Lucas was speechless, so shocked to see Grace at Lucien Castle.
Veyrath, the gateway between two worlds, cannot be crossed by just anyone and is not always open. Even the Duke himself cannot freely control the portal. However, Grace can enter it.
Grace's gaze met Lucas's. Grace was so confused about what to do, especially since she was overcome with an overwhelming sense of fear.
"Alright, let's welcome Miss Grace," Duke said enthusiastically.
Duke's body seemed to melt into black ash and scatter into the air, then the ash clumped together in just a few seconds, and Duke appeared in front of Grace.
Startled, Grace took a few steps back, colliding with someone behind her. The woman who had greeted Grace was still there and immediately grabbed Grace's arms, pinning them behind her back, holding her hostage.
"You're so beautiful," Duke complimented, extending his hand.
With the sharp tips of his nails, Duke gently stroked Grace's cheek. His touch trailed down to her neck, signaling to Grace that he was ready to drain her blood dry that very night.
Grace turned away, her breath coming in gasps of fear. Her body was weak from fighting her fear, unable to resist.
"Where should I bite you, Grace?" Duke wiped away Grace's long hair that covered part of her face.
Unable to scream or make a sound, tears streamed down Grace's face. Her body trembled as Duke brought his head closer to her neck to drink her blood.
"DON'T TOUCH HER, YOU BASTARD!" Lucas shouted, standing up. His body tensed, ready to attack.
However, the two men beside Lucas quickly grabbed his body, stopping his attack. Lucas's rebellion meant nothing. His strength had weakened because he hadn't drunk human blood and had been cursed by the Duke to feel pain whenever he didn't drink human blood.
Seeing how Lucas was trying to fight back, Duke burst into laughter.
"Didn't I tell you, Lucas? You won't be strong if you only drink animal blood," the Duke mocked.
"Grace, fight! Don't let them take your blood!" Lucas shouted at Grace, trying to encourage her.
Seeing Grace unable to do anything, her body trembling violently and crying, Lucas knew how terrified she was. But if Grace did nothing, her life would truly end, and the world of darkness without a heart would reign.
"Don't be reckless, dear." Grace's body was now being held tightly by Duke.
"I told you not to touch Grace! Or I'll—"
"What can you do?" Duke challenged.
Now, one of Duke's hands was holding Grace's hand. Meanwhile, the fingers of his other hand began to wrap around Grace's neck, tightening his grip and making it difficult for Grace to breathe as she was being choked.
Lucas's eyes blazed with anger. He struggled with all his might, but his strength was incomplete and had little effect on the two men holding him down.
"Lyra, go!" Duke ordered the woman standing behind him.
"Are you going to suck her blood now, Duke?" Instead of leaving, Lyra asked the question.
Duke's attention was diverted. He glanced sharply at Lyra, his expression angry because someone had asked a question he deemed useless.
"I didn't give you time to speak!" Duke barked.
"I just want to remind you, Duke. The effect of sucking Grace's blood now and during the lunar eclipse is very different."
Lyra spoke but did not look at Duke; instead, looking at Lucas, who seemed so angry to see Grace being hurt by Duke.
No need for words, Duke understood immediately. He roughly released Grace's body, pushing her hard so that her body flew backward and collided with Duke's throne. The sound of the impact was deafening.
Lucas brushed away all the claws on his body and rushed toward Grace.
"Grace, don't die!" Lucas exclaimed.
"It hurts..." Grace whimpered.
Lyra didn't care about Duke in front of her. She was focused on Lucas, who was so worried about Grace. The stiff man was starting to show a lot of emotion.
"Lucas, take Grace away before the Veyrath portal closes," Lyra said.
Lucas nodded and quickly carried Grace's body away from there. Only a few minutes remained before the Veyrath portal closed, and it would only open again during the next full moon.
"Wow... I didn't expect you to challenge me to save the man you love, Lyra." Duke smiled cynically.
Without a hint of fear, Lyra returned Duke's gaze with arrogance.
"Realize that this throne isn't yours, Duke." Lyra stabbed Duke's chest with her finger, causing him to fall to the floor.
On the other side, Lucas managed to escape from the Veyrath portal before it closed. Grace was still moaning in pain, but Lucas didn't know what to do.
"Let's find Ezra!" Lucas said confidently, believing that Ezra could help heal Grace's wounds.
"Lucas."
Lucas stopped in his tracks and turned to respond to the call. Lyra emerged just as the Veyrath portal began to close there.
And for some reason, Lyra suddenly stood before Lucas, grabbed the collar of his shirt, pulling his tall frame toward hers, and kissed his lips. It lasted for a few moments, and Lucas could only stand there in shock.
Not only Lucas, but Grace also stopped whimpering when she saw the two vampires kissing in front of her.