The Vampire's Luna
Chapter 63: Katy Perry - The One That Got Away

Chapter 63: Katy Perry - The One That Got Away

Mira’s brow twitched. "I can’t say I do, Your Grace."

Seliora flopped back into her chair.

"Try again next month," Mira said gently.

"Next month," Seliora muttered bitterly.

"I’m sorry, your grace," Mira repeated.

Seliora nodded slowly, though every muscle in her body screamed. "It’s okay. I guess the prince and I will just have to try again, as you said."

But it wasn’t okay. Not by a long shot.

She sat frozen for a moment after the medic left, the words echoing in the back of her mind. Negative. Again. That single word had the power to unravel every thread of hope she’d stitched together. The grand vision she held; herself walking the halls of the palace, belly rounded with child, her place forever secured in the royal lineage, crumbled like ash. How many times could she keep painting that fantasy in her head before she had to admit it would never be real?

She stood on shaky legs, adjusting the hem of her dress. There was no time to cry. No room to be weak.

But Seliora wouldn’t break. Not yet.

*****

Luna sat before the ornate mirror, allowing the maids to fuss with her hair. Her curls had been twisted elaborately, her face dusted and sculpted until she barely recognized herself. Lip gloss. Shimmer. A little highlighter. If she smiled too hard, the whole mask might crack.

She hated all of it.

As a child, she had once imagined her coming-of-age would be a moment of triumph, perhaps she’d find herself surrounded by wolves howling in celebration, running under the full moon with her chosen mate beside her, proud and whole.

Veyron’s words gnawed at the back of her mind. The clock had begun to tick. She could feel it now. A countdown with no known end, just the promise that it was ending. Happy Birthday, indeed.

Outside, the kingdom celebrated. Streets were filled with laughter and music. Children tossed flower petals. Nobles sent in gifts. None of it mattered. The one thing she truly wanted wasn’t in any of those boxes.

A knock came at the door.

Kyllian entered. "Your Grace," the maids chorused, dipping into polite bows.

Luna turned, her gaze catching the man she was once betrothed to. Kyllian was wearing formal black and silver, eyes steady on her.

The maids had started calling him Your Grace the moment they were engaged. Luna wondered if they’d go back to Alpha Kyllian now.

"You look..." Kyllian started, then stopped. He cleared his throat and looked down at the floor. "They did your hair differently."

Luna arched a brow at him in the mirror. "Did they? I hadn’t noticed."

He walked over, gently brushing a rogue curl from her shoulder. "Are you okay?"

"No."

He nodded like he understood

She looked at him then. The barely disguised worry in his eyes. The way his fingers curled slightly at his side. She remembered Veyron’s words: Your soul cannot contain two bonds.

"Leave us," Kyllian said.

The maids quickly left.

As the door clicked shut, Luna turned to him with a wary frown. Kyllian stepped toward her, eyes scanning her face.

"I would say you look breathtaking," he murmured, "but the sadness in your eyes blocks out your beauty."

She looked down, wrapping her arms around herself. "I’m sorry," she whispered. "I don’t want to ruin the day. I just... can’t muster the energy. It all feels so heavy."

Kyllian reached out, his fingers brushing hers. "I’d like to show you something. Come on." f|re(e)web.n\ovel. (c)o.m

"Kyllian..." she began reluctant, but he was already tugging gently on her hand.

"Come on," he insisted with a crooked smile. "I promise it won’t take long."

"Fine."

Outside the castle, his car gleamed in the late afternoon sun. Kyllian opened the door.

Luna slid inside, arms crossed and mood still wrapped in fog. Kyllian got in the driver’s side, his usual silent confidence returning as he pulled out of the palace gates. The ride was quiet, save for the low hum of the engine and Luna’s thoughts tap-dancing on the edge of anxiety. Where were they going?

After a short drive, Kyllian parked near the heart of town, just a block away from the bustling town square. "Come on," he said again, offering his hand.

They entered a modest hotel. He started up the stairs two at a time.

Luna trailed after him. "You said it wouldn’t take long, not that it wouldn’t be physically taxing."

When they finally reached the rooftop, Kyllian turned her gently by the shoulders and directed her to the edge.

"Look," he said softly.

She glanced down.

Below them, the town square was alive with color and joy. Children danced in circles, music floated up, and everywhere she looked, she saw smiling faces. Little girls twirled in dresses, each of them wearing a plastic version of her tiara.

Balloons bobbed in every direction, and on the far side of the square hung a massive canvas portrait of her, framed with ribbons and flowers. A glittering banner read: "Happy Coming of Age, Princess Luna!"

"Why would you bring me here?"

"Because," Kyllian said, stepping beside her, "you think you’re alone in this. That everything depends on your shoulders. But look at them, Luna. They love you. Not because you’re perfect. Not because of some title. They love you because you’re you."

Luna almost cried at the sight below. Her lips trembled, and she clenched the railing.

"The people are happy," he said, watching her. "Even if you only had two days left to live...which, for the record, I refuse to let happen, make it count for them. Let them know you’re with them until the end. Smile for them. Laugh for them. Dance like you’ve lost your royal mind."

He gave her a half-smile.

Luna shook her head. "I don’t know how to," she admitted, the confession breaking free before she could cage it.

Kyllian didn’t rush to fix her. Instead, he leaned against the railing beside her, arms crossed. "Babe," he said softly "every royal goes through hell at some point. It’s part of the messed-up job description. You can’t expect everything to always be fine and dandy. Life throws crap at everyone. But when you walk out there with your chin up, your people feel that strength. Even when the world’s a mess, your confidence spreads. Be the spark, Luna."