"Lysander," A voice called, piercing through their intimacy like a sharp blade. Lysander froze for a moment before reluctantly pulling away from her.
It was Lucian, communicating with him telepathically. Lysander felt a wave of annoyance wash over him as he replied Lucian with a "what do you want?"
"Where are you?" Lucian asked, casually.
"Somewhere. Why?" He asked, rolling his eyes and stepping away from the human.
He watched as she looked at him in confusion. The moment that was filled with anticipation and intimacy now felt halting and awkward.
"You're needed," Lucian told him. It took Lysander all the strength in him not to groan in frustration.
"Can't it wait?" He asked, feeling frustrated already.
"Why are you talking like that? Lysander where are you?" Lucian asked, alarmed this time.
"Hold you horses, I just came to Anna," Lysander said, staring at the woman who was still blushing deeply.
"Lysander what is wrong with you. You were….."
"We'll talk about this when I come."
With that Lysander blocked him and turned to his little human.
She was now standing and was fidgeting with her fingers, making her look so innocent.
"I…I am sorry," she said and Lysander frowned.
"Why?"he didn't understand what was going on.
"It shouldn't have happened. We should not have kissed," she said, still looking at her feet.
'What did she mean by it shouldn't have happened? I wanted to kiss her and so I did' Lysander wondered.
"You're stranger and I don't even know you," Mia sighed embarrassment in her voice.
"Trust me, I'm not like that. I don't even bring boys over. I haven't even had a boyfriend in my life." She explained as if he cared.
Well he did care about the part that she said she never brought boys over or that she had a boyfriend. That meant he was her first.
Lysander felt proud instantly and he looked at her a slight smile she didn't even notice.
"I know what you're thinking. That I'm one of those girls who throw themselves at men but I don't do that. I don't even know what came over me," she kept talking.
Looking at her lips move, Lysander wanted to kiss her again. He wanted to feel those warmth and innocence again but he had to leave.
"I…I have to go," he told her and watched a small frown spread on her face.
"You hate me don't you?"
**********
The stranger was in front of her as soon as the words left her mouth.
'How does he move with such speed?'
"I don't hate you, I could never hate you," he said with a very sincere look that made her eyes teary.
"Why are you crying?" Lysander didn't understand. He already told her he didn't hate her so why was she crying.
"I'm not crying," she smiled, blinking back her tears. "I'm just happy," she added, making him more confused.
Lysander didn't understand what she meant. Aren't people supposed to be smile when they're happy so why was she crying?
Lysander sighed and stepped back a bit.
"I'll take my leave now take care," he said and turned to leave.
"Wait,"Mia suddenly called out making he pause. "I…you didn't tell me your name."
She said, moving to stand in front of him.
"I….I will tell you when I come next time."
With that, he walked out leaving her all alone.
Mia stood there silently replaying everything that occurred. She couldn't believe that she had just lost her first kiss to a stranger. Someone she just met for barely an hour.
Was she this bold? The act felt both exhilarating and terrifying.
She remembered the way his lips brushed against hers, sending shivers down her spine and igniting a whirlwind of emotions she never knew she had.
She could feel his breath and the way he looked into her eyes, as if searching for something deeper.
It was like a scene pulled straight from a romantic novel.
She wondered who he was, what mysteries he carried and why their paths had crossed this way.
Mia moved to check her stuff, her mind still racing with questions. Was it just a spontaneous moment? Or there was something more. Why couldn't she do anything when he made the move?
**********
Lysander walked in to Lucian, Alaric, Morgana and Henry staring at him. He ignored their gazes and sat on the couch his eyes burning into Lucian's.
"So what the emergency?" He asked.
"You need to go back to the kingdom," Lucian told him and the thought of his little human struck him hard.
"I know what you're thinking but it's not worth it Lysander. You cannot fall in love," Lucian said as if reading his mind.
Maybe he was.
"Look Lysander, your curse was broken for a reason and you have to fulfill that. Think about the number of people that want you dead. Think about what will happen to her if they get to know you finally have a weakness."
Lucian's words struck him like thunder but Lysander didn't want to believe it.
How can the woman who has done absolutely nothing be his weakness?
"Stop saying that," Lysander said in a calm warning tone.
"You can't be serious Lysander? Love? How can you fall in love at a time like this? That too with a mortal, a human who can't even defend herself from cockroaches. You've allowed you heart to betray you Lysander. This is not just foolishness, it's dangerous," Lucian said in disbelief.
Lysander's jaw tightened, emotion swirling through him like a tempest.
"I don't you to stop saying things like that. I'm not in love. I don't love her," Lysander said, feeling that tug he always felt in his chest whenever it was about her.
"You don't love her? So why did you go to her? You think affection will shield you from your enemies? You have lost of enemies Lysander, the moment they discover your weakness, they'll strike. She'll be the target. You're not only putting yourself in danger but her too." Lucian said calmly his gaze locked with Lysander's.
The rest of the group could only sit there and watch the scene unfold. Even though Lysander and Lucian looked calm, they knew those two were far from calm.
"You don't know her!" Lysander's voice was rising.
"And you do?" Lucian sneered.
"She's strong and brave. She broke my curse Lucian. In the night. Alone. In a cemetery."
"Just look at you Lysander."
This time Lucian was on his feet.
"So what if I love her?"
Alaric and Morgana exchanged glances, shocked that Lysander just admitted his feelings.
"Unlike you, I won't fear dictate my life and I won't live in the shadows."
"You think you're being brave?" Lucian chuckled. "You're blinded by infatuation. This is not just about you, it's about our kind. If your enemies sense vulnerability, they'll exploit it. You must think rationally."
The tension in the room was a thick electric charge that seemed to vibrate the air between Lysander and Lucian. It was a clash of emotions: Lysander's fierce determination to pursue and protect his new found love against Lucian's pragmatic concerns for their safety.
Lysander's heart raced, fueled by the passion the passion he felt for his little human. The one who broke his centuries of curse. The thrill of love surged through him, igniting something within him that fueled him to defy Lucian's warning.
Lucian on the other hand was a fortress of caution, his mind racing with the potential dangers that lurked in the shadows. The fear of losing Lysander to an enemy using his love for none other but a human, as a created a chasm of anxiety within him.
"You need to leave this place today," Lucian broke the silence, returning back to his seat.
"Why?" Lysander questioned.
"Because you're needed back in the kingdom. All arrangements have been made, you leave now," Lucian said.
"Now? Is everything alright?" Lysander asked flatly.
"How would you know? When you've been out all day pursuing love," Lucian rolled his eyes.
"She was in danger."
All eyes turned to Lysander as soon as those words left his mouth.
"She was attacked." He paused, his eyes slowly moving to Lucian who sat there unfazed.
"Lysander, it common for these things to happen in the human world," Morg said, with a hint of teasing.
"Yeah, you don't have to swoop in and save the day Mr. Superhero," Alaric, who never let of an opportunity to tease Lysander chimed in.
"What about in the Vampire world?" Lysander cocked a brow.
"What are you saying?" Morg asked, with seriousness this time.
"She was attacked by vampires."
They heard a chuckle from the end of the room and they turned their heads to see Lucian standing at the far end of the room, his back turned to them.
"And how is that funny?" Morg questioned.
"Because she has lived all her life without vampires attacking her and suddenly Lysander comes into her life and she starts getting attacked?"
Even though Lucian's back was facing them, they could hear the mockery in his voice.
"Yes, because they picked her randomly. Tell me Lucian, what happens if a vampire survives on animal blood for along period of time? That means she's not the only one in danger. Think Lucian….Think."
After saying this, Lysander got up and left.