Chapter 41: A Dance Beneath the Moon 

Chapter 41: A Dance Beneath the Moon 

Ruby’s POV 

The full moon bathed Sullivan’s garden in a silver glow, casting long shadows over the lush greenery. And there, standing as if he owned the night itself, was Killian Rudwick. 

The King. 

My tormentor. 

My protector. 

The man whose absence I had felt so deeply these past few days. 

His crimson eyes gleamed–sharp and unreadable–as he greeted me with a knowing smirk. I remained rooted in place, unable to force a single word past my lips. 

He strode toward me with the same arrogance he always carried, his movements deliberate and controlled. How dare he act so composed after ignoring me for more than a week? 

Our communication had suddenly been cut off, and I wondered why. Frustration burned within me, but I refused to show it -or at least, that was my intention at first. 

Leia, my wolf, let out a small chuckle in my mind. 

‘I think you should stop being so stubborn‘ 

I nearly rolled my eyes before replying through our link, 

‘Oh, really? And here I thought you and I agreed on everything‘ 

Leia let out an irritated growl, and I could practically picture my wolf turning her back on me. 

‘Lying to yourself is pointless. You wanted to see him, and you’ve been restless these past few days because you haven’t‘ 

‘I have my reasons for that, I muttered internally. 

‘Whatever you say. If I were you, I’d just take this sexy man. Villain or not, he’s the better choice‘ 

Before I could respond, the link was severed–one–sided and abrupt. 

Killian knew. Of course, he knew. 

I bit the inside of my cheek, wondering what I should do. Backing away wouldn’t work, but moving closer felt just as wrong. As Killian stepped forward, towering over me, his presence became an unshakable force. 

I should have turned away. 

I should have left him standing there. 

But I didn’t. 

“No answer for me?” 

My hands clenched at the sides of my gown. That man seemed to enjoy the reactions he provoked from me. Lying had never come easy to me–it had taken tremendous effort to master. It was an achievement that I could now play mind games and deceive the traitors within my ranks. 

I had worked hard for that. 

But in front of him–this King–I was powerless. Even if I tried, he could smell my lies from miles away. 

“Did I make you angry?” 

Killian smirked. “Ah, I love this fiery temper of yours. Would you care to show me a little more of it?” 

“Forgive me, Your Majesty,” I finally rasped, bowing respectfully. It was a good way to start a civil conversation with this wicked man. “I did not mean to offend you with my discourteous behavior. I simply do not know how to act around you after so much time apart.” 

Killian narrowed his eyes. “What is this way of speaking?” 

“What do you mean, Your Majesty?” 

“Ruby Lucienne, I know you to be a refined and well–mannered woman. But we have long since abandoned formalities- especially when we have shared warmth in… various ways 

Successfully unlocked! 

Heat rushed to my face, burning bright red. The earned a deep, tumbling laugh from him. 

This cruel man knew. Again. 

He knew I was angry about our sudden lack of communication, about the way he had disappeared without a word. In short, about his absence. 

1/3 

Chapter 41: A Dance Beneath the Moon 

“You’re mad. Just admit it.” 

I finally relented. “I have my reasons for acting a certain way, Your Majesty.” 

“Including frustration, irritation, and…?” 

“Fine, fine. You’re right about everything, Your Majesty.” 

“Ah, finally. It’s good to see you being honest, Ruby,” he said, a hint of amusement in his tone. 

I had no interest in responding or continuing this conversation. Let the man understand that a woman could be truly terrifying when she was angry. I was on the verge of forgetting his status altogether. 

“So, I take it there’s still something you want to say to me.” 

Glancing at Killian, I sighed. I had anticipated this. That man would never accept the word no. 

“We had an agreement,” I finally said, my voice remaining calm despite my frustration. “At the very least, I should know where the benefits lie.” 

“Our deal still stands, Ruby. What exactly are you worried about?” 

I faltered as Killian took another step closer. 

“It’s just that… y–you disappeared without any explanation… a–and…” 

“And you think I did it on purpose?” he interrupted, unimpressed. 

I wanted to say yes, but that didn’t seem like a good idea. 

Then again, if I thought about it logically, I shouldn’t have been this angry or upset as long as our agreement remained intact. Killian was a king–a ruler who governed an entire kingdom. He had his people and countless responsibilities to attend to. Surely, his time was limited. 

All the attention he had given me thus far should have been more than enough. 

Maybe… maybe I was the one with the problem here. 

“I apologize, Your Majesty,” I lowered my head, feeling small and ashamed. 

“Well then, I’m glad this misunderstanding has been cleared up. You realized my reasons even before I explained, didn’t you?” he asked effortlessly. 

Those crimson eyes–red as a sea of blood–gleamed under the moonlight. Killian and the word ‘sorry‘ would never belong in the same sentence. And he was never going to say it. So what was the point of waiting for something that would never 

come? 

“Yes, Your Majesty,” I paused, rubbing one arm with my other hand. “But I still want to question that agreement-” 

Killian let out a quiet, deep chuckle. 

“Oh, Ruby,” he mused, tilting his head as if my words entertained him. “There’s no need to dance around the subject. Right now, you miss me.” 

I stiffened. “I do not miss you.” 

He leaned in, his breath ghosting over my skin. 

“Liar.” 

I clenched my fists, determined not to let him win so easily. But it was always a losing battle. 

“You could have at least sent word.” 

“True. But I assure you, the matters I dealt with were grave,” he admitted, his voice softer now. “Especially those concerning the kingdom. And…” 

His eyes darkened slightly. “Dominic has been tormenting you, hasn’t he?” 

I swallowed hard. 

He hadn’t touched me–not in the way a mate should–but his presence alone, his words, his games… He was killing me, slowly, piece by piece. 

And Killian knew. He always knew. 

“It’s nothing I can’t handle,” I said, forcing indifference. 

Killian exhaled through his nose, displeased. “A reasonable answer, yet you’re still angry with me.” 

I met his gaze sharply and admitted, “Of course, I am.” 

His lips curved slightly. “Then, allow me to make amends.” 

Before I could ask what he meant, he extended his hand toward me, a rare gentleness softening his expression. 

“Dance with me.” 

2/3 

Chapter 41: A Dance Beneath the Moon 

I stared at his hand, heat slowly creeping up my cheeks. 

I should have refused. 

And yet, I placed my hand in his. 

Killian pulled me closer, guiding me effortlessly as if we had danced like this a thousand times before. The night wrapped around us, the soft hum of crickets and the distant melody of the masquerade setting the rhythm of our steps. His grip was firm yet comforting, his warmth a striking contrast to the cool night air 

“You look breathtaking,” he murmured, his lips brushing close to my ear. 

I felt myself preen under the compliment. I had chosen this dress carefully–the deep blue fabric accentuated my figure, the delicate embroidery shimmering beneath the moonlight. 

“You’re not so bad yourself,” I muttered, still clinging to my earlier resentment. 

Killian chuckled, low and rich. “Sharp tongue… and yet you melt so beautifully in my arms.” 

I hated how right he was. 

Our dance slowed, shifting into something else entirely. His arms encircled me, holding me in a way that felt…. safe. It was strange. I had never felt safe in anyone’s presence before, and yet with him, the weight on my shoulders seemed to lift, if only for a moment. 

Is this what it feels like to be protected? 

Rather than the one who protects? 

I let my head rest against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. He was about to say something when- 

Footsteps. 

Hurried, sharp against the gravel path. 

Panic surged through me as I tensed, instinctively stepping back. Killian reacted instantly, grabbing my wrist and pulling me into the shadows of the garden, concealing us behind the thick hedges. 

The figure that entered the garden was not who I had expected. 

Camilla. 

I frowned. What is she doing here? Wasn’t she supposed to be with Dominic? 

She hurried along the pathway, her expensive gown billowing around her ankles. Both hands instinctively cradled her swollen stomach, the undeniable proof of the new life growing within her–born from her affair with Dominic. 

Camilla looked restless and frustrated, and there was a trace of anger in her expression. 

But what shocked me more than her presence… was the person who emerged after her. 

A stranger. 

A man. 

And then he spoke, his voice low, biting with accusation. 

“Is this really my child, Camilla?” 

Oh, this was unexpected. 

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