep you from your tasks…"

"We want to get to know you. To help you feel more at home here."

I found myself nodding, agreeing to go along with their plans. Mostly because I didn't want to be alone. "Okay. What are you thinking?"

"How's a little afternoon flight sound?"

"Stay still, my lady," Angelique reminded me for the dozenth time, a pin poking into my skin as if I needed the physical reminder.

"Sorry," I apologized— again . But I couldn't stop my mind from wandering even as the dress that I'd be married in quickly took shape on my body.

Somehow, that was my least priority. Never mind the fact that our wedding was a little over a week away now. It didn't feel real, so I was still pretending it wasn't.

If someone had asked me a month ago if I thought I'd be living in a Demon Palace, in a completely different realm where all the residents were demons—except for me—I would have said they were crazy.

And yet, here I was.

I'd settled into some sort of routine here already, which I hadn't expected. Even if the sun was duller—and redder than the one I was used to, I still rose with it, and without the responsibilities of the bakery, I found myself with a lot of free time.

My days were spent exploring and learning about this place, and my nights staring up at the sky as if I might memorize the new constellations that stared back at me. Like the moon could answer my questions if only I knew the right ones to ask.

The library was quickly becoming my favorite spot in the entire palace as I devoured every book I could get my hands on—the ones I could read, at least. One day, I'd have Zain teach me the demon's script, but at least I'd gained a whole slew of knowledge about demons.

Anything to distract me from the overabundance of free time I had now.

Free time that could have been used for planning my wedding, but Zain assured me he'd take care of all of it. All I had to do was be poked and prodded at by the demon who was creating my gown.

Swishing the fabric of the skirt back and forth—despite the glares I got from Zain's chosen seamstress—I took a moment to admire the look of it.

"You look beautiful," Novalie said, her hand pressed over her heart as she gave me a sympathetic smile. "Every bit a queen."

White lace covered my breasts, and the puffy tulle sleeves on my arms should have been ridiculous, yet I felt… like a princess . She was right. My shoulders were bare, and the iridescent white fabric glimmered like the moon.

"He's not going to be able to keep his hands off of you," Angelique agreed, stilling me once again as she continued with her alterations. She had long, reddish hair that was braided down her back and wore a pair of fitted trousers. Not at all what I'd imagined when they'd told me a seamstress was coming to make me a dress.

Looking towards the window, I watched the sun's reddish rays seeping through the glass windowpane as my fingers fiddled with my ring. "Maybe."

Despite his promises that first night—that he wanted me, when he'd given me the choice between returning home and being with him… we hadn't shared a bed. I missed waking up wrapped around his body in my apartment, feeling his warmth beside me at night.

If he was giving me space, I didn't want it.

There were so many things I wanted to tell him. For starters, that I'd started having visions again—flashes of what could be. Or maybe it was what had come before. I could never really tell what my premonitions meant.

Last night was new . A little girl with pale hair and violet eyes was holding hands with a dark-haired boy who looked around the same age. He had the same golden eyes I'd always seen.

Who was he? Who were they ?

Those two little ones had taken my hands last night, guiding me towards something I couldn't see.

Some seer I was. I snorted at the thought, blowing a few strands of my light blonde hair off my face.

Even with everything we had shared in Pleasant Grove, the uncomplicated relationship that had developed between us in the safety of my apartment seemed to fade from my grasp. What had changed?

Teach him that it's okay to love, will you? He needs that—more than anything else. Lilith's words echoed through my brain.

But why was he holding back? He'd told me he didn't need me to love him. Assured me he needed me. It had seemed so sincere, so genuine. Maybe something had changed. I didn't know.

"All done," Angelique said, loosening the dress from my body and interrupting my train of thought.

I gave a small smile, trying to brush off my thoughts. "Thank you."

I'd chosen to stay. Knowing everything, knowing that he'd come to Pleasant Grove to find me, that he'd lied and slept with me under false pretenses—I still couldn't bear to part with him.

But I couldn't promise him my heart.

Could I?

A few hours later, after I'd read another book that I'd smuggled out of the library while curled up on my chaise with Selene, I finally gave up on waiting for him.

I was alone in a place full of strangers—demons that I knew hardly anything about. Zain didn't count since I wasn't sure I could base my thoughts about their species on just one man. Especially one that had had his wicked way with me.

My research had helped, but I wanted more. I needed a connection . That was one of my favorite parts about working in the bakery. Seeing the townsfolk every day, watching their faces light up. Part of me wondered if I'd made the wrong decision. Especially now.

If Zain wouldn't come to me, that was okay. I could go to him. We were supposed to be getting married, after all.

Luckily, this past week of exploring had given me plenty of opportunities to learn my way around the palace.

My knuckles rapped on the open door of Zain's study. "Hi," I murmured, leaning my head against the door frame.

He was sitting at his desk, buried under a mountain of papers. "Luna." His eyes softened as he took in my presence.

I gave my ever-present bodyguard—Talon, currently—a nod of dismissal, the door shutting behind me.

"You look beautiful."

"Thank you." It was a practiced effort not to blush at his compliment—because he always readily gave them to me. The blush pink gown was long and silky, and my hair was in a braided crown updo, showing off the plunging back.

I'd discovered rather quickly that most of the outfits in my closet showed off ample amounts of skin, but they were works of art, too. Who was I to turn down such stunning creations? It felt like a shame not to wear them, to let them sit in the closet. So. Here I was. Dressed like the royalty I was about to be in a matter of days.

"You've been busy," I observed, letting my fingers trace over the wooden edge of the desk as I wandered over to him.

He sighed. "I'm sorry. My attentions have been focused elsewhere, and I… just wanted to make sure you had some space to get used to all of this. "

"I don't need space," I murmured. "I just need you."

Goddess, I wished I didn't like him this much. That would have made all of this easier.

I'd just missed his presence. I'd come here to tell him exactly that. That I missed his touch. The way it felt with his lips on mine. When we connected, it was like everything melted away, ceasing to exist. I wanted that— needed that. The distraction and the reminder. Especially as my world felt like it was falling apart around me.

"Luna," he murmured, his golden eyes filled with regret. "I'm sorry."

"You don't have to apologize for doing your job. I know you have responsibilities. I just thought maybe I could have you at night."

"No. You're right. There's so many things I wanted to show you." He pinched the spot between his brows with his forefinger and thumb, rubbing it slightly. "That's my fault. I wanted to help you acclimate. I did."

"Lilith and Asura have been keeping me company. They make excellent dinner companions, you know." I left out that Lilith had flown me up to the roof of the palace, and they'd pointed out things around the radius. You could see for miles up there. Though the library was still my favorite place.

A laugh. "I do. I've known them for a very long time. Talon and Thorn, too."

I hummed in response. "You know, I had a fitting for my wedding dress today."

His eyes twinkled with amusement. "Oh?"

"Only got stabbed about twenty times, so that's an improvement on last time."

Zain's whole body froze. "You what?"

I placed my hand on his chest. "Relax, handsome. They're just sewing pins." I laughed at his expression. "No one's hurt me. Everyone's been amazing, really." Novalie, his advisors, and even the palace staff had all been trying to make this feel like home for me. "But I still feel so alone."

"Luna…"

Pushing his knees apart so I could slide in between them, I whispered, "I need you. I don't know how to do this. Not without you. I wasn't born into this world. I'm not a regal-born princess. I'm just… me. And I need you to help me through it."

He brushed a thumb over my cheekbone. "I need you, too."

Shutting my eyes, I leaned into his touch. Letting the rightness of the moment flow through my body, steadying me.

" Fuck ." The word slipped from his tongue, and then he was crowding me in, forcing me up against the wood. "I've missed you." His hand wrapped around my chin, forcing my eyes to meet his. Those golden irises held my full attention, and I couldn't have looked away if I tried.

"Do you think we can get back what we had? In Pleasant Grove?"

"Yes." He leaned in, kissing me softly. "I know we will."

I straddled his lap, already desperate for more.

"Listen, Luna," he murmured, holding onto me. "There's something you should know. Something I've been meaning to tell you. I wasn't trying to avoid you. I just needed to figure out how to say this."

"Okay."

He looked around, wincing. "Maybe… not here."

"Should we go for a walk? I still haven't explored the gardens." Though from above they looked beautiful, I hoped that he'd go with me. A romantic stroll in the gardens sounded like exactly what we needed.

His tongue darted out over his lips, and then he was standing, holding me against him as I wrapped my legs around his waist. "I have a better idea. "

"Where are we going?" I murmured, my hands curling into the short hair at the base of his skull.

"My room."

Oh. Heat flooded my system. I liked that. A lot.

Not wasting another moment, Zain transported us back into his bedroom, setting me on my feet. He swallowed roughly as his eyes trailed down my body. Over my hardened nipples, visible through the thin fabric of the dress.

"Luna…" Zain took a few steps past me, moving into the room. "We should talk." He turned to the door, shutting it with magic before imbuing it with some sort of spell. "So we won't be interrupted," he explained. He wrapped a hand around my wrist, spinning me into him. All my bravado faded, and I was left staring into Zain's magnificent eyes.

"I missed you," he repeated, wrapping his other arm around my waist and pulling me in tight before burying his nose in my hair.

Wrapping my arms around him, I inhaled his scent, relaxing into his hold. "I missed you too," I said, the words whispered against his chest. "I thought maybe you'd changed your mind, that you didn't want me."

"Fuck." He practically growled. "No. That's not it at all."

"But you haven't touched me. Not really. Not since…" Since I'd found out who he was. Since he'd brought me here.

I'd been upset, at first, that he'd lied to me, but I was even more upset about the distance between us now. Until earlier, we hadn't had a proper conversation since the night of the ball. Then, I'd been hopeful. Now, I didn't know what I was feeling.

"So, what are you waiting for, Zain?" I whispered the words, a seductive lilt to my voice. My eyes dropped to his lips as I ran my tongue over my bottom lip.

His arms snaked around my back, pulling me in tight against his body. His hard length pressed against my stomach, the way he towered over me reminding me of the stark contrast between our bodies. Gods, he was tall—somehow seeming to appear even bigger now. He was all hard planes and sculpted body—compared to my soft, lithe frame.

Zain's head dipped down, those lips brushing against mine as I stood on my tiptoes to reach him.

I moaned at the press of his erection as he kissed me again, his hand fisting in my hair to tug my mouth up closer to his.

It was exhilarating. It was everything . It made me forget everything, just for a moment.

Because I wanted him. Wanted him to let loose, to take me hard , to give me everything I needed.

"Luna…" He warned. "Are you sure?"

"Yes." I pressed a kiss to his neck. "I don't want to think. Not anymore." I tilted my head up, rising on my tiptoes to lessen the distance between us. "I just want you."

Another groan slipped from his lips, and he hoisted me up to his waist, my gown pooling around my hips. I kissed his neck, sucking his pulse point into my mouth as he carried me towards his bed.

Dropping me unceremoniously on the black silk sheets, he whipped the thin pink gown off my body, my peaked nipples coming into full view.

"Fuck," he groaned, his eyes taking the time to fully pursue my body, all sprawled out on his black silky sheets. "No panties?"

I shook my head. The fabric was too thin, and I'd just gone without. "Zain," I begged, rubbing my legs together. "I need you. "

"Shhh, baby," he said, pulling my thighs apart. "It's been too long since I've had you on my tongue."

I whimpered as he parted me, those long fingers gripping my inner thighs tight enough that I hoped he'd leave marks.

And then he pulled my hips to the edge of the bed, kneeling in front of me so his face was level with my entrance. I grasped at the sheets as he ran his tongue up my slit, a low moan slipping from my lips.

Wicked fingers. Wicked tongue. He was wicked, and I liked it. Loved it, even.

"Don't stop," I pleaded as he thrust his tongue inside me without preamble, tasting me.

"I've never tasted anything quite like you," he murmured after moving his attention from my entrance to my clit, curling his tongue around the bud. "I think I could spend forever between your thighs."

"Goddess," I cried out as he devoured me like a man starved.

"Yes, you are," he agreed. "Now, let me worship you."

With that, there were no words left. Just him, greedily tonguing my cunt, his finger finding my clit and pressing down hard enough that I almost came just from the pressure.

"Give it to me," he coaxed, moving his thumb in circles as he continued to fuck me with his tongue. "Give me what's mine."

"Zain," I whimpered.

"You can do it, baby. Come for me."

My head rolled back as I let the orgasm explode through me. The world was white. The sheets were still clutched between my fingers, back bowed off the bed as I came down from the high, looking down to see only those golden eyes peering up at me from between my thighs.

Giving me a few more languid licks, he finally stood up, running his tongue over his bottom lip before standing up, the outline of his erection clear through his bottoms.

Zain bent down to kiss me, his hips settling inside my still-parted legs.

"Don't tease me," I begged. "I need you inside me. Please."

In a flash, his pants were gone, his tip pressed against my entrance. Grasping my chin, he rasped out, "Tell me you want this. That you want me."

I nodded, feeling from the undercurrent of emotions that ran through him how important this was to him. And I needed him to know that I meant it. That I wasn't doing this just for him or for any reason other than I wanted it, wanted him.

"I do," I said, holding his golden-eyed stare. "More than anything."

"Thank fuck," he muttered, finally pushing in. The stretch was exquisite, the feeling of him bare inside of me almost bringing me to climax again.

Reaching up, my hands clutched at his shoulders, digging my fingernails into his muscles.

"You feel so good inside of me."

I cried out as he pulled out before burying himself to the hilt.

"Harder," I moaned, my hips moving in tandem with each thrust of his cock.

"Moonbeam—" He protested with a groan, but I shook my head.

"I won't break. Fuck me, Zain."

Pulling out, he flipped me onto my stomach, sinking into me from behind. His hands gripped my hips roughly, helping to pull me to my knees.

" Oh ," I gasped out, feeling him bottom out. " Yes . You're so big."

Right there , I thought, feeling him deeper than ever before. The angle made everything heightened, and I wondered if it would always be like this.

"Luna," he groaned. "You're so tight. Feels so good."

I didn't agree with words—I couldn't because all rational thought flooded my brain as pleasure burst through my body. I pushed my hips back, forcing him in deeper.

He reached around us, grabbing my hand and forcing my fingers apart, placing them on the entrance where we were joined.

"Feel us," he rasped against my ear. "Feel how good you take me, Moonbeam."

Every thrust, every movement he made as he rocked into me, sent trembles through my body. My fingers were parted around his cock, each slide inside of me brushing it up against my digits.

My moans increased, and Zain found my clit, strumming it with such precision I thought I might lose my mind. So close.

Stars exploded across my vision, a blinding white that overtook me without warning. My muscles clenched around him, and I could feel his cock tightening between my fingers, inside of me, even as he kept pounding into me through my climax.

"Inside me," I pleaded, not even knowing what I was asking for but knowing I didn't want to lose this feeling, this connection, yet. Pressing my ass against him further, I tightened my muscles. "Fill me up," I begged.

A deep groan escaped from his lips as he did just that, spilling deep into my body, filling me with rope after rope of his cum. I could feel the warmth inside me as his seed trickled down onto my fingers.

Zain stilled, keeping me pinned against him as his breathing leveled out .

"Damn." I panted, collapsing onto the bed. "That was…" I had no words. How did he always fry my brain so thoroughly?

"Thank you," Zain said, voice rough. He nuzzled his face into the spot between my shoulders and my neck, kissing it softly. Reverently.

I turned to face him. "For what?"

"For trusting me. For this." He cupped my cheeks.

Finally, he pulled out, and I whimpered at the sudden loss of him inside of me.

Our combined releases dripped out of me, and Zain's gaze was focused on his cum. He swallowed roughly.

"That's… fuck, that's hot," he muttered before using his index and pointer fingers to scoop it up and push it back inside of me.

I swallowed roughly, trying not to think about what we'd just done.

And how I knew it could change everything.