THIRD PERSON'S POINT OF VIEW
Sera pressed her teeth together, irritation still sharp at the back of her throat as the room's energy shifted around her. She heard the tremor in Shein's voice fear plain as day in every syllable. Air hung thick and still, cool against her cheeks, even as she curled her fingers in the bedsheets until the fabric bit into her skin and knuckles blazed with pressure. Lucian had not spoken to her yet she felt his anger like a weight on her lungs, close enough to choke on.
"You know how much I hate repeating myself, Shein."
The change in his voice made her freeze. As she had known it would be she could read the shift in him even when he spoke softly, and now each word carried the chill of winter stone. It was like standing too close to a wild animal, every muscle in its body coiled to strike.
"What did she do to you, Sera?" Lucian's voice was low and precise, each word landing separate and heavy.
Sera's throat tightened. The truth was simple enough Shein had thrown a bag, had tangled her fingers in Sera's hair but she could not guess how he would take it. Before she could shape the words, Shein cut in, her voice sharp as broken glass.
"I didn't do anything! We were just talking."
"Yet you were shouting. Do you take me for a fool?"
Shein's breath hitched in her chest. She reached for Sera's arm, fingers digging hard enough to leave lines in her skin. "Right? Tell him! We were just chatting."
Sera's lips twitched with the ghost of a laugh at how quickly Shein tried to remake what had happened. Instead she did what felt safest.
"Yes." She forced her mouth into a smile. "We were just joking around." She could feel the other woman's panic radiating off her in waves, as if Sera's answer alone could hold up everything Shein had to lose.
"Did you forget something? Why are you back?" Sera asked, trying to pull the conversation to safer ground.
He said nothing. She felt Shein's grip loosen and fall away entirely, then noticed the shift in temperature a warmth moving across the room, even with her back turned she knew it was him drawing near.
"Luci." She inhaled sharply as soft lips pressed to hers. Mint was cool on her tongue, unexpected heat spreading from her mouth down to the hollow of her throat. She sat rigid as he deepened the kiss, holding there a long moment before pulling back. When he was gone she lifted her hand to her mouth, fingers brushing lightly over her lips as if to map where he had touched her.
"I forgot my goodbye kiss."
His voice was a low murmur, smooth as dark honey and it sent heat rising up her neck to stain her cheeks pink. Goodbye kiss? Or was it her first kiss at all? She stared at him, thoughts scattering like birds startled from a tree.
Shein stood a few feet away, just as still. Fury had flushed her face bright red, her hands clenched at her sides before she turned to face Lucian. He was already watching her, his gaze sharp as a hunter's.
Lucian stepped closer, his green eyes glinting like ice in low light. He stopped beside Shein and leaned down to speak directly into her ear.
"Get out of my house. If you do not your family will pay for it."
Shein's body went stiff as wood. The threat was laid bare, clear as day for the first time. She wanted to stand her ground, to fight for his attention, but everything she had built her future, her family's safety balanced on a thread too thin to test.
"You are an idiot, L." She spat the words and stormed from the room, the door slamming shut hard enough to shake the walls.
Silence settled over the space, thick and heavy with things no one would say. Sera bit her lower lip until she tasted copper, then let the words tumble out before she could stop them.
"Why did you not tell me the truth?"
Still no answer. She let out a long breath, heavy with weariness, and let her body slump back onto the bed.
"Fine. I will just sleep this off." She spoke into the pillow, voice thick and rough with emotion. "What a life. Blind from birth, sold by my parents, bought by a stranger, tied to a contract. And now married." A bitter laugh bubbled up from her chest. "Twenty-four years old and look at me I am a fool who is married."
"No one even told me. I signed that paper like I was agreeing to buy groceries, I did not know it was a marriage contract."
"Good grief, Lord. Am I your favorite or what?" She closed her eyes, her voice softening as exhaustion pulled at her. "When I wake up I want an ice cream."
With that she let sleep pull her under, breathing deep and steady as she drifted away.
Lucian stayed by the wall, arms crossed over his chest, watching her as her face softened in rest. He had seen the faint purple marks already blooming on her arm Shein had hurt her badly enough to leave a trace. Yet she had lied to protect the woman anyway. He frowned, his brow drawing tight as he tried to make sense of it.
Why are you so kind? He spoke the words quiet enough that only the room could hear, his eyes fixed on the curve of her cheek. "That kindness will be the death of you, Seraphina." His tone was flat and cold, but his hand moved slowly, gently, as he sat on the edge of the bed. He brushed a stray strand of hair from her forehead, careful to keep his touch light so she would not wake she would only pull away if she knew he was there.
A small smile touched his lips as he thought of what she had said last. "Ice cream."
"What is your game, Lucian?" The man with an eyepatch stared hard, his voice rough and edged with frustration.
"What are you talking about?" Lucian did not slow his steps as he walked through the store.
"You flew me back from Taiwan just to shop with you?" Kidd's voice echoed off the shelves, drawing glances from other customers. Lucian spun around, his jaw set tight with irritation.
"Fucking hell act your age, Kidd. Why are you shouting?"
Kidd made a face and threw his hands up in surrender. "I am tired! You drag me all the way home and you will not even say why. Am I your errand boy now?"
Lucian rolled his eyes. "I did not call you I called Kier. You just showed up." He raised one eyebrow, his expression clear: stop acting like I forced you here, idiot.
Kidd scowled and fell into step behind him, muttering under his breath as he tried to keep up. He could not believe they were in a convenience store of all places for a man like Lucian to waste his time.
What is wrong with this guy? He needs someone to tag along just to buy things at a corner shop? Kidd grumbled, watching as Lucian moved from aisle to aisle with his shoulders tight, energy simmering off him in waves. Kidd knew better than to push when he was in this kind of mood.
"Seriously, L? Where are we even going? You have more money than sense just have someone else do this. What are you" He stopped, a wide grin spreading across his face. "Do not tell me you are buying condoms."
"Finally." Lucian's hand moved faster as he spotted what he was looking for, his shoulders loosening just a little.
Kidd leaned over to look, his eyes going wide with disbelief. He did not know whether to laugh or shout.
"Ice cream? Are you kidding me?" He stared as Lucian pulled open one freezer door after another. "Since when does the devil himself care about ice cream?"