A dangerous proposal

Luna's POV – The Library

Meli guided me through the dim hallway until we reached a towering door. As it creaked open, I gasped.

The library was massive—endless shelves stretched upward, disappearing into shadows above. Dust floated in the air, swirling under faint rays of light that slipped in from a high window. No one was around. It was silent. Too silent.

"This place is huge…" I whispered. "How am I supposed to finish all these books? Does he want me to die in here?"

Suddenly, a deep voice cut through the silence.

"Ma'am, what book would you like?"

Startled, I turned to see an old attendant standing by a desk. His face was stern, his eyes sharp, and he didn't blink.

I swallowed nervously. "I'll… I'll find one myself."

He nodded once and went back to his corner, vanishing into the shadows like he'd never been there.

I hugged myself tightly. "Meli, get me a coat. It's freezing here."

"Okay, I'll be right back," she said, rushing out.

Now I was truly alone.

A shiver ran down my spine. Why do I feel so lonely here? I thought. Is it because I don't belong here?

I wandered between the towering shelves. They felt like walls closing in on me, books stacked like bricks in a forgotten castle. It was another world inside here—a world of dust, silence, and secrets.

I lit a candle from the small holder at the shelf's edge. A soft blue flame flickered to life, casting eerie shadows. My footsteps echoed as I searched… for what? I didn't know. But something was calling me.

Then—

Thud!

I gasped and spun around, bumping into a shelf. A cloud of dust exploded around me as several items fell from the top shelf. I winced, raising my arms, and something hit my head. Not a book—just loose pages.

"Ouch…" I muttered, rubbing my head.

I bent down and picked up the papers. There was a picture wedged between the yellowed sheets. My heart skipped a beat when I saw it.

It was… me.

My eyes widened. What the—? This can't be me… Who is this? Why do they look exactly like me?

"What are you doing?"

I jumped. That voice—I knew that voice.

I turned around quickly, hiding the picture beneath my dress.

"Azrael…" I whispered, trying to keep my face calm. My hands trembled beneath the fabric.

He stepped closer, his eyes unreadable. "You shouldn't be in this section alone."

"I was just exploring," I said quickly. "I didn't mean to—"

He narrowed his eyes, glancing down at the mess. "Did something fall?"

"Just some old papers," I lied, trying to sound casual, though my heart was racing.

"Be careful, Luna. This library holds more than just books."

I nodded, unable to say a word.

But inside, my mind was spinning.

Who was the girl in the picture… and why did she look exactly like me?

Azrael turned and began walking away, his tall figure disappearing slowly into the maze of bookshelves. I stood frozen, torn between following him and staying.

I looked back up at the shelf I'd bumped into earlier. Just above where the picture had fallen… there it was—a small jewel box, tucked into the corner like it was waiting for me. Intricate and old, it glimmered faintly in the candlelight.

Something about it called to me. I wanted to take it. I needed to know what was inside.

Before I could reach for it, his deep, husky voice echoed through the silence.

"Come on."

Ugh. This devil was always showing up at the wrong time.

"I… I… Didn't you tell me to read all the books?" I called out, trying to sound confident.

But my voice cracked. It sounded more like a question from a guilty child than defiance.

He stopped and turned slightly, raising one eyebrow in that infuriating way of his.

"Since when did you start listening to me?"

I flinched.

If I don't listen, you'll kill me… right? I thought bitterly.

What was that just a few minutes ago—him acting all scary, terrifying me to my core—and now he's pretending like nothing happened?

I wanted to say all that out loud, but nothing came. My lips refused to move.

He stared at me, then repeated calmly, yet firmly—

"Come."

I clenched my fists. I didn't want to go. I hadn't found the answer yet. The picture… that girl who looked exactly like me… Who was she?

Still, I slowly walked behind him, my thoughts spinning. My gaze was on the floor, replaying every moment since I'd entered the library.

Who's picture was that? Why was it hidden in a pile of old pages?

Suddenly—

Thud!

My head slammed into something solid and hard. I stumbled back, blinking.

It was his chest.

I looked up.

Azrael had stopped walking. I hadn't noticed. His tall frame loomed over me, and I was too lost in thought to react in time.

His sharp eyes met mine—and for a second, I froze.

They were the same eyes that had terrified me moments ago. Cold. Unreadable.

But now… they looked different.

Softer?

No. Not soft.

Just… watching.

"You weren't paying attention," he said flatly, but his voice had lost its edge.

I swallowed hard, my heart thudding. I didn't know what to say. I couldn't even look away.

Author's POV_____

"Sorry… pardon," Luna muttered, her voice small and unsure.

Azrael sighed, the sound low and slow as he began walking toward her. Each step he took forward, she instinctively took one back—but their eyes remained locked, unblinking.

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

"I was just thinking about those little noisy sparkle things…" he said, his tone laced with amusement.

Luna blinked in confusion. "Sparkle… things?"

His smirk deepened. "Those girls. What do you call them? Loud. Sparkly. Annoying."

Luna's eyes widened with realization. He was talking about her friends.

Azrael tilted his head slightly, the playfulness never leaving his voice.

"They're so irritating. I'm seriously considering abandoning them."

"NO!" Luna shouted, her voice loud and panicked. She stepped forward, grabbing his arm. "Please… don't. Please don't hurt them."

Azrael looked down at her hand on his sleeve. His smirk returned, slower this time. More deliberate.

"Okay," he said casually, "I'll think about it."

Then he leaned in close, his voice a whisper against her ear.

"But when I do someone a favor… I expect something in return."

Luna looked up at him, confused, her brows knitting together.

"What… what do you mean?"

Azrael's voice dropped lower—dangerously soft, but clear.

"Marry me."

Luna froze. Her breath caught in her throat.

"What?" she whispered.

Azrael leaned even closer, his lips barely brushing her ear.

"Or… watch them die."

Her heart pounded. Her mind raced. She stared at him, searching for any sign he was joking.

But he wasn't.

He meant it.

For a long moment, silence wrapped around them.

Then Luna nodded slowly, her expression unreadable. "Fine… I'll marry you."

Azrael's smile was triumphant—but not kind.

He leaned back just a little, eyes gleaming darkly.

"Good. But don't even think about escaping."

Luna didn't reply.

Azrael's voice echoed coldly through the silent library.

"Zeph. Bring them."

Luna's breath caught. Her eyes darted to the heavy doors, hope flickering in her chest like a candle in the dark.

The doors creaked open, and Zeph walked in, holding a golden cage. Inside, the seven glowing fairies fluttered restlessly.

Luna gasped. "My fairies…"

She sprinted toward them—but in an instant, a firm arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her back.

Azrael's voice was low, a warning against her ear.

"Don't forget your word."

Her body stiffened. Right… she had promised to marry him—for them.

She gave a reluctant nod.

Only then did he release her.

Zeph stepped forward, gently unlatched the cage, and opened it.

The fairies burst out like a shower of starlight, squealing with joy.

"Lunaaaa!!" shrieked Lira, twirling in the air and pressing kisses to Luna's cheek.

"You're really here! You didn't leave us!" cried Sira, holding her tiny hands to her heart.

"Took you long enough," Vina muttered, folding her arms—but her eyes glistened.

"It's been so lonely…" Floe said softly, her icy wings quivering as she hugged Luna's shoulder.

"I thought I'd never see you again!" Myra wept, burying her face in Luna's collar.

"You LEFT us to ROT in a CAGE!" Sole shouted, wings crackling with angry sparks as she flew to Zeph. "Do you think I won't fry you right here? I swear I will—"

Zeph said nothing.

His face was calm, unreadable, not a hint of emotion.

"I'll clip those wings of yours myself—" Sole kept going, rage pouring out like fire. "What kind of monster cages fairies?! I don't care if you're some demon's lackey—"

"Sole, stop…" Crysie said gently, her soft silver glow wrapping around Luna. "We're safe now… that's what matters."

Luna hugged them all tightly, her chest aching with love. "I missed you so much… I never stopped thinking about you."

A low, cold cough broke the moment.

Azrael.

"So?" he asked, deadpan. "Aren't you forgetting something?"

Luna blinked. "What…?"

He raised a brow. "That strange little movement you do. When you're happy. You dance."

Luna turned beet red. "You saw that?!"

The fairies exploded into laughter.

"She does it every time she's excited!" Lira squealed.

"She even spins twice when she's really happy," added Sira.

"Cringe," said Vina, grinning.

"We haven't seen it in forever," Floe said.

"Please, please do it!" begged Myra.

"If you don't, I will literally shock Zeph right now," Sole snapped, her eye twitching.

"It would make us feel whole again," whispered Crysie.

Luna's eyes shimmered. Embarrassed but smiling, she did her quirky little dance—spinning, stepping, arms waving awkwardly. The fairies clapped and twirled around her in delight.

Azrael watched in silence.

Then, without a word, he turned and walked away, his cloak whispering against the stone floor.

Zeph followed behind him, quiet as a shadow.

Sole glared after them, her tiny fists clenched.

"You're lucky I'm letting you live, you walking bat."

Zeph kept walking.

But just as he reached the library doors, he glanced back once—his lips curled ever so slightly.

A soft smile.

No one saw it.

Lunaria ______

The Council of Thrones___

Location: The High Council Hall of Lunareth – a towering citadel carved into the silver cliffs of Starshade Peak, overlooking the Luminous Sea. The hall is bathed in soft celestial glow, from enchanted crystal orbs embedded in the walls. Seven great thrones form a circle around a magical map table that pulses softly with light.

Present:

King Evandor of Lunareth (Luna's father)

Crown Prince Auren of Lunareth (Luna's eldest brother)

Prince Kaelith of Lunareth (Luna's second brother, God of War)

King Thalion of Sylorine

Crown Prince Sol of Sylorine

King Althoran of Velastra

King Myrien of Mytherra

Queen Selindra of Solmira

King Cyrien of Crystavella

Prince Caelith of Crystavella

King Evandor (his voice steady but laden with pain): "The moon has dimmed in our skies. My daughter, our light—the Starborn—remains captive within the black fortress of Duskvaria. We must act, or risk losing the balance that holds Lunaria together."

King Myrien (rubbing his temple, frowning): "Luna is more than royalty. She is the anchor of the Light Pact. If Duskvaria bends her will, it shatters the divine balance."

Queen Selindra (calm, calculating): "We can't underestimate Duskvaria. If they captured Luna, they did so with intent. They plan to use her. We must retaliate before they weaponize her very existence."

Prince Kaelith (standing, his aura warlike): "Then let us strike. I will lead the first wave myself. I will bring their fortress to ruin."

King Thalion of Sylorine (cautioning): "Kaelith, your fire burns bright, but too swift an assault may seal her fate."

Prince Sol (firmly, eyes burning with loyalty): "We must consider the cost. If they use Luna against us, we inherit not peace, but ashes."

King Althoran (blunt): "We either move or wait until it's too late. What do you propose, Evandor?"

Auren (rising slowly, every motion full of silent command): "We fight. But not yet. First, we infiltrate. Every year, a lone ship sails from an unnamed island to Duskvaria. It carries sacred medicine and crosses the waters of Leaf Island. If we take that ship, we gain entry unnoticed."

He touched the magical map, and a soft path glowed blue, tracing the ship's yearly voyage.

Auren (resolute): "We use it. Disguise ourselves. Slip into Duskvaria. Retrieve Luna. Then we march with fury."

A tense silence fell.

King Cyrien (raising an eyebrow): "A calculated risk. But with great reward."

Prince Caelith of Crystavella (voice sharp, intelligent): "And if we fail, Duskvaria will know we're coming. But I agree with Auren. No war until Luna is free."

King Thalion: "Sol?"

Crown Prince Sol: "I will go. I owe her that much."

Prince Kaelith (grinning faintly): "I never thought I'd say this… but I agree with Auren. Let's walk through the front gates wearing the enemy's robes."

Queen Selindra: "Then may the gods walk with you, and may Luna's spirit guide you to her side."

King Evandor (placing his hand on Auren's shoulder): "Bring my daughter home. No matter the darkness you face."

Auren, Kaelith, caelith and Sol step forward, shoulders squared, hearts burning.

Auren (commanding): "We leave before dusk. We take the ship. We save Luna. Then we return with fire."

All the rulers rose, each one placing a symbol of power on the map: a jewel, a scroll, a blade, a flame.

King evandor: "For Luna. For Lunaria."

And as the council's torches dimmed, the fate of a continent was placed in the hands of four warriors bound by blood, by honor, and by love.

The mission to reclaim the Starborn had begun.