nd kissed her temple. "Sleep well now," he said aloud. Ethan and Luna had a pressing day coming tomorrow, he reflected.

r this little blink of time. In her mind, what she had to do that day was still on her mind, but this little happy blink of time was making her morning alright. By the time breakfast was ready, things weren't looking good. Her mother was already sitting at the table, sipping her coffee. She looked terribly lonely.

quiet you couldn't hear it. The room was heavy. Ethan said something Luna couldn't hear, and he

ice is not enough, Luna. You could have picked a good man who wanted you dead, was successful, and was nice to everyone in the city. Not him. Clara was standing against a wall in the room, and her hands hurt so much because she was covered in gorgeous emerald and diamond jewelry. Moving back and forth, she said, "I don't understand it. She looked full of anger. He doesn't even work? How can you do this? Luna was mad and ashamed that she was feeling like that. It felt like she was going to vomit. She wanted to tell people that they should respect Ethan, but she was getting rea

led. She didn't want her tone to be loud, but she was sure she sounded angry.

Luna didn't like that Clara did that. Instead, she looked like she was planning to do something bad. The people she loved. I wanted more from you. Maybe you will have a man standing next to you. Luna's hands were fists now. Then Ethan came forward. He was even taller and stronger than he was. It was so quiet to speak because he didn't even need to be loud to stop people from listening, but they listened when he spoke. Clara was not sure what she was thinking. "" You"-Ethan stopped. He put his hand on Luna's shoulder. "Luna chose me," he said, like he really meant it. "I am enough for her." It wasn't loud, but it was special to Luna. It was really important. Clara just stared out like she was trying to think. Luna felt something bad in her chest. She leaned on him. She pressed her face to his shoulder because she wanted him to protect her from her choice. "You know exactly what to say to me," she told him. Ethan put his chin down. His lips brushed Luna's hair softly. "I will always protect Luna," he said. His voice was deep, dark, and sure. Luna listened hard. She felt everything in the moment. People weren't sure what to do. Her family didn't want her. But the feeling of being that close to

right at her. She's sure of it. Her heart skips a beat and holds up. Ethan stiffens next to her and is trying to make himself bigger with his muscles. His eyes blink a tiny bit as the gun in his head gets sleepy. The joyful, warm feeling in the city is