Taken Again - It happened in seconds. Ariana walked through the rose garden, humming faintly. Then—black mist coiled around her feet. Her breath caught. A whisper behind her ear… "Did you really think you could run from fate, dove?" Lucian's voice was silken and dark. She screamed—but it was swallowed by magic. In an instant, she was gone. The only thing left: her necklace shattered on the grass.
The Dungeon Revisited - The cold stone greeted her again. But this time, it was different—no chains, no bindings. Just… him. Watching. Burning. Lucian stepped from the shadows, voice low and raw. "You kissed him. You let him touch you. Did you think I wouldn't feel it?" Ariana's voice cracked with terror. "Lucian—stop—please, let me go—" He grabbed her wrist, gentle but unyielding. "No more games. No more pretending. You belong to me. You knew it the moment you looked into my eyes." Ariana struggled, crying, "I don't want this. I don't want you!" His voice trembled with intensity. "Then why do your eyes still seek me in dreams? Why do your lips still tremble when I'm near? You hate me, but you've never stopped feeling me."
Rowan's Desperation - Far away, Rowan slammed his fist against the wall of the council chamber. "She's gone. Again. And this time—" The general interrupted, "Lucian's fortress is shielded. We cannot enter without a relic." Rowan burned with fury. "Then find it. I will tear down his world brick by brick if I must. She's mine!"
A Heart in Turmoil - Days passed. Lucian was calm, almost tender. He didn't hurt her. He cooked. He read to her. He left her door unlocked—but she never ran. Ariana thought, He hasn't touched me. But he watches me like I'm the only star left in his sky. I hate him. I should. But then why… Why does my chest ache when he walks away? One night, she dreamed of Rowan. His voice. His kiss. But she woke up—arms curled around her pillow—and found Lucian watching from the doorway. "Do you dream of him every night? Or just on the ones you wish I'd crawl into bed beside you instead?" he whispered quietly. "You're sick," Ariana snapped sharply. Lucian stepped in, voice low. "I'm in love." He paused. "And I'm losing my mind… waiting for you to admit you're not sure you hate me anymore."