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The Empress Luna

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''The wind of their passions had no intention of dying down too soon.' Luna smirked in thought.

If the last embers of their passion had subsided until it was close to gone, then it was her turn to fan the flames to a fever pitch.

Their relationship was like a phoenix that had risen from the ashes combined with the precious learning they had acquired to navigate their complicated connection, solving their misunderstandings.

"I want to kiss you as a greeting, wife, but your black velvet bonnet is blocking the way."

A devilish smile broke into the Vampire King's face when he pulled back from her.

Her heart had given a little jolt, still not used to the effect he had on her—on women, in general—every time his sparkling blue eyes latched on to hers.

Luna's throat tightened in reluctance, but she didn't let it show to her face.

She had lifted her black veil so that Apollyon could see her face earlier, and now she returned it to fulfill its original purpose, and that was to hide her face.

The mask she had worn wasn't enough to cover her shameful act at the Acquaintance Affairs.

She pressed her lips together as she watched him, shaking her head. "You know perfectly damn well why I am wearing the bonnet, husband."

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Vampire King Apollyon

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The Empress tilted her head in a greeting, her lips curled into a small smile, and that's about it.

The Kings had started to rise from their throne to meet Luna as they waited for Apollyon to introduce his Empress to them.

Apollyon knew that his wife was too embarrassed to be seen in front of their guests without this ridiculous Victorian bonnet.

After all, his guests can't help but compare her to the lady who had made not two--but three--of the Kings fight for his attention because they had thought Luna was one of the ladies from the Consortium who was part of the auction.

Everyone in the Ball Room had started moving of their own accord into an amusing blur of colors as if they were finally brought to life when the musical orchestra started to play the first set of the Waltz.

The ball attendees' arms and feet moved elegantly as they unconsciously swayed to the music.

The Kings had encircled the Empress like they were wolves who had spotted their prey, and they had unconsciously found a way to trap her.

Thankfully, the Kings were chivalrous enough to give her space without overcrowding her.

Apollyon had casually asserted his dominance to the other guests over her by planting himself next to her and placing his hand at the small of her back as a gesture of ownership.

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The Empress Luna

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Luna blew out a calming breath because she had sensed the tension in the way her husband had stood next to her.

Apollyon need not be threatened.

Luna wouldn't just gladly go with someone who wasn't his husband and cheat.

She had to calm him down before he did something stupid.

Luna pulled his arm from her back, and she noticed that he was about to open his mouth in protest, but she had effectively shut him up when Luna interlocked their fingers together.

"Can each of us ask an invitation for the Empress to dance?"

It was courageous for the Dragon King to speak first despite Apollyon's intimidation.

Draco bowed his head slightly, and his decorative bison horns almost took her bonnet with him.

He raised both of his hands in front of Luna, and she had no idea what to do with his gesture.

The Empress had stared at it in confusion before gave Apollyon a sideways glance, asking for help.

"Excuse us for a while, gentleman," Apollyon said in a guttural growl, his low voice sending shivers down Luna's spine.

************************

Vampire King Apollyon

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Before the other Kings could steal the Empress' attention, Apollyon desired to beat his other guests to it.

He took a step forward and stood in front of Luna.

Apollyon held both of her upper arms gently as he brought her to the side in their own little space, creating an intimate atmosphere and hinting for the other Kings to stay back for a while at the same time to give them enough privacy.

Their guests had understood his body language.

Some of them lingered back to their throne, waiting for the right time to gain an audience with the Empress that he would allow.

The others had approached their chosen girls from the Consortium who was more available.

Apollyon was ashamed of the way he had acted the moment his Empress had walked through the door, but he couldn't help it.

He needed to protect what was his.

All of the other Kings were a threat except him, the husband.

He had proceeded to stake his claim at the Empress when she hadn't even uttered a single word to their visitors yet.

If Apollyon could see himself in the mirror right now, he swore that a red flush had crept across his cheekbones as he rubbed the back of his neck.

Wincing at his strange behavior, Apollyon fervently hoped that the Empress wouldn't notice that he had acted like a wild predator that hides his prey from his fellow predators so that they wouldn't steal his food under his nose.

Well, Luna was going to be his dinner tonight so it wouldn't be far from the truth.

It wasn't like Luna was as weak and helpless as prey, but—never mind.

Apollyon's response—about the other Kings as a threat--was irrational since Luna would never belong to anyone else aside from him.

She was blood-bonded to him and not to these other men, so there was no need to fear.

Luna would not abandon him just like his mother had done.

He shook his head as if to clear his thoughts.

Apollyon had to keep that in mind that the Empress and his mother are different people.