Chapter 43: Bill Withers - Lean On Me
"And when you see Luna," Magnus added, his voice suddenly tight, like he was using all his willpower to keep from breaking, "tell her I love her."
Kyllian’s heart ached. The weight of those words, coming from a king who rarely expressed affection aloud, hit harder than any command or decree. He bowed deeply, not just out of protocol, but out of respect for the man beneath the crown.
"I will, Your Highness," he said softly.
And as he turned to leave, he couldn’t help but wonder, how many more secrets lay buried beneath Luna’s smile? And how long did they really have before all the truths came crashing down?
*****
Luna practically melted into the plush couch the moment they entered Damien’s castle. Her body slumped, every muscle surrendering to exhaustion. Her head lolled back dramatically as she groaned, "Is this your everyday?"
Damien chuckled from where he was loosening his tie. "Yes. And just for the record, you only did a third of it. Maybe a quarter, if we’re being honest."
Luna opened one eye and gave him the most unimpressed look she could muster. "Shit... maybe our way is better. Less paperwork. Less stress. Fewer spreadsheets."
"True," Damien said, unbuttoning the cuffs of his shirt.
He laughed as he knelt down in front of her, hands reaching for her shoes. Damien’s fingers worked gently at the clasp of her heels. He took his time...definitely longer than was strictly necessary. His fingertips brushed along her ankle, tracing the delicate bone, the slight arch of her foot, the warm skin that seemed to glow against the contrast of his cool touch. The ridge of her ankle practically whispered his name. His mouth was dangerously close to brushing against it.
"Thank you," Luna sighed, her eyes now fluttering open with a sleepy smile. "My feet are free. I might cry from happiness."
"Shall I fetch a handkerchief and fan you while I’m at it?" he teased.