Bound by Shadows

Lucian stirred awake late at night, his head feeling oddly comfortable. As his bleary eyes opened, he realized he was lying on something warm and soft. Blinking, he glanced up to see Selene's glowing amethyst eyes staring down at him, a faint smile playing on her lips. He froze as the reality of the situation settled in—his head was resting on her lap.

"Well, pet," Selene said smoothly, her tone teasing, "how was your day?"

Lucian groaned, turning his head slightly to avoid her piercing gaze. "Grueling. Your maid is a slave driver."

Selene chuckled, a sound low and rich, sending a shiver down his spine. "Amelia does her job well. You'll thank her eventually."

"Doubtful," he muttered, rubbing his temples. "I can barely feel my legs. Pretty sure my arms are jelly. Is this what your idea of 'training' is?"

"Training builds character," she replied, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. Her touch was deceptively gentle, almost tender. "And you, my dear Lucian, have much to learn."

Lucian sighed, too tired to argue. Instead, he glanced around the room, taking in the familiar luxurious surroundings of her bedroom. "I passed out, didn't I?"

"You did," Selene confirmed, her smile widening. "Amelia brought you here. You're lucky I didn't leave you on the floor."

Before Lucian could respond, the door to the chamber slid open. A maid entered, carrying a tray laden with a steaming bowl of soup, similar to the one he'd been given the night before. She placed it on the table beside Selene, bowed, and exited without a word.

Selene picked up the bowl, the rich aroma filling the air. She stirred the soup lazily with a silver spoon before turning her attention back to Lucian. "Hungry?"

Lucian nodded reluctantly. "Yeah. Starving."

Selene's smile deepened as she scooped a spoonful and held it to his lips. "Open."

He hesitated, glancing at her suspiciously. "You didn't… add anything weird to this, did you?"

Her eyes glinted with mischief, and her voice dropped to a silky murmur. "Quiet, pet. Don't question me."

Lucian rolled his eyes but obeyed, opening his mouth to accept the spoon. The warm, savory broth slid down his throat, and he couldn't help but let out a soft sigh of relief. Despite his exhaustion, the soup seemed to restore a bit of his energy.

As she fed him, their conversation continued, light and teasing. Selene alternated between playful jabs and genuine curiosity about his training, though she deflected most of his attempts to question her motives.

"I think you added something to this," Lucian said again, his voice slightly slurred as drowsiness began to creep in.

Selene's smirk turned sharper, her tone playful but with an edge of control. "I said, quiet. Eat your soup."

The combination of the day's fatigue and the warm meal was too much for Lucian to resist. His eyelids grew heavier with each bite, and soon his head drooped slightly, his body relaxing against her.

Selene set the empty bowl aside, her gaze softening as she looked down at him. For a moment, she simply watched him, her dominant façade slipping away to reveal something more vulnerable, almost fragile. Her fingers traced lightly along his jawline, brushing against his stubble.

"You really are something, Lucian," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "What are you doing to me?"

Her fingers ghosted over his cheekbones and down to his collarbone, her touch both possessive and tender. Carefully, she loosened the robe he wore, revealing the faint scars and healed wounds beneath. Her expression darkened as her fingertips traced one of the marks, her anger at his mistreatment flickering briefly before it was replaced by something deeper, more conflicted.

"What am I doing?" she whispered, more to herself than to him. "This wasn't part of the plan."

Her hand lingered on his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her palm. Her lips parted slightly as she studied his sleeping face, her gaze filled with emotions she couldn't quite name. There was frustration, affection, and something more primal lurking beneath the surface.

Selene leaned down, her breath brushing against his ear as she spoke softly. "It's payment time, pet."

She shifted, pressing her body closer to his as her lips found his neck. Her kisses were light at first, tentative, but they grew bolder as her desire overcame her restraint. Her hands moved across his shoulders and down his arms, her touch both possessive and needy.

"You drive me mad," she murmured, her lips trailing along his collarbone. "Do you know that?"

Lucian stirred slightly in his sleep, but his exhaustion kept him from waking. Selene's smile turned almost wicked, a flicker of amusement dancing in her glowing eyes. Her fingers traced patterns along his chest as her lips moved to his.

This kiss was different—deeper, more passionate. It was filled with the frustration, affection, and yearning she had been suppressing. She lingered there, her lips molding against his as if trying to claim him completely.

When she finally pulled away, her cheeks were flushed, and her breathing uneven. She lay down beside him, pulling him into her arms as she rested her head against his. Her gaze remained fixed on his face, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts.

"You'll stay with me," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "No matter what."

Her grip tightened around him, as though afraid he might disappear. Sleep began to claim her, but even in her dreams, her thoughts remained with the man who had unknowingly captured her heart and perhaps even her sanity.