I already knew who it was.
Lucien’s presence was unmistakable.
It filled the air around him like gravity.
“You should not wander alone this early,” his voice said calmly behind me.
My hands tightened against the iron bars.
“I didn’t realize I needed permission.”
“You don’t.”
I turned then.
He stood a few steps away, dressed in dark trousers and a crisp shirt, sleeves rolled slightly at the forearms.
Even in the pale morning light he looked impossibly composed.
Untouchable.
My pulse betrayed me instantly.
“What do you want?” I asked.
Lucien studied me carefully.
“Nothing.”
I laughed bitterly.
“That’s hard to believe.”
His gaze softened slightly as he stepped closer. “You didn’t sleep.”
It wasn’t a question.
“No.”
“Neither did I.”
The confession caught me off guard.
For a moment neither of us spoke.
The air between us felt heavy with everything left unsaid.
“You shouldn’t have kissed me,” I said quietly.
Lucien’s expression did not change.
“No,” he said after a moment. “I should not have.”
My chest tightened.
“But you did anyway.”
“Yes.”
