The Calm Before the Storm

The night air was sharp against Selene's skin as she ran. Each breath came ragged, her legs burning from the relentless pace. Behind her, Lucian's grip was firm, his strength the only thing keeping her upright as they tore through the dense forest.

Darius moved beside them, his blade still dripping from their escape. The three of them had fled without looking back, but Selene knew—Vale was watching.

The Order's fortress had fallen into chaos, yet Vale had let them go.

Why?

The thought gnawed at her even as they pushed deeper into the night.

Only when they reached the edge of the forest—far from the crumbling ruins of the Order—did Lucian finally slow.

Selene stumbled against him, her lungs aching.

Lucian caught her easily, his arms steady, warm. "We need to rest."

Darius didn't argue. He wiped the blood from his blade, eyes scanning their surroundings. "We need shelter first."

Lucian nodded, guiding Selene toward a clearing. "There's an old safehouse nearby. If it's still intact, we can hide there for the night."

Selene nodded, exhaustion pulling at her limbs, but her mind was restless.

They had escaped.

But at what cost?

The Safehouse

The safehouse was little more than a ruined cabin, half-buried in ivy and long-forgotten by time.

Lucian led them inside, securing the door before letting out a breath.

Darius collapsed onto the floor with a grunt. "Remind me never to storm a fortress again."

Selene managed a small smile, but it faded quickly.

Lucian was watching her.

She could feel the weight of his stare, the way his silver eyes studied her every movement.

"You're quiet," he murmured.

Selene sighed, leaning against the wall. "I don't know what to say."

Lucian stepped closer. "Then don't say anything."

For a long moment, neither of them spoke.

Then—he reached for her hand.

Selene hesitated, but she let him take it. His fingers were warm, rough with callouses, but gentle as they curled around hers.

"You're safe," he murmured. "That's all that matters."

Selene wanted to believe him.

But Vale's words still echoed in her head.

The bond is changing you.

You were meant to kill his kind.

She shivered, and Lucian noticed.

His grip tightened.

"What did he say to you?" His voice was quiet, but there was rage simmering beneath.

Selene exhaled slowly. "He said I was made to be a weapon."

Lucian stiffened.

Darius let out a low curse from across the room. "That bastard."

Selene looked down at her hands, as if searching for the truth in her own skin. "What if it's true?"

Lucian cupped her chin, forcing her to look at him. "It doesn't matter."

Selene blinked. "How can you say that?"

Lucian's silver eyes burned into hers. "Because I know you, Selene. Whatever you were 'made' to be—it's not who you are."

Selene's throat tightened.

Lucian's voice dropped to a whisper. "And no one—not Vale, not the Order, not fate itself—gets to decide who you are except you."

Selene's breath hitched.

For the first time in hours, the weight on her chest eased.

She wasn't a weapon.

She wasn't a prisoner.

She was Selene.

And she would choose her own fate.

The First Kiss

The fire crackled softly, casting shadows across the cabin walls.

Lucian hadn't moved. His hand was still against her cheek, his touch steady, grounding.

Selene's pulse raced.

Lucian had always been intense, his presence like a storm that never fully settled. But now, standing here, so close she could feel his breath against her lips—

She realized she wasn't afraid of the storm.

She wanted to step into it.

Lucian's silver eyes flickered to her lips, just for a second—but Selene saw it.

And that was all the permission she needed.

She closed the distance between them.

The kiss was soft at first, hesitant—like neither of them wanted to break the fragile moment. But when Lucian's hand slipped to the back of her neck, pulling her closer—everything unraveled.

The tension that had been building between them for weeks ignited like fire in her veins.

Lucian's lips were firm, demanding, desperate in a way that made Selene's heart skip beats. She pressed against him, her fingers tangling in his hair, losing herself in the way he tasted—

Like danger. Like home.

Lucian growled, breaking the kiss only to rest his forehead against hers. "Tell me to stop."

Selene's breath came shaky, her body thrumming with heat. "I don't want you to."

Lucian exhaled sharply, his grip tightening on her waist. "Then I won't."

Selene shivered.

Because she knew, in that moment—

Lucian would never let her go.

And she would never want him to.

Darius Ruins the Moment

A loud cough shattered the silence.

Selene jerked back, cheeks burning.

Lucian let out a low growl, his hands still resting on her waist.

Darius smirked from across the room, arms crossed. "I hate to interrupt, lovebirds, but we have bigger problems."

Selene straightened, forcing herself to focus. "What now?"

Darius's expression darkened. "The Order isn't just going to let us run. Vale let us escape for a reason."

Lucian cursed, running a hand through his hair. "He's planning something."

Darius nodded. "And whatever it is—it won't be good."

Selene's stomach twisted.

Vale wasn't done with them.

Not by a long shot.

And as much as she wanted to savor the feel of Lucian's lips on hers, she knew the peace wouldn't last.

Something was coming.

Something worse.

End of Chapter Seventeen.