Liora's POV

"Fuck," I muttered as I picked my finger on a sharp herb. I placed the finger in my mouth to suck off the blood.

I had done this a lot of times without any accidents, last time this happened I was seven, but I was too distracted to notice the spike.

The moon dance is almost here, the prince must choose a Luna before then. My stomach tightened at the thought of that and I already knew who the candidate would be…. Sapphira.

No matter how much I dismissed the thought of being his Luna, the thought came coming back.

"Hmm," I sighed as I pack the herbs I had already picked and began to walk back to my home. It wasn't far from the forest as we were at the end of the pack so it made it easier to get herbs.

I walked slowly home, hoping to arrange my thoughts before getting home.

"Liora, you're here," he said. "I'm leaving I will be back in a week or two."

"Okay father," I replied as I dropped the basket of herbs on the table by the wall.

He took his bag, placed a kiss on my forehead and left.

That is his usual routine, he leaves for a week or two, sometimes even more to search for some unique herb.

"Thank goodness, at least he would see me looking like a depressed animal," I mumbled.

I slumped on the chair and continued to think about my unfortunate situation when suddenly I heard a knock on the door.

"Coming," I replied I struggled to stand from my complicated position.

I opened the door and found it to be the lady who took me to the prince last time.

"A good morning to you, how can I help you?" I asked with a little smile.

"A good morning to you too," she replied. "The prince requests your presence again."

"What!" I exclaimed. "Is he injured? How bad is his injury? Why does he keep getting injured? I should get…"

"Wait," she interrupted as I went back in to get my bag.

"What?"

"The prince is fine," she revealed.

"Oh my," I muttered as I breath a sigh of relief. "Then if the prince's not injured what does he want with me?" I asked.

"I don't know, what don't you ask the prince himself?" She said as she gestured for me to follow her.

I dropped my bag and close the door before following her.

We walked the path we did before, it seemed like we were walking to the same place as before and indeed we were.

We reached the building and walked inside but she didn't follow me in, she stood by the door like she was some guard.

"Prince Kaelen," I greeted as I bowed. "You sent for me."

He was standing close to the window, his back to me.

He turned slowly toward me. "Come closer, Liora."

I moved a few steps forward.

"I wanted to see you, there is something important I need to tell you," he said softly.

"Yes, your highness," I whispered.

For a few seconds, he was quiet, like he was thinking about his next words.

"You know the moon dance is near," he began. "Before then, I must choose my Luna."

I nodded, though I knew he couldn't see me. My chest tightened at the mention of it.

"There are many who expect me to choose Sapphira," he continued. "But I won't."

I frowned slightly, surprised by his words.

"I have made my choice, Liora," he said. His voice was calm but serious.

"I want you."

I froze, my eyes widened.

My mouth opened but no words came out at first.

"M…Me?" I finally stuttered.

"Yes," he said, his voice low. "Your scent draws me, your loyalty pulls me even closer, you've cared for me when I couldn't reveal my vulnerability to the world."

I could feel my hands trembling.

"But.. your highness…. I…. I am not worthy," I whispered.

He reached out slowly, his hand finding my face, cupping my cheek gently. His thumb brushed my skin, and I closed my eyes, feeling a warmth spread through me.

"You are more than worthy, you are everything I need," he whispered.

His voice was full of honesty. His touch was soft, and his presence overwhelmed me in ways I couldn't explain. The butterflies in my stomach went wild.

I could barely breathe. My heart was pounding so loudly I was sure he could hear it.

"Do you trust me, Liora?" he asked softly.

"Yes… I do," I whispered.

He smiled a little. Then his hand moved from my cheek to the back of my neck, pulling me closer. His head dipped, and his lips brushed against mine.

His lips moved slowly, like he was savoring the moment.

I melted into his touch, my whole body reacted to him, heat spreading through every part of me.

He deepened the kiss, pulling me tighter against him. His hands slid down to my waist, holding me firmly.

His lips were warm and gentle, yet there was something hungry behind them. Something he was holding back.

His fingers moved slowly along my back, sending shivers down my spine, my breathing grew heavier as his lips moved from my mouth to my jaw, then down my neck.

He guided me backward gently, making me sit on the bed. He paused for a moment, giving me time to pull away if I wanted to.

But I didn’t want to.

I looked up at him, his hand ran softly along my jaw, tilting my face slightly.

"You are mine, Liora," he whispered softly. "If you’ll have me."

"I…. I am yours," I whispered back.

His lips captured mine again, this time deeper, with all the feelings we had kept hidden until now.

My hands slid up his chest, around his neck, it felt beautiful. Safe.

Everything felt right, everything felt like it was meant to be.