Chapter 21 Angry Kisses
[Nyx]
"Put me down! Have you lost your mind?" I struggled, but Lysander's arms were as firm as steel.
"We need to talk," he stated simply, striding toward the exit. "Not here."
The crowd parted in surprise, making way for the arguing couple. My friends exchanged glances, unsure whether to intervene. Oliver opened his mouth to say something but ultimately just stood there, watching as Lysander carried me out of the club.
---
Lysander carried me to his car in the parking lot, finally setting me down. I immediately swatted his hands away, glaring.
"What is wrong with you?" I demanded harshly. "You can't just carry me off like that!"
"Compared to your lies, I think it's nothing," he shot back, opening the car door. "Get in, we need to talk privately."
"If you think I'm going to—"
Before I could finish, Lysander picked me up again, placed me directly into the passenger seat, then closed the door and walked around to the driver's side. I was about to open the door and jump out when Lysander slid in and locked the doors.
"This is kidnapping!" I fumed.
"This is a conversation," Lysander turned to face me, his expression serious. "About why you lied to me."
"I didn't lie!" I argued, then hesitated. "Okay, fine, I didn't have a headache. But that's none of your business."
"Then what is my business?" Lysander asked, his voice low. "We're about to get married, but you can't even manage basic honesty?"
"Because this is my last night of freedom!" I suddenly exploded. "After marriage, I'll forever lose my freedom, become your accessory, your possession. I'll even have to give up the Verdant name! I just wanted one night, one night to be myself again!"
Lysander quieted, studying me, the anger in his eyes gradually replaced by understanding. "You really think I'd treat you as an accessory?"
"It's not about you personally," I said softly. "It's the whole patriarchal system. No matter how good you are, I'll still lose my independent identity as a Verdant."
"Who says you have to change your name?" Lysander countered, his tone reflecting confusion. "You can always be Nyx Verdant. That's your bloodline, your identity, your inheritance right. I don't need you to give that up to prove anything."
I looked at him in surprise, momentarily speechless. "But... traditionally..."
"To hell with tradition," Lysander interrupted. "This is our life, not anyone else's. If you want to keep the Verdant name, keep it."
"I'm not angry that you want independence or attend parties," he continued. "I'm angry you lied. This morning you said you had a headache, but what were you really doing?"
"I wasn't actually lying about the party," I admitted, my voice carrying a defensive edge. "The party was decided later. This morning I was... I was at home. My father gave me Eclipse yesterday, and I needed time to study those files."
"So you'd rather lie to me than reveal that?" Lysander asked, his brow furrowing. "Why couldn't you just tell me you needed time to handle company business?"
The simple question left me speechless. Why couldn't I just tell him? Was it distrust, fear of rejection, or more likely, fear that knowing her sudden wealth and power might change his attitude toward her?
"I... I wasn't sure how you would react," I finally admitted. "Eclipse is worth billions. I didn't want that to change... anything between us."
"You think I'd covet your property?" There was hurt in Lysander's voice.
"It happens all the time," I shrugged. "Communal property after marriage is legally mandated."
"Then we'll sign a prenup," Lysander said without hesitation. "Clearly stating Eclipse belongs entirely to you, not me. In fact, I'll have my lawyer draft documents ensuring all your assets remain your separate property."
I stared at him in surprise. "You... would do that?"
"Why not?" he countered. "I don't need your money, Nyx. I have my own savings and career. I want you, not your wealth."
In a sudden impulse, Lysander leaned forward, grabbed my wrist, pulled me close, and kissed me. The kiss started full of possession and anger but quickly transformed into something deeper, more yearning. To my surprise, I found myself responding, my fingers instinctively threading through his hair.
When we finally separated, we were both breathing heavily.
"What was that for?" I asked, my voice harsher than intended but unable to hide a slight tremor.
"To prove I care about you, not controlling you," Lysander looked directly into my eyes. "It's you, Nyx Verdant—yes, Verdant, not Crowley. Not as part of a political marriage, but as my mate."
The confession left me both shocked and vulnerable. I'd never expected him to express his feelings so plainly, nor to respect my independence so thoroughly. But I wouldn't surrender so easily, wouldn't completely change my position after just one kiss.
"Don't think one kiss and some pretty words solve everything," I retorted, crossing my arms against the complex emotions rising within me. "I'm still me, Lysander. I won't suddenly become some obedient little wife. I have my own ideas, my own way of living."
Lysander nodded, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. "That's exactly the version of you I'm looking forward to, Nyx Verdant. Obedience means nothing to me. I want your fire, your stubbornness, all of you. Like I said—prenup, you keep your name, Eclipse remains entirely yours."
I narrowed my eyes, studying him suspiciously, but deep inside, something began to shift. Perhaps, just perhaps, this marriage wouldn't be the disaster I'd imagined.
"I'll need to see that prenup," I finally said, my voice carrying both challenge and a hint of concession. "Get it in writing."
"It'll be on your desk tomorrow morning," Lysander promised. "My lawyer will contact you directly to ensure the terms fully protect your interests."
I turned away, unwilling to admit his words and actions had affected me. I needed time, needed space to understand this new possibility—a relationship based not on control but respect. But at least, there was a beginning.