In the great blue sky, the rush of wind in her ears and the dizzying loss of gravity overwhelmed her senses. A small figure fell from the heavens. Her body limp, her face serene, and her thoughts silent.
Then came the sharp slap of water. The impact should've shattered her, but it was as if the world protected her. The sea enveloped her almost protectively.
Deep below, the disturbance rippled through the stillness, stirring a creature from his slumber. Ordinarily, he would ignore such disturbances unless he sensed a posing threat. But this time, something tugged at him. A strange, unfamiliar pull that throbbed in his chest. Hope. Curiosity. Anticipation. Ridiculous emotions for one such as him.
Still, he obeyed the instinct.
Cold, crimson eyes narrowed as he swam toward the lightless depths, already debating how he was going to destroy the intruder.
Through the gloom, a pale silhouette drifted downward. His serpentine tail wrapped around her effortlessly. When he lifted her chin with clawed fingers, his breath hitched. She was exquisite, the most delicate being he had ever encountered.
Golden hair like sunlight tangled in the currents, milky skin that seemed carved from the moonlight. But it was her eyes, those fleeting, sky-colored eyes, that unbalanced him.
So pure, unguarded, and alive.
His jaw tightened. Foolish. Dangerous. He would not allow this weakness.
And yet.
He pressed his lips to hers. Sharing air, life, before she slipped away.
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Drip. Drop.
The rhythmic sound of water drew her back to consciousness.
Her lashes fluttered open to a rocky ceiling faintly lit by glowing blue crystals. The air was damp and cold, but beneath her was something warm. Fur, thick, and soft against her skin.
A hiss cut through the silence. She turned.
A colossal python loomed nearby, its red eyes unblinking, studying her every move. Strangely, she felt no fear. If anything, there was comfort. A sense of deja vu. Those eyes, she had seen them before.
Her body ached as she pushed herself upright.
"You saved me, didn't you?" She murmured, smiling softly. "Thank you."
For a moment, the serpent froze, as though startled. Then it lunged forward, fangs bared. Most would have screamed. Luna only closed her eyes, serene and accepting.
The air shimmered.
Where the python had been, a tall figure now stood. Pale skin gleaming faintly under the crystal light.
Her eyes widened. He was breathtaking, like a god born of the deep sea. Muscle sculpted and taut, dark hair with a sheen of blue, eyes sharp and red as garnet. His expression was one of disdain, but there was something guarded beneath it.
A dark chuckle escaped him. He seized her chin, forcing her gaze upward.
"From now on," he said, his voice low, rich, and laced with arrogance, "your life and death are mine to decide. Forget your past. You belong to me now."
Lune blinked, speechless. The words should have frightened her, yet she felt oddly calm. Perhaps it was the strange world around her. She was aware that her best chance of survival was with him. And instinctively, she held a feeling that, regardless of his arrogant and disdainful demeanor, he wouldn't harm her.
"What is your name, female?" he demanded
"Luna," she replied softly. Her melodic voice was gentle, soothing.
He repeated it under his breath, as though testing how it felt on his tongue.
Then arrogantly, "the name of the one you belong to is Marcellus."
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Later, Luna sat curled in the warmth of herself, hugging her knees. If one didn't look carefully, there was a small tremble of her body.
Marcellus had gone to hunt, sealing the entrance with a boulder.
When she heard the slither of scales again, she rose quickly. The boulder shifted, and he entered, dragging his prey. He held a massive boar behind him. He caught sight of her running toward him and sneered.
"So," he drawled, "already trying to escape?"
Foolish.
Before he could finish, she collided gently with his chest, trembling slightly.
He froze, a slight pink tinged his face. Her body was soft and warm against him. Her fragrant scent is floral and clean.
Confusion flickered across his face. With a flick of his tongue, he sensed no danger near them. His eyes stared at her in thought.
Luna tilted her face up, smiling with those clear blue eyes. "Welcome back," she said, her voice soft and kind.
Thump-thump.
His chest tightened.
Then he smirked, a dangerous, mocking smile to hide the heat creeping into his veins. "Whatever tricks you're planning, they won't work. You can't escape me."
"I'm not," she said. "I'm just... happy to see you."
Her tone disarmed him. He turned away with a scoff, lifting her effortlessly with one arm and the boar with the other.
"As long as you behave," he muttered, "I won't treat you harshly."
Startled, Luna steadied herself by placing her hands awkwardly on his shoulders. Her touch was light and revealed her inexperience.
He didn't look at her, but the corner of his mouth twitched upward.