Lucien stood at the center of the courtyard, the sun casting long shadows over the polished stones.He caught the servant and guards watching from a distance.But when he turned, they flinch and divert their eyes.He narrowed his icy gray eyes “ Am I truly that hated” he muttered The name Eryndor Kaelen echoed in his mind as he remembered how he laughed with solders , shared food and stories with them Suddenly, the sword in his hand felt heavy.He forced himself to swing his sword but every muscle in his body was screaming for effort.Just as he was about raising his sword for another swing, a sharp pain hit his stomach.He gasped, his knees giving away, his sword slipped form his trembling fingers and it crashed to the stine floor with a sharp clang.“ My Lord!” A panicked voice cried out as Lucien fell to the floor, clutching his pain.Lucien's eyes snapped open, his breath quick and shallow.He tried to move, but pain shot through.A figure knelt beside him.Lucien gritted his te

Lucien woke to a burning fever that shook his whole body. He was soaked in sweat, his skin ice-cold, but inside, it felt like fire. His chest ached. His throat was dry, every breath hurt.He wasn’t just sick.He was dying.The poison was doing its work. slow, quiet, cruel, just like physician said.Aric had planned this well, it would look like an illness. No one would suspect a thing.Lucien groaned and forced himself upright, grabbing the bedpost for support. The room spun immediately he got up and he felt blood rise in his throat immediately he spat into the basin beside his bed, the red splash sharp against the silver.But something inside him pushed back.Nyxir.That dark, ancient power he had accepted was now fighting for him. The pain didn’t stop, but he didn’t fall.Not yet.“I need to see her,” he muttered, his voice weak and cracked.He wasn’t sure why.Maybe seeing her again would give him the strength to keep going.Even if she stood beside Elias.Even if she smiled at h

Lucien sat in the corner of the dim chamber, his back pressed against the cold stone wall. One hand gripped a glass of whiskey, the other clenched tightly into a fist on his knee.His jaw tensed.“Why did I kiss her?”The question spun endlessly in his mind, loud even in the silence.He took a slow sip, letting the burn crawl down his throat. It didn’t help.Selene.Her name alone made his chest tighten. “It wasn’t love” he muttered under his breath. No, it was something darker. Loneliness, maybe. Or anger. A need to feel anything other than the constant weight of hate pressing down on him.He hated that her kiss still lingered on his lips. Hated how his body had leaned into hers, how he let it happen. How he kissed her back.“Damn it” he breathed, setting the glass down with a sharp clink. Her voice echoed in his head. Her tears. The way she held him. Lucien leaned forward, elbows on his knees, burying his face in his hands. He wanted to silence the noise in his head. But s

Morning light slipped through the window of Lucien’s chamber. He sat close to the hearth, the fire low. A cup of tea sat on the table beside him, long gone cold. He hadn’t moved in hours still as stone, his eyes fixed on the flames.A soft knock broke the silence.“My lord,” a voice came from behind the door. “Lord Elias is here to see you. Shall I send him in?”Lucien didn’t look up instead a faint smile touched his lips.“Let him in.”The door creaked open, and Lucien finally lifted his gaze.Elias stepped in, wearing a silver and black cloak. His steps were sharp, his shoulders tense, every movement tight with purpose.Lucien leaned back in his chair, a smirk playing on his face as he watched him.“Ardent,” Elias said, voice cold.Lucien raised an eyebrow. “I assume this isn’t a courtesy visit,” Lucien said, still watching Elias with a calm, amused look.Elias folded his hands behind his back. “The council has given its final word. You are to comply. No more delays.”Lucien lea

Lucien stood in the silence for a while after the guards left.The folded parchment still burning in the pocket of his tunic He exhaled slowly and then left for the hall.The hall was quiet that morning, the morning sun barely reaching through the tall windowsA servant had already laid out the meal, he looked around the table, black tea, hard bread and spiced meat.A servant came forward and pulled out the dark chair at the head of the table, its legs scraping softly against the floor.He sat slowly, bringing the seat forward himself The servant bowed and then turned and walked awaySteam curled up from the waiting cup of tea, he stared at it for a moment before reaching for the handle.He was mid sip when the door creaked open, he didn't look up but the scent of crushed roses drifted into the room before the footsteps.“ Selene” he said calmly without turning “ Did your husband send you to spy or you are here on your own curiosity?” he asked taking a sip of his teaShe stepped int