The Vampire's Luna

And then, with a faint rasp of amusement, Luna asked, "Since when are you his fan?"

Ravena gave a soft snort, the first sound that wasn’t laced in sorrow. "I think he’s more suitable than Kyllian."

Luna blinked up at her mother, confused. "Okay, am I hallucinating? Or are you just saying what you think I’ll like to hear to distract me from the pain?"

A corner of Ravena’s mouth tugged upward. "Oh, I’m definitely trying to distract you. But also, I’m making a choice from the perspective of a mother." She sat back a little, gathering herself. "With everything going on, Prince Damien is more equipped to handle it. He’s calculated. Powerful. Loyal to you, not your father. And if you want the truth... I give him my blessing."

"Wow. I really am hallucinating."

"I mean it." Ravena smoothed back another damp curl from Luna’s cheek. "Kyllian... he’s a good man. He is. But he answers to your father. And your father answers to duty. That’s the difference. Damien, if we look beyond his...vampiric nature. he’s a little unhinged, sure. But his loyalty is to you."

"You do realise if we have babies, they will be vampires."

"I don’t care. I will love them like I love you."

"You have to tell father, Mom," she said quietly. "What if he finds me like this?"

Ravena inhaled sharply. Luna looked more vampire than wolf now. Fangs. Pale skin. Bloodless lips. A creature born of ancient nightmares and forbidden magic.

"I don’t want to put him in that position," Ravena finally admitted. "He loves you. We both know that. But if it comes down to choosing, we also know what he’ll do."

Luna turned her head, pain etched deeply into the corners of her eyes. "He’ll choose his people."

Ravena nodded slowly. "He’s a born protector. Alpha blood runs deep. And Magnus was raised him to serve the pack, not himself."

Tears welled in Luna’s eyes again.

"Mum..." Luna rasped.

But before Ravena could respond, there was a knock on the door. Her entire body jerked in alarm. Without hesitation, she lunged for the bedsheets and threw them over Luna’s head.

"Enter!" she barked, collected, and queenly.

The door creaked open and a young maid shuffled in, bowing deeply. "Your Highness," she said, "Prince Damien requests your presence in the throne room."

Ravena nodded, lips pursed. "Tell him I will be on my way shortly."

The maid, still bowing, backed out quickly and closed the door. Ravena let out a breath that could have extinguished a forest fire and swiftly pulled the covers off Luna’s face.

"See?" she said triumphantly, as if she’d predicted the second coming. "I told you Damien could fix you."

Luna gave a weak, croaky chuckle from beneath the pillows, half-muffled but clearly amused. "Technically, I’m still half-dead."

"Well, darling, at least you’re conscious enough to be sarcastic again. That’s progress," Ravena replied, smoothing her daughter’s sweat-matted hair back. Then, her expression softened, taking her hand again with both of hers.

"Luna, listen carefully," Ravena said. "I made a promise to him." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Luna blinked slowly. "To who?"

"Damien."

Her heart stumbled a beat. "What kind of promise?"

"If he fixes you...if he truly saves you...you have to choose him."

Luna’s tired eyes widened a fraction. "Mother..."

"I know what you’re going to say. ’Your father will never agree.’" Ravena waved a dismissive hand as if Magnus’ imperial authority was merely a scheduling inconvenience. "But I don’t care. At the end of the day, it’s not about what your father wants. It’s not about me. It’s about you. Who you want. What you want."

"But... what about Kyllian?"

Ravena hesitated. The name that pulled her daughter in two directions.

"I know you care about him. But caring for someone doesn’t always mean choosing them. Not when the cost is your life."

Luna stared at her mother, overwhelmed, vulnerable, and silent for a long moment.

"I have to go, sweetie," Ravena said softly, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "Stay under the covers. Don’t let anyone see you. If the wrong person catches a glimpse..." Ravena let her voice trail off.

*****

If it weren’t for the fact that Kyllian was still knocked out by Morvakar’s nap spell, this conversation would be difficult to have.

But for now, he was blessedly unconscious, flopped unceremoniously across a chaise in the guest wing, still drooling. He was going to be pissed when he comes out of his nap coma. Damien could already see the veins in his forehead and neck bulging in rage.

What Damien was about to tell King Magnus and Queen Ravena was not going to go down well with Kyllian and he might get in the way of reason.

Damien cracked his knuckles, already rehearsing his speech in his head.

He stood tall and resolute in the center of the throne room.

Across from him, King Magnus sat like a shadow of the formidable ruler he’d once been. His crown, usually perched with pride, now sat slightly askew, as if the very throne was weary of the war playing out beneath its roof.

The moment Queen Ravena swept into the chamber, he launched into his carefully rehearsed declaration.

"I saw Morvakar," he began, each word clipped and controlled. "And I know how to save the princess."

Ravena, who had been clenching her hands, gasped and tilted her head back as though trying to peer through the ceiling, searching for the Goddess herself.

"Oh thank the Goddess!" she breathed, eyes glistening with tears. "You see, Magnus? I told you. He’s the one."

King Magnus, ever the skeptic, didn’t share in the outburst of divine gratitude. Instead, he leaned forward, arching a brow.

"I sense a negotiation coming," he said dryly.

Damien gave a nod, swallowing the lump of emotion rising in his throat. "The price I have to pay is very steep. My kingdom...Blood City...hangs in the balance. This isn’t just about love or duty anymore. It’s about legacy, and sacrifice."