Chapter 19: Promises in the Dark

SHADOWS AND SECRETS

The cold night wind was filtering through the curtains in the room, bringing with it an eerie silence. Ana sat on the edge of the bed, hands clasped, watching the shadows dance on the walls. Her mind was a maze of doubt, but her body still remembered the warmth of Lucian's hands, the way his words enveloped her like a spell.

Lucian entered the room with silent steps, closing the door behind him. His presence filled everything, as if the darkness itself was bending to his will. He slowly approached until he was in front of her, his gaze fixed on Anne's, catching her without touching her.

-You don't have to be afraid of me," he whispered, his velvety voice contrasting with the hardness of his expression.

Ana did not answer. She knew that in the Vasiliev mansion words were double-edged weapons and truth was always relative.

Lucian leaned in, sliding a hand down her cheek with the softness of a stolen caress.

-I will protect you, Ana. Always. No one will ever hurt you again," he promised, his tone infused with an almost divine certainty.

She wanted to believe him. She wanted to cling to that promise like a castaway to a piece of wood in the middle of a storm. But the reality was that Lucian was also part of the storm.

-At what price? -she finally whispered, looking up to meet his icy eyes.

Lucian smiled, a smile that did not reach his eyes.

-At none that you can't afford.

Silence stretched between them like a thick shadow. Ana felt the invisible prison around her tighten a little more. Could she trust him? Could she trust anyone in this world of lies and power?

Lucian bent his head and, with the gentleness of a lover and the firmness of an owner, pressed his lips to hers in a kiss that was both a promise and a warning.

Ana closed her eyes. And, in that darkness, she decided to let herself go, if only for that night.