The Vampire's Luna
Chapter 29: One Republic and Timbaland - Apologise

Chapter 29: One Republic and Timbaland - Apologise

"Dear gods, please never say anything like that again." Damien pinched the bridge of his nose. "Seriously. That sentence took ten years off my immortal life."

Lucivar chuckled unapologetically. "You need thicker skin. What’s immortality if not for a few inappropriate comments?"

"I cannot become king," Damien said flatly. "Not if the mate bond is broken. And if it’s broken, Uncle Gabriel is going to sink his fangs into the throne."

Lucivar’s light-heartedness evaporated. He sat up straighter. "I know. I’m aware of the Gabriel problem. But he’s not your problem. He’s mine."

Damien looked over. "You say that like you’ve got a plan."

"I always have a plan," Lucivar said smoothly. "But there’s still nothing to fear. All we need is an heir."

"Father..." Damien dragged a hand down his face. "It’s not as easy as it was, alright? I can’t just bed a woman and pop out a prince. My mate is rejecting me with grace and honor. Meanwhile, I’m supposed to seduce a replacement and pretend like it means nothing?"

Lucivar gave him a long, knowing look. "Son, you’re a vampire. Pretending should be second nature."

"It used to be simple. Then Luna shows up. Now I feel like everything I touch that isn’t her is wrong. It’s like... my body won’t listen to me."

Lucivar pursed his lips, then exhaled. "You love her."

"No, I’m mated to her. There’s a difference."

"There really isn’t."

Damien groaned and flopped backward, arms splayed dramatically over the armrest. "And now I sound like one of those tragic lovers."

"Remember, duty and love doesn’t always hold hands. Luna has made her decision, you have to make yours. Besides you still have a week and five days to rock her world."

"I don’t even know how I’m supposed to do that." Damien sighed, dragging both hands down his face in pure exasperation.

Across from him, Lucivar arched one brow. "By the way, Seliora... how is she coping with all these?"

"Shit!" he gasped. "I haven’t spoken with her yet." Not that he was looking forward to that conversation anyway.

"Oooh. Son. I think you better do. Or she’ll have your penis for dessert. And not in the fun, naked way." He paused, smiling smugly. "Plus, if Luna doesn’t work out, you’ll still need Seliora."

Damien groaned again, this time deeper and more drawn out. "I guess so."

"Well then," Lucivar said, waving a dismissive hand. "go back to your castle. Where your mate is. And let me get back to what I was busy with before you barged in here."

"Right. Sorry." Damien gave a sheepish nod and shuffled toward the door.

*****

The next morning, Seliora stood in front of the prince’s castle, a vision of grace. She addressed the guard. "Tell the prince I would like to see him."

The guard bowed and disappeared inside.

Seliora waited, arms folded, eyes scanning the grand entrance as if daring it to insult her. After a few minutes, the guard reappeared and motioned her to enter.

She swept inside.

Seated at the breakfast table as though she had every right in the world to exist, was Luna. She was dressed in a night dress, hair cascading over one shoulder, sipping coffee. "You must be Seliora," Luna said, a small smile curling at her lips like she knew exactly what kind of chaos she was inviting.

Seliora stiffened, spine straightening. "Royal Concubine Seliora," she corrected, enunciating each syllable as if it were a royal decree.

Luna blinked, her smile widening just a bit. "That’s quite a mouthful. Do people call you that in full, or is it just reserved for me?"

Seliora narrowed her eyes.

"The prince is having a shower," Luna said smoothly, taking another sip. "He’ll be right out. Would you like a cup of coffee?"

"I can make my own coffee, thank you," Seliora snapped. Her perfectly arched brow twitched ever so slightly, betraying her irritation despite the calm façade she wore.

Luna shrugged with easy confidence. "Suit yourself," she replied, lifting her cup for another sip. The moment stretched, taut and simmering, until Damien strolled into the room with only a towel wrapped lazily around his waist, glistening. Droplets of water trailed slowly down the ridges of his abdomen, and that dangerously low-slung towel... Well, the dip in the fabric left nothing to the imagination except whether or not it was going to betray him mid-step.

Luna choked on her coffee. She literally inhaled her sip and coughed so violently she nearly spilled her cup. What in the holy ridiculous hell?

"Uh... I’ll give you guys a minute," she wheezed, face flushed for reasons not entirely related to the caffeine. She set down her mug, dignity trailing behind her, and all but power-walked out of the kitchen.

Seliora didn’t waste a second. She spun on Damien, eyes flaring. "Is this why you stopped seeing me?" she demanded, stepping forward, every inch of her trembling with restrained fury. "You finally find your mate and what, I become past tense?"

"I am yours, Damien," she continued, fiercely, her voice rising. "What am I supposed to do with myself now?"

Damien still dripping, still scandalously towel-clad, and entirely unprepared for a surprise emotional confrontation said, "Seliora...It’s not like that. It’s still... nothing. She’s just here for the customary two weeks. And then she’ll be gone." He gestured vaguely.

Seliora’s laugh was short and sharp. "Even before she came here, you hadn’t stopped by to see me. Every time I tried to visit, there was always a reason you couldn’t see me."

She stepped closer. "How are we supposed to have an heir if you stop being with me? Or is that plan suddenly obsolete too?"

"Can we... talk about this after the whole thing with Luna?" he asked.

Seliora stared at him, a storm of betrayal and desire swirling in her eyes. Then, slowly, she nodded.

"I hope we can," she said quietly, but her tone carried weight. "I know this is what you’ve always wanted, Damien. A true mate. A magical bond." Her lips curled bitterly. "But I refuse to be dismissed. I will not be dismissed."

She turned and walked out of the castle. Behind her, Damien sighed.

"I know you’re listening," Damien said smoothly, turning around with effortless poise. "I hear your heartbeat."

"Fuck," Luna muttered from the corner where she’d strategically tucked herself behind a curtain. "She really is mad, huh?" f.re(e) w.e(b)nov el.c.om

"She’ll be fine," Damien replied, casually brushing his damp hair back. "She’s gone."

"Why are you still hiding?"

"I... I..." Luna cleared her throat and stepped out from behind the curtain. "I didn’t want to cause problems for you. This whole thing with me being here... I didn’t want to make things worse. Or more dramatic."

Damien’s lips twitched. "It’s okay," he said gently.

Trying to reroute the rapidly intensifying mood, Luna blurted, "So... what does it mean to be a Royal Concubine?"

Damien sighed and leaned against the breakfast table. "Uh... well, without a princess or queen, she’s technically second in command. She handles some state affairs, attends council meetings, and stands in for me whenever I’m unavailable."

Luna gave him a long, pointed look. "Uh huh. I see how you conveniently left out the whole having sex with you part."

Damien blinked. "Uh... that too. I just didn’t want to make you uncomfortable."

"Why would I be?" she asked, too quickly. Her arms were crossed, but her body was leaning toward him. Traitorous limbs.

He took a step forward, eyes glowing faintly. "Because... my Moonlight," he said. "I can hear your heartbeat. I know when you’re aroused. I know when you’re angry. And right now..."

He moved closer, brushing her hair away from her face. "Right now, I know you’re jealous."

Luna’s eyes widened. "Wha...jealous? I am not...I mean, jealous?" She tried to laugh but it came out too breathy to be convincing.

Damien smiled. "And judging from the way you keep staring at my abs," he gestured at himself, still gloriously shirtless, "I’m guessing hungry."

"What?"

With a chuckle that rumbled low in his chest, Damien wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close, flush against his still-damp body. She gasped, just a little, as the cool water on his skin touched hers. free\we,bnovel.c o(m)

"You don’t have to deny it," he whispered into her hair, breathing in her scent. "Not with me. Never with me."

How had things escalated from awkward coffee moments to chest-pressing declarations in under five minutes?

"It’s not true," Luna whispered. She wasn’t sure what she was denying anymore...her jealousy? Her attraction? The very real pulse pounding in her neck? fr.e ewe.bno.vel .com

Damien didn’t move. His gaze was steady. "I’m going to kiss you in three seconds," he said calmly. "You have time to step away."

She should have. That was the plan. That was the plan, right?

But instead of stepping back, Luna licked her lips.

Damien’s eyes flicked downward, watching her tongue like it was the most erotic ritual he’d ever seen. His lips tilted up into a knowing smirk. He could already taste her surrender. He knew he didn’t need the full three seconds. See that was the power of the mate bond.