The lights illuminated the walls, spilling shadows across the bound form of the silver-eyed man. His wrists and ankles were shackled in heavy chains.
Lucian stood before Lysander, his arms folded, gaze sharp as honed steel.
"Speak clearly, Lysander, and perhaps you'll keep your tongue in your mouth."
Lysander tilted his head, his silver eyes sliding lazily toward him. "Ah, Lucian. Still as… self-righteous as ever." His voice carried mockery. "Do you threaten me to hide your fear?"
Lucian's jaw tightened, throwing daggers with his eyes as he glared at him fiercely.
Lysander's smirk flickered.
"Elarian wants power, dominion. To bind more souls under his hand. And this time, he seeks what lies within your little Flame."
Lucian shifted half a step forward, "You know Han Liuhua?" he asked, his voice low.
Lysander's lips curled. "Know her? She was… troublesome." His gaze flickered, his face softening into something like nostalgia. "And she was a friend of Yevana, wasn't she?. She was more than a friend to her, people would say . She was… a sister in everything but blood. They made oaths, never to betray each other, never to let men or kingdoms pull them apart."
" Yes, a sister to me." They turned to look at her. Alexa knew her mom wouldn't give up easily on taking a rest.
Lysander leaned forward against his chains, the iron groaning. "And yet, Yevana, you chose Elarian."
Her teeth clenched. "I didn't choose his cruelty. I was blind, once."
"Blind?" Lysander chuckled. "He had plenty of women. But you, he kept you close. You burned brighter than the rest. Even when his hands were drenched in blood, even when people whispered, you remained by his side."
Yevana flinched, the words driving into the fragile armor she had built. Her throat tightened as unwanted memories surged, the nights of laughter that blurred into cries, the warmth that feels suffocated.
"You're wrong," she said, though her voice was ragged. "I stayed because I thought he could change. But Liuhua, she never trusted him. She warned me. And when I chose to stay, she… she distanced herself."
Her hand curled into a fist, nails digging into her palm.
"I couldn't betray her for him. Not when I saw what he wanted. Not when I realized his hunger for the domination."
Lysander smirked again, cruel and knowing. "Liuhua was clever. Too clever. Elarian could never bend her to do his will. And now, that tune sings inside Allison. That is why he will never stop. Not until she succumbs or die."
The room thickened with silence, only the sound of crickets could be heard at that point.
Lucian's gaze shifted to Lysander, his expression unreadable. "That's all." He stepped forward, looming over him. "You've given enough to justify keeping you alive. But make no mistakeif I sense even a whisper of deceit, I'll tear you apart with my own hands."
Lysander laughed quietly, even as blood dripped from the corners of his lips. "You sound just like him."
Lucian's fist tightened, but Yevana reached out, laying a trembling hand on his arm. His head snapped back toward her, and for a moment his fury cooled at the look in her eyes. Exhausted and tired.
"Lucian," she whispered. "Enough for tonight."
His shoulders eased, though the tension in his frame didn't fade completely. With one last burning glare at Lysander, he gestured to Ren. "Keep watch. If he moves an inch beyond his chains, end him."
Ren inclined his head, silent as always.
Lucian turned, his hand supporting his mom as he guided her out of the chamber as Alexa strolled beside them. The heavy doors groaned shut behind them, swallowing Lysander's quiet chuckle.
Inside, the room was warm, fire crackling in the hearth. Lucian shut the door behind him, his shoulders finally sagging. He turned, eyes locking on Allison who was lying on the bed.
"Allison," he murmured, stepping close. His hand rose, fingers brushing soot-stained strands of hair from her cheek. His eyes softened, though they burned with something darker beneath. He lifted her chin gently, forcing her gaze to his. "My love."
Her heart beat faster, heat flooding her cheeks. She opened her mouth to speak, but his lips were already there, searing and claiming.
The kiss was not gentle. It was desperate, bruising, filled with the unspoken terror of almost losing her. Allison gasped into it, her hands clutching at his coat as he pressed her back against the bedpost. His mouth trailed down her jaw, down to her throat, each touch a vow of possession, of worship, of hunger.
"Allison…" he breathed, sinking to his knees before her, his hands sliding to cradle her baby bump. He pressed his lips there sweetly, kissing the swell of her belly again and again, his silver eyes closing as if in prayer.
"My flame," he whispered. "My star. My forever."
Her breath hitched, her fingers sliding through his hair as his lips trailed lower, down her stomach, his heat pressing closer, closer and closer
Her hands caught his shoulders suddenly, trembling. "Lucian…" she whispered, voice weak. "Stop."
He froze, his head snapping up, silver eyes blazing with confusion and need. "Did I hurt you?"
"No." Her voice broke, her eyes looking tired. "I… I'm just tired. Tonight… after everything—I can't."
Lucian's breath heaved, chest rising and falling with restrained heat. His hands still cradled her hips, but he bowed his head against her stomach, his forehead pressed to her skin. For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then he nodded, slow, deliberate. "Then I'll stop." His voice was low, trembling with restraint. "You never need to ask twice. Your comfort is law to me, Allison."
Her throat ached as she cupped his face, guiding him up to meet her eyes. "I don't want you to think I don't want you. I just—"
He silenced her with a softer kiss, lingering but not demanding. "I know. And that is enough."
He helped her into bed, pulling the covers over her. He slid in beside her, wrapping his arm protectively around her waist. His palm spread over her bump, warm and steady.
Allison buried her face against his chest, listening to the slow, steady beat of his heart. Allison finally allowed herself to close her eyes.
Outside, Lysander chuckled to himself in the dark. He has a plan going in his calculative mind.