Lucian continued the gentle motion, his hand moving in a steady rhythm. He wasn't sure why he was doing it now, but something about Kat's fear made him act instinctively.
Lucian had been lying in his bed, the night's silence enveloping him. He always found it hard to sleep, though not that he really needed it. His body and mind functioned right. with or without it, and he rarely did sleep. Instead, he would rest, his senses ever alert to the world around him. His eyes were closed, but his mind wandered through the familiar corridors of his thoughts.
The stillness was abruptly shattered by a wave of intense fear and dread. It hit him so suddenly and so powerfully that he sat up immediately, his eyes snapping open. For a moment, he was disoriented, unable to understand where the emotions were coming from.
Then he realized, they weren't his feelings. They were Kat's. Her fear was so palpable, so overwhelming.
"What trouble could the little birdie have gotten herself into now?" Lucian muttered under his breath, irritation mixing with something else. He swung his legs off the bed and stood, moving with fluid grace, making his way out of his room.
He moved through the darkened corridors with an unhurried but determined pace. The flickering candlelight cast shadows that danced along the walls, but Lucian's focus was solely on reaching Kat. He could feel her fear intensifying with each passing second"
As Kats room was part of his quarters, her room was quite close to Lucian's. He half expected to hear some commotion or noise that might explain her fear. But the castle was unnervingly silent. The maids and servants were all asleep in their quarters, and the usual nighttime sounds were absent, leaving an oppressive quiet.
Despite the silence, Lucian's steps were purposeful. He approached Kat's door, expecting to find her in visible distress. But there were no signs of struggle or running. Everything was eerily still.
When he reached her door, it was locked. Lucian paused for a brief moment, then raised his hand to the knob. A faint click sounded from the inside as the lock disengaged, and the door swung open smoothly.
Lucian stepped into the room and was greeted by the sight of Kat thrashing on the bed, caught in the throes of a nightmare. Gasps and muttered words escaped her lips, filling the air with a sense of urgency. Lucian didn't wait another second. He moved swiftly to her side, his presence calm. He reached for her shoulders and gently shook her, calling out her name softly.
"Katherine, wake up," he coaxed, but her eyes stayed shut, her consciousness still trapped in whatever nightmare she was having. He tried to wake her, but it was of no use, so he sat next to her, waiting for her to wake from her nightmare.
---
Back to the Present
Kat's breathing finally started to slow, the terror of the nightmare fading into a distant memory. She kept her eyes closed, focusing on the steady rhythm of her breaths and the reassuring pat on her back. It was a small, repetitive gesture, but it grounded her, pulling her back to reality.
After a few moments, she felt stable enough to open her eyes again. Lucian, sensing her steadier heart rate and breathing, finally pulled away. She glanced up at him, who was watching her with a calm, steady gaze. There was something almost comforting about his presence, even though she knew he was usually aloof and detached.
Lucian's hand stilled on her back, and he slowly withdrew it, unsure if he had done enough. He looked down at her, his expression neutral but his eyes holding a hint of something. "It wasn't real," he said reassuringly.
Kat nodded, still a little shaken to speak. She took a deep breath, trying to let go of the lingering fear. Lucian's unexpected comfort had helped more than she would have imagined, and for a brief moment, she felt a connection she couldn't quite explain. Instantly discarding the idea, Kat's face flushed, and she shook her head.
Lucian noticed her little action, and his head tilted slightly, almost like a confused puppy. The moonlight softened his sharp features, making his expression look unexpectedly gentle, as his dark hair fell slightly over his face.
Kat found herself entranced by Lucian's gaze. The way his head tilted, the soft fall of his hair, and the intensity in his dark gray eyes captivated her. She felt her pulse quicken, her heart racing not from fear, but from something she couldn't quite place.
"What is it, Katherine?" Lucian asked, his voice calm and laced with curiosity, a slight smirk coming to play on his lips.
She blinked, suddenly aware of how close she had moved to him, and confused by his sudden change in demeanor. "No, no, nothing's wrong," she stammered, shaking her head slightly, her pulse echoing in her ears. Lucian's keen senses picked up on her quickening heartbeat; she wasn't scared anymore, just... different.
Are you sure, Katherine?" he pressed gently, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. Her heart seemed to beat even faster.
Kat nodded frantically, "Yes, I'm sure," she insisted, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks. A slow, knowing smile spread across Lucian's lips, the sight making her heart skip a beat. Lucian leaned in, reducing the space between them. His eyes locked onto hers, dark and compelling, holding her captive like a devil trying to steal her soul. She swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry.
Your heart just skipped a beat," Lucian murmured, his breath cool against her skin, sending shivers down her spine.
Kat's breath caught, the fear that had gripped her moments ago was now replaced with a flustered, overwhelming feeling.
Lucian's face drew closer to her neck, his breath warm and steady as he inhaled deeply, savoring her scent. His nose brushed against the nape of her neck, and she could swear she felt his presence all over her, even though he hadn't touched her. Lucian closed his eyes, his senses flooded with the memory of her blood. It had a taste unlike any he had ever experienced, one that had lingered in his thoughts and mind since he first tasted it. Kat's body jolted when she felt his fingers trace the spot where he had bitten her before, the sensation sending a shock through her.
"Luc… Lucian," Kat breathed out, feeling a mix of anticipation and confusion. Lucian hummed in response, the sound low and almost possessive, vibrating through her. "Mmm, what is it?" he asked, his voice deep and velvety as his fingers continued to caress her neck. He could feel each rapid gulp she took.
"What are you doing?" Kat whispered, her voice trembling. Lucian hummed again, the vibration of his voice seeming to resonate through her entire being. "What am I doing?" he repeated, his tone teasing and laced with dark allure.
He pulled back slightly, his gaze fixed on her with a satisfied look. He lingered for a moment longer before something shiny caught his eye. He glanced down at the moon pendant resting against her collarbone. "Where did you get this?" he asked, lifting the pendant with a delicate touch. Kat's breath hitched, and she whispered, "At the fair." Lucian nodded, his eyes still on the pendant. "It suits you," he said softly, almost to himself.
Kat was momentarily disoriented by Lucian's sudden change in demeanor. She found it difficult to reconcile his current behavior with his usual indifferent attitude.
"Alright," he said, standing up slowly. "Since you're okay now, get some rest." He paused, giving her one last, lingering look. "Goodnight, little birdie."
Kat didn't respond, her mind racing as she watched him leave. He closed the door behind him with a soft, deliberate thud, leaving her alone with her thoughts and the echo of his presence.
As soon as Lucian left, Kat collapsed back onto her bed, her mind spinning not from the nightmare, but from what had just transpired with him. She was dumbfounded, questioning if she was overthinking everything or if there was something going on she didn't understand. His touch, his voice lingered in her mind, refusing to fade.
Turning onto her side, she tried to bury herself under the covers, attempting to shut out the swirling thoughts. Yet, despite her efforts, sleep evaded her. His presence felt too real, too vivid, like he was still in the room with her.
Behind the facade of trying to sleep, the nightmare's residual dread gnawed at her. Images of the creature and the intense fear it provoked flashed through her mind whenever she closed her eyes.
After what felt like an eternity of tossing and turning, Kat eventually drifted into an uneasy sleep. When she woke the next morning, sunlight filtering through the curtains, she felt drained and unsettled, the events of the night still haunting her thoughts.
----
The morning light filtered softly through the heavy drapes, casting a muted glow across Kat's room. She woke slowly, her body feeling unusually heavy and her head pounding gently. As she pushed herself up, she noticed a slight tremor in her hands and felt a chill despite the warmth of the blankets. Memories of the night before, with its nightmare and Lucian's persistent presence, swirled in her mind, adding to her sense of disorientation.
Kat rose unsteadily, glancing at herself in the mirror. Her reflection showed a paler, more drained version of herself. She sighed, running a hand through her hair, and decided on a long-sleeved dress, one that concealed the mark on her wrist. She still wasn't aware only her and Lucian could see the mark.
By the time she made her way to the dining room, her steps were slow and deliberate, and each movement seemed to sap more of her limited energy. The dining room was bathed in the gentle light of the morning sun, and the table was set with an array of breakfast options, as usual.
she took her seat, exchanging greetings with the maids and Sabastian, she greeted Lucian who returned her greeting. Lucian's gaze moved from the newspaper, eventually settling on Kat. She looked up, catching his eye for a moment, and quickly looked away, focusing on her plate. She picked at her food, a piece of toast and a bit of fruit, but her appetite was nonexistent. Each bite felt like a chore, and soon she resorted to just sipping her tea, which offered little comfort to her sore throat.
Throughout the meal, Kat couldn't help but steal glances at Lucian. The previous night's events kept replaying in her mind; the way he had comforted her, his unexpected gentleness. But this morning, his expression was as detached as ever, the usual mask of indifference firmly in place. It was like there were two different people: the enigmatic figure before her now and the more tender presence she had encountered in the dead of night.
As she coughed softly into her napkin, Lucian looked up from his breakfast his eyes moving back to her. His eyes narrowed slightly, observing her with a keen intensity that made Kat adjust in her sit. "Are you feeling unwell?" he asked, his voice carrying a note of genuine concern that contrasted sharply with his otherwise cool demeanor.
Kat hesitated, unsure of how to respond. "I'm just a bit tired," she mumbled, trying to downplay her condition. But another, louder cough betrayed her, causing her to wince. The maids exchanged worried glances, and Sebastian, standing nearby, looked on with a furrowed brow. ''are you alright miss Kat'' Sabastian asked and she nodded.
Lucian's gaze remained fixed on her, his eyes flicking over how pale she looked at the moment, Before Kat could react, he placed a cool hand on her forehead, startling her with the sudden contact. She stared up at him, wide-eyed, as he assessed her temperature, with frowned brows. The small action didn't fail to catch the servants and Sabastian's attention, but none of the servants dared raise their heads, and only watched from the corner of their eyes.
"You're burning up," he murmured, his tone matter-of-factly but laced with an underlying softness. The sensation of his touch sent a shiver through her, and she instinctively raised her own hand to her forehead, confirming his observation. She was indeed feverish.
"Did you not sleep last night after I left your room?" Lucian asked, his question simple but loaded with implications. The maids in the room exchanged shocked glances, their eyes widening at the revelation. Sebastian's expression mirrored Something similar , his gaze darting between Kat and Lucian, and he sighed, at how forward his majesty was, as was now putting the poor girl in a awkward position.
Blushing furiously, Kat stammered, "ihg... you shouldn't say it like that…" She felt a rush of embarrassment, aware of how his words might be misinterpreted. Lucian's eyebrow raised, his gaze never leaving hers.
"Am I wrong?" he asked, his voice holding a hint of amusement. "I did leave your room, didn't I?" His words hung in the air, creating a palpable tension. Kat nodded weakly, unable to dispute his statement, even as her cheeks burned with embarrassment she wanted to glare but didn't even have the strength.
Lucian turned to one of the maids, his demeanor shifting back to its usual commanding presence. "Summon the Royal Doctor immediately," he instructed. Servant nodded, quickly leaving the room to carry out the order.
As the maids resumed their duties, each of them couldn't wait to gossip of what they had heard, and the way his majesty threatened the lady.
Kat sank back into her chair, sending quite glares towards Lucian who didn't seem bothered. He was a shameless man, hmmph. "You should return to your room and rest," he said, "The doctor will be here soon." With that, he gestured for a maid to take her to her room.
Kat didn't have the strength to deal with Lucian, so she went back to her room with the maid.