Extra Chapter 18 – A Night Just for Us (POV Rhydian)
The palace was quiet, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight. A rare moment of stillness had settled over our world, but my mind refused to rest.
I stood at the threshold of our chambers, watching Luna as she carefully placed Aurora in her crib. She moved with practiced ease, her touch gentle, her expression filled with endless love.
It struck me then—just how much had changed.
Not in a bad way. No, I wouldn't trade this life, this family, for anything. But it had been weeks since I last held Luna the way a husband should. Since I kissed her without exhaustion tugging at the edges of our moments. Since we had been just us, not only the King and Queen, not only new parents navigating sleepless nights and endless worries.
She straightened, exhaling softly as she brushed a stray curl behind her ear. When she turned, her gaze met mine.
"You're staring," she murmured, the hint of a smile on her lips.
I leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. "Maybe I'm just admiring my wife."
Luna rolled her eyes, but I didn't miss the way her cheeks warmed. Even after everything, she still responded to me like this. Still felt something like I did—a hunger, a longing, a love that never dulled, only deepened.
"I have a surprise for you," I said, stepping forward and taking her hand.
She arched a brow. "Rhydian, if this is another strategy meeting disguised as—"
"It's not," I interrupted, smirking. "It's just for us."
Her expression softened, curiosity flickering in her silver eyes. "But Aurora—"
"Is safe," I assured her. "She's sleeping soundly, and the royal nursemaids are right outside if she needs anything."
Luna hesitated, and I could see the battle warring inside her. She had spent every waking moment wrapped up in our daughter's needs, so much so that she had forgotten about her own.
But I hadn't.
I squeezed her hand. "Come with me."
And, after a beat, she did.
The balcony doors were open, the cool night air carrying the scent of roses and the distant hum of the city below. A table had been set beneath the stars—candles flickering against the breeze, wine poured, a meal still warm, waiting.
Luna stopped short. "You did all this?"
I stepped behind her, resting my hands on her waist. "Did you think I'd let you go another night without a proper meal? Without me?"
She let out a breathless laugh, shaking her head. "I... I didn't realize how much I missed this."
I turned her toward me, tipping her chin up so she couldn't look anywhere but at me. "That's why I did it."
She swallowed, emotion flickering in her gaze. "You always know what I need before I do."
"Because I know you," I murmured, brushing a soft kiss against her forehead.
She sighed, relaxing into me, and for the first time in weeks, she let herself be here. With me.
I led her to the table, pulling out her chair before settling across from her. The candlelight cast a golden hue over her skin, making her look even more ethereal than she already was.
For a long moment, we just looked at each other.
Not as rulers.
Not as parents.
Just as Rhydian and Luna.
Dinner passed in waves of quiet conversation, laughter, and stolen glances.
We talked about things that had nothing to do with politics or responsibilities—stories from when we first met, the ridiculous things we did when we were younger, the little moments that made us fall in love.
"I remember the first time I saw you," I mused, swirling the wine in my glass. "You were ready to kill me."
Luna smirked. "To be fair, you were an arrogant bastard."
I chuckled. "And you still married me."
She tilted her head, feigning thoughtfulness. "Yes, well... I suppose you grew on me."
I set my glass down and leaned forward, lowering my voice. "And do I still grow on you, my love?"
Her breath hitched.
I didn't miss the way her pulse quickened, the way her fingers curled slightly against the table. Even after everything, I still affected her.
And gods, she still ruined me.
Luna swallowed, her voice softer now. "You know you do."
My throat tightened at the honesty in her words.
I reached for her hand, threading our fingers together. "I meant what I said the day I vowed myself to you." My thumb brushed over her knuckles. "No matter what changes—no matter how many battles we fight, how many sleepless nights we endure—I will always want you."
Luna inhaled sharply.
Then she stood, rounding the table to stand between my legs.
She placed a hand on my chest, over my heart, her gaze searching mine. "I missed you," she whispered.
I wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her down into my lap. "I'm right here."
She let out a shaky breath as I brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, my fingers lingering against her skin. "I know," she murmured. "But it feels like... like we lost this for a while."
I pressed my forehead to hers. "Then let's find it again."
Her lips parted slightly, and before she could speak, I kissed her.
Slowly.
Thoroughly.
As if it had been years, not weeks, since I last tasted her.
She melted into me, her fingers tangling in my hair, her body molding against mine like she was meant to be there. And she was.
Luna had always belonged here.
With me.
Hours later, we lay tangled together in the dim light of our chambers, her head resting against my chest, my fingers drawing lazy patterns on her back.
She sighed contentedly. "We should do this more often."
I chuckled, pressing a kiss to her hair. "I was thinking the same thing."
She shifted slightly, tilting her head to meet my gaze. "Thank you, Rhydian."
"For what?"
"For reminding me that we're still us." She reached up, tracing her fingers along my jaw. "That we can be parents, rulers, and still—"
"Still belong to each other," I finished for her.
She smiled, pressing a soft kiss against my lips.
And as I held her closer, the world outside could have crumbled, and I wouldn't have cared.
Because this was ours.
And no matter what came next, it always would be.