16. Lucian

16

LUCIAN

T he bond pulses between us, stronger than I ever anticipated. It’s like a tether that I can’t ignore, a thread connecting me to Elara even when she’s not in my presence. I can feel her emotions, faint echoes of her thoughts, her fears, her resolve. And though I tell myself this is simply the result of the pact, a means of protection, I know it’s more than that.

She’s in me now, intertwined in ways I can’t unravel, and it leaves me both restless and… something else. Something I refuse to name.

The Underworld, too, seems to sense the disturbance. Shadows stretch further, twisting in unnatural shapes. I feel an unease in the air, a tension that thrums through the very fabric of this realm. The balance has shifted, and every dark creature that lurks in the depths can feel it. They know something has changed, something that may weaken the boundaries that have held this realm together.

I make my way through the keep, each step heavy with the awareness of the bond. It’s as if the Underworld itself is watching, waiting, like a beast held on a fragile leash. My control, once absolute, now feels tenuous, slipping through my grasp with every beat of the pact.

As I reach Elara’s chamber, I find her standing by the window, gazing out into the shadows. She turns when she hears me, her expression a mixture of curiosity and caution. I can feel her anxiety, a faint pulse of unease that mirrors my own.

“There’s a storm gathering,” I say, my voice low. “The Underworld is responding to our pact, sensing the disruption it’s caused. You need to be vigilant.”

She nods, her gaze steady. “I understand. But why? Why does it matter if we’re… connected?”

I sigh, feeling the weight of centuries pressing down on me. “The Underworld is a realm of balance, Elara. Power here is not given freely. Any shift, any disturbance, is seen as a threat. Our bond—strong as it is—may be seen as a challenge, an imbalance that could attract those who wish to restore that balance by force.”

Her expression hardens, and I feel a surge of determination in her that nearly matches my own. “Then let them come,” she says softly. “I won’t run from this.”

I clench my fists, fighting the urge to protect her, to shield her from the dangers she doesn’t fully comprehend. But before I can respond, a familiar voice cuts through the silence, dripping with mocking amusement.

“Such conviction, Lucian,” Kieran says, stepping out from the shadows, his form flickering like mist. “But are you sure this bond is worth the risk? Attachment… it’s a dangerous game in the Underworld.”

I narrow my eyes, feeling my patience wane. “Why are you here, Kieran? Lurking as always, I see.”

He chuckles, clearly enjoying the tension between us. “I simply came to offer… advice. I can feel the shift in power as clearly as you can. The creatures of this realm—they’re restless, sensing a crack in your armor, a vulnerability.”

I glance at Elara, noting the way she watches Kieran, her gaze sharp, untrusting. “Our pact is none of your concern,” I say coldly. “If the creatures of the Underworld wish to test me, let them come.”

Kieran smirks, his gaze flicking between Elara and me. “Perhaps you’re right. But remember, Lucian, even you have limits. And attachments—well, they have a way of becoming chains, even for the mighty.”

He vanishes into the shadows, his words lingering in the air, a bitter reminder of the danger I’m courting by keeping her close. I turn back to Elara, forcing myself to speak with calm I don’t entirely feel. “He’s right about one thing. This bond… it weakens me, and it draws attention. The Underworld will not tolerate it lightly.”

She takes a step closer, her gaze fierce. “Then I’ll make it worth the risk. I won’t let you face this alone, Lucian. Whatever comes, we’ll face it together.”

Her words stir something in me, a spark of something I’ve tried to bury, to ignore. I nod, my expression hardening as I take a step back. “Then prepare yourself. The creatures of this realm are not like those you’ve faced. They are ancient, relentless. And they will find any crack in your defenses.”

She nods, her determination unwavering. “I’ll be ready.”

I study her for a moment, feeling the depth of our connection, the way her resolve echoes within me. She’s not like anyone I’ve known, not like the souls that have passed through this realm before. She’s a force, a spark of light in a place that was never meant to know warmth.

But that light—that spark—may be the very thing that draws the darkness to us.

As I turn to leave, I feel her gaze lingering on me, her presence a steady beat in the back of my mind, like a second pulse. This bond, this pact… it’s become something more than I anticipated, something more than I can control. And as much as I hate to admit it, Kieran is right. Attachment in the Underworld is a liability.

But I won’t sever this bond. Not now. Not when she’s become a part of me, a part of this world.

The Underworld thrums with power and danger, a symphony of shadows that has long been my domain. But tonight, it feels different. There's a new rhythm, a beat that pulses through the very stones beneath our feet, and it's all because of her—Elara.

She stands before me, flushed with the thrill of victory, her green eyes alight with a fire that could rival the pits of the Inferno itself. She's magnificent, a warrior in her own right, even if she's only just beginning to understand the extent of her power here.

"You were remarkable," I say, my voice carrying an edge of admiration I hadn't intended to reveal. "Your courage, your tenacity... it's rare, even in this realm."

Elara's lips curve into a satisfied smile, her chest heaving as she catches her breath. "I had a good teacher," she replies, her gaze locked onto mine. "And I still have much to learn."

I can't help but return her smile, feeling a strange sense of pride swell within me. She's come so far from the terrified human I first dragged into the Underworld, and yet, she's still so very... human. It's a thought that should unnerve me, but in this moment, I find it oddly comforting.

She steps closer, her eyes roaming over me with a boldness that sends a jolt of electricity coursing through my veins. "I've been thinking," she says, her voice dropping to a husky whisper. "About that favor I owe you."

I arch an eyebrow, intrigued. "And what favor would that be?"

Her fingers trail along my arm, leaving a path of heat in their wake. "You made me feel things I never thought possible," she murmurs. "Now, it's my turn to return the favor."

A low growl escapes me as I realize what she's suggesting. "Elara..."

But she's already on her knees, her hands deftly working at the fastenings of my trousers. "Let me," she says, her breath hot against my skin. "Let me show you how grateful I am."

I can feel the bond between us tighten, a tether that binds us together in this moment of vulnerability and desire. I watch, transfixed, as she frees me from my constraints, her fingers exploring my length with a reverence that is both maddening and intoxicating.

And then her mouth is on me, warm and wet and eager, and I can't hold back the groan that rips from my throat. She takes me in deeply, her tongue working in sinuous strokes that send waves of pleasure crashing over me.

I tangle my fingers in her strawberry blond hair, guiding her rhythm as she worships me with her mouth. She moans around me, the vibrations sending shivers of ecstasy through my core. It's a dance of power and submission, a give and take that leaves us both panting and desperate.

I can feel the pressure building, the tide of release rising within me. "Elara," I gasp, warning her, but she only sucks harder, her eyes locked onto mine with a fierce determination that pushes me over the edge.

I shatter, my climax tearing through me with a force that leaves me reeling. She swallows every drop, her eyes shining with satisfaction as she licks me clean. And then, to my surprise, she pulls back, a mischievous grin on her face as she plays with the evidence of my desire, her fingers glistening in the dim light.

"You're incredible," I breathe, pulling her to her feet and claiming her mouth in a fierce, possessive kiss. She melts against me, her body pliant and willing, and I know that this bond, this connection between us, is stronger than any magic I've ever known.

"Thank you," she whispers against my lips, and I realize that for the first time in centuries, I'm grateful for the unpredictable twists of fate that led her to me. And as we stand there, wrapped in each other's arms, I can't help but feel a sense of awe at the power of this unlikely alliance.

The storm is coming, but so are we.