His Witchy Mate

Lucian’s POV.

I found myself unable to maintain the passion with Elera as thoughts of Alicia invaded my mind. It was like a sudden chill had dampened the fire between us, leaving me feeling disinterested and disconnected.

Her words, though accusing, stirred a deeper anger within me. How dare she insinuate that my actions were driven by some lingering attachment to Alicia? This was about reclaiming my own agency, not about rekindling past romances.

“Get out of my room, right now!” I demanded, my frustration evident in my tone as I pushed her away.

With a scoff, she complied, and as she left, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief mingled with irritation. She was indeed one of the most vexing individuals I’d ever encountered.

Retreating to the field, I sought solace in the familiar surroundings, but memories of Alicia flooded my mind. I remembered our clandestine meetings, the thrill of stolen moments under the cover of night.

Recollections of her imprisonment weighed heavily on my conscience. I was helpless then, unable to intervene in her plight, and the knowledge of her suffering haunted me still.

Lost in my thoughts, I was startled by a familiar humming nearby. Intrigued, I rose from the bench, drawn by the enchanting melody. There, standing in the garden, was Alicia, her presence a balm to my troubled soul.

Seeing Alicia unexpectedly in the garden was both surprising and unsettling. I hadn’t anticipated her presence, let alone her beautiful voice filling the air with a soothing melody. Despite my initial shock, a smile crept onto my face as I watched her finish her song.

As she noticed me, she rose from her seat, her demeanor nervous as she offered an apology. Her humility only deepened my confusion. What reason did she have to apologize to me?

“There’s nothing for you to be sorry for,” I assured her, hoping to alleviate her apparent distress. “You’re free to sing wherever you please.”

But before I could step away, she halted me with a pleading question, her eyes searching mine for answers. Her vulnerability tugged at my heartstrings, yet I remained resolute in my silence.

Her tear-filled eyes and folded hands betrayed her inner turmoil, but I steeled myself against any emotional manipulation. I couldn’t afford to let her sway my resolve, not when I had made a decision I was determined to stand by.

Recalling the earlier encounter with Elera only added to my frustration. She, too, had questioned my motives, further complicating an already tangled web of emotions. But unlike Alicia, Elera’s presence provoked irritation rather than empathy.

“You should leave my room, right now,” I commanded, my tone firm as I sought to put an end to the conversation. Her scoff stung, but I ignored it as I exited the room, leaving her behind.

As I walked away, a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts and emotions swirled within me, leaving me to grapple with the weight of my decisions and the consequences they might bring.

Sitting alone on the bench in the field, memories of Alicia flooded my mind. I couldn’t help but reminisce about the clandestine meetings we used to have under the cover of night, our attempts to steal precious moments together away from prying eyes.

Recalling the anguish she endured, a consequence of my own shortcomings, weighed heavily on my conscience. The news of her imprisonment had pierced me deeply, leaving me feeling helpless and remorseful for my part in her suffering.

Yet, as I sat lost in my thoughts, the familiar sound of a melodious hum reached my ears, drawing my attention to its source. Turning to investigate, I was stunned to discover Alicia herself, seated nearby and lost in song.

Her sudden presence brought a mix of emotions-surprise, joy, and a twinge of guilt for the pain she had endured. Despite everything, a smile formed on my lips at the sight of her.

When she noticed me, her reaction was one of nervousness, followed by a humble apology. But I reassured her, expressing that there was no need for apologies, and that she was free to enjoy her music wherever she pleased.

However, before I could move away, Alicia stopped me with a heartfelt plea, questioning my distant behavior towards her. Her vulnerability was palpable, and though her tear-filled eyes begged for understanding, I remained steadfast in my silence.

Resisting the urge to offer her an explanation, I instead observed her confusion, knowing that revealing my inner turmoil would only complicate matters further.

As tears welled in her eyes and she clasped her hands in a pleading gesture, I felt a pang of sympathy. But I refused to let her emotional appeal sway my resolve, determined to maintain my distance.

Eventually, I left the field, finding solace in the solitude of my room. Alicia’s absence was noted, and I suspected Elera had retreated to her own quarters after realizing my disinterest in her company for the time being.

Lying on my bed, exhaustion weighed heavily on me, and before long, sleep claimed me, offering temporary respite from the complexities of my emotions and the tangled web of my past.

The morning arrived with a sense of unease lingering in the air, a stark contrast to the usual tranquility of the palace. As breakfast was served, I anticipated Alicia’s presence, but it was not her who appeared. Instead, a maid delivered the meal, her departure leaving me alone with my thoughts.

Gazing at the tray before me, I couldn’t shake the memory of Alicia’s probing questions from the previous day. I knew she sought answers, yet I remained unwilling to divulge the complexities of my situation.

With a heavy sigh, I reached for the food prepared by Alicia. But as I took the first bite, a searing pain shot through my neck, jolting me with the realization that something was terribly wrong. The taste of poison tainted the morsel, sending shockwaves of panic through my body.

Clutching my throat in agony, I struggled to breathe as the poison took hold of me. Each labored breath felt like a battle, my world narrowing to the confines of my bedchamber.

In desperation, I called out for help, but there was no one to answer my plea. Alone and writhing in pain, I grasped at the bed sheets, hoping against hope that someone would come to my aid.

Yet, as the seconds stretched into agonizing minutes, it became painfully clear that my fate rested solely in my own hands. With every ounce of strength I could muster, I fought to stay conscious, clinging to the hope that salvation would arrive before it was too late.