Villain's Oath

Chapter 5

Lucien left the tree before dawn, leaving before anyone would notice him.

He returned to his room, his body aching, but his mind perfectly sharp. 

He didn't have time for recovery, he had to solidify his position and eliminate loose ends before Aric could react. 

First, he was going to find lyra

He changed his blood-splattered shirt before going to find her. 

He spotted Lyra walking towards the last room on the hall, carrying a folded sheet. 

She walked graciously like she wasn't meant for the work she was doing.

Quickly he moved behind her silently and sharp

He had her pinned against the cold stone wall, before she could turn.

She gasped, her eyes wide with fear. “My Lord—”

“Don’t you say a word unless I ask you a question” he said, his voice low and cold. “You know why I’m here.”

“I-I don’t—” she stammered, with fear, shaking her head.

“Tell me everything,” Lucien growled, his eyes locked on hers.

Lyra froze, her back pressed hard against the cold stone wall. 

Her lips trembled as she spoke fast, terrified. 

“It was a slow poison,” she said. “Aric brought it from the South. He told me to mix a little into your evening wine... every three days.”

Lucien’s face stayed calm

“What did he promise you?” he asked, his voice sharper than steel.

Lyra’s eyes filled with tears.

“He told me he loved me,” she whispered. “I love him too. We love each other.” her voice turned soft, almost dreamy. 

Lucien laughed, a soft and deadly laughter 

“You poisoned me… because you thought that fool loved you?”

Lyra didn’t flinch, she lifted her chin slightly, staring into Lucien eyes.

“I don’t care what you think. You’re going to die anyway, soon, and painfully....”

Crack.

In a flash, Lucien snapped her neck. 

Her words stopped. 

Her body crumpled to the floor like a toy

He stood over her, cold and quiet. 

He felt no remorse.

But instead he wanted more.

Just as he turned to leave, a voice called out behind him. 

“Lucien, wait!”

He paused and looked over his shoulder 

Selene stood there, breathless as if she have been running to get to him, her eyes wide with fear as she looked down at lyra body but when she looked back at Lucien , something else was there.

He walked way without saying a word, but ran up to him and grabbed his arm making him stop in his track.

Lucien stop, looking down at where she held him.

“Please, Lucien, look at me,” she pleaded, her voice trembling.

He didn’t, instead, he tried to pull his hand free. 

“Selene, don’t,” he said flatly.

“I swear,” she said quickly, “I didn’t know about the poison. I didn’t know what Aric was doing.” 

Lucien finally looked at her, His icy gray eyes were cold. 

“Selene, I don’t want to hurt you. Let me go.” he said coldly 

“Why?” she whispered, her voice breaking. “Why can’t you look at me the way I look at you?” 

She reached to touch his cheek, but he turned his head away.

“Don’t make this harder,” he said quietly.

“I have loved you from the moment we met,” Selene whispered, her voice shaky. “Even before Elias.”

Lucien’s jaw tightened. “But you married him instead.” he eyes returning to where she held him

“I can leave him,” she said quickly. “I don’t care about him. I don’t love him at all, and, and, and you know that.” she stammered.

Lucien yanked his hand free and moved to walk past her again, but Selene suddenly wrapped her arms around him, pressing her face to his chest, sobbing hard on his chest.

“I love you, Lucien,” she sobbed. “I always have.”

She reached up, gently cupping his face, trying to pull him closer.

Lucien didn’t stop. 

He let her.

Then she kissed him.

For a moment, he stood still, letting her kiss him and he kissed her.

Slow at first , then rough like a cave man

Then he stopped and

pushed her away, firm and cold. 

Without a word, he tuned and walked out, his footsteps echoing down the hall

His mind was no longer on love. 

Only vengeance.