A Night To Remember

"Oh, I’m sure they won’t mind one bit," he confidently declared, as he crashed his lips back into hers.

Visenya's mind swirled with a whirlwind of conflicting emotions as their lips connected once more. The intensity of their passion threatened to engulf her, but in a sudden moment of clarity, she regained control and instinctively pushed against his chest, breaking their kiss with a gasp.

"I'm serious, Lucian," she asserted. "I promised myself that I'd experience these things with my mate first, and I've already given you my first kiss."

"And I've given you mine," Lucian affirmed.

"Me? Your first kiss?" Visenya scoffed, clearly amused. "I find that hard to believe."

"But it's true," he insisted. "You're the only girl I've ever kissed."

"Oh, come on, Lucian. I'm well aware of your... reputation," Visenya remarked.

"You shouldn't believe everything you hear," he replied. "You're not the only one who's waited for their mate."

“Well, then, I’m sure you understand why we shouldn’t continue this little entanglement,” Visenya stated firmly.

“I suppose you’re right,” he respectfully indulged her. “The moon will be full in nine days. I know how special this one is for you.”

“I’ve been waiting for this moment my entire life,” Visenya replied with a hint of longing. “And it just so happens to coincide with the Summer Solstice this year.”

“Yes, the first one in seventy-five years, I’ve heard,” Lucian added.

“I’d invite you to my party, but I know that you are forbidden from leaving the Dragon Empire during the Solstice festival,” Visenya explained sympathetically.

“That’s alright, I’ll just sneak out,” Lucian shrugged.

“Sneak out?” Visenya raised an eyebrow. “Won’t the Sun God curse you or something?”

Lucian chuckled. “Nah, the Elders came up with that whole grounding rule.”

“Well, they are the Council. Shouldn’t you abide by their rules?”

Lucian sighed, "The Council is a bunch of old-fashioned, bull-headed, overbearing former emperors and empresses who have nothing better to do than meddle in the affairs of others."

“I’ve heard my father speak about them to my mother, and they sound formidable, to say the least. I surely wouldn’t want to get on their bad sides,” Visenya remarked.

“I bet you could take them,” he replied with a knowing smirk.

Visenya giggled and rolled her eyes at the silly thought. “You’re full of jokes tonight, aren’t you?”

Lucian maintained his smile, his eyes reflecting something she couldn’t put into words. “You’re so different, Lucian. It’s like you've completely transformed overnight.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” he responded.

Visenya smiled. “I like this new you.”

“That’s good,” he gleamed. “I’m glad you do.”

“I’m leaving in the morning,” she stated, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness. “Back home.”

“So, are you going to invite me to your party or not?” He asked, sounding both eager and hopeful.

“If you think it’s worth upsetting your elders,” Visenya responded, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Then, I formally invite you to my party. But don’t arrive until a couple of hours after sundown. I don’t want you to witness my first shift; it won’t be pretty, trust me.”

“I bet it’ll be beautiful,” he remarked, his tone filled with admiration.

"If you call wailing in agony and the cracking of bones tearing through flesh beautiful," she chuckled, her laughter echoing through the air.

“I’m calling your wolf beautiful,” he clarified.

“But you haven’t even seen her,” she countered, a playful smirk on her face.

“Right…” Lucian paused for a moment, trying to find the right words. “But I know she’ll be glorious... just like her Lycan.”

Visenya blushed at his comment, her heart melting at his way with words. They stayed out there for what seemed like an eternity, gazing at the night sky and losing themselves in the beauty of the moment. The terrace offered a breathtaking view of the stars, twinkling like diamonds against the velvety backdrop of the sky.

As the hours passed, their conversation flowed effortlessly, meandering through topics both profound and lighthearted. They laughed, they pondered, and they discovered the intricacies of each other's thoughts and desires.

They shared stories and dreams, their voices carrying softly through the night air. The terrace became their sanctuary, a place where time stood still and worries faded away. With each passing minute, their connection deepened, and a sense of familiarity settled between them.

Visenya couldn't help but be captivated by Lucian's unwavering gaze. His eyes held a depth of understanding and an unspoken promise of protection. She felt a sense of comfort and belonging in his presence.

The moon cast a soft glow on their faces as they leaned closer, their hands intertwined. Lucian brushed a strand of Visenya's hair behind her ear, his touch sending shivers down her spine. They locked eyes, their gazes filled with a mixture of affection and longing.

But as the night wore on, the sky began to lighten with the faint hues of dawn. They realized that the night had come to an end, a bittersweet ache tugging at their hearts. Hand in hand, they walked towards the entrance of the terrace, their steps slow and filled with unspoken longing. Lucian leaned against the doorframe, his eyes fixed on Visenya, not wanting to say goodbye just yet.

Visenya turned to face him, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Thank you for this magical night," she whispered, her voice filled with warmth and gratitude.

Lucian brushed a gentle kiss on her forehead, his touch sending a jolt of electricity through her. "It was my pleasure," he murmured, his voice laced with affection.

They stood there for a moment, savoring the final seconds of their time together. With lingering gazes, they wished each other a good night and retired to their separate rooms. Lucian tossed and turned all night, finding it quite challenging to fall asleep without her comforting presence beside him.

The following morning, as the sun painted the sky in shades of gold, Visenya departed for home with her family. Lucian couldn't let her leave without bidding her farewell, and his heart swelled with joy as her eyes lit up when she realized that he had come to see her off.

He watched her family's carriage fade into the distance until it became nothing more than a mere speck on the landscape. A tinge of sadness washed over his heart, uncertain of how to cope with their temporary separation. He reminded himself that it would only be a little over a week until everything changed for the better. Or at least, he hoped.

Returning inside, Lucian was surprised to find his father waiting for him. "You certainly made an impression on her parents," Caden remarked. "Ezra shook your hand, and even Sarai looked upon you without that aversion in her eyes."

"I apologized to them for my past behavior and the way I treated their daughter," Lucian explained.

"Well, that is very mature of you. I couldn't be prouder, son," Caden exclaimed, a proud smile on his face. "And Visenya looks at you like you're an absolute dreamboat. It's clear that things are going in your favor."

"Well, that's my intention, father," Lucian replied confidently, determined to win Visenya over.

“Lucian…” Caden hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "You cannot mark her without consulting the council first."

Lucian let out a frustrated sigh. "Not this again."

"I'm serious, Lucian," Caden insisted.

"Alright, let's say I do consult with them. What if they object? What then? Do you expect me to comply?"

"Lucian, these are not the dragons you want to challenge," Caden warned, his concern evident in his voice.

"Oh, come on. I'm tired of living under their tyranny. You're the Emperor Dragon, for God's sake, yet they hold all the power. It's as if they use you as a mere puppet, disregarding your status," Lucian exclaimed, his frustration seeping through his words. "A new force will rise, a power greater than anything this world has ever seen, and it will mark the end of the Dragon Council’s supremacy."

"Oh, so you think they will just magically submit to you?" Caden cautioned, his voice filled with skepticism. "Don't be a fool, Lucian. They'll chew you up and spit you out without a second thought."

Lucian locked eyes with his father, a mysterious glint hinting at a hidden knowledge. "I wasn't referring to myself," he cryptically replied, leaving his father to contemplate the true meaning behind his enigmatic words.