Page 52 of Bonded By Moons

“Asshole.” I curse to myself.

I flick my fae light back to life and turn to find a door that has appeared opposite the royal tree. Now, I know who the scratched-out name below the Moonlace bloodline is.

The door’s shining outline entices me and I realize that’s my only way out of here. I need to get back to Willow and figure out what all of this even means.

I quicken my pace and head towards the door. I grab the handle and exit this mysterious room. As I turn and softly shut the door behind me, I find that I’m in one of the hallways of Willow’s wing. There are no guards in view, so before I turn around fully I watch as the door fades away. It’s as if it never was there.

That’s when I realize I’m fucking naked again. I fell asleep with Willow last night.

“What the hell!” I groan and search for something to hide myself. Frantically finding no material in this hallway, I decided to conjure a vine of leaves and wrap them around my body to cover myself. You can still see most of my breasts but it’s better than nothing, I suppose.

Some of the vines trail behind me as I make my way to Willow’s room. That’s when the guards start to show up.

“Princess!” one of the guards yells as they run towards me, clutching their armor and swords that bounce and clank.

I see Willow step into the hallway from his room, looking heartbroken and worried. He wears his emotions on his face and it’s so easy to tell when he’s distressed. Even if I didn’t have this bond, or if I was not an empath, it would still be easy to read the irritation, fear, and relief stretching across his features. He stands in sweatpants and is shirtless. He’s barefoot too.

Man, I landed myself a hot mate.I whisper through the bond as he turns to face me, surprise flashing across his face. He stops his conversation with Artie and takes off running in my direction.

“I’m okay, I promise.” I raise my hands and try to defend myself before he freaks out that I was missing.

He doesn’t respond as he races up to me and grabs me, kissing me deeply and wrapping me in his embrace.

It feels like home. It feels like forever.

The prince tastes amazing and I just want to crawl back into bed with him and never leave.

Releasing me, Willow looks into my eyes with so much relief that it cracks my heart. “I was so worried, what happened? One second you were there, and the next you vanished. It reminded me of my father's magic and I was convinced he took you. I sent more than half my guards to his wing just to be sure.” He’s panting and breathless.

“I’m so sorry that I worried you.” I reach my hands up to cup his cheeks and give him one soft kiss. “I have so much to tell you, but I want you take me back to bed, mate.”

He smiles slowly and then beams at me with so much joy. “That was the first time you called me your mate.”

Before I respond, he snatches me in his arms and I laugh as he lifts me off the ground, carrying me back to the bedroom. We pass multiple guards but the only person I care about is Willow. “You’re going to have to explain this outfit because I nearly ripped off all those men’s heads off for seeing so much of your beautiful skin.”

I laugh and snuggle closer into his embrace as we make it to the bed. He sets me down on my feet again and slowly starts undressing me of the vines. After he’s unraveled each strand, he lets the leaves and vines fall to the floor.

I breathe in shallow breaths and stare up into his burning gaze. I’m not used to being looked at with so much need and hunger. I can see the neon blue flames of his magic seeping into his iris’ as he devours my body before him.

“Let’s go back to bed, mate.” He rasps.

Together, we crawl into bed and tangle in each other's limbs. Neither of us is tired so I tell him everything. Willow strokes shapes along my back as I talk. I tell him about my encounter with Naistrelle, and the fact I might be a lost princess, and I also start to tell him about the Ascension and our mission.

“I’m sorry, I know this is a lot to take in right now.” I sit up in bed and stretch my neck, trying to relax my muscles after just pouring all of my truths on him.

Willow grabs my hand and holds it in his, directing my attention back to him. “I didn’t even know King Morak and Queen Meelis had a child?” he says more to himself than to me.

“Neither did I. I’m just as shocked as you are, if not more. I know who my parents are now.” I realize it out loud.

He tugs on my hand and brings me back down to rest on his chest. Will lies with an arm behind his head and one knee bent. Continuing to stroke my back in soothing rhythms, we try to decipher what the goddess said.

“What does she mean by ‘we’re strong enough now’? None of this makes sense.” I whisper with heavy pressure in my chest. “Why couldn’t she just tell me exactly what we need to do to counter the king’s new powers?”

“I don’t know, little dragon. We will figure this all out. I promise. It’s nothing we’re going to solve overnight, so I think we should meet with your guild. It’s probably best if we research and scout out my father’s movements. We just don’t have enough information on what he’s doing and why.” Will suggests.

As we continue to talk about the past few days, breakfast is delivered and we eat in bed. We sit in comfortable silence together as we indulge ourselves and prepare to face the day. I can’t help but wonder about the ball of light that was placed in my chest as a babe. What is it and how do I find it inside myself?

After we’ve dressed and cleaned up, we decide to stop by the grand opening of the orphanage before heading to Comet Cottages to check on Amara. Then, head to the Ascension to introduce everyone to my Prince.

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