Meanwhile, back inside the grand ballroom, the music played on, the nobles danced, and the laughter floated like perfume in the air—but none of that mattered.
Because Lucian and Vivienne were still trapped in their own rhythm. Locked in a slow, tantalizing dance that felt like it existed in another realm entirely.
Her body was pressed flush against his, not a single space between them. Their eyes were locked—soul to soul, breath to breath. The way Lucian held her made Vivienne feel like she could melt and never form again. Like her body was too small for the storm that had started inside her.
She didn't know how to look away from him.
And she didn't want to.
Lucian's lips curved into that smirk—that one. The devilish, wicked, intentional kind. Like he knew every reaction he pulled from her. Like he enjoyed her unraveling.
Then, he leaned into her ear again, his voice deep and sinful.
"Would you like to leave the hall?"
Vivienne blinked up at him, her brows creasing, her heart skipping beats like pebbles on a lake.
"What for?" she whispered.
Lucian tilted his head slightly, eyes glinting with mischief and something much deeper—something unreadable.
"I have a special departure gift for you."
A spark lit her chest. She hesitated.
But he didn't give her time to think—just gently took her hand, laced their fingers together, and led her out.
Only then did she realize… Seraphina was gone.
⸻
The Garden
The garden was quiet.
Lanterns glowed like fireflies above, swaying in the warm night breeze. Roses, violets, and ivory blossoms danced with the wind. And right there, surrounded by moon-kissed petals and perfume-thick air, Lucian stopped walking.
He turned to face her.
Then, with a slow, fluid motion, he pulled a small, dark box from inside his royal coat.
Vivienne blinked, lips slightly parted, eyes flickering between him and the box. Her heart was racing again.
He opened it.
Inside was a necklace.
No, not just a necklace—something breathtaking. A piece crafted of gold and adorned with delicate etchings and shining gems. It wasn't flashy—it was royal, elegant, and impossibly beautiful. Like something out of a dream.
Her breath caught.
"I had this specially made for you," Lucian said softly, his voice like velvet. "Something to remember me by… while we are apart."
Vivienne looked up from the necklace to his face. "For me? Why?"
He took a slow step forward.
Then another.
Until he was close enough to tilt her chin up with his fingers, his touch feather-light yet commanding.
"I was serious," he murmured. "When I gave you an invitation to my world."
Her mouth opened, but nothing came out. Thoughts screamed in her head—He barely spoke to me, he didn't even come close all this time, now I'm leaving and he's doing this?—but her lips refused to form words.
Then he turned her gently around.
"Stay still," he said quietly.
She obeyed.
He brushed her hair to the side, fingers gliding over her neck—soft, lingering, electric. Shivers raced down her spine.
The cold metal touched her skin as he clasped the necklace around her neck.
Click.
He turned her back around.
Lucian's eyes roamed her face. He smiled—an honest, deep smile.
"Beautiful," he whispered. "You make every piece magnificent."
Vivienne's cheeks burned. She couldn't meet his gaze.
But she couldn't look away either.
Then suddenly—he pulled her close by her waist.
Her breath hitched. Their bodies were pressed, their chests rising and falling against each other.
He cupped her face with his right hand, the other still gripping her waist tight.
And then… he brushed his thumb over her lips.
Vivienne froze.
Then, ever so slowly, he leaned in.
Her heart thudded wildly. Her knees were weak.
Still, she didn't pull away.
When Lucian finally pressed his lips to hers, it wasn't rough. It wasn't hungry. It was… surreal. Gentle. Soft.
Like the touch of silk on bare skin.
She gasped softly but didn't move. She didn't know how to kiss—this was her first—but she stood there, still, lips parted just enough as Lucian kissed her like she was made of stars.
He kissed her again, and again—then nibbled slightly, teasing her lips, tasting her. Then he licked lightly at her lower lip.
When he finally pulled back, he tilted his head and studied her.
"Don't tell me…" he scoffed softly. "You've never kissed before?"
Vivienne's eyes widened.
She wanted to deny it. She wanted to argue.
But she blinked—because it was true.
Lucian chuckled, low and so seductive it made her knees quiver again. "Hnnh. I thought so."
He tilted her chin again.
"Open your mouth," he whispered.
She blinked, confused.
"What?"
"Open," he repeated.
But she didn't respond. She just stared, lips parted slightly.
Lucian gave a slight sigh of amusement, then used his thumb to push her lower lip down gently.
Then he leaned in—and this time, he kissed her differently.
Deeper.
His tongue pressed past her lips, parting her mouth open and diving in, exploring her slowly. Passionately. Tasting her. Claiming her.
Her eyes fluttered closed.
Against her lips, he whispered, "Just go with the flow."
Vivienne swallowed hard.
And then… she tried.
She began to move her lips awkwardly, trying to mimic him, her heart hammering with embarrassment. It wasn't perfect—far from it. She was fumbling. Hesitant.
But Lucian didn't seem to mind.
He gripped her tighter, pulling her into him as the kiss turned hotter, deeper. More demanding.
Like something inside him was waking up.
Something dark. Possessive.
He groaned into her mouth, moving his lips like he was consuming her, his hands roaming up her back.
Vivienne could barely keep up. Her breath hitched and her head spun. She tried to catch her breath, but he gave her no room to.
Until—finally—she pulled back abruptly, gasping for air.
"Hah—!"
Lucian stayed still.
They both stood there, eyes locked, panting.
Vivienne's chest rose and fell fast.
Lucian's eyes burned into her.
Neither of them spoke.
The heat between them said more than words ever could.