The Arrangement
It was supposed to be a fake engagement. The feelings weren't supposed to be real.
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Luna stared at the ring on her finger. It was beautiful—a vintage piece with a moonstone center, exactly her style. Which was suspicious, considering Viktor Draven supposedly didn't care about mortal fashions.
"This is insane," she said for the fourteenth time that hour.
"It's political necessity." Viktor's voice was as cold as ever, but she caught him glancing at the ring. "The council won't execute me if I'm engaged to the academy's rising star."
"And I get protection from the families who want to recruit me for my powers."
"A mutually beneficial arrangement."
Luna looked up at the ancient vampire who had somehow become her fake fiancé. "There are rules. No biting. No reading my mind. And absolutely no falling in love."
Something flickered in Viktor's ancient eyes. "Naturally. This is purely a business arrangement."
"Good."
"Good."
They stood in silence, the tension thick enough to cut.
"Although," Viktor said slowly, "for appearances, we should probably learn to tolerate each other's company."
Luna's heart did that annoying flutter thing again. "I suppose that's... reasonable."
