Luna crumpled to her knees, her tears streaming. She wept openly, no longer the untouchable queen of Blood City but a woman who had been stretched too thin.
"Your Highness… please," Thessa begged. She bent down, trying to steady Luna, but her hands shook with helplessness.
Talon placed a hand on Thessa's shoulder and eased her gently aside. "Let me," he murmured. He crouched low as he took Luna's hand firmly in his own. "My princess," he said, "tell me what you need. Anything you need."
To the vampires of Blood City, she was their sovereign queen. But to the wolves, she was blood. And they would bleed for her, die for her, no questions asked.
Luna lifted her tear-streaked face to Talon, her lips trembling.
Her tears didn't stop, but the trembling in her chest slowed. She leaned ever so slightly into him.
*****
