“Yes.” She looked up at me through her lashes. “I’m researching you. Your reactions. Your likes and dislikes. Black, evidently, is a favorite of yours. But what else do you like?” She raised a shoulder. “It struck me in the tunnels that I don’t know enough about you.”
Personally, I had been a little preoccupied with not dying.
“I see. You want to research… me.”
She smiled. “Exactly. I have had plenty of time to think, and I want to know more about you. All of you. Life is short, you know. We are Tethered, and I don’t want to waste a single second of our time together.”
Exhaling, I ran a hand through my hair.
Luna drew her bottom lip through her teeth and doubt flickered through the Binding Mark. “It was a bad idea. Forget I—”
“No.” Stepping forward, I put my finger beneath her chin. My voice was rough as I said, “It was an excellent idea.”
“Really?” Her eyes lit up, and she grinned.
Excitement and happiness flooded through my Binding Mark, and I nodded. Luna parted her lips, her tongue darting out and wetting them.
I groaned, brushing my mouth over hers. Unlike the kiss we shared in the tunnels, this one was gentle. Soft. A promise of something to come.
When we broke apart, I tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear and she looked up at me through thick lashes.
“Darling, I want to know everything about you, too.”
Luna wrapped her arms around me, squeezing tightly. “I’m glad.”
Returning her hug, I wrapped my wings around us both. Kissing the top of her head, I inhaled deeply before asking, “Now that you know how I feel about this research, can you get changed?”
A beat passed before she pulled back, shaking her head. “No, I don’t think so.”
My mouth fell open. “Luna—”
“Sebastian.” My name fell from her lips with mock sternness. “I’m not done with my research yet. Besides, didn’t you say your mother is waiting?”
“You’re right,” I groaned. I had said that. “We have to go. I hate being late.”
Luna hummed. “You like my outfit and you’re punctual. Good to know.” She waggled her brows. “I wonder what else my research may uncover about you, prince.”
Threading our fingers together, I released the shadows from beneath my skin.
We had to leave now before I did something really stupid like throw my wife on the bed and spend the rest of the night engaging in my own form of research.