Chapter 172
Lucien
*6 months later*
The candle flickered low on my desk, its wax bleeding over the edge of the holder, forgotten hours ago. The rest of the royal chamber lay cloaked in shadows, save for the pool of golden light that surrounded the sea of documents in front of me. My eyes burned from reading too long, too hard, but I couldn’t stop. The nights were quieter now—almost too quiet.
It was easier to drown in duty than in memory.
A soft knock tapped at the door, followed by the gentle creak of it opening. I didn’t even look up. I didn’t need to. I felt her before I saw her.
Her scent hit me first—warm cardamom and sweet jasmine with a touch of something wild I couldn’t name. It filled my lungs, my senses. My entire being tilted toward her like a plant leaning into light.
“T
