The aftermath was quiet.
Blood stained the stones. Lunaria approached the fallen body without shedding a tear. Her hands were steady, but her breath trembled.
"You kept your promise," she whispered.
Vaelion wiped the blood from his blade. "He deserved worse."
She didn't speak further. Instead, she stepped close and kissed his cheek.
"You're no prince," she murmured. "You're a reckoning."
The moon had faded. Morning sunlight filtered through the sheer silk curtains of the prince's chamber, painting the marble floor in golden hues. Vaelion stirred beneath the velvet sheets, eyes fluttering open to a weight on his chest. Soft... warm... and distinctly not part of his bedding.
"...Huh?"
He blinked rapidly—and froze.
Long black hair spilled over his shoulder like night itself. Crimson eyes, half-lidded with sleepy satisfaction, stared up at him from atop his bare chest. Her skin gleamed with the faintest sheen of moonlight, unmarred and smooth. And worst—or perhaps best—of all... she was naked. Entirely naked.
"Wha—WHAT THE HELL?!"
He jolted back, yanking the blanket to his chest as Lunaria let out a soft giggle, unfazed by the prince's panic.
"Good morning, husband."
"H-H-HUSBAND?! Who gave you permission to—?! What are you even doing here?! Why are you—naked—in my bed?!"
Lunaria tilted her head, stretching lazily like a cat, making no move to cover herself.
"Your mother said you needed a wife. I agreed."
"Wait. Wait, wait, wait. You agreed?! Just like that?! Since when were we even—?!"
"Since last night. You fulfilled my condition. You killed my father... freed me from my chains. I gave you my word. My body, my blade, my heart... they are yours now."
The grand doors of the royal dining hall creaked open. Vaelion stepped in, cloaked in the crimson and black of his battle robes, and beside him walked Lunaria—now fully dressed, albeit in a blood-red gown that clung to her form with lethal elegance.
The Queen sat at the head of the long obsidian table, sipping tea. Her eyes met Vaelion's and twinkled knowingly.
"I see you accepted her proposal."
Vaelion cleared his throat. "You could have warned me."
"Where's the fun in that?"
Lunaria bowed. "Your Majesty."
"Rise, child. You're family now."
A moment passed in silence, thick with unspoken thoughts. Then the Queen stood, approaching Lunaria.
"I watched from afar how you endured... how you fought. My son has chosen well. I approve."
Lunaria's voice wavered. "Thank you... mother."
Vaelion nearly choked on air.
"Too soon?" Lunaria teased.
"Absolutely."
The Queen merely laughed.
to be continued...