Chapter 92 Isabella’s relief
ISABELLA'S POV
I stared at Lucien, almost lost in the sea of his eyes. “I can't believe I almost fell for those lies.”
My voice was calm, bereft of all the pain and sorrows that would have accompanied it.
Lucien grunted, not wanting to interrupt me, but o to to make sure I knew he was listening.
“And now, they want me as what? A puppet queen?” I could feel my anger rising.
I stood up and walked to the window, drawing the curtains and opening the window so I could see the city.
“When is it all going to end?” The question was directed at no one in particular but Lucien answered regardless.
“No one knows. What we do know is that we need to act fast.”
I curled my lips, irritation rising in my throat. “And by act fast, you mean I need to relinquish myself to them?”
I was pouring out my frustration on him on something that was not his fault in any way.
“Izzy?” He breathed softly. “Look at me.”
Instead, I looked away, looking everywhere but his eyes. “I did make a promise to you. And that promise was to take good care of you till my last breath.”
My cheeks warmed as I watched Lucien try to be vulnerable with me.
“This ritual is our best option. More than you think.”
“Why?” I frowned, stubbornly folding my hands.
Rather than answering, Lucien walked up to me, holding my face. “Because it is something they would not expect we do.”
The words rushed up my throat and I held myself from spitting them out, instead, choosing to take deep breaths.
“What you're saying,” I began, the tears pooling in my eyes. “Is it for me to carry out the same ritual that would make me the puppet queen? Their puppet queen?”
Lucien nodded. “Sounds like a stupid thing.”
“Of course it is.” I breathed, my chest heaving. “It's my life we're talking about here, Lucien.”
I looked away as though tears fell, so he wouldn't see my cry, but I was definitely making a fool of myself.
He pulled me into his arms. “What would you have us do?”
Rather than placate me, the question seemed to throw me into more sorrows, because truthfully, I didn't know what I wanted to do. I didn't know what I could do to bring all of these to a stop.
He peered into my eyes. “Look at me, Izzy.”
I looked away, sniffing.
“Isabella?” His fingers holding my jaw forced me to look in his direction. “Trust me when I say I would never do anything to hurt you. Not consciously, not unconsciously.”
I believed him. Actually, I’d believed him from the moment this whole thing began, but it was easier said than done.
Instead, I stared at his face and told him I believed him. “I believe you. I…I just…”
“You are scared, aren't you?” He said instead, his eyes nodding in understanding.
I looked away instead, but Lucien was having none of it. “Do you trust me?”
Despite my tear-stricken face, I glanced at him with an incredulous expression that told him he was being ridiculous.
“I want to hear you say it.” He insisted.
“If I didn't trust you, we wouldn't be here,” were the only words that left my mouth.
Lucien shook his head, not convinced. “You still haven't said it.”
“Fine,” I said, sighing in resignation. “I trust you.”
I watched as he exhaled in relief. “I think if you trust me, you would do what I'm asking.”
“It's not that simple.” I retorted, shaking my head. “And you know that.”
This time around, he looked away. Now that there was little to no space between us, I studied him closely. The stubs on his chin had grown, his eyes were weary, tired like he'd not had good sleep in days.
“You're not telling me the full truth, Lucien.” My hands stroked his arms.
“Full truth?” He looked at me like I'd just grown an extra head on my neck.
I nodded. “You've hammered on the ritual like it's some sort of a chequebook that would put us at an advantage.”
“It will.” He insisted stubbornly. Stubbornly but tiredly.
“How?” I wasn't going to back down either. “I'm the one putting myself in this danger, Lucien Blackthorn. The least you can do is fill me in.”
His lips curled into a delightful smile. “When you call my name like that, all I want to do is kiss you till you're out of breath.”
I swallowed, immediately imagining his mouth on mine, with him keeping to his promise.
Instead, I took a step back. “That sounds fun,” I said dryly.
He got the memo as he cleared his throat. “You're right. There is something I'm not telling you.”
I wanted to do a gotcha in his face, but it was the wrongest of times. “Would you mind telling me now?”
Lucien shrugged. “If you promise to kiss me when this is over.”
I groaned outwardly, even though my insides were giddy. “That's something I think we can deal with,” I murmured, struggling to keep a straight face.
“Deal then.” He smiled briefly before his expression went back to being serious.
“The ritual, Izzy has not been tested before.”
I stopped myself from gasping. I was going to be a test run. More like a product for testing. I swallowed as I urged him to continue.
“On both sides actually.” He continued. “Damien and the ancient faction are preparing to carry out a ritual on you. One that would turn you into a puppet queen.”
“You also want to do the same.” I pointed out.
He swallowed, nodding. “You are correct and incorrect.”
“Oh really?” I teased, my eyes widening.
“We also want to carry out the ritual, but this is different because it puts you at an advantage. It's more like a reverse ritual on their part.”
I was lost. “Can you slow down, and speak English please?”
Lucien chuckled. “All I'm saying is, you're still going to be the queen, but on your own terms.”
“This is ridiculous,” I whispered. “I'm going to be the queen or the puppet queen?” I mocked.
Lucien shook his head, very much patient with my theatrics. “You're going to be the queen. The ritual will make you queen, going by a law drafted by the ancient faction.”
I could feel my brain threatening to burst. “This is absurd and confusing.” I managed to mutter.
“No it isn't…” he stopped as I have hinva death stare, a smile forming on his face.
“Alright, it is.” He admitted with a smile. “I want you to look at it this way.” He began.
I nodded, staring right at him.
“It's the same ritual, Sam's procedure, same ingredients but different words, different magic, different spells.”
An O formed in my mouth, horror appearing on my face. “B…black magic?” I stuttered.
Lucien nodded. “It hasn't been confirmed yet, but that is what we think they intend to use.”
“We?” I asked suspiciously. “Who are the we?”
Lucien looked like he'd just been caught in a trap. “Oh, that…” he looked away. “Konstatin, Olivia, Seth and I.”
“Oh,” were the only words I could utter.
“Back to my point,” he continued. “It's basically the same ritual but different words.”
“And if it doesn't turn out successful?” I decided to ask the most dreaded question.
Lucien shook his head. “It should.”
“You're not sure,” she pointed out.
He sighed, admitting it. “I'm not, but I would never do anything to endanger your life.”
His voice held sincerity and as I looked into his eyes, all I could see was the love he put into those words.
“Okay,” I nodded simply.
“Okay?” His eyes widened as if he'd not expected to hear that. “You agree?”
I chuckled, throwing my head backwards in laughter, before my expression turned serious.
“So,” I drawled. “Olivia?”
This time around, it was Lucien's turn to chuckle. “Someone seems jealous.” He whispered.
I folded my arms, making him chuckle harder. I could see the worry lines in his forehead disappearing.
“I think I love the jealous Isabella Thorne more.” He said, still chuckling.
I moved closer to him, before tiptoeing and reaching his ears. “How about that kiss you promised?”
I could feel my ears grow hot as the words came out of my mouth, but I wasn't really ashamed.
“Wow,” He teased, holding my hands. “And here I was, thinking I was the starved one?”
I looked away shyly, before shrugging. “We are both starved, I guess. We should…”
The words jumped back to my throat as Lucien claimed my lips in his, pushing my hair backwards to give him more access.
His hands roamed my body, as his tongue explored every part of my lips. “God, I've missed you.”
I gasped for breath as I pulled away, grinning. “I think I've missed you too.”
“You think?” He glowered, capturing my lips again.