Chapter Thirty-four

Chapter Thirty-four

~Elias~

The air felt heavier after breakfast. 

I didn’t know what to make of Lucien anymore. He was trying—yes, trying in his own distorted, possessive way—but a part of me felt like something had cracked in me that wasn’t going to heal overnight. That kiss in front of everyone still burned on my lips, and yet my chest was hollow. 

After Lucien disappeared for work, and the mansion slowly emptied of the morning chaos, I wandered around the hallways until I found Isla and Mira in the corridor near the kitchen, chatting idly. It had been a while since I saw them and I missed them so much. I walked over to them without allowing them to notice me. 

“I want to go check on my brother,” I said suddenly, my voice coming out quieter than I meant. Still, it made both girls freeze.

Isla blinked at me. “What? Now?”

“Lucien didn’t say anything about that,” Mira added, frowning. “And you know all the guards have been pulled into high alert. With the witches prowling and the council stirred up—Elias, it’s not safe.”

“I will be fine.” I adjusted my hoodie, pulling the sleeves lower as if it would somehow shield me. “I just need to see him. I… need to know he’s okay.”

They exchanged a look. Isla’s lips twitched, clearly unsure. 

“Please,” I added. 

Mira rolled her eyes with a dramatic sigh. “You are impossible, you know that? Fine. But we are coming with you. No arguments.”

I gave a faint nod. 

I knew that was the only option for me since Lucien had no idea I was going out of the palace. I didn’t intend to tell him because I wasn’t ready to speak to him and he could stop me. 

The walk from the mansion to the human quarters of the city was longer than usual. I arose stares from Vampires around as they were wondering what I was doing in their city. The walk felt weird, maybe because I hadn’t stepped foot outside in a while. I had almost forgotten what it felt like to be under the sun—how even the filtered morning light could feel warm on the back of my neck. The streets were relatively quiet, but an odd tension still hung in the air like a string pulled too tight. 

“Are you really okay? Been a while we’ve gathered,” Isla asked beside me, her tone soft but cautious. 

“I’m fine.”

“You’ve been quiet,” Mira chimed in. “Way too quiet. And we’ve seen you spacing out. We are not stupid.”

I didn’t answer right away. How could I explain that I haven’t been able to think of any other thing than Lucien? That my body tensed when he touched me, not from hatred, but from fear that I didn’t want to have in the first place?

“I just want some normal for a bit. Is that okay?” I mumbled. 

Mira pressed her lips into a line but said nothing more. Isla, thankfully, reached out and gave my hand a light squeeze. 

It wasn’t long before the familiar outline of my old street came into view. The worn fences, the cracked sidewalks, and the air of the gritty resilience I had once found comfort in. 

And then I saw him. 

Caden. 

He was standing near the corner, surrounded by the three boys who used to be his friends. I could hear the tail end of the argument even from where I stood. 

“You really let your brother be some vampire’s plaything?” One of them barked. “You think that’s normal?”

“He is a traitor!” Another hissed. “He stayed with them. Left us.”

My feet moved before my mind could catch up. 

“Hey!” I snapped, stepping between them and Caden. “Back off.”

One of the guys—Jules, I think, sneered at me. “Oh, look. The royal pet decided to visit.”

Mira bristled immediately, stepping forward. “Say that again. I dare you.”

Isla’s eyes flared, her hand already twitching by her side. “You better pray I don’t ruin that ugly face of yours.”

“Stop,” I said quickly, stepping in front of them both. “Don’t.”

“But Elias—“ Isla began. 

“I said stop,” I said, firmer this time. “We don’t use violence. Not for people like them.”

Mira growled under her breath, but Isla stepped back. The three boys glared, mumbled a few curses, and eventually stalked away. 

Caden looked at me with wide eyes. “Elias…..”

“I missed you,” I said simply, pulling him into a tight hug. I could feel him trembling a little, but he clung to me. 

We walked back to the house together. Caden kept sneaking glances at the two girls walking beside us, clearly confused by the shift in my life. The moment we stepped into the old living room, he collapsed onto the couch like a sigh-given shape. 

“Want some water?” Mira asked, already heading to the kitchen like she owned the place. 

“I’m good. Just…. wow,” Caden said, eyes darting between all of us. “So….you are friends with vampires now?”

Isla chuckled. “Technically.”

“And you are like… royalty or something?” He added with raised brows.

I rubbed my forehead. “No, not royalty. Not anything.”

Mira snorted from the kitchen. “Please. He is the favorite of the king himself.”

Caden’s eyes widened so much I was afraid they would fall out. “Wait…. wait. You were not joking that day?? The vampire king???”

“Caden—“

“Are you dating him?”

I blinked. 

Isla choked on her laughter. Mira nearly dropped the tray of fruits she had just brought out. 

“Wha—what?” I stammered. 

I was sure there was nothing like dating in the vampire world. They just fuck each other. 

“You heard me,” Caden grinned. “I saw the way you were staring at him on TV at that event. I watched at the center.”

I wasn’t staring at anyone—!”

“You are blushing.”

“I’m not!”

“You are,” Mira confirmed, munching on a grape. 

I sighed and sank onto the couch beside him, covering my face with my hands. Maybe I should have stayed at the palace after all. 

But a little part of me—a small one, felt lighter again. 

Even if just for a moment.