The Vampire's Luna

"Saying my final goodbyes," Damien murmured. His eyes flickered downward and paused—just for a second—at the soft swell of her breast, which had apparently slipped out of her nightdress.

He closed his eyes, half in restraint, half in frustration. Oh, for the love of bloodlust...

"In the middle of the night?" Luna asked, one eyebrow raised, arms folded—though the positioning did very little to restore her modesty.

"I’m leaving in the morning," he said simply. Words were easier when they weren’t caught in your throat.

"Oh... uh... okay." Luna’s voice faltered, her hand absentmindedly moving to brush her messy curls behind one ear. She was flushed from the undeniable heat that always simmered between them.

Damien’s gaze lingered on her face. The little furrow in her brow. The guilt in her eyes. The ache in his chest expanded.

"You still don’t want to give us a chance?" he asked softly, even though he already knew the answer.

"I’m sorry, Damien," she whispered.

He nodded slowly. "You should, uh... put your boob back in," he said dryly. "It’s kinda distracting."

Luna glanced down and gasped and scrambled to adjust her nightdress. "It took you five whole minutes to tell me my boob was out?"

He shrugged with zero shame. "I liked the view."

"Stupid pervert," she hissed, cheeks flaming.

"You’re going to let him touch you, aren’t you?" Damien’s tone turned, growing sharp and accusing. "Let him take what’s mine."

Her mouth dropped open. "Nothing is yours!" she snapped. "And yes! I’m going to let him touch me. I gave you the opportunity to fuck me and you...you ran."

"I didn’t run!" he growled. "I’m still here. Were you dreaming about him, just now?"

"What?" Her voice rose. "Were you...How long have you been in here?"

"Long enough," he replied with maddening calm, "to know you want someone to fuck you."

Luna’s jaw dropped. "Damien..."

"Has he?" Damien interrupted. "Has he fucked you yet?"

"No!" she shouted. "And I wasn’t dreaming about him!"

"Oh?" His smirk returned, smug and sinful. "Then you were dreaming about me."

Luna’s eye twitched. "You arrogant bloodsucking..."

"See?" He grinned, triumphant. "It doesn’t matter who you’re with. You’ll always think of me. Even when someone else is inside you, it’ll be my name that dances on your lips."

"You’re disgusting."

"And yet..." He leaned closer, just enough for her to feel the coolness of his breath against her burning skin. "Your imagination still doesn’t compare to what I could actually do to you."

She swallowed hard, and cursed the way her knees weakened.

He was insufferable. He was dangerous. He was the embodiment of bad decisions.

And damn it, she was dreaming about him.

"You should go."

Damien’s eyes darkened, a storm brewing within them. He leaned forward, his presence overwhelming, and before she could protest, his lips crashed onto hers. The kiss was desperate, a silent plea, a battle of longing and restraint. Luna’s hands found their way to his shoulders, gripping tightly as if anchoring herself. A moan escaped her, betraying the turmoil within.

"You know you want me," he whispered against her skin, his lips trailing down to her neck, leaving a trail of fire in their wake.

"It’s just the bond," Luna gasped, tilting her head to give him better access. "Don’t think anything of it."

Damien chuckled, the sound low and dangerous. "I’m not going to take you until you beg me to. And you will, even if you’re married to him."

"List of things that will never happen," she retorted, trying to inject confidence into her voice, but it wavered.

He pulled away, his gaze intense. "Oh, you will, Luna. You will find me."

"Why do you do this?" she asked, frustration evident.

"What?" he feigned innocence.

"You make me feel all hot and bothered and then leave me hanging."

"It’s not even a fraction of the torture you put me through. Goodbye, Princess Luna."

"Wait..." she called out, but he was gone, vanished into the night, leaving behind only the scent of him and the undeniable heat pooling between her legs.

*****

The castle buzzed with activity. Dignitaries from every corner of the realm had begun to arrive for the impending nuptials. Relatives she hadn’t seen in years, and some she wished she hadn’t, filled the grand halls. The castle, vast and majestic, now felt claustrophobic, every corridor echoing with congratulations and well-wishes.

Luna plastered on a smile, nodding and thanking each guest, but inside, she was screaming. What was the big deal? She was getting married, so? To a man she barely knew, for the sake of duty.

As the wedding day approached, the castle transformed into a spectacle. Flowers adorned every surface, musicians rehearsed tirelessly, and the kitchen staff worked around the clock. Queen Ravena orchestrated it all with military precision, her excitement palpable.

In the midst of the chaos, Luna wondered if Damien was out there, thinking of her. The memory of his touch lingered, a bittersweet reminder of what could never be.

Luna couldn’t take it anymore. Her chest felt tight. Her mother’s chambers was a flurry of activities. Queen Ravena stood in the middle surrounded by four wedding planners who each had their own marching orders. One planner waved fabric samples. Another was in a dramatic phone argument with a baker.

"Luna?" her mother called as Luna tried to escape.

"I’ll be right back, Mother. I need a break," Luna said without looking back.

She didn’t wait for a reply. She ran until she burst out into the open gardens.

She found herself at the marble fountain tucked away in the farthest corner of the garden. The water bubbled gently. She leaned over, bracing her arms on the edge, and took a long, shuddering breath.

"Are you alright?"

She jumped. Kyllian’s deep voice sent a jolt down her spine. Whipping her head around, she blinked up at him.

"I... I’m fine," she said too quickly, brushing her fingers under her eyes in case her frustration had turned into tears. "I thought you went back to your pack."

He approached her slowly, hands tucked behind his back. "Your father summoned me. Something about shadowing him while he does ’kingly things.’"

Luna let out a weak laugh. "He isn’t wasting any time, huh?"

@Smiles: You rock!