As she laid next to him, the moon princess could see every tiny freckle on his face. Her fingers slid up towards his jaw, tracing the sharp cut skin tenderly, blinking up at him. Lukas lazily smiled at her, his eyes fondly taking her in.
"I did really miss you, Lukas", She shyly murmured, tucking her face in the crook of his neck.
He tightened his hold on her. "Then why did you leave? I was going out of my mind, replaying the way you said goodbye. As if it's our last time. Tell me I'm overthinking."
The moon princess stuttered. How could she deny his claim when it's true? Talia had no intention of seeing him again and following her father's demands. Seeing him outside her window changed every bit of resolution.
"What's going on, my love?"
That's her cue to break down in tears. She was unable to stop herself, blurting out the events that took place in his absence.
"I'm sorry."
Lukas made a sound. "You have nothing to be sorry about, my love. I know you did it for your father."
"But I don't want to. Not anymore. I can't stay away from you, Lukas."
"Me too," He whispered.
"Then what are we going to do? My father won't agree for us to pursue this relationship. He wants me to mate with Ajaxson."
At the mention of another Gods name, Lukas face morphed into irritation and jealously. He pulled her extremely close and pushed his lips on her forehead. She shivered.
“I won't let that happen."
"What are you going to do?"
"We", The Prince corrected. "We will meet Ajaxson and explain our situation. From what you've told me he's reasonable. I'm sure he can be helpful to us."
"Yes!"
Talia raised her head at him, eyes impossibly wide. Why had she not thought of that before? Ajaxson was a polite, educated God who had good values, so maybe he'll help them. If not, at least volunteer to break their union and set her free.
"That can work."
"See? Problem solved. Now let's go to sleep."
Talia hummed, crawling under the sheets and turning in his arms.
***
The next morning Talia took a protracted shower, in vain trying to rid of the previous evening. A blush sat on her cheeks. Lukas had properly drained her out. She felt boneless, stepping out of the shower and began to dress.
Lukas was still sleeping in her room. She did not have the heart to wake him up. The Prince spent sleepless nights because of her. He deserved some rest.
She lethargically began to make her way downstairs, dreading every bit of the meal to come. Through the large windows of the downstairs area, she could quickly spot the table, which had already been made and waited patiently. As expected, everybody was by this time gathered for breakfast.
"He's also dashing!" Hera nodded, her eyes twinkling when she caught the moon princess stinky stare. Her stepmother was enjoying it a little too much. When Talia still didn't reply, Hera looked at Clio. "Isn't he?"
Talia stifled her groan. Just when she thought that they would be past Ajaxson topic. Guess not.
"Very handsome indeed," Her sister agreed bashfully, and a faint pink coloured the apples of her cheeks.
"There is something rather pleasing about his looks," Someone chirped from the table. "Am I wrong?"
"Not at all, darling, not at all. Like father like son, I suppose" Zeus chuckled heartily, and Hera joined him not a moment too late.
Talia nodded reluctantly, eyes dark as she watched her stepmother's mouth shape into a sly smile. The moon princess detested her, and the entire situation had her skin crawling as she watched her pleased smirk.
Talia cleared his throat. "I don't think I'm hungry. I will go lie down now if you would excuse me."
"Oh," Zeus eyed her, napkin grasped in his lap. "Of course."
"Don't forget we have to attend dinner at Ajaxsons place today," Hera called after her as she left the table with a mix of anger and distress stirring in her gut.
***
Talia had arrived at the much-awaited estate house by the shore—Ajaxson place. Her eyes gawked around the several trees around the estate. The pleasant and tame ocean breeze then replaced the crisp, biting wind.
The moon princess already felt a probing sense of drowning at the thought of entering inside. It had nothing to do with the summer air, the proximity to the sea or the large Ajaxson mansion or her family around her. But the thought of meeting Ajaxson and breaking their bond for once and all.
After breakfast, she went straight to her room and woke up Lukas. Talia confessed about her dinner plans along with her family and Ajaxson family on the same evening. They thought it would be ideal to tell about their relationship. Save him further heartbreak.
"Hi," Ajaxson breathed, interrupting her train of thoughts.
She let her eyes alight on the man with an upward quirk to her lip. His eyes trailed across her, that impish twist to his mouth sticking; meanwhile, the moon princess forced herself to focus on the mission. Her betrothed extended his hand forward, slowly shaking as he met her eyes. "How good to see you again, Talia."
"Likewise," She replied and quickly pulled her hand away.
"How have you been?" Ajaxson inquired, his heavy gaze lingering on her face. A little too long for her liking.
"Just fine."
From the corner of her eyes, Talia noticed her parents mingle with others, exchanging pleasantries. Meanwhile, she was thinking of ways to getting Ajaxson alone.
"Actually," A voice interrupted, drawing everyone's attention. Upon close attention, she found it to be none other than Ajaxson. "I had intended to ask Talia if she would mind accompanying me for a short stroll on the beach?"
He turned his attention on her, brows arched. "Promise I won't keep you long."
Talia felt several pair of eyes on her face, and there was suddenly a warmth building beneath the surface of her skin. When she didn't respond for a while, her father glared.
"Sure," She muttered, unable to stand the suspense that was causing around. That's what the moon princess wanted anyway—some alone time with him.
Ajaxson lips curved in a grin. He stared at the parents. "Don't let us keep you all from starting with the dinner. We will catch up with you soon."
They all nodded in agreement. She didn't dare lift her head, eyeing the floor underneath her feet.
Her betrothed gestured to his right. "Shall we?"
Talia refused to look at her parents, pretty sure their faces were several shades of pleased before hesitantly following Ajaxson. Her heart began thumping heavily against her ribcage as she joined his side, nerves crawling all over her at the realisation that she wouldn't be able to escape.
Talia would be forced to exchange more than just the minimum of pleasantries with the man.
"You have to forgive my forwardness," Ajaxson said from her right, somewhat abashed. "I've been eager for a moment alone with you. It can be a rather pressuring with our families present around us."
Talia internally scoffed, thinking to herself on how this situation couldn't be any more messy.
Ajaxson waited patiently for a response, but when Talia didn't reply, he slowed his pace, and gently tapped her arm, just once, before locking his hands behind his back again. Shocked at the briefest moment of physical contact, she widened her eyes painfully, flickering over the man in alarm.
The moon princess couldn't hold back anymore.
"Ajaxson..." Talia started.
The reason she wasn't able to tolerate it was her stepmother, who had gotten what she wished for, played Talia like a fool into the hands of some God whose family they promised something.
Even though the moon princess had been aware throughout the whole process but could do nothing other than stand by and let it happen. Not anymore.
"Do you know of the Sun Prince Lukas?" She inquired after a moment.
Ajaxson stopped in his track, feeling a small wave rush around his legs. "Uhh...Yes. I might have heard of him in the passing. Why do you ask?"
She screwed her eyes shut. This was the moment. Talia could tell him everything and be done with it. For that, she needed some help from certain someone.
Just like they talked about it, she mumbled something under her breath. The moon princess ignored Ajaxson and focused on summoning Lukas. Something shone brightly behind her, and before she knew it, the Sun Prince was by her side.
"What's going on?" Ajaxson raised his brow, his eyes flickering between the two of them. Confusion marred his face; hands tightened by his side. Before he could call guards or, worse, inform her family, Talia motioned for Lukas, pinching his arm.
The Prince nodded and cleared his throat. "Good evening. I'm Lukas, the Sun Prince and son of Helios. It's my pleasure to meet you, Ajaxson."
"Okay? What is your business here?"
"I'm Talia's lover."
***