The Vampire's Luna

Damien followed Ravena’s gaze, but where the queen saw tragedy, Damien saw beauty.

"I think she’s beautiful," he said, softly but with conviction. He almost chuckled at how ridiculous it sounded.

Ravena gave him a scandalized look through her tears. "Damien..."

"No, really. Look at her." He stepped closer to the bed. "I’ve never wanted to protect anything more in my life." His voice dropped as he traced a line of damp hair from Luna’s temple. "Even like this... especially like this... she’s everything."

Ravena’s lips trembled. "Please. Ease her pain," she whispered. "I can’t... I can’t watch her like this."

"I can get Kyllian," he said, eyes flickering with hesitation. "He’s her mate. He can ease her heat, at least until we know exactly what Morvakar did to trigger this. It’s the only thing that might work fast enough."

"No." She gripped his wrist, her nails biting into his skin. "Kyllian cannot see her like this. Please, Damien."

Damien’s brow lifted. "I don’t like the man, but I’ll admit it—he loves her. And he’ll do anything for her."

Ravena let out a shaky breath, her grip still firm. "Yes, he will. He will do anything. Until the moment it’s time to choose...and Kyllian will always choose his Alpha. Not my daughter."

Damien’s eyes darkened. "You think he’ll betray her?"

"I think," Ravena said slowly, "when a werewolf’s loyalty and love are in the ring, loyalty wins. Apparently, she has vampire genes in her. That will come into question when someone finds out and when she has to take the throne. The people will not accept her."

"Which is why... you cannot give Magnus details. Not yet."