Page 81 of Captive of the Stolen Empire

I gasped as Lucien’s hand wrapped around mine. When had he risen? Instinctively, I tried to pull away, but he held on, firm but soft.

“You’re not nothing. Not to me.”

“But I—”

He cut me off with a jerk of his head as he knelt before me, his leg brushing mine through the skirt of my dress.

“You’re strong. A fighter. Passionate about your people. Smart. Enchanting. That’s all you. Not your title, not how others see you. You’ll be those things no matter what name or title you hold, where you go, or what happens, because that’s who you are. No title can define that. It didn’t make you who you are, and losing it doesn’t take away from you either.”

His words struck me like a wave crashing against the cliff. Who I am… Not the heiress of Sorrena. Me. The woman who wanted to travel. One who recently learned to paint. Who loves a good glass of Sorrena’s best red wine, an interesting tale, and friendly company.

“And you have something else too. You don’t have to doubt where you came from, your family, or any of that.” A sad smile touched his face, lulling me like no words ever could.

I gripped his hand in mine, still trying to process the impossible—me, apart from any label. Did he really see all those things in me? For someone to see beyond my title…I’d never known to want it, but now that he mentioned it, I craved that more than anything. My title was just that. Lost, perhaps, but just something people called me. Without it, I still had the most important things. Or many of them. But what he said about my family was painfully true. I didn’t have to wonder about where I came from, yet I’d lost them—for the moment—all the same. But maybe, just maybe, in this moment where I was separated from my family, I could help this man find his. “You…you’ve thought about what I said in Trale?” I asked, turning the conversation away from myself.

“I have.”

“And?”

He rose without a word and walked to the balcony. My heart lurched. He’d lifted me up while he crumbled, and I’d only prodded him further. I followed him into the cool night, letting the crisp air raise chill bumps along my skin that did nothing to calm the rapid beat of my heart within my chest.

Lucien stared out into the night, his arms crossed as he reclined against the stone pillar separating the two arches leading onto the balcony. “I’ve spent my life weaving illusions for others, but now I’m the one who can’t figure out what’s real.”

Oh, Lucien…

“I am.” I traced a line down his forearm, savoring the solid muscle just below the skin and the tickle of hair across mine. “I’m real.”

“Are you?”

I gasped as he cupped my cheek, drawing me closer into the shelter of his warmth with barely a touch.

“I stole your city, your title. The emperor’s command but my actions. I’m a murderer. Your enemy. A tool of war.”

Each word sliced at my heart, bleeding me out. Yes. He was all those things, but they were just titles. Labels. Like my own. His eyes widened, his whole form going still as I lay my palm upon his chest. Only the steady thump of his own heart gave him away.

“Yes. You are.”

He made to pull back, but I dug my fingers into the fabric of his shirt and stepped closer.

“But if I’m more than my title, then so are you.”

Chapter37

Lucien

Ididn’t hear her right. Offering me the words I wanted from her lips…it couldn’t be possible.

“Don’t toy with me.” Not tonight. Not like this. Not with her hands all over me. I held utterly still save for my thumb, which rubbed the soft skin of her cheek where I still held her face in my palm.

Ilya released my shirt, spreading out her fingers until her palm rested against my chest once more. “You suggested we find ourselves together. Was it a joke?”

“No.” Never.

It took everything I had not to pull her into my arms as her hand trailed down my shirt. Her lips as she licked them…I’d fight an army just to watch that.

“Then don’t push me away.” As if to echo her words, she leaned closer, the soft globes of her breasts grazing my chest.

I drew my face closer to hers until her breath tickled my skin and our faces nearly touched. “You want me?”

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