Lucid

Liliam

The forest was quiet as I made my way to the same clearing . The late afternoon sun filtered through the canopy, casting dappled light on the forest floor. My heart was racing with a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. That dream—the one that felt so real—still lingered in my mind, and I couldn't shake the sensation of Zeff's touch, the way his lips had felt against mine, the heat that had radiated from his body.

As I approached the clearing, I saw him standing there, his back to me, gazing out into the distance. He was shirtless, his broad shoulders and muscular back on display, and I felt a flutter of desire in my chest. The sun highlighted the lines of his muscles, the powerful curve of his neck. He looked like he belonged here, a part of the forest itself, strong and untamed.

"Zeff," I called softly, not wanting to startle him.

He turned at the sound of my voice, a soft smile forming on his lips. His eyes met mine, and I felt a familiar warmth spread through my body. There was a tension in the air, a magnetic pull that seemed to draw us closer. I took a step toward him, my breath catching in my throat.

I leaned into his touch, my eyes closing as I felt the heat of his palm against my cheek. "Zeff," I whispered, my voice trembling with emotion. "I'm scared. I don't understand what's happening,"

His hand slid to the back of my neck, pulling me closer until our foreheads touched. "You don't have to be scared," he murmured. "Not with me. I'll always protect you, Liliam. Always."

I opened my eyes, looking up at him, and for a moment, the world seemed to fade away. It was just us, standing in the middle of the forest, surrounded by the soft rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of birds. The bond between us was almost palpable, a thread of energy that connected us, pulling us closer, tighter.

Without another word, he leaned down and pressed his lips to mine. The kiss was gentle at first, tentative, as if we were both afraid to break the fragile spell that had settled over us. But then his hand moved to the small of my back, pulling me closer, and the kiss deepened. I could feel his hunger, his need, and it matched my own.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, my fingers tangling in his hair, and I felt his body shudder against mine. His hands roamed down my back, tracing the curve of my spine, and I arched into him, needing to be closer, to feel every inch of him against me.

We sank to the ground, the soft grass beneath us cushioning our fall. His lips never left mine, his hands never stopped moving, exploring, caressing. I could feel the heat radiating from his body, the raw, untamed energy that seemed to pulse through his veins. It was intoxicating, overwhelming, and I couldn't get enough.

He pulled back just enough to look into my eyes, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "Liliam," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "Are you sure?"

I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. "Yes," I breathed. "I want this."

His eyes softened, and he leaned down to kiss me again, his lips moving slowly, tenderly. There was a gentleness to his touch, a careful reverence that made my heart swell with emotion. I could feel his love, his devotion, in every caress, every kiss.

He moved over me, his body pressing me into the grass, and I felt a thrill of anticipation race through me. His hands slid down to my hips, gripping me gently, and I could feel the weight of his desire, the intensity of his need. I arched into him, my body aching for more, for him.

We moved together, our bodies fitting perfectly, like two pieces of a puzzle. The world around us seemed to disappear, the only sound the soft rustle of leaves and the gentle sigh of the wind. I could feel his breath on my skin, his lips trailing down my neck, and I shivered with pleasure, my fingers digging into his shoulders.

He was gentle, his movements slow and careful, as if he were afraid of hurting me. But there was a fire in his eyes, a hunger that burned just beneath the surface. I could feel it in the way he touched me, the way he kissed me, and it ignited something deep within me, a primal need that I couldn't ignore.

We moved together, our bodies entwined, our breaths mingling in the cool forest air. I could feel the bond between us growing stronger, tighter, with every touch, every kiss. It was as if we were becoming one, our souls merging in a way that was both terrifying and exhilarating.

And then, as if on cue, I felt it—a surge of energy, a wave of pure, unbridled magic that flowed through me, around me, binding us together. It was like nothing I had ever felt before, a connection so deep, so profound, that it took my breath away.

I gasped, my eyes flying open, and I saw Zeff above me, his eyes glowing with an intense, fiery light. "Liliam," he whispered, his voice filled with wonder and awe.

He leaned down, pressing his forehead to mine, and I could feel his heartbeat, strong and steady, echoing through me. "You're mine," he murmured, his voice rough with emotion.

We moved together, our bodies merging in a dance as old as time. The world around us seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of us, locked in a moment of pure, unadulterated bliss. And for the first time in my life, I felt complete, whole, like I had finally found the missing piece of myself.

I woke up feeling my body sore. Every muscle ached as if I had run a marathon. Beside me, Owen was sleeping peacefully, his chest rising and falling in a slow, steady rhythm. He was naked, the sheets tangled around his waist. I swallowed hard, anxiety creeping in like a dark shadow. Not again.

I shook the covers off and slipped out of bed, my legs feeling unsteady as I made my way to the bathroom. I avoided looking at Owen, afraid of what I might see—afraid of what I might remember. But as I caught a glimpse of myself in the bathroom mirror, my blood ran cold.

There were black marks over my clavicle and under my breast, like bruises that hadn't fully formed. Some also ran down my biceps and shoulders, faint but undeniable. My skin felt tender to the touch, and I couldn't remember how I got them. What the fuck happened?

My mind was racing, searching for answers. Zeff had been gentle—in my dream, Liliam. It was just a dream. I tried to convince myself, but the panic gnawing at the edges of my thoughts wouldn't subside. Why did it feel so real?

"I'm sorry."

Owen's voice broke through the silence, and I nearly jumped. He was standing in the doorway, his hand gently caressing my shoulder as he leaned in to place a soft kiss on my neck. "I tried to be gentle. But you really drove me all out," he murmured, his voice laced with a strange mixture of apology and satisfaction.

I forced a weak smile, but inside, I was screaming. Did we have sex? Why can't I fucking remember anything? The smile Owen gave me in return felt like a knife twisting in my gut. He walked out of the bathroom, humming softly as he headed down the hallway.

I gripped the sink, my knuckles turning white as I tried to steady myself. My hands trembled uncontrollably, and my reflection in the mirror seemed to mock me. What the hell is happening? Why am I dreaming of Zeff, yet Owen talks about us doing things I can't even recall? It's like my mind is splitting apart, reality blurring with nightmares, and I'm losing the ability to tell them apart.

Am I going crazy?

Tears stung my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I had to hold it together. I had to figure out what was happening to me. But as I looked at the bruises on my skin, the marks that I couldn't explain, I felt the first crack in my sanity begin to widen.