Chapter 22 — Poison in Crystal
The music swelled ,violins rising over hushed murmurs and clinking glasses.Aria stood by the long banquet table, holding a champagne flute she hadn't yet touched. Lucien was across the ballroom, locked in discussion with Argento and two other men who wore secrets like cufflinks.She didn't mind the distance,it just gave her space to breathe until she felt a presence behind her."Darling," came the honeyed voice she dreaded.Aria turned and saw Sofia,wrapped in blood-red satin, slit to her thigh, every inch of her screaming power, hunger, and cruelty. Her lips curved as she stepped closer, brushing a strand of Aria's hair off her shoulder without permission."Brave of you to show up tonight," Sofia murmured, smiling like they were old friends. "Though I suppose someone had to play the wife."
"I don't play," Aria said softly, not moving an inch. "Unlike you who begs man to love you."Sofia's smile froze for half a second and then she leaned in, whispering, "Lucien always did have a taste for delicate things and they break so beautifully."
Aria's fingers tightened around her glass, but she kept her voice even. "Then be careful because I don't shatter,i cut."Sofia's eyes glittered ,amused, maybe impressed.l but not done."Enjoy the party," she purred and then she vanished.
Minutes later,Aria stood enjoying the party a little, listening to the light music going through her head.A waiter came by and brought a wine,she decided to take it and then Lucien's felt it before he saw it,a shift.He turned from the conversation, scanning the room and then he saw Aria, she was still standing and was poised but… off.Her skin was too pale and her posture too tense,she hadn't taken a sip of her drink.
Lucien moved instantly and by the time he reached her, she was swaying slightly,her eyes glassy.
"Aria," he said, voice low and sharp. "What did you drink?"She blinked up at him. "Nothing. I was just"Her knees buckled.Lucien caught her before she hit the ground.Chaos threatened to ripple through the room, but he shut it down with a single look toward Enzo, who was already moving."Get the car," he ordered.He turned back to Aria, who clung to consciousness but looked lost, blinking hard as though the world wouldn't stay still."Lucien…" she whispered, voice slurring."I've got you," he said. "You're okay,you're okay."nut he wasn't sure she was and that made something primal uncoil in his chest.
They drove back to the estate, Lucien cuddled on his body, holding her tight but not squeezing.Aria's eyes was already closed. Lucien felt fear running down his spin while looking at her face, lifeless and pale.When they reach home,he carried her into the bedroom himself and ordered Clara to bring water and call the doctor discreetly.
Aria was fading in and out, her skin cold and damp,her voice barely audible.She opened her eyes lightly.
"I didn't… drink it," she murmured."I know," he whispered, brushing damp hair from her forehead. "You're strong but someone wanted you weak."and he already knew who.
Later that night,Lucien stood in the study, a half-empty glass in one hand, the Palazzo crest still clutched in the other.Sofia,of course it had been her.A waiter confirmed she slipped him money to serve Aria "a special drink" from a tray no one else touched,she didn't want to kill her,just wanted to humiliate her and break her but she made one mistake,she underestimated how much Lucien cared for Aria.He hadn't said it,not out loud but tonight had proven it because when Aria nearly collapsed in his arms, something inside him snapped,not with fear but with fury.
Aria woke to darkness and heard Lucien's voicevwhich was low steady and dangerous.He was on the phone, just outside the bedroom."I don't care who she's connected to. I want every name she's spoken to in the last week."then he paused.
"No, you listen. If Aria had touched that drink, if she'd been left alone for five more minutes..."and then another pause which was quiter and sharper."I would've burned their entire villa down."Aria swallowed hard,not out of fear but out of something far more terrifying because every word he said,he meant it.
Lucien came back into the room not long after.He stopped when he saw her awake.His expression didn't change much nut his voice did."You should've told me you weren't feeling well."
"I didn't know what was happening," she whispered.He sat on the edge of the bed and Aria looked at him for a long time."You think she did it?"Lucien didn't answer.He didn't have to and Aria didn't ask what he would do next because she already knew.