The Moonbound Bride

Chapter 18

BLADE

The evening passed with Lyra and me in the cabin, reminiscing about our past. We didn’t even notice the time slipping away. I still couldn’t fathom the fact that all of this had happened to us—that there was a whole history behind it. We had almost faced death and come back. That must mean something. Otherwise, destiny wouldn’t have played its part in bringing us together again.

But if the universe itself wants us apart—if Lyra’s memories are proof of that—then why are we here? Her questions are valid. They’re all valid.

We both wiped our tears and smiled at each other. Her hands were still in mine, and I was still resting my head on her lap like a child. Never had I felt so close to her—not in all the days she spent in the Harlow Mansion. How did my mind not recognize her gorgeous face from the very beginning, from the moment she was brought in as a hostage? I regret how I treated her—harshly—and I always will.

She lifted my face, cupping it in her hands, and gently ran her fingers over my cheeks. I closed my eyes, trying to absorb all the emotions flooding through me. Then I sat beside her and gently wiped away a tear clinging to her lower lashes. In return, she threw her arms around me in a tight hug—a hug so full of love it felt like something I had carried and longed for all this time. Like I had been starving for it.

That hug felt fulfilling. I held her even tighter in my arms, until it felt like our bones might give out and we couldn’t breathe. Neither of us wanted to let go.

“Wanna come up to the rooftop with me?” I whispered near her ear.

She nodded, but as we pulled apart, I could still see the worry in her eyes. Her thoughts were clearly with her parents. She looked exhausted—upset, overwhelmed, and just... tired. I could see it all written on her face.

I gently took her hand and gave her a soft smile, trying to offer some kind of comfort. She looked back at me, brows furrowed, and said, “Blade, my parents... I love them. I can’t stand seeing them like that. We have to do something. I can’t just sit still and wait.”

I got it. Even with all her memories back, those people raised her. They helped her become the person she is—famous, successful, strong. Of course, she’d still feel close to them. Of course she’d want to protect them.

“I promise, Lyra,” I said gently. “I’ll find a way. We’re not leaving them like this.”

She looked at me, eyes wide with fear. “But Amelia… she’s with them right now—in the parking lot. What if she does something? Blade, what if—”

Her voice cracked. She was trembling now.

I let go of her hands and cradled her face in my palms, bringing her gaze back to mine. “Hey,” I said softly, steady. “Don’t panic. She won’t hurt them—not unless my family forces the sacrifice. We have time. I swear to you, I won’t let anything happen to them.”

And then I pulled her into a hug—tight, grounding—just so she could hear my heartbeat. Cold as it might be, it was steady. Real. She leaned into me with her eyes closed, and I held her close like I never wanted to let go.

Still wrapped in each other’s arms, we made our way to the rooftop.

Tonight, the moon was missing. A no-moon night. The sky felt hollow, but somehow the view from up there made everything feel... magical. Unreal. We stood fifty stories high, the city stretched out below us like a glittering sea of stars. The streetlights looked brighter from up here. The wind was sharp and cold, brushing against our faces, and for a moment, it felt like we’d stepped out of the real world and into something sacred.

Lyra stepped toward the edge, taking it all in, and I followed right behind her. I didn’t want to miss this moment with her. Honestly, it felt a little like a first date.

We looked at each other and smiled—really smiled—for the first time in what felt like forever. Our faces were glowing with everything we’d just remembered, everything we’d been through. Like we’d come out the other side of something heavy... and the love between us? It hadn’t faded. Not even a little.

Quickly, I slipped my arms around her from behind, pulling her into me. Her body fit perfectly against mine, and I held her close, arms resting gently across her shoulders. The soft fabric of her peach-colored dress shimmered under the rooftop lights—it was like the universe had set a spotlight on us. Right here. Right now. We were the moment.

She turned her head slightly, eyes gleaming as they found mine, and I couldn’t help it—I pressed a kiss to her forehead. Her scent was intoxicating, pulling me deeper into the moment. Then I brushed my lips gently against the side of her neck. She closed her eyes, breathing in the warmth of my touch against her soft, porcelain skin.

Her fingers found my lips, slow and delicate. I kissed them—softly, reverently—letting my lips linger against her fingertips. She watched me, her eyes full of light, and I just stood there, drinking in the feeling of being completely wrapped in her love. Then, her lips curved into the most beautiful smile.

We turned to face each other, forehead to forehead, breathing the same air, our souls quietly aligned. Her forehead skin glowed faintly in silver—her beast tamer power shining through again. And honestly? It made sense. The beast inside me… was quiet now. Tamed.

Because I had her.

Because I could feel her touch.

LYRA

“Wow, wow! Look who we have here!” Lucas strolled toward us, casually munching on a bucket of popcorn.

We’d made a pact: once morning came, we’d head to Harlow Mansion—quietly, without revealing we’d regained our memories. We still didn’t know if Blade’s family had figured out I was the same Lyra—the nightmare from their past. Especially his grandmother’s least favorite human. But if they had known… would they have let me back in at all? Then again, the mystery of the Primordial Book still hung in the air, unanswered. We needed someone who could read it properly for us.

“Hey, brother. Hey, sister-in-law,” Lucas teased, winking. “Another night at the office, huh?” He laughed in Blade’s face, then turned to me. “By the way, how are your parents doing?” he added, with a sarcastic twist to his smile.

“Lucas, don’t even start,” Blade warned through clenched teeth.

I felt my stomach twist. The way Lucas was pushing buttons—it wasn’t going to end well. Blade’s temper wasn’t something to play with, and Lucas had a talent for getting under people’s skin.

“No, I mean it,” Lucas continued, stepping closer. “They’re fine, right? No problems, or are they…” He trailed off ominously, watching my face. I took a step back. I had no words left, not after everything that happened from the last night.

“Get the f**k out of her face, Lucas!” Blade snapped, grabbing him by the collar. His eyes burned gold, and his fangs flashed into view.

I rushed to his side, trying to calm him down, my hand on his arm.

But Lucas wasn’t done. He smirked and shoved Blade back, biting his own lip with his fangs and drawing blood. I gasped and ran to Blade, who stumbled but stayed upright.

“Chill, brother dearest,” Lucas sneered. “Your powers aren’t what they used to be. You can’t touch me.”

He licked the blood off his lips like a maniac.

“Your own blood tastes good, huh?” He laughed, unhinged.

“Stop it, Lucas! Just stop!” I yelled, my voice shaking.

“Oh? Now you’re going to stop me?” he taunted, stepping toward me again.

But this time, Blade didn’t wait. He landed a brutal kick straight into Lucas’s chest, sending him crashing to the ground with a painful thud.

I stood there, stunned, as Blade straightened up and smirked. “Don’t forget, Lucas. With or without power, I’m still stronger than you. That’s why I was king once.” He adjusted his shirt like nothing had happened.

His fangs reappeared, gleaming. He hissed at Lucas, daring him to get back up.

“Bad idea,” I whispered, nervous, fingers fidgeting.

Lucas stared up at him, shaken. “How… How is that possible?” he stammered.

“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you, you i***t,” Blade said with a laugh. “Even in my human form, I’m more powerful than you’ll ever be. You just needed a reminder. Guess now you’ve learned your lesson.”

Lucas scrambled up, clearly shaken. He turned to run—until he smacked right into Vincent, Blade’s father. Vincent glanced between us, trying to piece together what had just happened.

One by one, the rest of the family emerged, drawn by the noise. And of course… there she was—Mildered, the poisonous grandmother herself.

“What’s the commotion about?” she asked, her tone sharp as ever. “Were you two fighting?” She even placed a hand over her chest, feigning shock.

What a drama queen. She didn’t care about anyone. It was all just an act.

“Grandma, that—” Lucas tried to explain, but was cut off by a new voice. Firm. Deep. Unsettling.

“This house… is cursed. Entirely.”

A tall, wooden-faced man stood near the doorway. A priest.

“Good morning, Father!” Mildered beamed suddenly, pushing everyone aside to greet him. “I thought you’d be late—but here you are!”

She called a priest? Why?

Blade and I exchanged uneasy glances, holding onto each other tightly. We weren’t letting go now. Not for anything.

The priest stepped forward, his long coat brushing the marble floor with each deliberate move. His gaze was heavy—stern—and it settled directly on Blade and me like he could see through us.

“So, you’re the new bride?” he asked, his voice deep and unsettling, like it carried centuries of knowing.

I nodded slowly, instinctively pulling closer to Blade, my fingers gripping his sleeve.

His eyes shifted to Blade next. “And you… You are Blade.”

Blade didn’t flinch. He just gave a quiet, firm nod.

The priest inhaled, as if tasting the air. Then his voice cut through the silence:

“I see… A doom is approaching this house. A shadow that will soon fall and spare no one.”

The words dropped like stones.

Grandma Mildered clutched her chest, already stepping into character, like she couldn’t bear to hear such talk—but her eyes were far too alert to be afraid. She was listening. Calculating.

“But…” the priest added, voice still flat, eyes still burning into us, “not all is lost. If you act swiftly, with clarity and truth… all shall be saved.”

His words made the air feel heavier, like the walls themselves were listening.

Wait. He knows?

A priest? He’s part of this too?

I couldn’t help but wonder. Something about him didn’t sit right—how he looked at us like he knew. Like he felt it.

“Wait—why is doom coming for all of us?” Noah suddenly cut in. “Blade’s the one who lost his powers, not the rest of us.”

The priest didn’t flinch. His gaze swept over the room like a slow-burning fire.

“Because the deity will spare no one,” he said, voice low but final. “For your past sins… the present must be made right. If it isn’t, the consequence will fall on everyone.”

“And what exactly should be done?” Mildered asked, stepping forward. Her face looked concerned, but her tone was anything but.

The priest turned slightly, his hands folded behind his back. “Do what needs to be done. That’s all.”

Then his attention shifted back to Blade and me. His expression softened just a little.

“Good luck to you both… in your married life,” he said, gently patting my cheek and tapping Blade’s shoulder.

Wait.

If he knew I was being sacrificed… why would he wish us well?

That meant—he didn’t know.

He thought this was some other ritual.

There must be another way. A way hidden in the Primordial Book. A way they’ve ignored—or hidden on purpose.

Then why are they choosing to sacrifice me?

What else are they keeping from us?

I tugged Blade’s hand and whispered urgently in his ear, while the rest of them huddled together, clearly shaken by the idea of impending doom.

“There has to be another way to restore your powers,” I said. “We need to speak to the priest—before they do.”

But of course, Margaret’s shrill voice broke the moment. “What are you two whispering about over there? Planning how to kill us now?”

Blade turned, holding his calm. “Aunt Margaret, why would you even say that?”

Elowen’s voice rose in Blade's defense. “Margaret, will you stop harassing my child?”

“Oh, of course. Let’s all pretend your little one isn’t the reason we’re on the brink of destruction,” Margaret hissed. She marched toward Blade, her face inches from his. “All of this—this—started because he lost his powers.”

“Enough, Margaret. Go to your room,” Mildered snapped. “We’re all worried. Don’t make it worse.”

Then Mildered stepped forward slowly and took Blade’s face in her old, wrinkled hands. “I know you won’t let that happen to us, dear. You’ll save us. Just stick to the original plan. Don’t lose your resolve now.”

Her eyes shifted to me—full of warning, full of calculation. I knew what she meant.

She was telling him to sacrifice me.

Blade’s grip on my hand tightened. A silent message: Don’t believe what I say next.

He gave Mildered a faint smile and nodded. “Of course, Grandma. I won’t fail you.”

She beamed at him like he was her perfect little puppet.

The others started dispersing, each casting a lingering, watchful glance our way.

Predators. All of them.

One thing was clear: They still didn’t know we’d remembered. And that gave us the one thing we needed most right now—an advantage.

★★★

Blade and I hurried to my bedroom and discussed everything about what happened downstairs. I told him there was another key to this, which the family isn't telling us, and they just want to repeat history. But why? There's so much mystery to it. When they don't know who I am—that I'm the same Lyra—why are they choosing this option?

“Maybe they want it easy?” Blade said.

“What do you mean?” I asked, rubbing my temples.

“I mean, what if by sacrificing you, they won’t be doomed at all? And by the other way—the one they already know—they will still face doom. So, they chose to sacrifice you instead.”

“Wait, but then why did the priest say the other way would solve the doom?” I said.

“Hmm, you're right, Lyra. There’s an even bigger mystery to this. We really need to talk to the priest,” Blade said, rubbing his thumb gently on my cheek.

“I just hope he can help us and isn’t part of your family's plan,” I said.

“Same. Now, where is the Primordial Book?” he asked, gesturing forward.

We sneaked the Primordial Book back into the house with the help of my dress and plastered the wall again with some of Blade’s trusted men, so no one from the house would know it’s no longer in Blade’s office. I handed Blade the book, which I had hidden inside my dress—painfully, but it had to be done.

“Great, now let’s hide it somewhere,” he said, glancing around the room.

“Where though? The servants might find it while cleaning,” I said, nervously biting my nails.

“No worries. You’re close to Edith, right?”

I nodded.

“Then just let her know not to clean here,” he said, tucking the book under a closed shelf and locking it behind the curtain near the window.

“Okay,” I whispered.

He came to me then, his steps slow, his eyes soft. Taking my hands in his, he said, “Tomorrow, we’ll talk to the priest. Alright?”

I gave him a small, reassuring smile.

He nodded back.

“Now, let’s sleep. Good night,” he said gently.

We hadn’t even realized how late it had gotten after all the chaos downstairs. At dinner, no one spoke much; everyone’s faces were heavy with worry. Even the soup seemed too thick to swallow for Noah and Lucas—it was almost laughable.

Blade was about to leave for his room when I caught his hand, stopping him, pulling him closer.

I tugged him so close that we were chest to chest, breath to breath, brushing against each other. Our breathing mingled, warm and shaky. It felt like heaven. His skin on mine sparked something deep inside me. I pulled him even closer and he held me firmly by the waist, neither of us wanting to let go.

“Should I sleep here with you tonight?” he whispered teasingly against my ear.

I smiled and wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him into a deep, consuming kiss. His soft lips met mine, and neither of us wanted to part. Our hands moved over each other desperately, the kiss deepening until we were breathless, trembling under the intensity. His taste lingered on my lips—sweet, electric, unforgettable. We surrendered to the moment, lost and overwhelmed.

But we had forgotten one thing—the moon, hanging high above, watching us through the open window. And then, it reacted.

A sudden force, wild and furious, slammed into me. It ripped me from Blade’s arms and hurled me into the wall.

“Lyra!” Blade’s voice broke through the chaos just before my head hit the ground, and everything went black.

The moon had made sure to keep us apart.