33. Luna

THIRTY-THREE

luna

T wo. I blinked.

"Two?" I looked over at Zain. "There's two?" Maybe them knocking me out had caused me to hit my head a little harder than I thought because I couldn't seem to process the word.

I'd only just come to terms with being pregnant with one, but two was even crazier.

He grinned. "Twins. It's—" His forehead rested against mine, that deep voice of his all choked up. "We're having twins."

"Twins," I repeated, the information still processing before it finally settled in . There were two babies growing inside of me. "Wow. I never expected?—"

His hand rested over top of mine. And I could see them, clear as day.

A little boy with dark hair and golden eyes. The blonde baby girl with violet eyes.

Never us. Always ours .

"Oh." And then I was crying again .

"What?" He pinched my side lightly.

"I should have told you before," I whispered. "That I loved you. That I suspected…" I took a deep breath. "I just… I've been dreaming of these two kids for so long. I thought maybe it was you when you were younger." There was a lump in my throat when I tried to swallow. "But maybe I've just been dreaming of them for so long, I couldn't see the truth of it."

"You've dreamed of them ?"

I nodded. "And you. Ever since I was little."

He puffed up at that. "Oh, yeah? What did you see?"

Tracing my finger up his back, I whispered in his ear. "Your eyes. Golden, always searching for me. Your beautiful wings. Powerful. Like they were going to pick me up and carry me off somewhere." A brief laugh escaped my lips. "I guess they did."

"So they did." His smile lit up my heart. "Is it weird that satisfies some possessive, primal part of me? That while I was here, waiting for you, you were dreaming of me?"

"Yes." I laughed. "So glad I was worth the wait."

He brought our lips together. "Every single moment."

I rested my head on his chest, eyes growing heavy with sleep once again. Whatever they'd given me to knock me out, whatever they'd done to me upon kidnapping me—it had taken all of my energy.

Though growing two half-demon, half-human beings inside of me probably didn't help either.

"Zain?"

"Yes?" He asked, smoothing his hand down my back. His lap was so comfortable, and I was pretty sure his arms were the best place in the world.

"Can I ask you something?" I fiddled with the loose opening of his shirt.

"Of course."

"When you said you needed to have a child—an heir to secure your line—did you mean that?" That was what had started our frenzy. We'd been able to keep our hands off of each other, and I'd been content to let him breed me. Because deep down, I wanted it more than anything.

A baby. A family. All of it, with him.

"No."

"Oh, so…"

"It was selfish." Zain chuckled. "And I'm afraid it doesn't exactly paint me in the best light."

I poked at his arm. "Tell me."

"I wanted you to have a reason to stay here. With me. Even if you were safe, I wanted…" He shut his eyes. "More . But I remembered what you said that first night. About your dreams. The kind of man you wanted to be with. And for the first time… I wanted that, too. To be everything you'd dreamed of. The father of your children. The one I'd never had growing up."

My eyes softened. "You're going to be such a wonderful dad."

"How do you know?" He looked so vulnerable, so close to breaking, and it hurt to know anyone had inflicted scars this deep on such a strong man.

"Because you care. Because you have so much love in your heart, you're just scared to show it to other people." I kissed that spot on his chest as if in demonstration. "And you didn't have to get me pregnant to get me to stay with you, dummy. I would have done it if you asked."

"But you're happy? With this? With everything?"

"Could have gone without the kidnapping," I mumbled, getting a soft swat on my ass.

"Sass."

"You like it."

"Yeah. I like you. "

"That's good," I murmured, "because you're stuck with me now. Jokes on you."

"Luna?"

"Mhm?" I hummed in response, letting his scent fill up my nose.

"Thank you." His hand slid over my stomach. "For this. For everything."

I yawned, burying my face in his neck and rubbing my nose over the spot where he'd let me mark him weeks ago. "For you? Anything." I meant it, too. "I love you."

Snuggling against him, I thought about everything that had happened over the last few days. About everything that would need to happen now that his father was gone.

"Do we have anything we need to do now?" I asked, resting my head against his shoulder and letting my eyes flutter shut.

"For now?" Zain wrapped his arms around me before picking me up and then settling us both down on the bed. "Just sleep."

"Promise you'll be here when I wake up?"

"I'll never leave you alone again." A promise.

And he didn't break his promises.

That night, curled up in his arms, tucked away where I was safe… I slept better than I had in a long, long time.

"Happy coronation day," Zain whispered in my ear, his fingers brushing over my face as my eyes fluttered open.

It still didn't feel real.

A month had passed since his dad's death. Since the night I thought I'd lost everything.

"Five more minutes," I mumbled, curling into his chest, letting his scent fill my nostrils .

He tucked a piece of hair behind my ear.

When I looked up, he was smiling at me.

"What?"

"This is everything I've ever wanted."

"Mm." Snuggling back into him further, I kissed the spot over his heart. "Getting sappy on me now, are you, husband?"

"I can't help it. You bring it out of me." He scowled. "People used to take me seriously around here."

A giggle escaped my lips. "You're just a grade-A simp."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I sat up, shaking my head. He'd never understand all the human colloquialisms I used, but I was totally okay with that. Mostly because it gave Willow and I something to laugh about with our husbands.

Giving him a kiss on the cheek, I slid out of bed, heading towards the restroom.

After using the bathroom, I stood in front of the mirror, inspecting my reflection as I brushed my teeth. It was crazy how much had changed in the last month. How much we'd accomplished.

If I'd doubted myself, my abilities, and my place here in the demon realm before—I had no reason to anymore. We'd spent the last several weeks traveling around the demon realm, helping rebuild and passing out supplies to those in need. Zain had made sure I didn't stay on my feet all day, being overbearing and protective as usual, but at least this time, he had two excuses.

I'd brought baked goods with me everywhere, introducing myself to the people I'd help rule over. Though I'd been apprehensive about meeting so many demons, I was surprised how many had no issues at all with a human witch being their queen.

Though I wouldn't be quite human after tonight. Still a witch, but something… other .

We'd tied our lifespans together, ensuring that I'd live as long as he did. Apparently, it was common with demons who mated with other races. I realized how much we didn't know in Pleasant Grove, how in the dark we'd been as a magical race. There was so much out there in the world that I had no idea about, and I wanted to see it all.

But that last part would have to wait.

In tight-fitting clothing, my bump was beginning to be obvious, though it was easy enough to hide it from almost everyone around the palace. Novalie knew, of course, as she helped me dress every morning, and so did Zain's advisors—who were like a second family here. Lilith and Asura had adopted me like sisters, something I desperately missed.

"Are you excited to see your sister?" Zain's arms wrapped around me as I stood in front of the vanity, brushing my hair. It was like he'd read my mind, but I knew how strongly our emotions were tied these days.

I rested my head against his shoulder as he took the hairbrush out of my hands.

"Yes. But I'm nervous, too."

"To tell her?"

I nodded, sliding a hand over my stomach. "I already know she feels like we rushed into this marriage, and maybe we did, but… I wouldn't change it. Part of me feels like everything happened the way it did to bring us together. Like the fates knew we needed that little push."

He buried his nose in my hair. "Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I'd told you that first night. Asked you to come with me then."

"I'd probably have laughed in your face," I said honestly. "Or told you that you were insane."

"What about the second night?"

"Before or after you gave me a mind-blowing orgasm? "

Zain kissed my neck. "There were at least two."

"Mmm. Maybe. I think I would have had to be convinced."

His fingers pushed the straps down of my nightgown, baring my shoulder to him. "What about if I gave you another one? Would that help?"

"Perhaps…" I breathed as he ran his nose over my skin. "We should find out." I tilted my head to the side to give him access to the crook of my shoulder, wanting him to sink those teeth into me. To feel the pleasure of our beings merging as one.

Zain's hands cupped my breasts, and a low moan slipped out of me. They were already more sensitive and tender, and it felt like I could come from him playing with my nipples alone.

"Luna," he groaned, his erection pressing against me. "You're going to be the death of me one day."

"I hope not," I said, turning around so I could wrap my arms around his neck. "Especially since I tied my life to yours." I could feel the satisfaction that ran through his body.

"You're mine," he said, pressing a kiss to our mark. "My moonbeam."

"I'm yours," I agreed.

A knock on the door had us springing apart—though I knew there were few people who would interrupt us in here. Which meant it was probably time to get ready for the day, unfortunately ending our quiet moment. And any chance for an orgasm.

"Guess we don't have time for you to prove your theory," I murmured, dragging my hand up his chest.

He caught it, kissing my palm. "Later," Zain promised. "I'll make good on every single one." His eyes sparkled with a challenge, and I couldn't wait. A shiver ran down my spine.

I rubbed my thighs together, doing my best to ignore the needy feeling .

Novalie's voice called out, "My lady. I have your gown here if you're ready to dress."

"Just a moment," I responded, not wanting to extract myself from my husband's arms.

"If you don't want me to put you on the counter and show you exactly how much I want you, I suggest you go now." He nipped at my ear.

"Okay, okay, fine!" I turned like I was heading for the door, but he spun me back in, dropping a kiss on my lips. It quickly turned heated. His tongue brushed over my lower lip, seeking entrance, and I moaned a little as it slipped into my mouth. He slipped his hands up the slit in my thigh, grazing over the skin there, closer and closer—"Zain," I whimpered.

He kissed the tip of my nose. "See you soon, Moonbeam."

Finally pulling away, Zain headed towards the baths as I pushed my straps back up, straightening the gown before going to the door.

Novalie wore a knowing smile when I opened it, moving into my bedroom.

"Sleep well?"

I nodded, though the morning sickness that had hit in the last few weeks certainly hadn't been making it easy on me. Though the healer had assured me it was perfectly natural—especially with a twin pregnancy—it still didn't make it any easier on my body.

She guided me to the vanity, grabbed a comb, and began to brush out my hair the rest of the way. I watched her work through the mirror, thinking about how it had been over three months since I'd arrived here.

Everything was different. My life was changing. But that was okay. Because I had a purpose now, and I was happy, and everything had unraveled just the way it was supposed to.

Sure, maybe I was only twenty-five, but I was married to a man who cared about me. One who did everything in his power to make sure I was happy.

And I knew that no matter what trials came our way, I would have done it all over again to get here.

The future was ours.

And that was everything.