Chapter 102
“lucia, 1 am sorry, but this is what’s best” Constance whispered. She could almost feel the pity she felt for her.
“excuse me” she said making her way out of the room down to Heli
Lucia dashed through the marble corridors of the palace, her heart gounding louder than the echo of her footsteps and every second wasted felt like a dagger to her resolve. The weight of responsibility pressed heavily on her shoulders as she approached his chambers.
With a determined breath, she pushed open the ornate doors and bust into the room, her words ready to spill forth. But what she saw halted her like a sudden gust of wind stalling a charging steed.
There he stood, Helios, the epitome of regal grace and rugged charm shirtless in the golden glow of the morning sun streaming through the windows. His toned muscles were illuminated in the soft light, casting shadows that danced across his chiseled features. The lines of his body spoke of strength and resilience, a testament to years of training and kingly duties.
For a moment, Lucia forgot the urgency of her mission, forgot the very reason she had barged into his chambers unannounced. All her senses were consumed by the sight before her, the sight of Helios, bare–chested and breathtaking. She gulped, trying to bring her senses back
Helios turned at the sound of the door, a questioning smile forming on his lips, but it faltered as he caught sight of Lucia’s expression. Her eyes widened, her cheeks flushed a delicate shade of pink, and her breath hitched in her throat.
“Lucia?” he called, his voice a gentle inquiry, breaking through the spell that had ensnared her.
Blinking rapidly, Lucia shook her head, trying to clear the haze of distraction that clouded her mind. “I–I’m sorry” she stammered, her cheeks growing warmer under his gaze. “I… I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
Helios approached her, concern etched in the furrow of his brow. “Is everything alright? You seem… flustered.”
“I… yes, everything is fine,” Lucia replied, though her words sounded unconvincing even to her own ears. She willed herself to focus,
to remember the urgency of her task. “Constance told me❞
Helios’s demeanour shifted instantly, the weight of his problems settling back onto his shoulders.
“I see” was all he said as he walked towards the dresser “do you mind? I am trying to get dressed” he said avoiding her gaze
“Helios. Do it“.
Lucia could sense the underlying tension crackling in the air. Helios stood, his golden aura flickering faintly as he turned to face
her, his eyes betraying the turmoil within.
“Lucia, e greeted her, his voice a melodic resonance that sent shivers down her spine. “You shouldn’t have come.”
Lucia drew in a steadying breath, her resolve hardening despite the ache in her chest. “I had to, Helios. We can’t keep pretending that everything is fine when we both know it’s not.” She said looking at his with unmasked worry. She could not see the tired lines that faintly started appearing on his face
Helios’s expression softened, a hint of sorrow darkening his radiant features. “You’re right but Lucia I can’t do what you’re ng of
me.”
A bitter knot formed in Lucia’s throat as she met his gaze, her eyes pleading with him to understand. “The curse, Helios. It’s consuming you, draining your light with each passing day. If you reject me, it might break the curse. You could be free.”
1/3
Chapter 102
A pained smile touched Helios’s lips, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears, “Do you think I haven’t considered that, Lucia? Do you think I haven’t agonized over every possible solution, only to come the same conclusion every time?”
Lucia reached out, her fingers trembling as they brushed against his warm skin. “But we can’t keep living like this, Helios. You’re fading away, and I can’t bear to watch it happen. It should not be hard. You’ve never seen me as a mate, and I accept that. So why is it hard for you? Let me go, then
Helios’s gaze softened, his hand coming up to cradle hers against his chest. “I know. But even if rejecting you could break the curse, I would never do it.” I would rather endure this suffering a thousand times over than lose you.
He thought to himself as he looked at her
Tears welled in Lucia’s eyes, her heart breaking at his unwavering devotion. “you are not making any sense Helios”
“I don’t need to make sense to do what I want to do” he said removing his trousers, staying only in his briefs “I need you to leave.”
Lucia’s jaw clenched, her fists balling at her sides as she met his gaze head–on. “I’m not going anywhere, Helios. Not until we talk about this.”
A flicker of frustration passed over Helios’s features, his eyes flashing with an intensity that sent a shiver down Lucia’s spine. “There’s nothing left to discuss, Lucia. You know where I stand.”
“Is that what you think?” Lucia retorted, her voice rising with each word. “That you can just shut me out and expect me to accept it I am involved in this too!!”
Helios took a step closer, his aura flaring with suppressed emotion. I’m doing this to protect you, Lucia. Can’t you see that?” his mind going to the rebels that would not hesitate to hang her as a prize. She was safer here, with me.
“Protect me?” Lucia scoffed, her temper flaring as she squared her shoulders defiantly. ” By treating me like I’m some fragile thing that needs to be shielded from the truth?”
Helios’s jaw tensed, his hands clenching into fists at his sides as he struggled to contain the rising tide of emotion within him. “You don’t understand, Lucia. And how did you expect me to tell you? You were not exactly here remember?” he looked at her with rage
In his eyes.
“and I am fucking sorry about that! But you don’t get the fucking right to throw that at my face, especially when you know he took me away. I suffered for that stupid act, you don’t have to throe it in my face” she spat back
For a long moment, silence hung heavy in the air, the tension between them crackling like lightning on the verge of striking. And then, with a defeated sigh, Helios closed the distance between them, his arms enveloping Lucia in a gentle embrace as he whispered words of apology and regret into her ear.
Lucia sighed, hugging him back and then realising something
Helios was barely wearing anything.
