Under The Moon Light

Chapter Two: Introductions

*Hannah's POV*

I had just stepped onto the red earth of the Fire Kingdom. Things were moving so very fast that my head would spin. I grabbed a hold of the railing to catch my balance & my breath. "You're doing just fine, Hannah." Aunt Luna was by my side & Mom a few steps behind. I was wearing a long dress that looked like it had been forged in fire. My Aunt Luna & Mom were wearing similar dresses. It was even more dressy than what I had wore to prom. I wasn't used to wearing heels & my feet were starting to ache. My toes felt like they were being pinched. I had tried to wear my broke in tennis shoes, but Aunt Luna wouldn't have it. I was nervous & sweating in places I didn't even know it was possible to sweat. I was being sworn in as the official Queen today & all I really wanted to do was run in the opposite direction.

*Lucian's POV*

I was standing on the red earth, but my mind was many miles away. Today was the day I would finally see Hannah for the first time. This was the moment I had been waiting a long time for. My mother was standing beside me in a white shimmery ball gown. She looked lovely, she looked like a regal Queen. She placed her arm through the crook of mine & it brought me some relief. My mind slowed down & I focused on everything in front of me. I hadn't been to the Kingdom of Fire much, it was lovely in it's own way. Vibrant colors of reds, oranges, & yellows as far as the eye could see. I missed home & what was familiar to me. But, today is very important for my future. Today, Hannah officially becomes Queen.

*Unknown's POV*

I hate the Fire Kingdom, just being here fills me with so much anger. Looking out at all the faces of those who walk in the light & spread their positive vibes makes me feel sick. The Fire Kingdom is getting a new Queen today after twenty five years. I turned to my right & was surprised to see the Queen Mother of the Air Kingdom & her son. She was very beautiful, even after all of these years & I felt a tug deep inside. It had been a long time since I had held a beautiful woman in my arms. The new Queen was making her way to the stage, on the arm of my soul mate, Luna. I could still feel the sting of the rejection, even all of these years later. It was probably part of why I enjoyed killing her parents as much as I did, to cause her as much pain as she had once caused me. Behind them was Lenore, who looked much different from the girl I remembered. I, too, had once walked in the light. But, I felt the pull to the dark side, Hades calling me by name, & I delved deep to the point of no return. My black eyes focused in on the face of the new Queen, she looked like her mother & her Aunt, yet different. Her eyes were bigger & an emerald green shade. I was just here to observe & report back, for now. I stuck to the shadows to avoid being seen. No doubt, Olivia would have some words for me, as I had caused her heartbreak when I took the life of her soul mate. She looked proud & regal as she was on the arm of her son, who was now King of Air.

*Luna's POV*

She brushed her dark auburn hair to get out all of the knots, yet her mind was going back through the pages of time. She was sixteen & life was unfolding before her. She was being prepared to be the future Queen of the Fire Kingdom some day. Her younger sister, Lenore, was eleven & a major pain in her ass. She didn't like to study or practice her craft, at all! Luna threw herself into every detail, no matter how small it seemed, she loved it all. She also loved Killian with her whole heart & soul. He was to be her King & she could hardly wait to finally be his. He had just turned eighteen & began treating her like his soul mate. But, there were whispers that made her afraid. "He feels pulled to the darkness, to Hades himself" her Guide, Grandma Maggie hissed. "Then, I won't let him go dark, I will shine my light even brighter, I will save him." In her innocence, she honestly believed that she could.

Luna quickly put her hair up in a timeless updo. Her mind still replaying over events from the past. Killian had come to her on the full moon after her sixteenth birthday & told her he desired her, that he burned for her. She gave in to the desire she felt coming from them both. As they made love, he went from being gentle & passionate to rough. His eyes slowly became black as night, frightening her a bit, although she would never admit it to anyone.

Aria helped her get dressed. A deep red dress with sequins in all the right places. A little low cut, but she could still pull it off. After that night, Killian had given himself over to the darkness & took the mark of Hades. It was one of the hardest things she ever had to do, rejecting him. It nearly broke her apart, but she had no choice. It was then she made up her mind to never take another mate or have children. Even though her mom reassured her that the Moon Goddess would give her another chance, to replace what was now lost to her. But, she didn't want another chance. She wanted Killian, her Killian, who he had been before she hung her wings up on his horns.

She helped Hannah make her way onto the stage, she could feel her nerves rolling off of her in waves. "You're doing just fine, Hannah" I tried to reassure her. Lenore was just a step behind us & we exchanged looks. Lenore was so young when we lost our parents & I did my best to raise her, but she wanted the chance to experience life outside of the kingdom. Maybe I spoiled her, but I didn't want to break her spirit. So, when she was eighteen, I agreed to let her go to the human world. To have a college experience, she called it. I figured she would be back within a month, but she never returned. She married Phil & they had Hannah. And I? Well, I had the kingdom.

As Hannah took her place as the rightful Queen of Fire, I scanned the crowd. I had an odd feeling bubbling up inside of me. A pull that I hadn't felt in years. My eyes darted to the shadows. Surely I was seeing things! He knew better than to come here after all he had done. "Ivan!" I mind linked with my fiercest warrior. "Yes your majesty?" He stood even more at attention if that is even possible. "I want you to check out that corner over there." I sent him the image so he would know exactly where to look through the mind link. I wasn't sure it was him, until those cold black eyes met mine & goosebumps broke out all over me. Before Ivan could reach the spot, he evaporated.

*Hannah's POV*

I made it through the commencement & was now officially Queen. The crown felt heavy on my head already. There were so many people to meet & my feet were hurting from these ridiculous shoes. My eyes were drawn to a couple in the back. They were both graceful. What caught my eye the most was how different they looked from pretty much everyone else around me. In a sea of red hair & brown eyes, they had silvery white hair, like snow when the sun shines on it & ice blue eyes. He was handsome, but there was more, he smelled like spring time & the closer they got to where I was meeting people, the stronger it got.

*Lucian's POV*

She was just in front of us now. Mother & I have been waiting & it is almost unbearable. Hannah is breathtakingly beautiful & the urge to break protocol & snatch her up into his arms is so strong. The pull seems to be getting stronger & stronger. He picks up a scent of cinnamon & a camp fire on a fall night & he momentarily loses his footing.

They are now standing in front of her. Luna leans into Hannah. "Hannah, this is Lucian & his mother, Olivia." Hannah's mouth falls open. "Oh, um, nice to meet you both." Her words come out all at once. "It's very nice to finally meet you, Hannah." My mother spoke slowly trying to calm things back down, breathing a little fresh air into the room. I notice Luna is looking all over, but Hannah is looking right at me. I realize then that I haven't said anything yet & she is waiting. "Hello Hannah. I am very happy to finally meet you."

*Luna's POV*

I was feeling restless as the ball began, I couldn't help but scan the room for him. I saw him evaporate earlier, but that didn't mean he couldn't just reappear whenever he felt like it. I hadn't seen him in twenty five years & it made me angry that I still felt the pull. Even though I had rejected him, I hadn't fully cut the cords between us. I told myself I did this as a way to protect myself, so I would know when he was near. This is what I told everyone else who would listen as well. But, a part of me knew, I did it for other reasons too. I just wasn't ready to acknowledge those reasons, maybe I never would.

*Killian's POV*

As I rematerialized back into the darkness, I let out a breath I didn't realize I had been holding. It never occurred to me that Luna hadn't cut the cords between us. I was sure she would have when she rejected me all those years ago. That was the logical step to take. Being back in the Fire Kingdom again brought back memories, mostly of the brown eyed girl I had loved. Noone would believe me now, that I loved her then & I love her still. I don't know exactly what Hades is planning, he probably doesn't even know yet. He likes to take everyone, including himself, by surprise. I had accepted killing off Hannah, Edward, & Jasper, their deaths didn't bother me or haunt me one bit. But, could I kill Luna? Hurt her, yes of course I could hurt her. But I wasn't sure I could end her life even if Hades ordered me to.

*Hannah's POV*

His voice was the most lovely sound my ears had ever heard. It felt like it took him forever to speak. He seemed to be lost in thought, while I was lost in feeling. "It's nice to meet you both as well." I finally said after Aunt Luna lightly nudged me. He asked me to dance & I wanted to say no, because I am not a very good dancer. But, before I could respond he held out his hand & I took it. "I won't let you fall, my Queen." His words took my breath away while also flooding me with desire. "I hope that's a promise you can keep." I felt a new boldness take hold as I flirted with him a bit, testing the waters. He lifted his silvery brow & twirled me onto the floor. Dancing with him felt so much easier than dancing with the few human boys I had danced with before. He held me firmly, without invading my space. I felt graceful & beautiful for the first time in my life. I was a little sad when the song came to an end.

*Lucian's POV*

Holding Hannah in my arms was like a dream come true. I was giddy with excitement. It had been a long time since I felt that good. I hated when the song ended & I had to release her from my arms. I took her by the elbow & led her back to the spot we came from. "You dance very well, Hannah." My mother was beaming as she spoke. "I thought I was gonna fall on my face!" She laughed & the sound of her laughter hit me right in the heart. "I won't let you fall, Hannah." I whispered in her ear & felt her shiver. I wanted nothing more than to swoop her up in my arms & carry her up the stairs & kick open the first door I came to. But, there would be time for that. Tonight was just an introduction.