Chapter 25: A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera - Say Something
"You cannot. Not now." Talon added.
Kyllian stopped, his breath heaving from the sheer force of self-restraint. His forehead rested on Luna’s shoulder for one lingering second longer before he finally stepped back, dragging in a breath.
"No!" Luna’s cry cracked the air.
"He’s right." Kyllian moved with mechanical precision, pulling her pants back up and zipping them gently. He reached for her bra and slid it into place without meeting her eyes. Her shirt, crumpled on the floor, was handed to her with finality.
"Kyllian...".
"This cannot happen." His eyes met hers, stormy and resolute. "It won’t happen. Not like this. Not when I don’t know if I’m yours or just... the easier option."
At least, not until he was sure she’d chosen him freely. Not until the weight of duty was gone, and only love remained.
Luna tugged on her shirt with shaky hands, blinking away tears of frustration. "Kyllian, I..."
"You should go, Princess." The title no longer sounded sweet from his lips, it was distant now, formal, as if they were back to the roles they’d been assigned rather than the truth they’d almost given in to. "And don’t come back until the two weeks are over. That’s... if you still want to."
Luna nodded, once. She walked to the door, her footsteps oddly loud in the echoing quiet of the room.
Talon was still standing there, looking like he wished he could turn invisible. He stepped aside quickly as she passed.
"I’m sorry, Princess," he said.