Page 21 of When the Moon Met the Sun

“Aviva?” he asked, setting the plates on the table next to us. I shook my head silently in response and slowly looked up at him, but even that took more energy than I had.

What was happening to me?

The second our eyes met, something passed between the two of us. It was like I could feel his worry in my own chest as he gazed upon me, and his… guilt?

What could he be feeling guilty for?

He looked paler all of a sudden, as I imagined I looked right now.

He crouched down next to me, breaking our eye contact, and that weight of anxiety in my chest lightened.

“What’s wrong? Can I do anything?” he questioned.

“I-I think I need to lay down. Is there any way you can get me out of this afterparty?” I responded.

Robyn looked around the crowded room, at the couples who were already dancing in the middle of the space, at the people on the outskirts trying different foods. He looked back at me and nodded. “Whatever you need,” he said, and part of me ached to believe him.

Robyn stood up and offered me his hand, but the moment I went to stand up, another wave of dizziness hit me, causing me to slump back into the chair.

“I don’t think I can walk,” I said in a small, shaky voice. My face flushed in embarrassment.

Robyn, ever quick on his feet, responded, “That’s alright, I have an idea. Do you trust me?”

“Do I have a choice?” I retorted, but my heart wasn’t in it this time, the response sounding weak.

In the next heartbeat, Robyn slid his arm behind my back and under my legs, careful not to crush my wings, then lifted me and held me close to his chest. He was thoughtful enough not to let the train of my dress drag as he stood, then walked straight for the main doors.

I had to do my best not to squeal at the sudden close contact between us. I’d never been this close to a male outside of my family, and definitely not one as attractive as Robyn. I could feel my zirilium responding to the surge in my emotions, pumping like the lightning I wield throughout every vein in my body.

Robyn kept his head held high while I tucked mine closer into his chest, as if I could hide from the world while inside his arms. I instinctually had wrapped my arms around his neck, and couldn’t help peeking up at him as he smiled at everybody he passed, and even winked at one elderly female, who smiled kindly in response.

Everybody in the room watched as we left, the crowd parting for us. They clapped and cheered, some even shouting their congratulations.

As soon as the door shut behind us, I could hear myself think again in the quiet hallway. Robyn’s smile slowly faded as the doors slid to a close behind us.

His steps became quicker, but he never faltered, ever light on his feet.

This close to him, I finally noticed how pleasant he smelled—like fresh rain and magnolia tree blossoms. A very soft sigh escaped my lips.

Once I realized that I had justsmelledhim, I could feel my cheeks and ears flush bright pink. I cleared my throat awkwardly, hoping he hadn’t noticed.

I could almost feel the pride radiating off of him. As a fae male, even without our immortality, males were known for being possessive and proud of their females. Whether Robyn had wanted this union between the two of us or not, I couldfeelthat ancient instinct kicking in inside of him as he held me close.

After many twists and turns through the never-ending hallways that I still didn’t recognize, I finally mustered up enough energy to lift my head, and I realized we had made it back to the royal’s private wing of The Haven.

Yet, as we came nearer to the end of the hallway, we didn’t stop in front of the room I had been assigned to for the past couple of days. No, we continued walking all the way to the end, the very last room behind the center doors of the hall. He used his elbow to push the handle down, then stepped inside, leaning against the door to shut it behind us. He shifted so two of his fingers were free of supporting my legs, and snapped once.

Suddenly, soft orange light filled the dark room. Through my foggy feeling mind, it took me a moment to realize he must be a fire wielder, and another moment to comprehend that he had just lit every candle in the room with a single snap.

I inhaled sharply, the realization of who exactly he was settling upon me all over again. I quickly shoved at his chest, causing himto let go, and I just barely got my feet under me before I could fall to the ground.

“Woah,” he said, raising his hands up as if he were surrendering.

“This isn’t the room Teagan put me in,” I said accusingly, though it took all my remaining strength to stay on my feet without swaying.

“You’re right. Now that we’re married, you’ll have to stay in here. This is my—our—room. I’ll sleep on the couch so you can have the bed,” he explained.

My mouth parted in shock at his words, and for the first time, I looked around at the room. My jaw fell open fully at the sight before me.

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