Chapter 143 Chapter 143
“Ailsa”
Lucian was by my side in an instant. My lashes fluttered, light stabbed into my eyes, making me wince.
“Lucian…” I whispered.
“You’re awake” he said. His voice sounded raggedy.
I frowned faintly.
“I…” My head throbbed as I tried to think. “What happened?”
Fragments flickered in my mind. The fight.
The pain and blood.
Lorcan…
My breath hitched. My eyes widened slightly as memory slammed into me all at once.
“Lucian…” I tried to sit up.
Pain shot through my body again, forcing me back down with a soft cry.
“Don’t…” he said immediately, his hand pressing gently against my shoulder. “You’re not strong enough yet” I looked up at him. I really looked this time.
That was when I saw it. The fullness in his eyes. He felt a bit distant too. Through the bond, I felt a shift. Fear curled in my chest.
“What’s wrong?” I asked quietly. He didn’t answer immediately. His gaze held mine.
“You tell me” he said finally. Confusion flickered through me.
“I don’t understand…”
“You said his name” The words landed softly.
“What…?”
His expression didn’t change.
“When you woke up…” he continued, voice still calm. “The first thing you said was his name” My heart dropped. Cold dread flooded my chest.
“No…” I whispered.
I searched my memory desperately. The darkness, the dream, Lorcan. Everything made sense now.
Oh goddess. My hands trembled.
“I didn’t mean to…” My voice broke. “Lucian, I swear I didn’t…” His jaw clenched.
“I was there” he said quietly. Tears burned my eyes.
“It was a dream” I said quickly, my words rushing over each other. “I saw him there, but I chose you..I left him…”
My chest tightened painfully as emotion surged.
“I chose you” I repeated, my voice breaking. “Even there… even when I was… wherever I was… I still chose you”
Something flickered in his eyes. Pain. It was real and it made my heart ache even more.
“I didn’t know I said it out loud” I whispered. “I didn’t even realize..Lucian, please…” My hand reached for his.
For a moment, he didn’t move or take my hand. Neither did he pull away. He just stood there watching me. I wanted to sit up so I could talk properly but my body was heavy.
“Do you still feel anything for him?” he asked. My head shook immediately.
“No”
“I don’t love him” I said firmly. “I guess I never loved him before. There is only one person the moon goddess chose for me” My voice softened.
“I thought I loved him once but that part of me….its gone” I admitted.
My fingers brushed against his.
“Everything I feel now… it’s you”
His hand closed around mine. His fingers were warm and strong. Relief crashed through me so suddenly I almost sobbed.
“I was so scared I had lost you” he said quietly. My chest tightened.
“I know…”
“Don’t scare me like that again” Tears spilled over.
“I’m sorry” I whispered again. His grip on my hand tightened slightly.
“And when you opened your eyes…” His voice dipped, rougher now. “You said his name”
Guilt hit me like a wave.
“I’m sorry” I choked. “Lucian, I’m so sorry…”
“I know it’s not your fault. I’m not blaming you” His gaze softened.
“The healer said the wound wasn’t normal” he continued. “There was something in it. Something that affected your mind”
My brows furrowed.
“Poison?”
“Something like it” he said. “It pulls at memories. Weakens the bond and makes you… vulnerable.” My stomach twisted.
“That’s why…” I trailed off.
“That’s why you saw him” Lucian finished. A chill ran down my spine.
“How many days have I been unconscious?” I asked.
“Two days” he said.
“Dahlia, Elara and Damian were working together” I whispered. He nodded.
“I know. They are all going to get the punishment they deserve”
“And Lorcan…”
Lucian’s grip tightened. I looked up at him. Fear creeping into my chest again.
“Did you kill him?”
The question came out softer than I intended. His eyes darkened.
“Not yet”
Something in his tone made my heart stutter. His tone sounded cold and dangerous.
“Why?” I asked quietly.
“Because death is too easy” he said.
“Lucian…”
“He touched you” he continued, his voice dropping lower. “He put his hands on you. He almost killed you. He’ll suffer for it” His jaw clenched.
“I want him to feel it” My chest tightened.
“He will” he said, almost to himself. “Before I’m done with him… he will beg for death.”
Silence fell between us. The weight of his words settling into the air. I squeezed his hand weakly.
“Don’t lose yourself” I whispered. His gaze snapped back to mine.
“I won’t” he said.
“I don’t want to be the reason you become someone else” I said softly. His expression shifted.
“You’re the reason I’m still myself” he said.
“Without you…” He exhaled slowly. “There wouldn’t be anything left to hold onto” Tears blurred my vision again.
“I’m not going anywhere” I whispered. His hand tightened around mine.
“Good. Because I won’t let you leave me”
“I wouldn’t even dare. Even in my next life, I’ll still look for you” I said gently.
“I love you” he whispered. I froze.
This was the first time he said those words to me.
“I’m sorry it took sometime before I told you. I guess I’m a coward. A coward that’s madly in love with you and would do anything for you”
The tears flowed freely now. It was like an endless river. His gaze searched mine.Then slowly, he leaned down and pressed his forehead against mine.
“I love you. I love you” he murmured.
“I..love you too” I croaked.
My eyes closed as i took in his warmth and his loving. Lucian loved me. A soft breath left him.
I shifted slightly, wincing at the pain. His hand immediately moved to steady me.
“Easy” he said. I gave a small, tired smile.
“I won’t break you know”
“I’m not taking any chances” he replied flatly. My smile faded.
“Fair”
A quiet moment passed between us.
“Lucian…”
“Yes?” My fingers tightened around his.
“We’re not done with them, are we?” His eyes darkened slightly.
“No” his gaze held mine.
“When you recover, I’ll deal with them”