5: The love I experience
1138 Words
Chapter 5: The love I experience
Alice
My heart raced as I laid eyes on Lucien’s face. Jaw clenched and eyes narrowed into slits. His face the color of beet. He rarely called me by my name, only on serious occasions.
“Lucien—I can explain, ermm well the thing is…nothing—I was only going to have one dance with him,” I said frantically.
“He asked politely and you were busy…so I thought—I thought one dance wouldn’t hurt,” I said hoping he would understand what was on ground.
“Do you even know him?” His tone got more aggressive.
“N-no,” I stammered out as I watched his eyes trail down my other hand which was still interlocked with that of the stranger.
I withdrew my hand with so much speed that I winced in pain at the effect.
“So you are just comfortably accompanied by a stranger you know nothing about,” Lucien said, his gaze dark and cutting as it moved between us.
“Stay away from my wife he said to my dance partner before pulling me away from the hall and into the castle’s garden.
“Lucien, L-Lucien! You’re hurting me,” I spoke up before he halted and let go of my arm, which he held onto tightly.
“I’m sorry Canary, I didn’t mean to hurt you,” his eyes softened a bit as the words left his lips.
Taking a deep breath, he placed his hands on my cheeks, his next words shocking me. “I believe it would be best if you head home.”
“What!?”
“I don’t think it’s safe for you here, I’ll feel more at ease if you were back home,” he said, his face holding hints of concern, but despite that, his wanting me to go home didn’t sit well with me.
“What do you mean? You know I barely go out and I was really happy that you asked me to accompany you today and now you’re changing your mind?”
“Canary,” he called grabbing my shoulder. “Can’t you see I’m just worried about you,” he added glancing back at the hall. “Those vicious werewolves have set their eyes on you—I just want to keep their dirty paws off you,” his tone hardened as his grip grew stronger.
I now felt like I was put between a rock and a hard place. He looked genuinely concerned about my safety which I appreciated but at the same time, his words just felt like excuses to keep me hidden from the rest of the world.
“I know I’m not as strong as the average vampire but I know some self-defense…plus what harm can be done when you’re here,” I said hoping he’d reconsider.
He exhaled slowly, as though burdened by my stubbornness rather than angered by it.
His hands cupped my face again, forcing my gaze to stay on him.
“I cannot fight diplomacy and wolves and gossip while worrying about your safety. If something were to happen to you tonight…” His voice trailed off.
“Just listen to me this once.” His words came resolute.
His words left me at a loss for words. Not wanting to hear anymore I could possibly say, he walked off adding, “ I’ll fetch the carriage myself.”
Feeling despondent, I slumped into the nearby bench. It wasn’t up to five minutes since Lucien left that I noticed two other ladies walk into the garden from the other entrance. From where I was seated they couldn’t see me but I could see them.
The garden lanterns glowed dimly, casting long shadows.
I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but the wind carried their words to my ears.
Two noblewomen rounded the corner, their gowns swishing against the gravel path.
“I’m glad he finally took that eyesore of a wife away,” one of them scoffed.
My breath stilled.
“Honestly,” the other replied with a soft laugh. “It was embarrassing watching her dance. I heard he plans to send her back home.”
The first one giggled, “If I were Lucien, I’d also want to hide such an eyesore of a wife.”
“Lucien deserves better.”
“Rose would suit him beautifully,” the second added.
“Elegant. Refined. Not… that.”
Rose again.
My lashes grew heavy, moisture clinging to them. I blinked quickly, refusing to let the tears fall.
“He’s too ambitious to remain tied to someone like her,” the first continued. “Its only a matter of time.”
Their laughter grated against my chest.
I felt as though someone had hollowed me out from the inside.
Just as they disappeared behind the tall hedge—
I heard their screams.
Sharp. Sudden. Terrified.
I jolted to my feet, fear gripping me.
Leaves rustled violently.
And then something growled.
Low.
Deep.
The sound vibrated through my bones.
Then—
Silence. The ladies had run out of the garden in fear.
My heart pounded.
My legs moved on their own toward the hedge, drawn by something stronger than fear.
That feeling again.
The same pull I had felt on the dance floor.
It tugged at something inside me like a thread tightening around my soul.
Was he here?
He was there.
I didn’t know how I knew—but I did.
Another step.
The scent of pine and night air grew stronger.
My fingers trembled as I reached toward the edge of the hedge.
“Canary”
Lucien’s voice cut cleanly through the night.
I froze.
“The carriage is ready.”
The pull snapped like a broken string. I turned slowly. Lucien stood a few paces away.
Behind the hedge, there was no movement.
No sound.
Only darkness.
“I heard screams,” I said quietly.
“Overreactive nobles,” he dismissed smoothly. “Probably frightened by a stray animal.”
He extended his hand.
“Come on.”
I hesitated for just a second longer, glancing back at the hedge.
Still nothing.
I placed my hand in Lucien’s as he led me toward the carriage, I couldn’t tell which unsettled me more—
The cruelty of the women’s words.
Or the fact that something scary in the darkness had defended me and I felt my soul drawn to it, not in a frightening way but like I found something that made me complete.
“This is for the best,” Lucien said softly, placing a kiss on my hand through the window.
The gates opened.
The carriage rolled forward.
And as the palace lights faded behind me, I pressed my hand to my chest, where that strange pull still lingered like an echo.
- Writer
