Chapter 19
POV: Seraphina Vale
"Someone help!" I shouted, clutching Lucien's body desperately.
Guards rushed in immediately and carried him to his room. I followed closely behind, my heart pounding so hard it felt like it would burst from my chest.
"Call the physician!" I yelled.
My heart was not acting normally. I could feel his pain as if it were my own. I could not explain the overwhelming fear that gripped me, but the thought of losing him terrified me more than anything.
"Please save him," I begged, tears streaming down my face as his complexion turned deathly pale.
Why am I crying? I thought you hated him, my mind taunted.
I don't know…
The physician arrived quickly, examined Lucien's body, took some blood samples, and left the room. I sat beside the bed, clasping his hand. Nova sat on the other side while a young man with blood-red eyes and unusually pale skin stood guard, gripping the hilt of his sword.
I focused on Lucien's faint breathing.
"I shouldn't have tried to escape. I'm sorry," I whimpered.
The physician returned with a bundle of herbs.
"He was poisoned," he announced.
"He was what?" I cried out.
"Who poisoned him?" the young man shouted.
"Nikolai," Nova said, her voice tense.
"Can you remove the poison from his system?" Nova asked the physician.
"I will try my best," he replied.
Nikolai suddenly grabbed the old physician by the collar and lifted him off the ground.
"Nikolai, drop him! He is an old man," Nova ordered.
"You better try your best," Nikolai growled, releasing the trembling man.
"Yes, sir," the physician stuttered.
He removed Lucien's shirt, exposing his upper body, and began rubbing the herbs onto his chest. I watched in silence as sweat soon broke out across Lucien's skin.
"Is it working?" I asked anxiously.
"No… he is just sweating," the physician said, standing up with a defeated look.
"Is he going to die?" Nova whispered.
The physician shook his head sadly.
"Answer her!" Nikolai growled.
"Yes… he will not survive. The poison is very strong. I have tried everything," the physician replied.
"You did not try anything! You only rubbed some herbs on him!" I snapped.
I stood up and grabbed the man by his collar. "You better save my husband's life, or else I will kill you," I roared.
"I cannot do anything else, my lady."
"I will find a cure. How much time does he have left?" I demanded.
"About two to three hours. The poison is eating him very fast."
I released his collar and turned to Nova. "Do you have any seers, healers, or witches?"
"Yes, there is one — Lyra Fenwick. She is a healer, though people do not go to her often. But she is very skilled," Nova replied.
"Nikolai, look after Lucien for me."
"Nova, let's go."
We hurried outside the castle. It was the first time I was leaving willingly, not to escape, but to save him.
We mounted our horses. I struck the reins hard, urging the horse forward at full speed.
"Faster, Nova! We have no time!" I yelled.
Nova trailed behind me.
"You will pass the place. You do not know where she lives," Nova called out.
I slowed down, allowing Nova to overtake me, and followed her lead.
Nova finally stopped in front of a beautiful cottage surrounded by herbs, plants, and colorful flowers. It looked like something from a fairy tale.
We walked to the front door and knocked softly.
"Who is it?" a feminine voice called from inside.
"Princess Nova and Lady Seraphina," Nova answered.
We heard the locks turning, and the door opened. A woman with striking orange hair and onyx-amber eyes stood before us. Her appearance felt almost unreal.
"We need your help," I said frantically.
"Lucien is ill. He was poisoned, and the physician said it cannot be cured. You are our last hope," Nova added.
"Calm down. Let me check one of my grandmother's potions to see if I can help," Lyra replied.
We stepped inside. My eyes landed on a man lying on the bed. I have seen him before. I know this man, I thought, but the urgent situation pushed the thought aside.
"Here is the potion. It can cure even the most dangerous poisons," Lyra said, handing me a small bottle containing a glowing green liquid.
"Who is he?" I asked, nodding toward the man on the bed.
Something shifted in Lyra's expression. "He has been sick for days now. I found him lying outside my door. As a healer, it is my duty to help the sick," she replied.
I nodded and looked at the man once more before we left.
We raced back to the palace just in time. I barged into Lucien's room and rushed to his side, lifting his head gently.
"Drink it, Lucien. It is me," I whispered, pressing the bottle to his lips.
He drank the potion. Slowly, color began returning to his face, and his breathing grew steadier.
"Call the physician," Nikolai said.
The physician rushed in and examined him again.
"What did you give him?" he asked.
"I don't know. We went to a healer, and she gave us this potion," I replied.
"Then I need to see that healer. The poison is gradually leaving his body," the physician said.
Lucien suddenly coughed violently, black blood spilling from his mouth.
"What? Why is he coughing black blood?" I yelled fearfully, holding him tightly.
"I think it is a side effect," the physician said.
"What side effect?" Nova asked.
Something came over me in that moment — something I never expected. I leaned down and pressed my lips to his in a deep kiss.
When I pulled away, he had stopped coughing. I wiped the dark blood from my mouth with the back of my hand.
"What just happened? He stopped coughing," Nikolai asked in surprise.
"A true mate's kiss can heal many things," the physician explained.
"Is he going to be fine?" I asked.
The maids brought a bowl of water and a towel. I gently cleaned his mouth.
The physician checked him once more. "Yes, he is."
"The king is safe! Joy!" Nikolai shouted with a wide smile.
"All hail the king!" the rest of the palace echoed in celebration.
"He has such loyal people," I thought softly.
"He needs to rest now," the physician said.
"Let's go, Seraphina," Nova urged.
I was not ready to leave him yet.
"Where is she going? She should stay with her lover," Nikolai said with a teasing smile.
"Alright, let us leave you two then," Nova replied. They left the room with the physician.
I lay down beside Lucien, watching his slow, steady breathing. For the first time, I forgot what he had done to me and my brother. I was not looking at the devil anymore. I was looking at Lucien — the real Lucien, my mate.
I caressed his face gently.
Should I accept him? He almost died for you. Accept him, Seraphina. Give in, my mind whispered.
"Freckles…" His voice came out faint.
"Lucien?"
"Freckles… where are you?"
"I am here, Lucien. I am sorry."
He fluttered his eyes open and turned toward me.
"Freckles… I thought… I can't even remember what happened vividly."
I placed my fingers on his lips. Give in, Seraphina. Take him.
I stared at his lips for a heartbeat before crashing mine against them in a passionate kiss.
He did not respond at first, but then he grabbed my hair and deepened the kiss. Our tongues tangled heatedly, sending electric sparks through my entire body. His fingers caressed my face as his intoxicating scent surrounded me. He sucked on my bottom lip, drawing a soft moan from me.
He suddenly broke the kiss and stared into my eyes. His own eyes had darkened with raw desire.
"Lucien…" I whispered, biting my swollen lip.
He released me and turned to the other side of the bed, leaving me stunned.
"Lucien, are you okay?" I asked.
"Go away, Seraphina," he said coldly.
"Lucien…"
"Go away. I don't want to see your face."
Twisted and unsettling emotions flooded me as I stood up and left the room.
POV: Lucien Draegor
After I blacked out, all I could hear were Seraphina's screams. I felt my body being moved, but I was too weak to respond.
Pain flowed through me like sharp blades piercing my skin. A strong pull toward death tugged at me, yet in that haze, all I could think about was Seraphina — my freckles.
The pain felt endless. I could still hear the shadows calling my name.
I can't give up. What about Freckles? my demon spoke.
I can't take it anymore, I replied weakly.
Then I felt a bitter liquid on my tongue. I resisted at first, but her touch and familiar scent reached me.
"Drink, Lucien. It is me," her voice urged.
In that moment, I drank. My body reacted violently. My demon screamed in agony.
What is that? It is making me weak.
I don't know.
Then a forceful liquid rose from my throat. I could hear her frantic voice.
Why does she care so much? I thought she wanted to escape.
She is your mate after all. Of course she will feel your pain.
Then it happened — the thing I had longed for for years. Her soft lips pressed against mine.
Suddenly, my body relaxed. The raging shadows inside me calmed.
What just happened? I asked.
Your mate kissed you, dummy. It calmed those shadows. We should have been dead by now, my demon said.
I breathed easier.
I could feel her hands on my face and hear the joyful cheers of the kingdom.
I forced my eyes open. The pain was still there but had lessened.
"Freckles…" I whispered, turning my head. Those emerald green eyes greeted me, and it felt like forever since I had last seen them. Her cute freckles stood out on her face as she smiled.
"Lucien…"
"Freckles… I thought I lost you. I can't even remember what happened vividly."
To my shock, she placed her fingers on my lips, stared at me, and then crushed her lips against mine.
I resisted for a second, surprised, but then I could not control it anymore. I grabbed her hair and deepened the kiss.
My demon growled inside me. Mate her. Mark her.
Azrael, stay, I commanded inwardly.
He growled but obeyed.
Our tongues moved in heated rhythm. I caressed her face and sucked her bottom lip, drawing a moan from her.
I broke the kiss and stared into her eyes, my own darkening with desire.
But then anger rose again. I was still angry. She planned to escape and nearly got me killed.
I turned to the other side of the bed.
"Lucien…" I heard her soft voice.
"Go away, Seraphina."
"Lucien, are you okay?"
"Go away. I don't want to see your face," I replied coldly, closing my eyes.
I heard her footsteps fade away.
What did you do? my demon yelled.
I had to tell her to leave. She needs to know the consequences of her actions. And I am surprised the Abyssari had such an effect on us.
It wasn't the Abyssari, dummy. You were poisoned. Even when your body was weak, I was awake. I really did not shield you from the pain though.
You son of a bitch, I replied.
Now call her back.
No. She will stay like that for now. Our main focus should be on who wants to kill me.
You are such a dummy. You hurt the girl's feelings. Well, we need to rest. I am still weak.
You want to rest? Some minutes ago you wanted to fuck our mate.
Whatever. Sleep now.
Don't you dare come out when I am asleep, I growled at him.
Can't you sleep in peace? he grumbled.
My mind drifted back to the thought of nearly being killed.
Who wants to kill me?