Ever since Soltero had reminded Moon of her birthday, she'd actually had to focus on the preparations. Luckily, Xiox came in handy with that. He sat down with Moon in her office and explained all the preparations that were being made: how the ballroom was being set up to her tastes with hanging crystals and orange-gold drapery that complemented her orange brown hair, and how the grand garden was being trimmed and put to perfection for the guests on the day of celebration. The gardeners were meticulously shaping the white winter roses that somehow thrived in her cold domain, ensuring they formed perfect arches for guests to walk beneath.
While this was being explained to her, all Moon could think about was Soltero—their nights together and how her body grew needy and desperate for more. Her pale fingers drummed against the ornate arm of her chair as her mind wandered to thoughts of the emperor's strong hands against her skin. She wondered if she could even wait for him any longer. Then her mind started to wander to her military; some of the men in her military had the same stature as Soltero. She wondered if they were just as good in bed, not that it mattered much. Her pheromones were powerful enough to make any man go mad and feral, but that could be dangerous with her growing corruption. Even now, she could feel the dark energy pulsing beneath her pale skin, threatening to spill out in tendrils of shadow if she lost control.
"Do you prefer the silver or gold trim for the—er..." Xiox stopped talking when he noticed Moon was zoning out again, her emerald eyes glazed over with desire. As Moon's personal assistant, he noticed every little thing about her, from the way her tail twitched when she was annoyed to the subtle darkening of her green eyes when her thoughts turned impure. With that awareness, he could notice how Soltero was affecting his empress and how her corruption was slowly spreading with each passing day. He sighed, neatly stacking the papers against the mahogany desk rather loudly and rough.
That was enough to pull Moon out of her daze and snap her attention to her assistant, who now seemed a bit annoyed, his pristine white hair bristling slightly around the collar of his shirt.
"My lady, take a walk with me. Let us go take a look at the preparations in person," Xiox stated, his fox ears standing up straight, the tips of them nearly as white as fresh snow.
"Any particular reason? You are handling all the preparations correctly, aren't you?" Her gaze was sharp on Xiox. He was too good at reading her sometimes, which of course was somewhat annoying, but she couldn't blame him for something like that when he's practically been raising her since she ascended the throne. He was like a father calling out his daughter's behavior. Moon adjusted the hem of her deep blood red dress that rested against her thighs, the fabric shimmering slightly with embedded crystals that caught the light from the tall windows behind her desk.
Personally, she thought he'd make a great father if he wasn't so damn focused on his job. "I feel perfectly content in staying right here," her voice was a tiny bit smug, just to get under his skin a little bit like a bratty kid. Her tail—long and elegant —twitched against the floor in subtle defiance.
There she went, chasing for entertainment in an estate of coldness lingering instead of cheer and warmth. The enormous estate halls were always too quiet, too empty, despite the servants who scurried about like mice trying not to be noticed.
Xiox let out an agitated sigh, rubbing his nose with his index finger and thumb, ears now folded back in airplane mode before he gathered himself and straightened up, adjusting the paperwork he held to rest under his arm. His immaculate black uniform with red trim designated him as the highest-ranking servant in the palace. "My lady, may I speak freely?"
Moon raised a curious eyebrow, crossing her arms over her stomach for her breasts to rest on top, which of course made them puff up slightly against the bodice of her gown, but Xiox never thought of her as anything else than his empress. "You may," Moon said calmly, her tail swaying against the polished marble floor, betraying her hidden amusement in getting on Xiox's nerves.
Xiox leaned against the desk, bracing both hands against the wood and staring down at Moon in her chair with a grin of hidden agitation. "My lady, do not act like I can't read you. I've quite literally raised you alongside Lucian for eight and a half years. As someone who cares about you and this empire, I implore you to take a walk with me to get your mind out of whatever space it crawled itself into." He sighed and softened his features, his yellow eyes meeting hers directly. "My lady, I really need you to focus. Things like this are important for your image, and you know you are still trying to rebuild it after, you know, that whole thing you did."
Xiox reminding Moon of that night made her brows furrow in annoyance. She stood up quickly, the chair scraping against the floor as she stomped her way past him to the door. "You know what I've told you about bringing up that night, Xiox. You have no right," she sneered through her teeth, small fangs momentarily visible between her dark-painted lips.
Xiox turned to follow after her, his fox tail now swaying rapidly in rhythm to hers now that the air had changed, crackling with tension. "You know I mean no harm, my lady. I don't hold any of that against you, and I never will." He followed her down the hall, their footsteps echoing off the high ceilings adorned with intricate carvings of northern constellations, until he eventually gently placed his hand on her shoulder to turn her to face him, which she did promptly, raising her hand like she was going to slap him, but she quickly stopped herself. The guards stationed along the corridor tensed, but didn't move—they knew better than to interfere.
Xiox didn't even hesitate or flinch; he just stared at her with somber eyes. "Don't be like this, Moon. We only want what's best for you, and I'm aware you've been struggling with yourself, but trust that we are here as yours, so let us help you the best way we can," Xiox said in a quiet tone barely above a whisper before lowering his hand back to his side and straightening himself. It was very rare that Xiox broke his character that he so carefully put together.
Every once in a while, he truly acted like Moon's proper parent. She needed guidance from someone who spoke to her the way she needed and not some weak person who bends to the will of the highest leader who wants to be on your good side. The palace was full of such sycophants, but Xiox had always been different—honest to a fault and loyal beyond measure.
"Now, my lady," he said, returning to his normal calm, collected self, with firm posture, straight ears up, and still tail, "how about we go for a walk to take a look at the preparations for your birthday ball?" The light from the tall windows cast his white fur in a golden glow, making him look almost ethereal against the dark stone walls of the palace.
Moon was silent for a moment. Throughout this whole exchange, she had no opportunity to respond to any of his words, nor the proper energy to either, without bursting into a fury of rage like she usually would with Soltero. But Xiox wasn't Soltero, and they both knew that, staring at each other in a cold silence before she turned on her heels and started to walk down to the ballroom. Her footsteps were softer now, the initial anger dissipating like morning mist. "Yes, let us have a look," Moon said in her now calm demeanor, the green of her eyes clearing slightly as she regained her composure.
Xiox promptly followed two steps behind her, the silent connection lingering between them—a bond forged through years of trust and understanding that ran deeper than words could express. As they walked, servants bowed and quickly moved aside, their eyes downcast in respect and fear of their empress whose beauty was matched only by her unpredictable nature. The thought of Soltero still burned in the back of Moon's mind, but for now, she would focus on her duties. After all, an empress's birthday ball was no small affair, especially when dignitaries from neighboring empires—including a certain emperor—would be in attendance.
The ballroom was beautifully decorated; Moon had done a damn good job putting Xiox in charge of planning. But she certainly didn't enjoy having to greet guests, hearing them make half-assed compliments and well-wishes for her birthday. Moon always hated parties—well, not so much that she hated parties, but she just hated the people. Gods know if Moon was alone with the people of her choosing, she'd throw one hell of a party. Only a few select individuals had seen her drunk, though, and that wasn't often enough. Moon only enjoyed the finest and strongest of alcohols—anything to forget her desires and sorrows.
Speaking of alcohol, Moon held a rather long crystal flute in her delicate hands, containing the strongest of blood wines. Wine as bloody as this was a delicacy in the Northern Empire, its deep crimson color catching the light of the chandeliers above.
Just as Moon was about to take another sip of her wine, her lips touched something other than the cool glass—instead, the warmth of skin from a hand she was well familiar with pressed against her mouth.
"Don't you think drinking this much will grant you with being unbearably drunk? You know how well you handle your alcohol," those words cast out from Soltero's smug smile while he lowered her glass and closed the space between them, his cologne—spiced and warm like embers—enveloping her senses.
Moon stared up at Soltero, annoyance filtering into her mind but also amusement, which she held hidden carefully behind emerald eyes. "What if I enjoy being drunk? I'd rather be lost in the dead land of my intoxicated mind than here in a place I don't particularly like," she replied, her voice carrying a sultry edge despite her irritation.
The way they stared at each other was like a fire setting aflame a desire they both craved from each other. He was the only person she had been waiting all night to see, the only man she gave her full attention to. The reunion between two feral creatures of complete devotion to each other—but that didn't mean she wouldn't continue on with her ways, challenging him at every turn.
"As much as I'd like to see you flaunt your beauty," he whispered, his breath warm against her ear, "I must insist on whisking you away to somewhere more private if you are not enjoying yourself." He reached his hand around to place gently upon her waist, his fingers pressing just firmly enough to feel possessive, and guided her through the crowded ballroom and toward the exit.
"Oh, how I'd enjoy that right about now. You've no idea how exhausting it is to entertain these blue-blooded toffs," Moon replied in a hushed tone. Even Soltero could hear the annoyance—not just that, but amusement in her voice—which made him let out a hefty chuckle at her words.
"You don't say," he murmured, continuing to guide Moon out towards the garden where she followed in his lead. Occasionally, they had to stop and talk to other nobles. Once they reached outside, they were greeted by the Northern cold brisk air, snow falling and building upon her orange-brown curls like a crown of crystalline diamonds.
The light from the estate cast a glowing shine upon Moon's shimmering wine-red dress, making it shimmer in the darkness of the night. Even the gold adornments upon her horns, tail, and arms cast a soft glow, making her look dangerously beautiful—like a viper ready to strike in the dead of night, scales gleaming before the fatal bite.
Soltero guided her to the fountain surrounded by frost-covered rose bushes. The heat radiating off of him still left a track through the snow, just like he had always managed to do. It reminded her of how he used to leave a path in the snow whenever he'd follow her around the estate when they were younger, his footprints always larger than hers, always trailing behind as if afraid to lose sight of her. But they were no longer children anymore—just an Empress and Emperor from two different empires finding their way back to each other constantly, like magnets drawn across continents.
He gently helped her to sit on the ledge of the fountain, the cold stone beneath her contrasting with the warmth of his touch. Gazing into her beautiful emerald eyes, flecked with gold in the moonlight, he could feel his heart warm to match the heat of his body. His yellow eyes, like fire in the night, reflected nothing but adoration.
Moon's cheeks slightly flushed, the cold or perhaps something else bringing color to her otherwise pale complexion. No matter how many times he'd gazed at her, no matter how many times he'd seen her naked or even raging in a fury, Moon could never get over how he looked at her with such devotion. It always annoyed her for some mysterious reason, as if she didn't deserve his devotion. She turned her head away, annoyance tugging at her features, the line of her jaw tightening visibly. "Don't look at me like that. You know I hate it," she gritted out through her teeth, pearl-white fangs just barely visible.
He couldn't help letting out a soft laugh, lowering himself to sit beside her, the fountain's edge accommodating them both. "Don't be ridiculous, Moon," he said, his voice velvet in the quiet night.
"Excuse me?" she said, turning her head to glare at him but was caught a little off guard by the calmness plastered on his face, the serene certainty in his expression as he gazed at her.
"For however many more times you choose to batter nonsense and spit fire at me, I will return that bitchy attitude of yours with love and devotion. You can push me away however many times you'd like, but you know I'm not going anywhere," he said, each word measured and deliberate, as if he'd rehearsed this speech a thousand times in his mind.
"What?" she was honestly a little surprised by his ridiculous words, her carefully maintained facade cracking just slightly.
He leaned in carefully until their faces were inches apart, but even then, Moon didn't back down. She could smell the spiced wine on his breath, feel the heat radiating from his skin, see every fleck of gold in his eyes.
"Chase me away, cara mia. Fuck other men, hurt me—but I'm not going anywhere. Everywhere is boring, lonely, and bitter without you. I know you feel it too, no matter how many times you pretend not to, and it's starting to really piss me off the way you avoid it. So stop acting so much like a bratty cunt and be the Empress you are and own up to it already." His voice grew deeper, more intense with each word, his accent thickening with emotion.
Moon was honestly left rather speechless at where he caught the audacity to say such words to her. Soltero watched as a whirlwind of emotions spiraled within Moon—all of confusion, denial, anger—and last of all, after a few moments of complete silence, of waiting for Moon to say anything or react, she placed her hand over her mouth and swiftly turned her head away, her shoulders beginning to shake.
Soltero was a bit surprised. He expected a lot of reactions but not something like this. He honestly thought she was crying; at least that's what it sounded like. "Ah—Moon—I, uh..." he was trying to find the words to apologize, resting his hand upon her shoulder to see her face, only to realize Moon was laughing. And with such a beautiful smile on her face that he had never seen before, he could see those stunning fangs when she laughed—sharp and white against the rouge of her lips. It was melodic and vibrant enough to light up the whole garden if that was possible. Gods, hearing her laugh and seeing that smile for the first ever time made him want to fuck her right here in the garden for everyone to gaze at. Not only that, he wanted to fucking marry her. Gods, how badly he wanted to marry this woman who gave him hell for damn near nine years.
"Moon?" he gasped out, just staring at her in pure awe, his hand frozen on her shoulder.
She shoved him away, trying to contain her laughter from the sheer audacity of his words. She didn't even know why she was laughing. Was it because she was drunk? No, she barely had anything to drink. Why the hell was she laughing, and why couldn't she stop? The sound of it echoed across the snowy garden, glittering in the night air like the snowflakes around them.
"You truly are an idiot, Soltero. Where do you get the nerve to spout such ridi—" She couldn't finish her sentence before Soltero cupped her face in his palms and kissed her more passionately than he had ever done before. His hands were warm against her cold cheeks, his lips demanding and fierce against hers.
She wanted to refuse and push away, but she just ended up melting into his warm embrace, gripping onto his tailored suit and battling against his lips with her own. Their breaths mingled in the cold air, creating small clouds between their heated exchanges.
He gripped her hair tightly with one hand, desperate to have her closer to him, the other hand sliding to the small of her back to eliminate any distance between them. Her silk dress rustled against his formal attire, the sound almost drowned by the thundering of their heartbeats.
If you didn't know already, clearly you'd know where this night would lead the two of them—back to the bedroom, of course, where they were more passionate than ever. Even over the party that Moon was supposed to be attending for her own birthday, it wouldn't be surprising if the guests heard noises other than the symphony of music and chatter. The Empress and her Emperor, finally surrendering to what they both had known all along.
That night truly felt magical in all kinds of ways, but even though her birthday had long since passed, Moon couldn't help feeling embarrassed at how she had let herself become so uncontrolled. Why had she smiled? Why had she laughed? At his ridiculous words, of all things!
Maybe it was truly because she was caught so off guard at how he spoke to her, his voice stern and like warm honey pouring over her usual defenses. But at the same time, she somehow liked it. It was that sense of thrill she kept chasing for some unknown reason—the entertainment she had been seeking her entire adult life. In a life as an empress, you always searched for something to do besides just paperwork and minimal work to get by. Soltero had always been her source of entertainment; he always did things that infuriated her, that agitated her beyond comprehension, but in a way she enjoyed it. She truly enjoyed this man's company, though she'd sooner die than admit it aloud.
The way they had grown closer over the months wasn't making her stability any better. She was growing more impatient, more desperate, more enthralled. She didn't just want him—she needed him. She needed his touch, his voice, his actions, but by the gods, she'd never admit that to him. The embarrassment would surely kill her. After the night at her birthday ball when he had spoken to her with such audacity, making her laugh despite herself, her need for him had only grown stronger. Moon had opened herself up to him, and that was something she never did with anyone.
Moon let out a deep sigh, resting her head on her hands. The stack of papers before her seemed to have grown rather than diminished despite hours of work. She had been doing paperwork as normal, checking in on trades and the building up of her military, since she had been in the process of hiring new soldiers. Moon was implementing a whole new training regimen and process to create better, more loyal soldiers who would strengthen her empire's defenses.
But she had barely been able to focus, her leg bouncing almost as if she were anxious. She could feel a pit forming in her stomach and a shaking desire between her legs making her ache with need. Her breathing grew heavy, and feeling this way, she knew what it meant—corruption was clawing at her mind for satisfaction, for pleasure, for anything to sedate her. Regardless, Moon tried desperately to bury this feeling. She didn't want to keep experiencing this madness growing within her like a vine choking out rational thought.
Moon's slender fingers slowly traced over her silk-covered thighs and to the center of her core to attempt to satisfy herself. Her fingers pushed in and out in slow motions, heavy breaths escaping her full lips as she tried to find relief. Should she just go fetch someone to please her? Would a soldier or servant be just as good as Soltero? Could she teach them to touch her body the same way he could? Satisfy her the same? The more she thought about Soltero—his knowing touch, his experienced hands, the way his eyes would drink her in—the needier she grew, pacing her fingers faster, deeper, until she was dripping onto the burgundy velvet seat she sat on. She let out quiet whines and heavy breaths, and yet she couldn't find herself reaching the climax she so desperately sought, which was making her grow increasingly frustrated. Why was this happening to her? Had he cursed her somehow?
Moon was eventually snapped out of her private moment when she heard a sharp knock at her office door, and she quickly shuffled around in panic. "Hang on a minute!" Moon called out, frantically searching for something to clean herself up. She reached into one of her ornate mahogany desk drawers and pulled out a small embroidered handkerchief, quickly cleaning herself and her chair before throwing the handkerchief back into the drawer and closing it with a soft thud.
She fixed her posture, straightening like the empress she was born to be, smoothing down her black gown and interlocking her fingers together on top of the polished desk surface. "Come in," she commanded, her voice betraying none of her previous activities.
Soon enough, a familiar figure stepped in. Xiox, her personal assistant, entered with a mildly entertained expression on his aged face, which made Moon raise a perfectly arched eyebrow curiously. "What's got you looking so amused?" Moon questioned, her tone sharp but not unkind.
He stood at the door, hands clasped behind his back, his fox ears twitching slightly with what seemed like suppressed excitement. "You, my lady, have a very important meeting to attend to—a special guest is here," Xiox commented with clear amusement, excitement even tugging at his olden features from the way he gazed at Moon from across her spacious office.
His words confused her. A special guest? She was certainly not expecting anyone today. Moon even looked through the paperwork she had on her desk and her calendar, perfectly manicured nails flipping through the pages with growing bewilderment. "A guest? I was not expecting company today," Moon stated firmly and swiftly stacked all of her papers together, neatly setting them back on top of her desk before standing up with regal grace. "Well, it's best not to keep them waiting," she sighed, smoothing down her dress once more before following Xiox to the tea room, her heels clicking rhythmically against the marble floor.
Who could possibly be visiting her at this hour? For what reason, and without warning? So many questions raced through her mind—could this be about the military plans perhaps? A diplomatic emergency she hadn't been informed of?
When Xiox opened the ornate double doors to the tea room for Moon, she prepared herself mentally for whatever dignitary might await her, but apparently not enough to be greeted by the sight of Soltero sitting comfortably in her tea room as if he belonged there, accompanied by his own personal assistant, Alvera. The sunlight streaming through the tall windows caught on his golden jewelry and made his yellow eyes seem to glow with an inner fire.
She immediately tensed up, feeling different rushes of emotions swirling within her once again—desire, irritation, excitement, all battling for dominance. "Soltero, what are you doing here?" she demanded, her voice steadier than she felt inside.
When Moon entered, Soltero jumped up from the plush couch, a wide smile plastered across his handsome features yet also with a small hint of anxiety dancing in his eyes. "Moon!" he exclaimed joyfully, arms spread wide while walking over to her with purposeful strides. Moon tried to avoid his embrace, taking a step back, but he was too quick and pulled her into a tight hug against his broad chest. "Unhand me!" Moon demanded, her cheeks flushing a soft pink. But before she could protest anymore, Soltero cupped her cheeks with his warm hands and kissed her passionately, stealing her breath and her complaints in one smooth motion.
He seemed unusually jittery for some inexplicable reason, and even though she was just starting to melt into his kisses, surrendering to the familiar warmth, Soltero pulled back abruptly and braced her shoulders, his eyes alight with something she couldn't quite place. "Let us take a walk together! Out in the garden, with some privacy!" he suggested, his voice nearly trembling with suppressed emotion.
"What? What are you talking abo— Hey!" Before she could finish her sentence, Soltero had already started to guide Moon out into the hall, his hand placed firmly yet gently upon her waist. At this point, she didn't even know if she should protest. In fact, Moon was now awfully curious about what was happening, considering he was radiating more heat than normal and had the biggest, goofiest smile on his face, which made her heart flutter ever so slightly despite her best efforts to remain composed.
Xiox turned to face Alvera once they were both left standing there in the tea room. His fox ears twitched slightly in her general direction, which made her fennec fox ears twitch as well in silent communication. "I'm assuming," he took a minute to walk towards the large window and gaze out towards the snow-covered garden, "he is here to do what he should've done a long time ago."
Alvera was mute by nature, plus they needn't spare any words for what they already knew was about to transpire. Alvera simply gave a small, knowing nod before going to join his side at the window, a tiny smile playing at the corners of her lips as they watched the pair disappear into the garden below.
Soltero and Moon had been walking outside through the garden for quite some time, their boots crunching through the pristine snow, their tails dragging behind them leaving a distinctive path in the white blanket that covered the normally lush space. They were walking outside for so long they were almost at her greenhouse, the glass structure glinting in the winter sun like a diamond, and Moon was growing increasingly suspicious with each step.
"Are you going to tell me why you are here? This is highly improper for you to arrive without warning," Moon stated in an impatient tone, her breath forming small clouds in the cold air as they walked.
"You are so adorable when you're impatient, cara mia. Wait until we get to your greenhouse," he said in a chipper tone which just made Moon feel even more annoyed. She clutched her hands at her side tightly, her nails digging crescents into her palms as she tried to maintain her composure.
When they finally arrived at the greenhouse, it was a stark contrast from the cold outside. The greenhouse was warm, cozy, and humid, filled with a huge wisteria willow tree in the middle that stretched its branches toward the glass ceiling. Alongside it grew plants from all over the world—some native only to the northern region and some native to other areas of the world. The colorful array of flowers, vines, and exotic plants made the greenhouse breathtakingly beautiful, and Moon had taken the time to care for each and everything personally, which made the place feel special, almost sacred.
Moon walked to one of her prized hydrangea flowers and inspected the blue-purple petals, making sure they weren't wilting or showing signs of disease. "Soltero, are you going to tell me why you are here? No warning or anything—that seems incredibly suspicious to me. You didn't even come to see me at my office like you usually would," Moon said in a rather calm tone, but he could still probably hear the underlying agitation in her melodic voice.
"Moon, please turn to me," he said, his voice suddenly laced with a somber, quieter tone. His hand gently placed on her arm to turn her towards him, the touch sending sparks through her despite the layers of clothing between them.
Her orange-brown hair caught the light of the sun shining in through the greenhouse windows, casting an ethereal glow upon her when she turned to see that soft, loving gaze in his eyes. Her breath caught in her throat as he slowly lowered down to one knee before her, making her freeze in place as if suddenly turned to stone.
There's no way he could be doing this right now, she thought in disbelief. Why her of all people, after what she had done to him? After the way she had acted towards him all these years, keeping him at arm's length, denying her feelings?
Soltero slowly dragged his hand from her arm down to her hand and held it tenderly in his as he knelt before her. Gazing up into Moon's fierce emerald eyes, time seemed to have slowed down for them both. It felt unreal, like a dream she might wake from at any moment.
"Moon, my lady, my empress," he began, his voice rich with emotion, his eyes never leaving hers, "will you marry me?"
The question hung in the air between them, surrounded by the fragrant blooms and the gentle mist of the greenhouse, as Moon's heart thundered in her chest like a war drum.