"And what do you mean by unwelcomed guest?" Lucian asked.
"Dorian was here. I couldn't see him but I smelt him. He did something to Mia," Lysander said, anger bubbling through him.
"How sure are you?" Lucian asked. "She's probably having a nightmare because of what she went through."
"You must be fucking kidding me Lucian. I said I smelt his presence."
"Fine…I'll look into it. I'll check the CCTV footages."
Lysander looked at Mia who was now sleeping peacefully in his arms. He brushed the hairs off her face and placed a gentle kiss on her head.
"I know all this is happening because of me but I promise not to let anyone hurt you," he said, a small smile playing on his lips.
***********
The morning light crept through the window, greeting Mia warmly. She yawned as she opened her eyes, only to be greeted by a pair of blue/purplish eyes.
Mia found his eyes fascinating. How could one be born with such unique eye color?
Her stomach growled with emptiness that felt heavier than her blankets.
"Good morning," His deep voice greeted her. "You didn't have your meal last night so I had Morg prepare something for you," He told her before getting up to get the tray of food.
Mia looked at the tray with a glint of joy in her eyes. There was warm bread with jam, fluffy pancakes drizzled with honey, some muffins, crispy bacon and eggs and a refreshing smoothie.
Without no one telling her what to do, she started devouring the pancakes. With her first bite, the world faded away, all she could taste was the warm fluffy goodness.
Lysander could explain what he was feeling as he watched her eat without a care in the world. He watched her tongue come out to lick her lips, the simple gesture sending foreign feelings throughout his body.
"What?" Mia asked with her mouth full of food when she noticed him looking at her. She quickly chewed her food and swallows, after remembering her manners.
"Do I have something on my face?" She asked, confused.
"You're beautiful," Lysander said making her red with shyness.
No one had ever called her beautiful apart from her parents…well…and Mattie. But that was because she was all dressed up.
This man called her beautiful even though she just woke up from sleep.
"I….I…." Mia didn't know what to say, his sincerity had taken the words out of her mouth.
With his eyes locked with hers, he gently wiped the bottom of her lips with his thumb and licked it.
Mia held her breath as she watched this. Why was his action as little as this affecting her? What were all these things she was feeling?
There was an awkward silence as they stared into each others eyes. Mia watched his eyes move down to her lips and she couldn't help but lick her lips, her heart beating madly against her chest.
She didn't know why she wanted him to kiss her badly.
She envisioned his cold lips against her, remembering the first time he had kissed her. She held her breath, praying he would close the distance, that he would take the leap.
As Lysander leaned in, the world around them faded into a blur. The air crackled with anticipation and time seemed to stand still.
Mia's heart raced as their lips finally met, soft and gentle at first. The warmth of the kiss enveloped her, making her shiver in delight.
As they melted into each other, the sweetness of the moment deepened. Mia felt a rush of emotions- joy, longing and a sense of belonging.
Just then, the door opened, revealing Lucian. He was dressed in his usual official clothes and had a cold expression. The way he looked at Mia made her want to hide behind Lysander.
"You should knock before barging into someone else's room," Lysander said, clearly annoyed.
"Since when do I have to knock before opening your door?" Lucian asked, walking inside.
"Since I have company," Lysander asked.
Mia sensing the tension, picked up the tray and got up to leave.
"I'll just take this downstairs," she said but was stopped before she could even take a step.
"You don't need to, you're hurt," Lysander said, his voice soft and gentle.
"Well, I think she needs to. She can't be a freeloader," Lucian said, his gaze making Mia unconsciously take a step back.
"Lucian!" Lysander, who realized what was going on said, his voice firm.
Lucian didn't budge, his eyes were still fixed on Mia.
"Tesoro come sit," Lysander said, drawing Mia's attention.
"He's right. I'm living here for free, you saved my life and even had a doctor take care of me. I can't just sit around idly. I'll take the tray downstairs and prepare to leave."
Watching Mia walk out, Lysander felt immense anger. He grabbed Lucian by the collar and slammed in against the wall.
"Lucian!" Lysander growled in a low and dangerous voice. Lucian looked at him with a smirk.
"You think it's amusing to belittle her?"
Lucian shrugged, a flicker of defiance in his eyes.
"She's just a human. They're fragile, easily broken. Why waste your time on her?!" Lucian said, pushing Lysander off him.
Lysander suddenly felt a surge of protective instinct.
"She's not just a human and you'll never speak to her like that again," His voice rose, echoing through the room.
"Lysander I just…."
"Just what Lucian? Just being an asshole? You don't understand the depth of what you've done. You've disrespected her. You've disrespected the only reason why I'm before you today."
"Lysander…."
"Don't speak when I speak Lucian!"
Lucian's jaw clenched in anger. Was Lysander speaking to him this way because of a human?
"Yes. I am. I am speaking to you this way because of a human. The human who wandered where the living feared to tread. The human who wasn't scared to be all alone in a cemetery. The human who broke a curse that should've lasted centuries. I'm sorry Lucian but if you can't find anything reason or need to protect that fragile human, then you're a selfish asshole."
With that, Lysander walked out leaving Lucian to his thoughts.
*****************
Lucian replayed the words of Lysander over and over again. The words echoing like a haunting melody. He couldn't believe Lysander could speak to him like that because of a human.
Lucian clenched his teeth in anger.
"How do I let you understand that you're not making the right choice by keeping this human by your side. She'll be your downfall, Lysander." He muttered to himself, his voice a low growl.
He envisioned the way Lysander looked at her, Lysander's gaze had this softness that he had never seen before. It was a softnes that was reserved for something delicate and fragile.
To Lucian, Mia was a mere distraction. She was nothing more than a fleeting distraction, a weakness that will ultimately lead to Lysander's ruin.
Yet Lysander couldn't see that because he was blinded by infatuation. Lysander's infatuation towards this human was clouding his judgment.
The human was a danger, not to just herself but to Lysander and their entire existence.
'What if she discovers our secrets?' Lucian shook his head trying to not think about what will happen if she does.
"You're not allowed to come anywhere close to me until you apologize to her," Lysander's voice echoed through his mind.
Lucian's gaze hardened as he stared straight ahead as if there was something here. His teeth were clenched in anger and his fingers were balled into tight fists.
"You want me, to apologize to a human?" He replied through the mind-link.
"Yes….apologize and mean it," Lysander replied, his voice hard and firm.
"Lysander…."
"Lucian she didn't deserve the way you spoke to her. Do you even know I came to meet her crying in the kitchen?"
"And this is the person you're in love with?" Lucian said, his voice laced with anger and mockery.
"Lucian I don't care about what you think. I always thought you were the matured one, but calling her a freeloader when she's clearly in her most vulnerable state? Come on brother, you can do better than that."
"Lysander I think you've forgotten who you're speaking to."
"I haven't Lucian. Just because you're my brother doesn't mean I should stand by you when you're wrong." "You apologize to her and that's it."
Lucian couldn't reply Lysander because he was blocked. The very idea of groveling before a human made his blood boil.
Humans are just weak, they're mere playthings and Lysander wanted him to bow to one.
Apologizing to a human felt like a sign of weakness he was ready to show.
He had seen the way she stepped back and trembled in fear when he just looked at her. Was this the person Lysander was going to choose knowing what was ahead of him?
The battle hasn't even started and she was already weak.
"This human will bring you nothing but pain Lysander. I'm sorry I have to do this," He said, his voice laced with urgency as he walked out of the room.