18. Lucian

18

LUCIAN

T he Underworld is shifting, an unseen force tightening around me, pressing in on all sides. I can feel it, a tension humming through the shadows, a warning that our pact—my bond with Elara—has disturbed the balance in ways even I cannot control. This realm is ancient, its laws written in shadows and silence, and I know that our connection has drawn attention, awakened forces that should have remained dormant.

It’s a weight I can’t ignore, a reminder that every choice comes with a price. And as much as I want to deny it, I know that my attachment to her has made us both vulnerable.

I walk through the darkened halls, the weight of my own thoughts a constant presence. Protecting her… it’s become more than just a responsibility. It’s become personal. I never intended for this bond to matter, to feel like a second heartbeat within me, but here we are, bound together in ways I hadn’t anticipated.

The shadows stir, and a familiar figure emerges—Kieran, his gaze sharp, his smirk tainted with something almost like pity. He watches me for a moment, his silence more unsettling than any taunt he could throw my way.

“Kieran,” I say, my tone colder than I feel. “If you’re here to lecture me, save your breath.”

He chuckles, but there’s no amusement in his eyes. “Lecture? No, Lucian. I’m here to warn you. The Underworld is restless, more so than usual. And it’s not just the creatures lurking in the shadows—it’s the realm itself. It senses the imbalance your little bond has created.”

I clench my jaw, refusing to let his words shake me. “I know the risks, Kieran. But I won’t let her be harmed. She’s under my protection.”

“Is she worth it?” His voice is soft, almost mocking, and it grates against my resolve. “You’re risking everything, Lucian—your power, your dominion, the very fabric of this realm. And for what? A mortal with a spark that will eventually fade?”

I glare at him, my patience wearing thin. “You don’t understand.”

“Oh, I understand perfectly,” he replies, his tone darkening. “You think you’re protecting her, but all you’re doing is inviting destruction. The Underworld doesn’t tolerate disruption, and your attachment to her? It’s a weakness, one that could bring everything crashing down.”

His words hit closer than I’d care to admit, stirring doubts I’ve been trying to bury. I know he’s right, that this bond is a liability, a threat to the delicate balance I’ve spent centuries maintaining. But the thought of letting her go, of leaving her to face this realm alone… it’s a choice I’m not willing to make.

“She’s more than just a mortal,” I say quietly, almost to myself. “She’s… something else.”

Kieran scoffs, shaking his head. “Attachment will be your undoing, Lucian. It always is. Remember that.” He fades into the shadows, his warning lingering in the air like a curse, a reminder of the price I may yet have to pay.

As his presence disappears, I stand alone, wrestling with the weight of his words. He’s right about the risks, about the dangers we’re inviting. But even knowing this, I can’t turn away. She’s not just a soul passing through my realm—she’s a part of me now, a bond that’s woven itself into my very existence.

I take a deep breath, my resolve hardening. Whatever the cost, I won’t abandon her. If this realm seeks to end our bond, it will have to face me first.

I find her in her chamber, her form wrapped in shadows as she sleeps, her breathing steady and calm. Watching her, I feel an unfamiliar sense of peace, a strange contentment that feels foreign in this realm of endless darkness. She’s changed something within me, unlocked a part of myself I thought long buried.

Steeling myself, I step closer, my gaze never leaving her. I know a confrontation is coming, that forces beyond our understanding are gathering, watching, waiting. The Underworld will test us, will try to tear us apart. But I won’t let it.

“Whatever comes,” I murmur, my voice barely a whisper, “I’ll protect you. No matter the cost.”

The bond pulses, a steady beat that fills the silence, a reminder of the line I’ve drawn in the shadows. I know what this means, what I’m risking, but I no longer care. She is mine to protect, and I will defend her with everything I have.

As I stand guard over her, a sense of dread and determination settles over me, a silent promise to face whatever darkness this realm throws our way. The Underworld may seek to break us, to punish us for our defiance, but I am ready. I am ready to challenge this realm itself if I must.

For the first time in centuries, I feel purpose, a resolve that runs deeper than any curse or duty. I’ll defend her against any threat, even if it tears my world apart.

Let them come. I am ready.