Chapter 94 Leaving for war
Two bodies stood close to the window staring into space.
Isabella exhaled, still mesmerised by the aftereffect of the ritual.
“Can't believe I was able to do that.” She muttered, still staring at the scar on her hands.
Lucien chuckled. “I knew you would. All you needed was a little push.”
“A little push indeed.” Isabella teased as they enjoyed the silence.
“What's gonna happen now?” She wondered, looking ahead as their bodies rocked.
“Elias,” he muttered into her ear, nibbling on it.
“How?” Isabella whispered back. “How are we going to do it?”
Lucien gave her an encouraging smile that told her he knew exactly what he was doing. “You're gonna see it now.” He clicked his fingers in the air and a soft knock sounded on the door.
Isabella narrowed her eyes suspiciously at him. “What in heaven's name have you planned?” Her voice was giddy.
Lucien chuckled as the door opened, revealing Marcus.
“Marcus!” Isabella screamed despite herself. “What are you doing here?” Her gaze moved back to Lucien who had a satisfying smile on his face.
“I thought…the Northern plains?”
Despite the stress and sunbsunburnhis face, Marcus looked pleased to be home.
“It's good to see you again, Ms Thorne.” He said, bowing slightly.
Isabella nodded in agreement. “It's good to see you as well. Feels good to know you're alive.”
Marcus smiled, bowing again as he exited the room for both couples.
“How long have you been planning this?” She rolled her eyes at Lucien the moment the door closed.
Lucien shrugged. “As long as I can remember.”
Isabella snickered, mirroring her expression to look like his.
Lucien merely grinned.
“Thank you.” Her voice was soft and somber.
“For?” Lucien pressed.
“You knew I was worried about Elias and wouldn't want a random person to be put in charge of him.”
Lucien nodded, the smirk wiped off his face. “Marcus would have it no other way.”
This time around, it was Isabella's turn to give him a wide grin. Her gaze travelled to his light pack on the bed, the silence in the air was very heavy.
“You think he knows?” She muttered, dragging her attention away from the bed, back to the view of the garden.
Lucien shrugged. “He should since it will be done soon. Can't wait for the surprise on his face.”
Isabella chuckled, punching him playfully on the shoulders. “Can't believe you're this petty.”
“Can't help it.”
They returned to silence, a heavy air hanging around them. Isabella's mind worked overtime, as she thought of possible conversations to have.
Lucien sighed. “You're in good hands. Damien will take care of you.”
“She nodded. “I agree,” she said before turning back to his face, her eyes locked in his. “You never did tell me about Seth.”’
Lucien gave a knowing smile. “Still curious?”
She looked away. “Curious?” A small frown appeared on her nose. “That's a strange concept.”
Lucien staggered. “Can't believe my ears.” He said amidst huge bouts of laughter.
“Seth.” Isabella reminded him as her eyes moved to the clock.
“Oh yeah,” Lucien muttered as he cleared his throat. “All four of us were kids and Friends. Different clans, but friends nonetheless.”
The room turned silent, the birds seeming to be in silent agreement with Isabella.
“The general, Olivia, Seth and I. Seth belonged to the Grey Walls.”
“The Grey Walls?” Isabella asked to confirm as if she'd not heard him well.
Lucien nodded. “Should have been chief by now, but Royalty is not cut out for him.”
Isabella nodded. “And now?”
Lucien chuckled. “Still the same old story. Would rather spend his entire life fighting.”
The clock chimed, drawing both their gaze to her. Isabella swallowed.
Lucien cleared his throat as his fingers tapped her jaw, drawing her gaze to him and forcing her to look in his eyes.
“It's almost time.” He began, saying the inevitable.
Isabella nodded, her face calm. Now that the hour was on them both, she was surprisingly calm, aware of what they were about to face.
“Remember Morse code?” Lucien asked, his eyes glancing at the clock as he stared at her.
“The Morse codes, the passages, the numbers…” she trailed, a calm smile on her face. “How can I, when you've been drumming them in my ears all night?”
Lucien smiled, despite the pain in his heart. “I agree. I've been insufferable.”
“You have.” She smiled, making a move to place her hands on his collar.
Lucien sensing her need, drew her closer till he could perceive the shampoo on her hair. “It's time.”
Isabella nodded. “Promise to stay safe?” Her voice faltered, revealing the crack.
“On my honour.” He responded, performing an imaginary salute.
She smiled. “I wanna say something.” She wrung her hands nervously as she met his eyes.
“Shoot.”
“I know you think the war is an absolute. Being queen is good, heck it's such a wonderful feeling but I would rather have you than allow you to be taken away from me. The throne is not that important.”
Lucien nodded gravely, allowing the severity of her words to sink in on him. “I agree. I'll do all I can to stay safe.”
He leaned into her for a kiss, capturing her lips.
Isabella struggled, prying her lips away from his, as she breathed heavily. “Before we go into this, I just wanna say that I love you and will kill you if you come back to me in a body bag.”
Lucien stared at her lips, still too stunned to react. She just confessed her love to him and worse, had threatened to kill him.
He smiled, his eyes lighting up. “Two things.” His hands cupped her face. “I don't know how to feel. You confess your love for me and then threaten me right after.”
Isabella grinned. “I think I know what you should do. Kiss me.” She commanded.
Lucien let out a wide smile as he nodded. “Always at your service, My Lady.” And captured her lips immediately, not giving her room to pace herself.
His mouth explored hers as his hands ran through her body, touching her in parts and making her feel things that she'd never felt before.
Isabella couldn't explain if it was because she may never have to see him again or something, but this kiss was better than all the other times she had ever kissed him.
The clock chimed again, making her groan as Lucien broke away. “That was intense.” He said with a small smile, his fingers circling her swollen lips.
Isabella nodded. “I'm guessing it's time, after all.” Her eyes travelled to the clock.
“When all this is over, we should hold a wedding ceremony.”
Lucien studied her with a knowing smile and something else. “Did you just casually propose to me, Isabella Thorne?”
Isabella shrugged. “Had to. The world is changing.”
Lucien guffawed. “Say I'm surprised should be an understatement. I think the ritual has in a way, made you bolder than you normally would.”
Isabella chuckled. “Could be true, could be false.”
Lucien's expression turned serious. “Are you really serious about the marriage plans?”
Isabella scoffed, a devious smile curling up her lips. “Would you rather I give you a ring to prove my love for you?”
Lucien's laugh was hysterical. “Toúche.” He said, grinning as he walked to the bed. “I would do well to think about your proposal.”
Isabella rubbed her hands together, as she watched him walk to the door, the strap bag, lodged firmly on his back.
“Lucien?” She called just as he turned his knob.
“Hmm?” He grunted, turning back to glance at her.
“Come back,” she whispered, her voice breaking.
Lucien nodded gravely as he turned back, opening the door and closing it firmly, ryhming with the final ding of the clock.
A cold gust of air brushed Isabella's face, making the room chilly. The night stars appeared, colouring the sky.
Isabella could feel her heart beating wildly and she clenched her hands, unclenching them almost immediately.
Her gaze was fixed on the window, as she stared right at a moving shadow that walked deep into the night.
She sighed when she could no longer make out his silhouette, rubbing her palms together, before placing them on her body.
With Lucien gone and the ritual successful, Isabella knew it was only a matter of time before the real war began.
Lives would be lost, families displaced and every other thing she could get herself to think of.
From a distance, she could hear Elias’s laughter and imagined Betty and Marcus keeping him company.
“Come back to me, safe.” She whispered into the breeze, reaching for her hair as she felt the crown glow.
This was one of the indicators that Lucien was alive. The beating heart in the crown of her head.
She sighed, closing the curtains as she walked back to the bed.
"Save us. Only you can save us." The words came to Isabella again as her head hit the pillows.