Ballroom Book (Otherwise Untitled)
MMC Mood board FMC Mood board Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 3 Chapter 4
Chapter 2: Morana
Pushing past the door we sprint through the night, trees blurring my peripheral as I take us to the safe spot I planned. Flashlights shine behind us as Luna wraps her arms around my neck tighter. Thoughts flash through my head, not of the escape- I planned that clearly- but of why Luna was in the halls. I know she’s little and excited, but she knows very well to stay in the car while on missions.
Suddenly, I grab the prince’s wrist and we dart behind a tree. His breathing is heavy as I let Luna down for a moment and she crouches beside me. I grab another blade from my boot and pass it to the prince who raises his brows. “Watch our backs, no matter what, don’t let anything hit Luna.”
I stare him down a moment longer, making sure he gets the message when his shoulder droops and his stony expression softens. I glance down to where Luna has now grasped his hand and is looking at him with wide eyes. I glance back up to him where a myriad of expressions flicker across his shadowed face.
I’ll never doubt her judgement but I know how looks can deceive- she may trust him but I don’t- I just hope he can take an order.
“Come here baby,” I crouch and turn, letting her get on my back before turning back to the prince with a glare, warning full in my eyes.
Voices grow stronger as guards and assassins alike from both sides approach.
“Let’s go.” I say, before darting from the tree and keeping to the shadows, my obsidian dagger in hand in preparation for unwanted guests.
I swerve, gritting my teeth as an arrow soars by, landing at the base of a tree not but a foot away. So much for watching our backs. I glance behind me to make sure he didn't get lost or I suppose captured, but he’s close behind, heavy breaths racking his body as his muscles flex from the long sprint.
I bounce Luna higher on my back and she tightens her arms, tucking her head in as I feel trickles of tears wet my neck. I wish I could wrap my arms around her, protecting her from the world but then I would be rendered useless and fail to protect her anyway.
I squint through the darkness for a plan and to make sure I'm on the right track, and I adjust to head more to the right. Scanning the trees, I snap my arms out and snatch an apple before tossing it in the opposite direction from where we are heading.
I slow and grab the prince’s wrist, pulling us to walk further in the shadows, away from the light of the full, silver moon. He starts to speak but I immediately shush him, listening for the direction the group seems to be going.
Away, good.
Now we just have to stay quiet. I crouch down for Luna to climb off but she just grips my neck even tighter, making my voice strained.
“It’s okay baby, I’ll hold you.”
Only then does she relax some, dropping her arms from my neck and slouches down. I turn toward her, feeling a strike through my heart at her watery eyes,
“Are you okay?” I ask softly.
She shakes her head quickly, tears falling more quickly now as my heart races and I start checking for injuries, panic racing through me at the thought of her being hurt under my care.
My baby, my poor baby.
She just shakes her head again and responds though soft, choked sobs. “I’m.. Scared” She starts shaking and I pull her into my arms, standing, I start rocking her while singing softly,
Sleep, my moon, the stars are near They’ll guard your dreams, my little dear The night is dark, but you’re my light My heart, my hope, my fiercest fight
Close your eyes, the world can wait You’re safe with me, behind this gate No crown, no fire, no cruel goodbyes Just you and me beneath the skies
I glance at the prince who’s just been quietly standing looking at the two of us with a look I can't decipher. I nod for us to keep walking and maybe it’s the tired look I wear that he just follows. Not too long after her cries soften does her body go lax and heavy, her even breaths against my chest as she falls to sleep in the comfort of my arms.
We keep walking, the prince in pace by my side through the silent night. Now that the barrage a people aiming to kill the prince- and now probably me - are gone. Not too long later my black (car type) comes into view. Moving to the driver door, I go to unlock it but sigh. I don't want to wake up Luna by moving her too much messing with the doors. I look to where the prince is standing near the hood, looking through me, searching for answers.
“Can you help?” I ask, nodding to the door.
Surprise flashes across his face before he moves beside me and I say the code. The day my life flipped upside down. He enters it and I lean forward for it to scan my eye and the lock clicks to open.
I nod toward the door behind the driver’s. “Can you open the door and move her seat belt out of the way?” He does what I ask and I move in after him, putting her down as soft as possible and buckling her up.
Thankfully once she’s out, she sleeps like a rock. I shut the door and turn back to where the prince is looking at me with a heated gaze, “You have some explaining to do.”