Lucian had decided it was time to get Seraphine some proper clothes. For days now, she had been wearing his shirts; an oversized piece of fabric that swallowed her petite frame, but despite that, there was something undeniably charming about how she looked in them.
But he knew she needed a change. As much as he enjoyed seeing her in his clothes, she deserved something of her own. So, for the first time since she had been brought to his mansion, Lucian decided to take her out.
He hadn't told her where they were going, only instructed her to be ready after sunset. When she appeared in the hallway, wearing one of his shirts cinched at the waist with a belt she had found, he felt a surge of something unfamiliar, a mix of possessiveness and admiration. She looked at him, curiousity spelled all over her face, clearly unsure of what to expect from this sudden outing Lucian had come up with.
Without a word, he led her through the enterance hall past the heavy front doors that swung open at his command, revealing a sleek, dark car parked in the driveway.
It was a Maserati Quattroporte, its polished obsidian exterior gleaming under the gaze of the crescent moon. The car exuded elegance and power, it was a car that demanded attention, much like its owner. Lucian opened the passenger door for her, his eyes never leaving her face as she hesitated, then slid into the luxurious leather seat. She settled in, feeling the cool leather beneath her fingers.
Lucian rounded the car and slipped into the passenger's seat beside her, without saying a word. The chauffeur started the engine, as the car purrs to life with a deep, throaty rumble. They pulled away from the mansion, and Seraphine looked back once, watching the massive iron gates close behind them as they sped down the long, winding drive.
The journey was quiet, almost peaceful. Seraphine found herself gazing out the window, her eyes wide with wonder as they entered the city. This part of town was unlike anything she had seen since arriving the town of Smallville with her parents. The streets were immaculate, the buildings tall and grand, each one a testament to the wealth and power of the vampires who resided there.
She could see gardens filled with exotic flowers and trees, the greenery perfectly trimmed and managed, as if sculpted by some divine hand. Fountains and sculptures adorned the courtyards of the grand estates they passed, each one more magnificent than the last.
She couldn't tear her eyes away. It was a whole new world one she had never been a part of, a world of luxury and opulence, so different from the life she had known before. And yet, there was a strange beauty to it, a kind of elegance that captivated her. She soaked in every detail, knowing this might be the only chance she'd have to see this part of the city, to witness the splendor of a world she could never truly belong to.
Beside her, Lucian watched her with an intensity that bordered on obsession. He saw the way her eyes lit up, the way she leaned forward slightly, as if trying to take in as much of the view as possible. Her brown hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders, catching the light in a way that made it seem almost golden. He could see the faint bruises on her neck, the scars that showed how much hurt he'd put her through, and a pang of guilt shot through him, mingling with a fierce protectiveness he didn't quite understand.
She was so fragile, so delicate, and yet there was a strength in her that drew him in, made him want to understand her, to break her down and build her back up, to see if she could withstand the darkness that lurked within him. But at the same time, he wanted to shield her from it, to keep her safe from the very world he was a part of.
It was a confusing tangle of emotions. He didn't know whether he wanted to protect her or destroy her, whether he took more pleasure in seeing her defiant or watching her smile like she was doing now, her lips curved in a soft, almost wistful expression as she gazed out at the city. That smile it did something to him, something he couldn't quite put into words.
He remembered the first time he had seen her in the garden, the way she had confronted him with that fiery defiance, even though he could sense the fear in her. There was something about her that had stood out, something that had caught his attention and refused to let go. Her beauty, yes, but more than that, it was her spirit, the way she didn't cower before him like so many others had. It was maddening, intoxicating, and he couldn't get enough of it.
His thoughts were interrupted as the car came to a smooth stop in front of a boutique. The sign above the door read "Madame Bee's Couture" in elegant script. The building was small compared to the grand mansions they had passed, but it exuded a kind of understated luxury, the kind that spoke of exclusivity and taste.
"We're here," Lucian said softly, his voice breaking the silence that had settled between them.
Seraphine turned to look at him, her eyes wide with a mix of surprise and curiosity.
"Why are we here?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Lucian's lips curled into a small smile.
"You need clothes," he said simply, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"As much as I enjoy seeing you in my shirts, I think it's time you had something of your own."
Her cheeks flushed a delicate pink, and she glanced down, her fingers twisting together in her lap.
"But...I don't have any money," she murmured, clearly uncomfortable with the idea of him buying her things.
Lucian's smile widened, a hint of amusement in his eyes.
"Consider it a gift," he said, his tone light.
"Besides, it's not like I can let you keep wearing my clothes forever. People might start talking."
She looked up at him then, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"Talking about what?"
His grin turned into a smirk, his eyes glinting with mischief.
"About how hot you look in them, of course."
Seraphine's mouth fell open, and she stared at him in shock, her face turning an even deeper shade of red. Before she could come up with a retort, Lucian had already stepped out of the car and was coming around to her side. He opened the door for her, offering his hand.
She hesitated for a moment, then took it, allowing him to help her out of the car. His fingers were cool and firm around hers, and she felt a strange warmth spread through her at the contact. She pulled her hand away as soon as she was on her feet, feeling a little breathless.
Lucian led her to the door, holding it open for her. She stepped inside. The boutique was filled with racks of beautiful clothes, each piece more exquisite than the last. Rich fabrics in every color imaginable, adorned with delicate lace and shimmering beads, lined the walls. It was like stepping into another world, a world of luxury and elegance that felt completely foreign to her.
"Lucian,"
a voice called from the back of the store, and a woman emerged, her eyes lighting up as she saw him. She was tall, her voice sleek as she elegantly walked towards their direction, with silver hair swept up into a ponytail. Her calculating gaze missed nothing.
"What a pleasant surprise. What brings you here today?"
Lucian inclined his head slightly in greeting.
"Madame Bee," he said smoothly.
"I need your help with something."
Her eyes flicked to Seraphine, taking her in with a quick, assessing glance.
"I see," she said, a knowing smile playing on her lips.
"And what kind of help do you need?"
"Something suitable for a young woman," Lucian said, his eyes never leaving Seraphine.
"She needs a new wardrobe."
Madame Bee's smile widened, and she stepped forward, her gaze now fully focused on Seraphine.
"Of course," she said, her tone now brisk and businesslike.
"Come with me, dear. We'll find you something perfect."
Seraphine glanced at Lucian, who nodded encouragingly. She took a deep breath and followed Madame Bee deeper into the store, feeling a little like a lamb being led to slaughter. But as they moved through the racks of clothes, the older woman's demeanor softened, and she began to chat lightly, asking Seraphine about her preferences, her favorite colors, what kind of styles she liked.
Seraphine found herself relaxing, caught up in the excitement of trying on the beautiful clothes Madame Bee selected for her. There were dresses of all kinds flowing gowns, elegant cocktail dresses, simple yet chic day dresses. She tried them on, twirling in front of the mirror, feeling like a princess in a fairytale.
Lucian watched from a distance, his eyes on her. There was something almost surreal about seeing her like this, smiling and laughing as she modeled dress after dress. It was a side of her he hadn't seen before, and he found himself mesmerized by it.
He couldn't explain what it was about her that drew him in, that made him want to see her happy, to see her smile like that all the time. It was dangerous, these feelings she stirred in him, and with each passing day, he was at the edge of control, and now watching her walk out of the showroom in this black deep slit dress that hugged all her curves and showed off her cleavage, he couldn't seem to help himself anymore. He wanted to have her, drink from her, pleasure her, and possess her.
She was his, and he was going to make his mark.