The blood moon shines its light every two thousand years. That was knowledge every demon knows. And the days counting down could not be as important as they were now. The castle was busy with preparations, guest lists, food, clothing, the decorations. Varnox sighed as he held his arms out for the seamstress to take his measurements to craft the perfect outfit.

Every two thousand years... Varnox thought, the crown prince of the underworld knew that this ball was more than a celebration. It was fate put into a chunk of rock in the sky that turned a pretty color. Yet it held powers beyond comprehension, binding the souls of two it chose worthy. I hope the moon chooses right.

He knew his own parents were chosen by the blood moon, it was a story he heard a thousand times over. For the royal family, the blood moon was a way to choose the next spouse of the heir. Varnox would find out who will rule by his side until the next blood moon today.

Once he was measured, fitted, and prepped, Varnox could roam where he wanted. His parents knew how nerve wracking such an important event could be. He walked into his room and went to the balcony to look up at the sky. He remembered how he and his childhood friend used to lay down and gaze at the stars.

There staring back at him was the full face of the moon, a pearly white circle that would cover the underworld in red light only a few hours from now. “You’re a taunting one,” he said to the moon, his hand gripping the railing. “But I hope you choose well for me,” he chuckled and walked off.

As the hours ticked by, the guests started to arrive. Demons of all shapes and sizes in the most beautiful dresses and suits filed in. All of their whispers were filled with talk of who will be the prince’s partner. Varnox couldn’t help but stand off in a corner of the ball room. Big crowds were never his thing.

A sky light in the ceiling was constructed perfectly to let the moon shine through once it turned red. Varnox looked up to see that it was already more than halfway there. Just a little more... he felt his stomach twisting in knots, he adjusted the cuffs of his jacket.

Music, food, and dancing distracted the crown prince for only a moment. It wasn’t until the king, his father, made an announcement.

“Guests! It is time for the blood moon to shine its light upon us!”

The crowd of demons as hushed and retreated towards the walls, creating an open space in the middle. Varnox watched as his father gestured for him to step out to stand under the largest sky light in the ball room. He felt the eyes on him, watching, waiting. His mind going to how a glance from his childhood friend could make him smile, even if they were across a room.

Thinking of those fond memories, Varnox hadn’t realized that the light around him had darkened, the whispers stirred once more. He looked up to see himself shining under red light. It was happening. Scraping sounds echoed throughout to reveal smaller panes of glass on the ceiling.

“Now, the moon shall choose Prince Varnox’s partner,” the king announced.

The room went silent, as if everyone was holding their breath. Varnox waited with bated breath until he saw it, a beam of red light shined through the roof. The guests turned their heads and parted for the chosen one. Varnox almost gasped, it was his childhood friend. His friend is his partner, the next ruler, and... perfect. The crown prince watched as his friend stood there, stunned, with the blood red spotlight.

“The blood moon has chosen!” The king cried. Applause erupted, the ballroom turning into a mad house for just seconds.

Varnox smiled as he approached his friend, his purple hair and horns reflecting the blood colored light, his eyes matching the shade of the moon. He bowed before his friend, a smirk on his face as his tail flicked behind him. His childhood friend now partner, oh how the moon chose well.

With a hand behind his back and one extended towards his friend, “I can’t believe this happened,” he said, keeping his voice low. “It feels like a dream that I’m saying this but... would you care to dance with me?” As he asked, the music played.