Making him jealous
1481 Words
Anara.
Silas approached us, acknowledging my presence with a slight nod then turned to Lucien. The greeting was brief but loaded, a simple clasp of hands and a shared glance that held more than words could say.
I stood quietly beside them, nursing my drink, watching as Darius appeared moments later, weaving his way through the crowd with ease. He was dressed in a deep wine-colored suit, his smile warm and familiar as he approached.
“You clean up well,” he teased, his gaze scanning my gown with an approving nod.
I smiled. “Thank you. You too.”
Just as Darius reached us, a woman broke through the growing crowd and approached Lucien. My breath caught.
She was... stunning.
Tall, with flawless caramel skin that shimmered like polished bronze, a confident smile on full red lips, and eyes that sparkled with familiarity. Her mask was sleek and elegant, decorated with gold accents that made her look like royalty.
“Lucien,” she said, her voice sultry, smooth. “I was wondering when you'd stop hiding.”
Lucien chuckled and leaned in to kiss her on the cheek. “I’m not hiding. Just... observing.”
Darius raised a brow and cleared his throat as if to remind Lucien he wasn’t alone.
The woman’s eyes flicked to me, briefly. “And this is?”
Lucien turned to me. “Anara, meet Lady Ceryse. She’s one of the envoys from the East Court.”
“Pleasure,” Ceryse said smoothly, though her gaze was clearly more curious than warm.
“Nice to meet you,” I said, forcing a smile.
They turned back to their conversation, and I watched, quiet, as Ceryse placed a hand on Lucien’s arm. Her laughter rang out moments later—light, unbothered, familiar.
Something prickled in my chest.
“I need to use the restroom,” I murmured.
Lucien’s head snapped to me. “Do you want me to come?”
I shook my head. “No. It’s fine.”
He looked toward Darius. “Go with her.”
I thought he'd insist.
Darius nodded without hesitation and offered me his arm. I took it silently, letting him lead me through the winding corridor, past glittering guests and music that suddenly felt too loud.
“You okay?” Darius asked as we reached the hallway.
I nodded. “Yeah. Just needed to breathe.”
He said nothing more, simply waited outside while I stepped away.
When I returned, Darius smiled and walked with me back toward the main ballroom.
That’s when I saw them.
At the far end of the room, where the chandeliers hung lower and the golden curtains swept dramatically behind them, Lucien stood with Ceryse.
They were close—too close. She was laughing again, head tilted just so, and he wasn’t pulling away.
My chest tightened.
I slowed down without meaning to. Darius glanced at me, then followed my gaze.
Something flickered in his eyes, but he said nothing.
I quickly looked away. “Let’s go back.”
“No,” I said quietly, my jaw tightening. “I want to stay.”
He studied me, his expression unreadable. “You sure?”
“I’m fine,” I replied, too quickly. “Why would I feel bad? Lucien can talk to whoever he wants.”
A beat passed before he nodded slowly. “Right.”
The music changed.
Bright, elegant chords filled the air, and an announcer's voice cut through the buzz of the gala. “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for the ceremonial dance. May we invite our honored guests to the floor?”
I looked up just in time to see Lucien turning to Ceryse, offering his hand.
Before he could take a step, I reached out and grabbed Darius’ hand.
“Dance with me?” I asked, steadying my voice.
Darius blinked in surprise, then smiled softly. “It would be an honor.”
He led me to the floor just as Lucien’s gaze landed on us.
I didn’t meet his eyes.
I refused to.
The music started—slow, orchestral, haunting in its beauty. I let Darius guide me, my steps matching his with ease. Still, I felt it—Lucien’s presence across the floor. I knew he was watching.
So I kept my eyes on Darius.
And as if he sensed every single conflicted emotion rising in me, Darius gently tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear and leaned in with a quiet smile, his hand warm on the small of my back.
My lips trembled—between a smile and something else.
Then, the music shifted.
A second verse. The rhythm softened. A gentle voice announced: “Partners, please switch.”
My heart stalled.
I turned—and there he was.
Lucien.
His jaw was clenched. His eyes—no mask could hide the storm behind them. Without a word, he took my hand and pulled me into his arms.
He didn’t speak.
He didn’t have to.
His grip on my waist was firmer than necessary, the flicker of tension in his jaw betraying him.
“Did you enjoy your dance?” he asked, voice low, dangerous.
I met his gaze now, heart racing. “It was... refreshing.”
The corner of his mouth lifted in something that wasn’t quite a smile.
“Oh, I’m sure it was.”
His hand stayed at my waist, the pressure of his touch branding, controlling. We moved together to the music, but the air between us was anything but graceful.
His jaw was still tight.
“You seemed very comfortable with my cousin,” he said finally, voice a low rumble near my ear.
I shrugged, deliberately casual. “Darius is easy to talk to.”
Lucien’s hand twitched slightly on my waist. “And easy to dance with, apparently.”
“Is there a problem with that?” I lifted a brow, keeping my voice even.
His eyes darkened. “Only if you keep looking at him like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like he’s the only one in the room.”
I inhaled sharply, caught off guard.
For a heartbeat, we didn’t move. His fingers curled just slightly, his voice dropping even lower. “You’re trying to punish me.”
I gave him a too-sweet smile. “I didn’t know I had that kind of power over you.”
Lucien leaned in, his breath warm against my cheek. “You do. Whether you realize it or not.”
Something in my chest stuttered, but I forced a light laugh. “Must be exhausting.”
He didn’t laugh.
Instead, his voice turned darker, quieter. “You looked at him like you belonged in his arms. Like it didn’t matter who else was watching.”
I swallowed. “Maybe because he made me feel like I did.”
His hand slid up my back just slightly. Possessive. Dangerous. “I could make you feel that too.”
My gaze shot to his, startled.
“But you don’t want me to,” he said. “Do you?”
My lips parted, but no sound came out.
Lucien’s voice was softer now, more bitter. “You’d rather keep me at a distance, and pretend this thing between us doesn’t exist, while dancing with other men just to prove a point.”
“I'm not pretending it doesn't exist, it doesn't. You've Made that very clear to me lucien”
He doesn't reply.
“I didn’t dance with him to prove anything,” I said tightly.
He tilted his head. “No?”
I stared at him, heart thudding. “I danced with him because you were busy laughing with someone else.”
His expression shifted. Just slightly. “Ceryse means nothing.”
“You looked happy.”
“And you looked hurt.”
Silence fell again between us. The music swelled in the background, elegant and romantic, but our dance was anything but.
Lucien’s grip softened. “Tell me the truth. Was that what you wanted? For me to see you with him?”
I hesitated.
Then quietly, “I don’t know what I want.”
He was quiet for a moment before murmuring, “Yes, you do.”
I glanced up at him.
He was already looking at me. Closely. Like I was some ancient script he was desperate to decode.
The song drew to a slow close.
And Lucien, still holding me, whispered, “You may be angry. You may be trying to run from this. But don’t ever think for a second that I’ll let someone else take what’s mine.”
I have a lot to say. But not today. I guess I'll just have to live with the fact that Lucien can never be clear on what he wants.
And to save myself the hurt, I'll have to stop expecting anything from lucien.
- Writer
