Chapter 19: 19 A Candle’s Breath
His fingers clenched around the book, his better logic screaming at him to turn and walk away.
He didn’t.
Without knocking, he opened the door and walked in.
He found Elian sitting on the bed, staring idly at the floor, not lifting his face. Even as he stood in front of Elian, the young man still refused to look at him.
Lucien realized... Elian was ignoring him.
The scent of the lavender oil Ms. Beck had used on Elian’s hair surrounded them in a warm cocoon, softening the atmosphere without meaning to.
"Do you not hear or feel me, Young Morel?" Lucien questioned, staring at Elian’s intertwined hands.
Elian quietly inhaled, praying for control and strength as he lifted his head to face Lucien once more. Immediately, Lucien’s gaze drifted, almost against his will, to Elian’s hair. The wild brown curls that once fell carelessly over his eyes had been tamed—combed back just enough to reveal more of his face, yet still soft, still unruly at the edges. They caught the light in quiet strands, framing him in a way that felt... intentional. Refined. And somehow more distracting than before.
Ms. Beck had really done more than she was asked.
"Your Grace?" Elian asked, frowning. He was uncomfortable with the scrutiny.
Lucien was quick to clear his throat, dropping the book onto Elian’s lap. Elian furrowed his brows, looking from the book to Lucien.
"What do I do with this?" Elian asked cautiously.
"Do you read?" Lucien questioned, sliding his hands into his pockets.
Elian hesitated. Of course, he knew how to read. But he wasn’t sure which answer would save him from Lucien. Did Lucien want to teach him how to read? If yes, then he’d probably say yes to save himself from unwanted relations with the Duke. Or, if Lucien wanted him to start helping him sort his official documents just because he could read, then he should say no.
Confused, Elian went with the truth... always the truth.
"Yes," he answered.
"Keep it. You will be using it," Lucien turned away, breathing in quietly.
Elian couldn’t understand what Lucien wanted. He hadn’t checked the book’s title... didn’t want to. He simply picked up the book and placed it on the bed.
"Yes," he said again.
’Yes’—that would be the only word he would be saying to Lucien. Any contradictions would only bring trouble.
"Follow me," Lucien summoned.
"Wh... Yes..." Elian sighed and stood, trailing slowly behind Lucien.
They walked out of the room and toward the staircase. Elian’s lips were itching to part and question, but he followed, maintaining two stairs behind Lucien.
A few stairs later, Lucien stopped and turned his head to the side. Elian stopped abruptly, standing two stairs behind Lucien.
"You are not my chaperone... come here," Lucien gestured to his side, his shoulders tensed.
No! Elian shouted internally.
"Yes, Your Grace," Elian murmured and walked down the stairs, stopping right on the same step as Lucien. But he was nowhere close to him. He stood at the extreme of the long stair, his head held straight and focused.
Lucien noticed Elian’s stance and almost scoffed.
"Walk," he said and moved.
Elian nodded and fell in step with Lucien. Only the sound of their footsteps echoed in the staircase, the candles lighting their steps. Each step, however, seemed to draw their bodies closer, closer, until... the sides of their wrists grazed.
Instantly, Elian drew back in shock as sharp tingles zapped through him, his back colliding with the wall. He was still trying to get his bearings when he heard Lucien’s sharp hiss, and the next thing he knew, he was being tugged into Lucien’s arms.
"Lu—Your Grace, what are you doing?" Elian whispered as Lucien’s strong arm pressed him into his side.
Lucien gritted his teeth, lowering his gaze to Elian. "Do you prefer I let you push your hair into the flames?" Lucien’s voice was dangerously low as he stared into Elian’s eyes.
Elian blinked slowly, finally understanding what had happened. Lucien had saved him from getting his hair burnt. He had been so carried away trying to stay away from Lucien that he forgot about the candles. But he wasn’t obliged to show gratitude to a monster.
"You should have. I’m sure it would bring you immense joy watching me go the same way as my father. That’s your forte," Elian spat; he couldn’t help himself from reminding Lucien of the monster he was.
Something flashed across Lucien’s eyes: anger, rage... restraint? Fear? Elian frowned. He’d clearly misinterpreted.
"You’re not dying, Young Morel," Lucien whispered. "Not now... not ever." His hand circled Elian’s waist, holding him steady. "Now, quit tempting me and be good—"
"Or what?" Elian was panting now, his heart beating against his ribs. Something in him was suddenly asking him to keep provoking Lucien and see exactly what he could do.
Lucien’s smile struck something delicate within Elian, causing his breathing to fasten.
"Don’t tempt me," Lucien repeated huskily.
"Or what?" Elian whispered. "Now, I know you’re never going to kill me. What else are you going to do to me?" he asked, daring Lucien to act on whatever force was pulling them at that moment.
Very gently, Lucien held Elian’s chin and turned his face away from himself.
"Walk," he said, pushing Elian in front of him. "Stay away from the candles."
Instead of walking, Elian suddenly faced Lucien again, eyes hard. "If I weren’t the Truth Seeker, would you have saved me?" he blurted, unsure of where that question had come from.
Without breaking eye contact, Lucien said, "No."
Elian felt his heart shatter. He was expecting that reply, but when he heard it—so cold, unfeeling—it struck harder than he’d intended.
"Okay," Elian murmured and turned, walking down the stairs at speed.
Lucien frowned, a slight discomfort blooming in his chest. Elian reached the door and knocked twice. Immediately, Finn pulled it open from the other side.
"You look—" Finn cleared his throat, "Your grace." Bowing as Lucien emerged from the door.
Lucien ignored Finn, hot on Elian’s tail. They were almost out in the grand hall when Lucien lost it and boomed Elian’s name.
"Elian!" The voice cracked like a whip along the short hallway.
Elian was halted abruptly, his fingers leaving crescent marks as he roughly wiped the stupid, unwanted tears from his eyes. He would never let Lucien see his tears. Why was he crying?
He felt Lucien’s shadow fall over him before he felt his heat behind him.
"Don’t pull my leg, Elian. I will not stand your disrespect outside my chambers. Straighten up," Lucien commanded.
With renewed determination, Elian straightened, facing the exit.
"Walk. You’re dining with me," Lucien walked past Elian, leaving him to trail behind.
Elian could feel Finn’s watchful gaze on him, but he dared not look back. He might be a Truth Seeker, but Finn was something else... he sensed emotions, and right then, Elian didn’t want to know the type of emotion he was dealing with.
He followed the Duke up the stairs and toward the dining hall. He knew Lucien was aware of his presence behind him but chose to act like he wasn’t. After all, he was invisible until it was time to exploit him.
The guard at the door greeted and opened the door, glancing at Elian as he followed Lucien in. The moment the door shut, Elian almost shat his pants when a hand wrapped around his wrist from the side.
"And who is this prince, Lucien?" a deep voice asked behind Elian.
