A New Dawn

The next morning, Lucian awoke with an overwhelming sense of anticipation. Determined to make this day special, he swiftly leapt out of bed and hurried to the lavatory. Under the warm, cascading water of the shower, Lucian's mind raced with thoughts of her. Each droplet that caressed his skin seemed to ignite a fire within him, fueling his passion.

With great care, he meticulously chose a shirt and pants that would perfectly showcase his devotion; each crease ironed to perfection. As he styled his hair, he gazed into the mirror, taking a moment to soak in the image before him. The sight of his eighteen-year-old self seemed too surreal, as if he were caught in an illusion.

Once dressed, Lucian glided through the corridors of the palace, his steps light with excitement and hope. Arriving at the grand dining hall, he eagerly took his seat at one of the tables, leaving a space reserved for Visenya right beside him, and another for Caspian. His eyes darted across the room, scanning the faces of the crowd, searching for the one who owned his very heart.

And then, in a moment that felt like the convergence of time and destiny, he saw her, a vision of divine beauty and grace. Her eyes, like pools of liquid amber, scanned the bustling hall until they met his gaze. In that instant, the world seemed to stand still as the electricity of their connection filled the air. The excitement mirrored in her eyes revealed that she too had been eagerly awaiting this moment.

She gracefully approached him with Caspian trailing closely behind, clearly unenthusiastic about being seated next to Lucian. Without a moment's hesitation, Lucian rose from his chair and pulled one out for her with a gentle sweep of his hand.

"Good morning," he greeted, his voice filled with a mixture of excitement and nervousness, his eyes unable to tear away from her radiant presence.

"Good morning," she replied, her voice soft yet filled with a subtle tremor, her own heart fluttering wildly in her chest as she settled into the chair he had so graciously offered.

His gaze wandered from her beautifully styled curls, each strand seemingly placed with precision, to her exquisite plum-colored dress that hugged her figure in all the right places, and back to her captivating face. A surge of admiration and awe surged through him, making it difficult for his mouth to form words.

"You look beautiful," he finally managed to say, a touch of vulnerability in his voice.

Her response was a momentary freeze, as if time itself had stopped. The words hung in the air, almost too surreal to comprehend. A wave of disbelief washed over her, unsure if she had heard him correctly. Slowly, a blush crept up her cheeks, a mixture of surprise and delight.

"Thank you," she finally stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. Her mind raced, desperately searching for the right words to convey the swirl of emotions that engulfed her. "You do too… Wait, you don’t look beautiful. I mean, I'm not saying that you aren't beautiful. I just meant that guys aren't typically described as beautiful, but you look nice. That's what I meant to say," she stumbled over her words nervously, her heart racing in her chest as she tried to rectify her clumsy response, inwardly berating herself for sounding like a babbling fool.

Caspian rolled his eyes, muttering something under his breath. Lucian, on the other hand, couldn't help but smile, thoroughly enjoying the flustered state of his adorable mate. Just as the aroma of breakfast began to fill the air, Cheyenne joined them, her annoyance palpable as she took her seat on the other side of Lucian.

"You didn't wake me up this morning," she remarked, her tone slightly disgruntled.

Lucian winced inwardly, realizing he had forgotten his old morning routine of waking Cheyenne from her slumber. "Sorry, Chey. It must have slipped my mind.”

"Yes, it did, and I can see why," she replied, her voice carrying a touch of playful mischief. "Good morning, Visenya," Cheyenne added with a wink in Visenya’s direction.

She quickly leaned in to whisper in Lucian’s ear. "Do I have to be nice to Caspian?"

"Yes," he whispered back, his voice firm.

Cheyenne let out an exasperated sigh. "And good morning to you too, Caspian.”

Visenya and Caspian exchanged baffled glances, their surprise evident in their raised eyebrows and quizzical expressions. It seemed as though the impossible had occurred, for Cheyenne was extending a rare form of civility towards them as well. "Good morning," they replied in unison, their voices tinged with cautious optimism.

As the morning unfolded, Lucian and Visenya engaged in a lively conversation, completely oblivious to the world outside their bubble. In just a short time, they had gotten to really know one another, and Lucian marveled at how intellectual and witty she was – just as he remembered her in her later years.

Lucian saw this as a chance to make a lasting impression on Visenya and judging by her undivided attention, he felt confident that he was succeeding. Laughter filled the air as they savored their meal, reveling in each other's company.

However, the harmonious ambiance came to an abrupt end with the sudden arrival of three stunning lady dragons. With confident strides, they approached the table, their eyes locked onto Lucian with an alluring intensity. These girls were no strangers to Lucian; they were well-acquainted with the prince and their presence threatened to disrupt the delicate dance between Lucian and Visenya.

Leaning casually against the table, the girls wore indicative grins, their flirtatious energy enveloping the space. "Hello, Prince Lucian," one of them purred, her voice dripping with suggestion. She twirled a strand of her luscious hair around her finger, her eyes gleaming with seduction. "We were just about to fly to the hot springs for a little adventure. Care to join us?"

Visenya's discomfort became palpable - her body language portraying unease as she shifted uncomfortably in her seat. A mixture of irritation and worry washed over Lucian, his desire to impress Visenya now overshadowed by the unwanted attention.

Caspian, on the other hand, couldn't help but find amusement in the situation. His lips curled into a mischievous smirk as he egged Lucian on. “Oh come on, Lucian, don't be shy. You should totally go and have some fun with them.”

Lucian, with a firm tone, dismissed the girls, hoping to convey his spurn. 'No, thank you. I'm going to have to decline your offer. As you can see, I'm having breakfast with Visenya.'

The girls exchanged confused glances before shooting a glare in Visenya's direction. “Are you sure?” One of the girls persisted. “We can put on a show for you, just like last time. We know how much you enjoyed that.”

"Alright, ladies, it's time to move along," Cheyenne's words sliced through the air like a sharp blade. "Can't you catch a hint? He's not interested."

Cheyenne's directness caught the girls off guard, leaving them feeling deflated as they reluctantly retreated. Disappointment lingered in their gazes, a silent testament to their dashed hopes. Lucian, grateful for his cousin's intervention, turned towards Visenya with a sheepish smile tugging at his lips.

He hoped to salvage the mood, assuring her that her presence held far more significance than any fleeting distraction. Caspian, however, was far from pleased with the outcome, wishing for anything to derail Lucian's attempts at cozying up to Visenya.

"You're quite the lady charmer, aren't you, Lucian?” Caspian remarked, his tone laced with derision. "And not just with the dragons, but with the slaves too, or so I've heard. I've had the privilege of conversing with a few slaves myself, and let me tell you, the stories they've shared are quite intriguing. Perhaps, Visenya, would be interested in hearing them."

Cheyenne, ever ready to lend a hand, whispered to Lucian, "Want me to rough him up a bit?"

"No," Lucian replied, his frustration evident in his tone.

"But he's being such a cockblock," Cheyenne persisted.

"I heard that!" Caspian interjected, his annoyance seeping into his words. "You see, Visenya, I told you."

"Told her what?!" Lucian snapped.

"Your true intentions," Caspian replied, a hint of satisfaction lingering in his voice.

"I assure you that you are terribly mistaken," Lucian countered, his tone defensive.

"Oh, am I?" Caspian challenged, a sly smirk playing on his lips. "Then why did Cheyenne call me a cockblock?"

"I didn't," Cheyenne denied, her voice laced with panic.

Caspian's eyes turned black, his wolf, Steal, surfacing. "I have exceptional wolf hearing. Or did you forget?"

"Fuck! I forgot he had a wolf now. I'm sorry, Lucian," Cheyenne apologized.

"I knew it," Caspian’s tone spilled with accusation. "He's only pretending to be nice to you so he can try to get you in bed with him. It's all an act, Visenya."

Visenya's gaze quickly fell on Lucian, a touch of hurt showing in her eyes. Her voice trembled as she spoke, "Is that true, Lucian? Are you just playing games with me?"

"It's not like that," Lucian reassured. "And this is not an act either. I'm being completely transparent with you, Visenya. I meant everything I said to you last night. And you said it yourself, you believed I was being sincere because I am." His words were filled with earnestness.

“Bullshit,” Caspian spat.

“Gods, Caspian, you’re more annoying now than you’ve ever been,” Lucian growled, clenching his fists in anger.

“Oh yeah, well, it’s better than being a dick with a hidden agenda,” Caspian retorted.

“Alright, that’s enough, you two,” Visenya asserted, crossing her arms in annoyance. “Caspian, I appreciate your concern, but you’re getting riled up for nothing. I am not going to sleep with him,” she said firmly, her eyes locking with Lucian’s as she repeated, “I am not going to sleep with you.”

“And I’m not asking you to,” Lucian insisted. “I assure you, that’s the last thing I want to do with you.”

Visenya's eyes narrowed, a flicker of hurt crossing her face at Lucian's words. Suddenly, he understood the impact of his statement, realizing how it might have made her feel undesirable.

Lucian slumped at the table, his shoulders sagging with defeat. He rested his elbows on the surface, burying his face in his hands as frustration gnawed at his insides. The weight of disappointment settled heavily upon him, and he couldn't help but feel a pang of regret for his poorly chosen words. "I didn't mean it like that," he muttered, his voice laced with remorse.

Visenya's response was icy, her tone cutting through the air with a sharpness that matched her gaze. "It doesn't really matter how you meant it," she replied, her voice dripping with indifference. "And who you choose to spend your private time with is none of my concern. Likewise, it's none of your concern who I choose to spend my private time with."

Lucian's jealousy flared, its fiery tendrils seeping into his words. "And who the hell are you planning on being private with?" His voice was filled with a mix of insecurity and possessiveness.

Caspian couldn't resist the urge to add fuel to the fire, his words tinged with a hint of sarcasm. "Ah, there's the Lucian we all know and love," he quipped, his smirk portraying his amusement at the unfolding tension.

"If you'll please excuse us," Visenya said, her voice tinged with annoyance. "Caspian and I had plans to see the latest exhibition at the Royal Art Gallery this morning. You two enjoy the rest of your breakfast, and I'll see you at tonight's banquet, if you're not too busy with all of your lady companions, that is." Her eyes narrowed as she locked gazes with Lucian, the intensity of her stare conveying her distaste.

Visenya and Caspian rose from the table, with Caspian casting a taunting smirk back at Lucian as they walked away. His eyes gleamed with triumph, clearly relishing in the friction between him and Visenya.