Chapter 375: _All Hail The Luna King

Elian’s POV

*****

A month later, Evaros had finally gained a sense of normalcy.

The captured Arcadian cities were freed, and civilians returned home after being stored away to make room for Amara’s continental spell nodes.

Elian had helped the Kingdom’s Council restore some sense of order, offering them Amara’s Core. Morwen also had the mental manipulation spell put on her broken.

She declared she was forever indebted to the new moon god and his mates for sparing her life.

The Dark Lands hailed their Rogue King; every Duke, soldier and civilian placed way more reverence on the man who’d led their people for centuries and finally freed them from an overly drawn-out war.

As for Lunaria… after a whole month of rebuilding and getting the continent to breathe from all the tension built up over it for years… it was welcoming something grand today.

Particularly within the golden walls of the Lunarian palace.

Elian stood before his window, hands gripping the windowsill. He stared down at the magnificent courtyard, which was being decorated in bright colours of silver, gold and white.

Standing here reminded him of that one time an assassin tried killing him in his sleep.

A silent snort broke past his lips.

Back then, Garrick, wearing Axel’s skin, had slaughtered the man without his expression changing by even a fraction. Then Lucian complained about being assigned to protect him.

Comparing that period to now was… jarring. A lot could change in less than a year.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

He turned around in time to see Aurora peeking her head in with a wide grin. “Oh, my…” She bit her lip, letting herself in completely. “Is calling you moon goddess or moon god appropriate now? Gods, I’m still finding it hard to get used to.”

“And I keep telling you you don’t have to call me that.”

Taking a few steps away from the window, he cast a glance at a full-body mirror resting on the wall to his right and immediately understood her reaction.

Heck, he’s been bubbling with excitement himself.

He was draped in a silver-white suit with a long trailing cape trimmed with glittering crimson, black and golden embroidery that reflected the emblems of both Lunaria and the Dark Lands.

Yes.

Today was his wedding, not just with Lucian but with Kyren as well.

The Rogue King was, of course, hesitant at the idea of getting married, calling it an unnecessary institution that merely existed to please the nations.

But when Elian threatened to be the one picking out their unborn daughter’s name, the lord of the Dark Lands didn’t just cave but commended his blackmail.

And then there was Lucian, who majorly planned the event for weeks.

“You should see the throne room,” Aurora beamed, placing a hand on his cheek. “In a few minutes you’re finally going to be my brother-in-law AND Luna King. How do you feel?”

Elian drew in a deep breath. “I didn’t realise we were inviting the journalists for an interview so early.”

She pinched his nose with a giggle, pulling one out of him as well.

Ever since the system disappeared, he and Aurora had become even closer. She was the only other person on the continent who could match his sharp tongue. That, plus everything they’ve been through, made her the closest thing he’d ever had to a best friend.

“But seriously…” His smile widened. “I’m nervous as hell. It just feels like a lot. I’m technically a god now and at the same time I’m about to be a husband, king consort of two nations and… a dad?”

He rubbed his belly at that last part.

Those two little gremlins kept getting closer to their due date. His new metabolism didn’t require him to eat much anymore, but with them growing in him?

By the moon, he’d become a glutton.

They were already stressing him out before they’d ever drawn their first breaths. If that wasn’t a sign, he didn’t know what was.

“Hey,” Aurora grabbed both his hands, making him stare into her eyes. “You’re THE Elian Ashford, okay?”

“Girl, stop gassing me.”

“I’m being serious here.” She rolled her eyes. “You’ve faced every hurdle life threw at you before you ever became mated to my brother and cousin. So when you walk down that aisle?”

She brushed a hand over his collar even though it didn’t need it. “Don’t think about the people watching. Just be yourself. The quiet yet chaotic Omega who stood tall despite any insult thrown his way… who now happens to be a god.”

Elian’s smile returned.

Not the best speech he’d heard all day, but it did get the job done a bit.

Another knock tore through the moment.

“Uhm, guys?” Seraphyne popped her head in. “The throne room’s getting pretty crowded.”

Seraphyne’s voice carried a mixture of excitement and barely contained panic that immediately gave away just how much activity was unfolding beyond the chamber doors.

Aurora chuckled. “That’s our cue.” She stepped aside before wrapping Elian in a quick hug. “For what it’s worth… thank you.”

His brows lifted.

“For what?”

“For giving this family something we hadn’t had in a very long time.” She smiled, eyes shining with emotion. “Peace.”

Before he could answer, she slipped out of the room, pecking Seraphyne on the cheek before leaving her waiting there.

Lunaria’s latest honoured Knight dipped her head. “Whenever you’re ready.”

Elian released a slow breath.

“I don’t suppose there’s a secret tunnel I can escape through?”

Seraphyne deadpanned, “Unfortunately, Your Divinity, the architects neglected to include one.”

“Oh, tragic.”

She actually laughed. “I know.”

With one final glance toward the mirror, Elian squared his shoulders before stepping into the corridor.

The palace seemed transformed.

Moon lilies lined both sides of the polished marble hallway, their silver petals glowing softly beneath enchanted chandeliers. White banners embroidered with Lunaria’s emblem hung beside crimson standards bearing the crest of the Dark Lands, while servants hurried quietly through adjoining corridors, making final adjustments before bowing the instant they noticed him.

The closer they came to the throne room, the louder everything became.

Not loud in the ordinary sense.

Expectant.

Hundreds of voices speaking in hushed anticipation beyond the enormous gilded doors before gradually falling silent.

Two palace guards pushed the doors inward.

Warm light spilt across the corridor.

The Lunarian throne room had never looked more magnificent.

Silver draperies cascaded between towering marble pillars, while fresh white blossoms wound around every column like living garlands.

The crystal dome overhead reflected the afternoon sun in countless shimmering fragments that danced across the polished floor, giving the impression that moonlight itself had descended despite it still being daytime.

Rows of nobles, generals and distinguished guests filled either side of the ceremonial aisle.

Elian recognised them almost immediately.

Elowen stood near the front, already dabbing at the corner of one eye despite the ceremony not having begun.

Beside her, Sylas waved enthusiastically before his mother elbowed him hard enough to make him straighten with a sheepish grin.

A few places away stood Estella.

The same woman who had once gone out of her way to make every day of his life miserable now lowered her head respectfully as he passed, genuine remorse replacing the pride she’d once worn like armour.

Representatives from Arcadia occupied another section of the hall.

Morwen stood among them alongside two remaining councillors, their ceremonial robes restored but their expressions carrying far more humility than authority.

Across from them waited the Dark Lands.

Every Duke had arrived.

Their intimidating presence dominated an entire side of the throne room, though not one of them wore weapons today.

Even they had come simply as witnesses.

At the very end of the aisle stood the two men waiting for him.

Lucian looked devastatingly handsome beneath white ceremonial robes trimmed with silver, though the confident Alpha King seemed incapable of deciding whether to smile or cry.

Kyren, dressed in elegant black embroidered with crimson and gold, appeared considerably calmer.

Until Elian noticed the Rogue King’s fingers tapping against his leg.

He was nervous.

Gods… They both were.

A grin escaped Elian before he even realised it.

Lucian noticed first.

“There he is,” he murmured.

Kyren exhaled through his nose. “Took you long enough, little flame.”

“I considered climbing out the window.”

“You would’ve ruined weeks of planning.”

The three of them shared a chuckle.

Then the ancient spiritual leader stepped forward.

Gaius leaned heavily upon an ornate silver staff crowned by a crescent moon.

Though age had bent his back and whitened every strand of his hair, the old man’s eyes remained astonishingly bright.

When he spoke, his gentle voice somehow reached every corner of the vast chamber.

“For countless generations, this throne has witnessed the coronation of kings and queens. It has seen wars begin… and kingdoms rebuilt. It has watched history pass beneath the gaze of the moon.”

His weathered gaze settled upon Elian.

“Today… it bears witness to something our ancestors believed they would never live to see.”

Silence settled over the room.

“The union of three souls whose bond has reshaped the fate of an entire continent.” Gaius raised his staff. “Lucian Stormborn, Alpha King of Lunaria.”

Lucian stepped forward.

“Kyren Nochthane, Lord of the Dark Lands.”

Kyren joined him.

“And Elian Ashford…” The old priest smiled. “Moon-blessed. Saviour of Evaros.”

Another pause followed before his voice carried a reverence unlike anything Elian had ever heard.

“By the authority entrusted to me as Keeper of Lunaria’s Sacred Traditions, and under the eternal gaze of the Moon Goddess whose divine essence now lives on through you, I recognise and proclaim before this continent…” He struck the base of his staff against the marble floor. “…Elian Ashford as Luna King of Lunaria.”

The instant the words left his mouth, something invisible swept gently through the throne room.

Elian felt it ripple outward through the palace, across the capital and beyond its walls like moonlight spreading over still water.

One by one, without command or hesitation, those gathered lowered themselves.

The Lunarian Elders knelt first.

Then the Arcadian councillors.

The Dukes of the Dark Lands followed with solemn respect.

Nobles. Generals. Servants.

Even the palace guards stationed beside the towering doors.

Beyond the throne room, countless unfamiliar voices reached his heightened senses as people throughout the Empire instinctively bowed their heads, prayers blooming inside his consciousness like tiny stars scattered across an endless night.

For one overwhelming heartbeat… An entire Empire acknowledged its Luna King.

Gaius allowed the silence to linger before smiling warmly.

“Rise.”

Like a single tide answering the moon, every head slowly lifted.

The old priest extended both hands, and a palace attendant stepped forward carrying a velvet cushion upon which rested three intricately crafted bands.

They were neither crowns nor ordinary rings, but ancient Lunarian marriage trinkets forged from moonsteel and threaded with strands of crimson and silver, each one etched with runes that glowed faintly in response to the mates standing before them.

“These are not symbols of ownership,” Gaius said softly. “They are reminders. That no matter where fate carries one soul… the other two will always find their way back.”

Lucian accepted the first band.

His silver eyes never left Elian as he gently took the omega’s left hand, his own trembling just enough to betray everything words could not.

“I’ve spent most of my life believing my duty came before my happiness,” he admitted with a quiet laugh. “Then you came along and completely ruined that way of thinking.” His thumb brushed over Elian’s knuckles before fastening the moonsteel band around his wrist. “Thank you… for becoming my home.”

Elian’s vision blurred.

Kyren stepped forward next, taking the second trinket.

“I’ve never believed in ceremonies,” the Rogue King muttered, earning scattered chuckles throughout the throne room. “Still don’t, honestly.” A rare smile softened his features as he secured the second band beside Lucian’s. “But I do believe in you, little flame. In every lifetime… I’d choose you again.”

A tear finally escaped Elian’s eye.

Sniffling once, he picked up the final trinket before taking both their hands together.

“You two are unbelievably cheesy,” he laughed through the tears, making half the room smile with him. “I had this whole beautiful speech planned, and now I can’t remember a single word.”

Lucian squeezed his hand.

Kyren rolled his eyes fondly.

“So I’ll just say the truth.” Elian looked from one to the other, his smile trembling with every heartbeat. “Thank you… for loving someone who never thought he’d deserve this. I choose both of you today and every day after.”

With careful hands, he fastened the final bands around their wrists.

As the three trinkets settled into place, silver, crimson and violet light intertwined around their joined hands before blooming upward into a single radiant pulse that washed gently across the throne room.

The ancient runes had accepted their vows.

Hi, fruitcake! We’re getting close to the end now and honestly? I can’t be anymore grateful for those of you who’ve been here since the beginning. Despite all the months of stalled updates we finally made it. I didn’t plan on writing an author note until the very last chapter… But THANK YOU.

Thank you, AriaDragonness. You’ve been one of the biggest supporters of both my BL books on this platform. Your comments, theories and support have kept me going. Thank you, Charo. I hope you’ll get to see this soon but your comments ALWAYS brought a smile on my face. Thank you for being patient with me. And finally… Monmot. Thank you for always reminding me to tie this book to a satisfying close. I’ll never forget the one time when I shared losing my cat last year. Your comment, as little as it may have been then, always stuck with me and made me feel a little bit better.

If you’re still reading this, thank youuu. Sorry I can’t exactly name everyone but every single one of you are like family here. And I’m glad for every interaction and every laugh and even tears I’ve managed to draw from you.

Watch out though! We’ve still got at least one or two chapters left. <3