Darius paused, drawing in a deep breath that seemed to drag on for too long, causing Luna’s nerves to tense. “The king mentioned you were having trouble shifting into a beast. From my viewpoint as an advisor, it’s so apparent how needed you are to fill this role. If there is anything I can do to help you, please let me know.”
They rounded the corner that led to a small bridge and stopped for a breather. Luna grabbed the railing and stood on her tippy toes to look at the water below. Its depth melded into a canvas of black and emerald green. She stared at her reflection, knowing there wasn’t anything her father could do. Ripples in the water scattered her image, and she turned back to her father, her voice barely above a whisper, “What if I don’t want to?”
“My beautiful daughter,” he cooed, resting a hand on her shoulder. “I’m afraid you don’t have much of a choice here. The king needs you to. Grythorn needs you to. It was never your duty to protect us, and I understand it’s a heavy burden to carry, but you don’t have to carry it alone. King Hendrix has promised that once you have transformed, you can come home. Things can be as they were, minus a little bit of magic here and there.”
She looked down at the ripples on the water’s surface as she mulled over his words. Her gut told her that nothing would ever be the same, especially if she transformed. Once everyone knew she was a unicorn, they would all treat her differently. Nina had never once interacted with the court, and Luna could easily imagine that was the king’s doing. If she helped the kingdom, she would become a pampered captive, potentially for the rest of her life. She’d be used like a tool and hung on a shelf waiting to be needed again afterward.
“What if I refuse to transform . . . ?”
He didn’t recoil from her question like she expected. Instead, Darius gently stroked her hair, smoothing it over her back, the way her mother had a thousand times before. He leaned his head down and kissed the back of her head. “Know that I will always stand by you and your decisions. I love you and will continue to do so even if you doom us all—I’d just rather you didn’t. But if you don’t transform, sweetheart, there will be consequences that are out of my hands. Though, I will try my best to help where I can.”
She leaned her head on his shoulder, and he leaned his head on hers. “Thanks, Dad.”
He might be one of the king’s top advisors, but above everything, he was still her father, and she was his number one concern. That was what true loyalty looked like, Luna realized—the kind she had expected from Clyde. If Darius, caught up in all the kingdom’s business, could put her first, then Clyde should have been able to do the same, and the fact that he hadn’t stung.
Chapter 16
The Ball
As if time were a fleeting companion, the day of the ball arrived, bringing the deadline to transform with it. She had been nervously pacing her room when Clyde walked in. As much as she hated herself for it, Clyde was a light in the dark storm that had become her life—a dull, untrustworthy light, but a comfort nonetheless. She sat down on the edge of her bed, where he joined her, their legs nearly touching. The last time they had been this close was the night he’d helped her out of her dress.
With a smirk, he leaned in and lightly brushed his lips against the side of her head. She didn’t push him away. What was the harm in accepting a bit of comfort, especially when doom loomed on the horizon? Resting her head gently on his shoulder, he tucked his arm around her, pulling her close.
“Today’s the day,” he announced as if she didn’t know. Happiness seemed to radiate from his pores—the complete opposite of how she felt.
“Why are you so excited?”
“Because we are a team, Luna. If your rank improves, so does mine.”
Her face twisted. She had been willing to give up her rank in society for him only a few weeks ago, surely he knew she didn’t care about such meaningless things? “I don’t think my rank is actually going to improve.” She smoothed her long copper skirt, knowing she’d made the decision not to transform . . . though he didn’t know that yet.
“Luna love, you are too humble. After you shift, King Hendrix will announce you as the new saviour, and I’ll no longer be the guard of just a noblewoman.” He rolled his shoulders back, looking like a peacock fluffing its feathers. “I’ll be the guard of the unicorn who keeps us safe. The only role above that is guarding the royal family.”
Luna soured at the thought. Everyone would know her as a unicorn, not a human.A beast.Her nose wrinkled in disgust.
He tilted his head, confusion knitting his brows together. “I know I scared you before, but I had no choice but to follow the rules set by the crown.” He reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers. “You, of anyone, should understand that.”
Their hands fit together like two pieces of a puzzle; a puzzle she wished to burn.
As if he could sense her internally withdrawing from him, he gripped her hand tighter. “I truly do love you. Tell me you feel the same.”
Did she? Maybe before. But how did she feel now? Words escaped her, but she didn’t end up needing them.
Many footsteps sounded outside her door, and Clyde hastily moved to a more socially acceptable distance just before a flood of handmaidens burst into her room with her gown. Clyde was ushered out, leaving Luna alone in the care of her attendants.
They helped her into her gown, which featured a sweetheart neckline with a captivating brooch at the center of her chest and sleeves that draped over her shoulders in a romantic cascade. The upper half was crafted with a stiff fabric, embracing her figure, accentuating her chest with a subtle lift.
Luna ran her hands down the gown, revelling in its intricate beadwork. The skirt unfolded into five layers, each an interplay of white and shades of the palest blues, resembling the soft glow of shimmering moonlight. Gazing into the mirror, the intention behind the dress became clear. She looked magical. This was how the king, and soon everyone else, would see her; a being to provide magic.
She slammed her hand against the mirror, startling the ladies. Pain followed, though the mirror remained unharmed.That was a stupid choice. She cradled her palm to her chest; it stung like a thousand needles had been shoved into her skin.
Breaking a mirror wouldn’t change her fate, she needed to use her brain . . . to think of a way to get out of this before she was left with no choice but to do what the king wanted.
The ball took place in a grand building made of white stone adjacent to the palace. One wall was open to the outside, allowing the setting sun to stream in between the pillars that framed the view. A string quartet could be heard from outside, the sound pleasant to the ears. King Hendrix and Prince Kieran entered the ballroom, and Luna trailed behind them with William and Clyde walking beside her—one on each side. The guests swayed with the beat of the music; some danced with partners, and others danced as individuals, but everyone was smiling and filled with happiness. The ladies’ dresses fluttered and swished as they moved; to Luna, they looked like flowers swaying in the wind. Several guests stood huddled together by tables at the edge of the room, drinks in their hands and catching up with each other. A few pointed and giggled about the latest gossip or love interests.
The music halted abruptly, and the crowd instinctively turned to welcome the royal family, dipping into bows and curtsies. Yet, as they rose, their attention drifted past the royals, settling on Luna.
The candlelight from the chandeliers high above made her dress shimmer as if she were standing in a spotlight. Terror gripped her and she kept her gaze fixed on the floor, carefully watching each step, praying to the high skies she wouldn’t trip. She hated the weight of their stares; if only she could melt into the walls and disappear.
