Chapter 36: Luna’s Solace
Ruby’s POV
Night had fallen, the silver moon casting a soft glow through the grand windows of my chamber. I sat before my vanity, brushing my golden locks with gentle strokes. The scent of lavender and vanilla clung to my skin–the fragrance I had chosen for the night, though I cursed myself for caring about such things.
I shouldn’t feel this way. I shouldn’t feel the anticipation coiling in my stomach, waiting for someone who was not my mate.
But I did.
Killian Rudwick was ruthless, yet somehow, I had caught his attention. Perhaps it was affection, or maybe I was nothing more than a passing amusement to him. Whatever it was, he had helped me–he had ignited my vengeance, delivering justice in ways I never imagined. And I couldn’t deny how that thrilled me.
Time slipped by. Ten o’clock. Still, there was no sign of him.
Instead, my door creaked open, and a dreadful weight settled in my stomach.
Dominic.
After all this time, he had finally set foot in our chamber as if it still belonged to him. I met his gaze through the mirror, my expression composed and resigned as I placed my brush down.
“You should be with Camilla. She needs you. Why are you here?” I asked, my voice as even as I could manage.
He scoffed, a sneer curling on his lips. “Don’t ask me stupid questions, Ruby. Just answer mine.”
I turned to face him fully, my patience thinning. Oh my goodness, what does this man want now?
“So, tell me your question, and I will give you your answer, Alpha.”
“Your friend, the sorceress, the witch, wizard or whatever,” he said, crossing his arms over his chest. “When is she coming? Camilla has been crying all night over the embarrassment she’s endured.”
My fingers clenched into fists on my lap as my hatred burned fiercely. Camilla wasn’t crying out of remorse for her betrayal -she was crying because she got caught. And the two of them deserved each other.
Forcing my expression to remain neutral, I answered, “She will arrive tomorrow afternoon.”
Dominic nodded as if he understood, though the sneer never left his face.
“Good. I’ll be waiting for her tomorrow. No–we all will.”
His gaze flickered over my appearance, and he shook his head with a derisive snort. “I still value you. But don’t expect me to touch you again until you learn to behave. A proper Luna wouldn’t act like this.”
I bit the inside of my cheek, refusing to let him see how his words stung. I would not give him that satisfaction. I did not need him anymore.
Without another word, he turned and left, slamming the door behind him.
I exhaled shakily, stepping forward to lock it immediately. Please, let him not return tonight.
I silently prayed–to any god that might be listening–that I would never have to see that vile man again.
My body still trembled with anger from his insult when, suddenly, the air in my chamber shifted. A soft glow illuminated the room, and even before I could turn around, a portal shimmered open near my bed.
I knew who it was before he even stepped through.
Killian Rudwick.
He emerged with all his breathtaking, awe–inspiring glory, his presence effortlessly filling the space. My breath caught in my throat as I took him in.
He was dressed in the nightwear of a nobleman–a dark silk robe, loosely tied, revealing the sculpted perfection of his chest and the taut ridges of his abdomen. The firelight flickered against his skin, accentuating every sharp line of h powerful form.
Heat crept up my neck and into my cheeks.
Killian noticed. Of course, he always did.
A slow, knowing smirk curved his lips. “You lo Successfully unlocked!
I scowled, desperate to steady myself. “What are you doing here?”
“Is that how you greet me?”
We stared at each other, and in the end, I was the one who looked away, knowing I would lose any argument with this man.
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Chapter 36: Luna’s Solace
“I thought you weren’t coming,” I muttered, half grumbling.
He chuckled. “Ah, so you were waiting for me, hm? Lucky for you, I’m a very considerate man.”
I highly doubted the “considerate” part.
“Do you… do you not have work to do? Isn’t a king supposed to be busy?” I asked, clutching my silk robe tighter in nervous reflex.
Instead of answering, he walked toward me, his crimson eyes sweeping over my body with a leisurely kind of intent.
“You smell wonderful tonight. What is it?” he murmured, reaching out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind my ear.
“Lavender and vanilla,” I said, my pulse hammering as his fingers grazed my skin.
Killian hummed in approval, lowering his head slightly.
“I like it. Though, I much prefer your natural scent,” Killian admitted before his lips brushed against my cheek.
A shiver ran down my spine.
I forced myself to regain control, stepping back slightly.
“You still haven’t answered my question, Your Majesty. Why are you here? How’s your duties?”
“How very thoughtful of you to care about my duties,” he mused. “Though I do appreciate it, my dear Ruby, it’s unnecessary.”
Leaning against my vanity, he crossed his arms over his chest in a deceptively relaxed stance. “I don’t intend to drag you into my chambers tonight. I’d much rather stay here and keep you company.”
I frowned. “Why?”
Killian’s smirk faded, replaced by something far sharper.
“Because I have a feeling your mate might try to come back.”
A wave of his power swept through the room, nearly knocking the breath from my lungs.
“And I’d like to see just how far his courage goes,” Killian added.
My breath hitched as realization crashed over me. That could only mean one thing.
“Y–you know. You knew he came to see me just now,” I stammered, dazed.
I struggled to make sense of it–how could he possibly know despite the distance? Had he planted a scrying stone in my chamber? But when? Was it during his last visit?
Killian tilted his head slightly. “Of course I knew.”
Before I could react, his strong arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me against him. My heart pounded as his lips brushed against my temple.
“Do you have any idea how beautiful you looked when you were angry just now?” Killian lowered his voice by an octave, his eyes speaking everything.
I swallowed hard. “Y–your Majesty…”
“Mmm,” he hummed, his grip tightening slightly. “But that anger of yours was wasted on a fool, Ruby.”
His lips trailed along my jawline, slow and teasing. The heat coiled deep within me, and I barely managed to bite back a whimper.
“W–what’s wrong?”
I gasped, sensing the subtle shift in his mood. Killian exhaled sharply, as if trying to shake off a thought.
“Just the usual idiocy at work.”
I hesitated. “Do you need help?”
統
He stilled for a moment before letting out a soft chuckle.
“You’re really adorable, you know that? Always offering to help me as if you were my mother. Do you have a hobby care of everyone, darling?
ing
The man’s playful words sent a shiver through me, even as I rolled my eyes. This was my little boldness in front of the King, and he didn’t take any offense at all.
“You could help me in other ways,” he replied casually.
I glared at him, almost forgetting who I was speaking to. Killian merely chuckled at my reaction, his lips finding my
once more and his arms were never far from my body.
“Now, now. Is that any way to speak to your dear partner in vengeance?”
I flinched in his embrace, knowing one thing for certain–Tonight, I would not be sleeping alone.
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