Lucian sat slumped on the sleek black couch, his legs stretched out and his head tilted back as he stared at the canopy bed where Lady Spectra lounged. She rested elegantly, propped against a pile of silk pillows, a strange, tablet-like device in her hands. The device glowed faintly, its surface rippling with shifting runes and holographic projections. Lady Spectra's sharp amethyst eyes scanned the data on the screen, her expression serene yet focused.
Lucian let out a soft sigh, his eyes drifting from her to the room's luxurious surroundings. The low hum of energy from the runes on the walls added to the surreal atmosphere. His mind raced, filled with questions he didn't yet have the courage to ask. He couldn't help but glance back at Lady Spectra, her regal posture and effortless elegance making her seem untouchable. Yet, she had claimed him as her "pet," a role he still couldn't fully grasp.
The door to the room opened with a soft hiss, and another maid entered. This one was younger, with short silver hair and a nervous demeanor. She carried a silver tray laden with a large steaming bowl of soup, the aroma wafting through the air and making Lucian's stomach tighten painfully.
The maid bowed slightly to Lady Spectra, setting the tray on a small table near the bed before retreating without a word. Lady Spectra reached for the bowl, her movements deliberate and graceful. She picked up the spoon and stirred the soup lazily, letting the rich, savory aroma fill the room.
Lucian watched her, his mouth watering as the scent of the soup teased his senses. His stomach growled audibly, and he winced, hoping she hadn't heard.
Lady Spectra looked up, her lips curling into a smirk. "Hungry, pet?"
Lucian hesitated, debating whether to answer honestly, but his stomach betrayed him again with another growl. He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah… a little."
Her smirk widened, and she gestured for him to approach. "Then come here."
Lucian blinked, taken aback. "To the bed?"
"Of course," she said, her tone playful yet commanding. "Do you plan to eat from the couch?"
Lucian hesitated, then stood, walking toward the bed as if approaching a lion in its den. He stopped at the edge, unsure of what to do, but Lady Spectra patted the spot beside her.
"Sit," she said simply.
With a mix of reluctance and curiosity, Lucian climbed onto the bed, sitting awkwardly beside her. Lady Spectra lifted the bowl, her fingers tracing its edge as she stirred the soup again. She dipped the spoon into the thick, golden broth, lifting it to his lips.
"Open," she instructed, her tone soft but firm.
Lucian hesitated for a moment before obeying. The spoon entered his mouth, and the taste hit him instantly—rich, savory, and infused with a warmth that seemed to seep into his very bones. He let out an involuntary sigh of relief.
Lady Spectra's smile softened. "Good, isn't it?"
He nodded, swallowing. "What is it?"
"A special soup," she replied, dipping the spoon back into the bowl. "Infused with healing properties. You need it more than I do."
As she fed him another spoonful, her free hand reached out, brushing lightly against his chest. Her fingers traced a fresh scab near his collarbone, and Lucian stiffened at the unexpected touch.
"These wounds," she murmured, her voice dipping. "They shouldn't have happened. They anger me."
Lucian forced a weak smile, trying to defuse the tension. "Well, I'm here now. All patched up and eating soup in bed. I'd say that's a win."
Lady Spectra chuckled softly, her fingers lingering on his skin before withdrawing. "You're resilient, I'll give you that."
As they continued, Lucian's curiosity got the better of him. Between bites, he glanced at her and said, "So, Lady Spectra… or should I call you that? What's the protocol here?"
Her lips twitched with amusement. "Lady Spectra is my public title. You may call me Selene."
Lucian blinked in surprise. "Selene. That's… unexpectedly normal."
Her expression grew thoughtful. "It's the name I was given before I became who I am now. Lady Spectra is a role, a mask I wear for the world. Selene… is who I truly am."
Lucian stared at her, his mind struggling to reconcile the terrifying supervillain he'd heard of with the composed, almost gentle woman sitting beside him. "Why tell me this?"
She smiled faintly, feeding him another spoonful of soup. "Because you are mine. My pet, my project. And because…" She paused, her eyes flickering with something deeper. "I trust you."
Lucian swallowed the soup, unsure how to respond. The word trust felt too heavy, too intimate, yet he couldn't deny the strange connection forming between them.
They continued in silence for a while, Lucian finishing the last of the soup under her watchful eye. When the bowl was empty, she set it aside and looked at him with a soft smile.
"Good boy," she teased, her voice light.
Lucian rolled his eyes. "You know, this whole 'pet' thing is still weird."
Lady Spectra laughed softly. "You'll grow used to it."
As the warmth of the soup spread through his body, Lucian felt a heavy drowsiness begin to settle over him. He fought to stay awake, but his eyelids grew heavier with each passing second.
Lady Spectra noticed, her expression softening. "Sleep, Lucian. You're safe here."
Before he could protest, he felt her hands on his shoulders, gently guiding him down onto the pillows. His body sank into the plush bed, the fatigue too strong to fight. His breathing slowed as his eyes fluttered shut.
Lady Spectra gazed at him for a long moment, her hand brushing his hair away from his face. As he lay there, she loosened the collar of his shirt, her eyes narrowing as they fell on the strange mark on his chest—a faint, glowing crest.
"So it's really him," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.
Her fingers traced the scars on his body, her touch light but lingering. A pang of guilt and sorrow crossed her face as she remembered that fateful meeting so long ago. The boy who had given her hope on a rainy day… He was here, in her bed, grown into a handsome man.
Unable to control herself, Lady Spectra leaned down, her lips brushing against his in a soft, lingering kiss. She pulled back for a moment, her gaze lingering on his peaceful face, before leaning in again for another, deeper kiss.
When she finally pulled away, her cheeks were faintly flushed. She adjusted the blankets over him and lay down beside him, wrapping an arm around his waist as she hugged him close. Her eyes remained on his face, even as sleep began to take her.
"You'll stay with me now," she murmured softly. "No matter what."