She was mine, but I was hers.
By the time I was dry, I felt more like myself. Pulling on a pair of comfortable black pants and a loose tunic, I pressed my ear against the door.
The slow, steady sounds of breathing came from the other side and through the Binding Mark, all I felt was peace. Maybe this new connection wouldn’t be so bad. Shadowing inside the room was as easy as breathing.
Luna was lying on top of the covers, her dress spread around her as she slept. A book was beside her, laying open, and I picked it up. Images of various plants, all hand drawn, filled the pages. I flipped it over, reading the spine.
The Complete Botanical Guide of Plants Native to Eleyta
That was heavy bedtime reading. Personally, I preferred stories with a bit more action, but to each their own, I supposed. Tucking a bookmark into the tome, I placed it on the side table near Luna’s head.
A soft smile danced on her face, and her hair fanned out behind her, displaying the two small puncture wounds on her neck with pride. Grabbing the edge of the blanket, I pulled it up over her before bending and brushing my lips over her forehead. “Sweet dreams, Luna.”
Running over the events of the night in my mind, I climbed into bed next to my wife. Tonight we would rest, because tomorrow, we needed to see the queen. Before the earthquake, I saw something. Mother thought darkness was coming.
It seemed as though she was right.
* * *
It turnedout that almost dying was exhausting. By the time we woke, Luna and I slept through the entire day and night.
Now, there was fresh energy in our room. My wife was up to something. I felt it as soon as I woke up and found her gone. Running water came from the bathing room, and Luna’s amusement filtered through the Binding Mark. For the life of me, I couldn’t understand what she thought was so funny.
I dressed and sent a message to Mother, letting her know to expect us. Luna was still showering, so I sat at my desk to put the finishing touches on a letter I had started before the earthquake. Sealing it with my large signet ring and special wax made by the castle witches that didn’t require any fire, I shadowed into the hallway.
Tristan was leaning against the wall, picking under his fingernails with a dagger.
“Evening, Tristan,” I said, raising a brow.
The guard straightened, moving so fast that his dagger went tumbling to the ground. “Damn it, Bastian,” he said. “Give a male some warning, will you? I nearly stabbed myself.”
Chuckling, I bent, handing him his blade along with my letter. “If I gave you warning, it wouldn’t be nearly as much fun.”
He took the envelope, tucking it into his pocket. “You want this delivered with the rest?”
I nodded. “Yes, and while you’re at it, find out why the princess hasn’t been getting any replies.” I narrowed my eyes, glaring at the vampire. “Youhavebeen delivering her letters, correct?”
Tristan nodded profusely. “Yes, of course, Your Highness. You know me. I would never presume—”
“It’s fine,” I said. “I believe you. Just look into it. As soon as you know anything, let me know.”
“Of course, my prince.”
A bubble of amusement came through the Binding Mark, and I raised a brow.
Gathering my shadows, I nodded. “See that it’s done.”
I shadowed back to my desk, finding my footing just as the bathing room door opened behind me. Ever since drinking Luna’s blood, my dark magic thrummed in my veins, eager to be used.
“I’m ready to go,” Luna said, that soft enjoyment still coming through our bond.
Making a mental note to remind Luna I could feel her emotions—everything in the tunnels had been chaotic, and I wasn’t sure she truly understood the depth of our connection—I gathered my shadows around me.
“Good,” I said, turning around. “Then we can…”
My mind emptied of all words and my mouth fell open as I caught sight of the human I married.
She smirked, and I stared at her. My heart pounded in my chest, and an entire minute went by before I finally found the ability to speak. “You can’t wear that.”