chapter 96
“Is she any better?” helios asked, pacing the floors of Lucia’s bedroom. Constance looked at him, scared to assert or deny if she was okay to avoid another outburst.
“I don’t understand it, the amulet was supposed to alert me if she was in danger and better still, it was meant to protect her! I just” he ran his hands through his hair, something he had been doing. It was a miracle that he wasn’t bald just yet
“she would be fine sire, have faith” he said nothing more as he continued to pace.
The sun had barely begun to rise, its golden light casting long shadows across the castle’s stone walls, and yet Lucia was yet to wake. He had stayed up all night waiting, hoping that she would have at least showed any signs of stirring in her sleep but no. she didn’t move a single muscle throughout the night
“my lord, you are till here” Constance said, not expecting the king to still be there, beside her.
“where else would I be Constance, if not with her. You said she was okay, but she is yet to wake, I just..” he took in a deep breath. Looking back at her and brushing her hair
Helios clenched his fists, his knuckles white against the pale skin of his hands. “Wake up, Lucia,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “Please, wake up.”
The room was suffocatingly silent. Every tick of the clock on the mantelpiece felt like a hammer against his heart. He had never felt 86 helpless. Helios, the warrior king, undefeated and unyielding, now brought to his knees by the sight of the woman he loved lying lifeless before him.
He sank into the chair beside her bed, burying his face in his hands. Memories of their time together flooded his mind.
Time stretched on, each minute an eternity. Helios barely noticed the passage of hours until a faint stirring brought his head up sharply. Lucia’s fingers twitched, her brow furrowing as if in pain. Helios leaned forward, breathless with hope.
“Lucia?” he called softly, his voice trembling.
Her eyes fluttered open, unfocused at first, then gradually finding him. For a moment, she looked confused, disoriented. Then recognition dawned in her eyes, followed by relief.
“Helios?” Her voice was a weak croak, but to him, it was the sweetest sound in the world.
“Lucia!” He grasped her hand, his grip firm but gentle. “You’re awake. Thank the gods, you’re awake.”
She tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness made her sway. Helios quickly moved to support her, his strong arms enveloping her slender frame. She leaned into him, her head resting against his chest. His heart raced, pounding so hard she could feel it against
her cheek.
“Don’t try to move too quickly,” he cautioned, his voice rough with emotion. “You need to rest.
“I remember the cage” she murmured, her fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt. “The the hunters, the chains..”
“It’s over,” Helios said firmly. “You’re safe now.”
She looked up at him, her eyes meeting his. The intensity in his gaze took her breath away. “Helios… I thought I might never see you again.
His expression softened, a mixture of relief and something deeper, something raw and primal. “I thought I lost you,” he admitted, his voice a whisper. “I’ve never been so scared in my life. I came to fetch you for our date and you weren’t there and…”
1/2
chapter 96
Lucia reached up, her hand trembling, and cupped his cheek. “I’m here,” she said softly. “I’m not going anywhere.”
The tension that had been coiling within Helios snapped. He closed the distance between them, capturing her lips in a desperate, hungry kiss. It was a kiss filled with all the fear, the relief, and the spoken love that had been building between them. Lucia responded with equal fervor, her fingers threading through his hair, pulling him closer.
The world outside ceased to exist. There was only Helios and Lucia, their bodies entwined, their hearts beating as one. His hands roamed her back, her shoulders, as if he needed to touch every part of her to assure himself that she was real, that she was alive. Constance sensing a change in the air left the room to allow them privacy. Not without her wiggling her eyebrows and lookinh at Lucia smugly.
“Lucia,” he breathed against her lips, his voice hoarse with need. “I can’t lose you. I need you.”
“I’m here,” she whispered back, her voice a soft promise. “I’m yours.”
Their kisses deepened, growing more urgent, more demanding. Helios laid her back against the pillows, his body hovering over hers. Their eyes locked, the connection between them electrifying, an unspoken vow of love and desire.
“helios” she mumbled causing him to nod.
“I know, I am sorry. I shouldn’t be in your personal space this way, especially with me trying to keep the bond neutral” he said, standing up to create more room between them but she stopped him holding the hem of his robe.
“helios” she called again, looking into his eyes. I want this”
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Chapter Comments
Jessica Savare
what date
Angie Manuel Liggio
I agree. what date. she was mad about the other woman and now a date. something isn’t right
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