Lunaria; a beautiful peaceful planet with purple trees, sweet rain, and two moons. Our planet is dark like the shadows, but within those shadows are the Lunarian's. They are a humanoid alien race awaiting the Day of Illumination. Illumination means light, and for one single day our planet lights up. It can be seen from light years away. One day for the occupants of this planet to discover their kindred souls.

The light starts low in our darkened sky until it reaches the highest point above Lunaria. It shines over mountains of frozen ice, thawing the land. It warms the planet from the inside out, calling out to all citizens of Lunaria.

Its almost magnetic, the way two souls come together under the light. We wait almost our whole lives for this. You feel it in the pit of your stomach and your hearts beat like the sound of a beating drum. It's magic!

Those who don't find their kindred retreat to the shadows. Some say it turns them dark. When it comes to finding your kindred soul there is only one rule. A Lunarian can only be with it's own kind. That rule must never be broken. It's been said that the skies would darken and the light would never return.

"Princess Luna, it's almost time."

I can see the light from the window of my palace inside Mount Eclipse. For me the Day of Illumination means I find my prince, or soon to be king. After a princess finds her kindred soul the two join together in a ceremony that bonds them, and prepares them for their coronation day.

Aster, is my right hand man. He was chosen when I was born. We grew up together. He's there to guide me and keep me safe. He kept me safe during my fifth winter when our planet went to war with planet Solarias. It may be light years away, but when they invaded our galaxy it became personal. My parents were involved and were both killed during the war. Negotiations were made shortly after, and we've had no threats since.

Aster places his pale blue hand on my shoulder. Aster is young, and when he took the vow to protect me he was only in his tenth year. We are pod children, and starting at our fifth year we are almost full grown.

"I'll be down soon, you may leave," I tell him.

He nods and obeys. The glass doors close behind him and I'm left to my thoughts. In just a few minutes I'll be outside in the square awaiting my prince. This is it, I tell myself.

Heat burns the back of my neck, and my hearts race like wild centaurs racing through the violet forest. Warmth spreads over me like he's physically here. I turn, coming face to face with the devil himself; Prince Sol. He's got a wicked smile, fire red hair, laser red eyes, and sizzling red skin that's hot to the touch. If someone like me were to touch him directly, I'd be singed. Even just placing my hand against the holographic image in front of me burns. I shouldn't play with fire, but I like the burn.

"Princess," he hisses.

"Sol. You know this ends today," my voice barely a whisper.

"What? I can't see my princess one last time?"

"I can never be yours," my raspy tone gives away my feelings.

"I might be a few thousand light years away, but that won't stop me," he says it like he's already on his way.

Prince Sol and I met at The Cosmo conference in my tenth year. I'd never met anyone from the planet who destroyed my parents, nor did I want to. Then I met Sol, never in person always through the Holonet. We use the Holonet to speak with other planets, in our own galaxy and beyond. The tension between us was thick, and I think all of the planet representatives could feel it.

"Today I find who I'm meant to be with forever, these meetings must stop," I warn.

"Will you stop me princess?"

My mouth goes dry.

"That's what I thought," he says. "If you don't find what your looking for meet me at the highest point of Lunaria."

"But you can't..."

I don't finish my words, because he's already vanished. Without giving it another thought I head for the square, my planet is waiting for me. A crowd is already gathered. They watch me, bowing as I sit in the royal chair and await my prince. Aster stands by my side, still as a statue.

Hours pass by and people start slowly filtering out. Some with their loves, others move on to other places in hopes it will be there turn. The bright light will only burn for a short time, before burning out. This has to be my year.

"Luna, I'm waiting."

I look around for the voice that swirls around inside my head. I ask Aster if he said something, his head shakes slowly. A few more hours pass and still nothing. The light is fading fast.

"Luna."

Heat warms me, almost scolding my body. He's close. I can see darkness on the horizon. Aster stays still.

"Princess you know where you belong," the voice says.

A gasp escapes my mouth causing heads to turn. I stand breathing heavily. Aster touches my shoulder, I shiver from the cold. I look at him one last time, and without a word slip off into the coming darkness. I zigzag through the crowd and up to the highest point. Right as the bright light fades to darkness fire invades my body. It burns, but feels good.

"Princess."

My hearts swell, and I'm over come with a new feeling. It hurts, but feels good at the same time. It tickles, but it's painful.

"That's impossible."

"Nothings impossible, Princess," he says. "We are more alike than you know."