Chapter 35 Lucian
Lucian
Ican't breathe.
My heart's beating faster than a squirrel on speed—like it's trying to punch its way out of my chest Alien-style. And it's all because of the drop-dead gorgeous blonde bombshell angel standing in front of me, looking like a goddamn snack.
My mate.
My mate?—Holy fuck! My very own slice of heaven.
I felt it the second I laid eyes on her, like a fucking epiphany from the love gods above—my heart kicking on and beating loudly in my chest.
After she walloped me with her light grenade, all the memories flooded back like a tidal wave of holy shit-I-remember-now.
Dani, Rhyland, the prophecy, my part in this whole fucked up play—saving Dani's perky little ass not once—but twice.
My broody, stick-in-the-mud brother Rhyland, who I live to annoy just for shits and giggles.
Erik, my stoic, honorable bro who's got a stick so far up his ass you could hang a flag on it.
Azrael, Adrian, Luminara—the whole dysfunctional family.
It all came back in a rush, like a high-def movie montage on steroids.
And now, here she is, my mate, standing before me in all her ethereal, heart-stopping glory.
I always prayed I would get my own angel one day, and damn, the universe did not disappoint.
I can feel it in my gut, a thread pulling me towards her like a magnet, an all-consuming need to claim her, make her mine in every sense of the word.
She has to be Dani's guardian angel, the one and only—Seraphina. I mean, who else would swoop in like a divine fucking intervention to save Dani from my dumbass, memory-challenged self? It's not like we've got a rolodex of angels on speed dial.
I remember how Rhyland described what he felt when he first saw Dani—that aching feeling in his chest, that soul-deep need to claim, couldn't think straight—She's real, and she's the one who can keep me from falling into darkness, and despair, the light to my eternal fucking night.
And the physical effects? Holy shit, it's like I've been hit by a truck loaded with emotions and sensations.
My heart hasn't beat in centuries and is now pounding like a drum solo at a metal concert.
Emotions I thought were long dead and buried are rising like zombies on a mission.
And the world around me? It's like someone cranked up the resolution to ultra-fucking-HD.
Colors are brighter, scents are more potent, and every inch of my body hums with newfound energy.
Speaking of scents—Oh, sweet chimichanga-scented heaven!
I'm getting a nose full of her like a bloodhound on steroids.
Dani's scent is like a watered-down version of this angelic confection standing in front of me.
It's taking every ounce of willpower I have not to start drooling like a goddamn Pavlovian dog—the urge to taste her is so fucking intense that I can practically feel my taste buds doing a happy dance in anticipation.
This angel's fragrance is like a vanilla-spice smoothie with a shot of her own secret sauce.
It's making my brain do the cha-cha slide, and my fangs practically scream, "Feed me, Seymour!
" I want to faceplant into that neck like it's an all-you-can-eat taco buffet and just huff until my lungs file for divorce.
And her face? Sweet mother of all that's holy and unholy!
It's like someone cranked the resolution to "You can see into the future" mode.
I can spot every freckle, every microscopic hair.
Hell, I could probably read her thoughts if I squint hard enough!
She's the Mona Lisa in a world of crayon drawings, people!
Picture this: long, golden blonde hair that glows like a halo, framing a face so perfect it could make grown men weep.
Smooth, sunkissed skin that begs to be touched, eyes like golden pools of caramel with lashes longer than the list of people who want to kick my ass (and trust me, that's one loooong list).
And those lips? Plump, kissable pillows that could make you forget your own damn name. But that's not even the best part...
Those breasts? They're playing peek-a-boo with that dress, and let me tell you, I've never wanted to play a children's game so badly in my life. They're like two perfect scoops of ice cream trying to escape their cone, and I'm all about that jailbreak.
And she's fun-sized! I'm talking, 'gotta stand on her tippy-toes to reach my chin' kinda small. Plus, it means I can scoop her up easily. Manhandling made easy—now that's what I call ergonomic!
Those hips? Sweet, merciful mayhem! They've got more curves than a racetrack, and I'm ready to take them for a spin. I could get lost exploring those curves for days. Hell, send out a search party 'cause I'm going on an expedition, and I might never return.
In short, she's the kind of woman that makes you believe in intelligent design. Because only a higher power with a wicked sense of humor could create something this perfect and then let me anywhere near it.
I can feel the beast inside me rattling its cage, howling for me to take what's mine, to claim her in every way possible.
But I know I can't just pounce on her like a rabid animal. I've got to play this cool. Take it slow. Woo her with my charm and wit, make her fall for me as hard as I've fallen for her.
It's a fucking test of my self-control, but I'll be damned if I let my baser instincts turn me into a drooling moron in front of my mate.
She's my salvation and future—all wrapped up in one mind-blowingly perfect package.
Shit is about to get real, folks. Lucian's found his mate, and the world better buckle up 'cause this love story's gonna be one for the ages.
"Lucian?" Dani's voice snaps me out of my thoughts. "Are you okay?"
I don't know how long I've been standing here gawking like an idiot at my mate, so I flash Dani my signature panty-dropping grin.
"Never better, Princess. Miss me?" I glance over at Rhyland, who looks like he's about two seconds away from strangling me again.
"Hey, Rhy-Rhy—No need to get your panties in a twist. I'm all good, bro. "
Dani, being the brains of this operation, lets out a sigh of relief. "Oh, thank God. His memories are back." She hunches over, hands on her knees, catching her breath.
I stride up to the angelic bombshell, a grin spreading. "Well, hello there, gorgeous. Seraphina, right? The name's Lucian—your one and only mate, at your service." I say it like I'm commenting on the weather, like finding my soulmate is just another day in the life of yours truly.
Great job breaking the ice, dumbass.
I take her hand in mine, my skin buzzing at the contact. Bringing her hand to my lips, I place a gentlemanly kiss on her soft, delicate skin, my eyes never leaving hers. It's like staring into twin pools of molten gold, and I can feel myself getting lost in their depths.
Seraphina gasps a little at the contact.
"I must say, the universe certainly has a sense of humor, pairing a devilishly handsome rogue like myself with an angel straight from the pages of a Victoria's Secret catalog.
But who am I to question fate?" I flash her my most charming grin, the one that's been known to make ladies weak in the knees and men question their sexuality.
Beside me, Dani makes a noise that sounds like a cross between a cough and a cat hacking up a hairball. Seraphina yanks her hand away from me like I've got the plague, her eyes wide. "Excuse me?"
"Yeah, what she said," Dani chimes in, her voice hitting a pitch that could shatter glass. " Lucian, did you hit your head harder than we thought when you went airborne?"
I smirk, my eyes never leaving Seraphina's. "Hit my head? Oh, please, Princess. If anything, that cosmic bitch slap knocked my noggin back into place. Now, I'm seeing clearer than a hawk on Adderall."
Seraphina looks at me like I've grown a second head, but I wink at her, undeterred. "Now, now, my angelic cupcake, no need to play coy. I know it's a lot to take in, being mated to a specimen like myself, but I promise you, it will be one hell of a ride."
Dani groans, facepalming so hard I swear I hear her brain rattle. "Lucian, I don't think—"
But I wave her off, my focus solely on Seraphina. "Trust me, baby girl, you and me? We're going to be the stuff of legends. Lucian and Seraphina, a love story for the ages."
Seraphina stares at me, blinking like a deer in headlights before she turns to Dani with a look that screams, "Help me, I'm trapped in a romance novel with a lunatic."
Dani, ever the voice of reason, chimes in. "Luci, can I talk to you for a sec?"
But do I listen? Of course not. I'm too busy eye-fucking my angelic soulmate.
"Lucian!" Ah, there's Rhyland, right on cue to cock-block me like the brooding asshole he is.
I roll my eyes, "One min—" is all I manage to get out before Rhyland grabs me by the neck like a misbehaving puppy and pulls me away.
Next thing I know, I'm being dragged to the corner of the ramshackle hut we so graciously demolished, tripping over debris and shit along the way. I finally pry Rhyland's meaty paws off me and straighten myself out. Can't have Viking Fuckface making me look like a toddler in front of my lady love.
Dani, looking like she just went ten rounds with a sex hurricane and only barely came out on top, fixes me with a stare. "Lucian, are you sure you're okay? You're saying some weird things—"
"Oh, come on, guys. Don't tell me you can't see it. The connection, the chemistry, the undeniable pull between me and Seraphina. It's like the universe just handed me my slice of heaven on a silver platter." I sigh, my patience wearing thinner than Rhyland's excuse for a personality.
Rhyland, ever the eloquent wordsmith, growls out, "No… What the fuck are you talk—" He pauses, looking at Seraphina, then back to me like trying to piece together a fucked up puzzle. "You can't be serious?"
Dani, still confused, "What? What the hell am I missing?"
I throw my hands up in exasperation. "Oh, for fuck's sake. Do I have to spell it out for you two? Seraphina. Is. My. Mate. My other half, my better half, the yin to my yang, the hot sauce to my burrito. She's the one I've been waiting for, the light to my darkness, the angel to my demon. Capiche?"
Dani and Rhyland exchange a look that's equal parts shock and concern like they're mentally debating whether to call a priest or a psychiatrist. But I grin, my eyes drifting back to Seraphina.
Dani raises her hands, waving them around like she's trying to swat away an invisible fly. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold the hell up." She turns to Rhyland, her eyebrows practically hitting her hairline. "Is he for real?"
I let out a scoff that could win an Oscar for Best Dramatic Performance. "Oh, come on. Is it so hard to believe that I, Lucian, the epitome of charm and sex appeal, could have a destined mate? I'm wounded, truly." I place a hand over my heart, feigning hurt.
"Look, just ask tall, dark, and brooding over here what he felt when he first laid eyes on you, sweet cheeks. Then maybe you'll stop looking at me like I just grew an extra dick."
Rhyland, ever the conversationalist, crosses his arms over his chest like a disapproving father. But the look he shares—one of those sickening, soulful gazes that say they're having a whole fucking conversation without words.
Ugh.
They know exactly what I'm talking about—that undeniable pull, the primal need to protect, claim, own, mate. It's written all over their disgustingly lovestruck faces.
I grab Dani's hand, placing it over my now beating heart. "Feel that?" Dani's eyes widen in shock. "Told you."
Dani stares at me, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. For a moment, I think she's going to go all Hallmark movie on me and start sobbing about the beauty of love or some shit.
"Oh my god, Lucian..." She cups her hands over her mouth, her voice quivering. "I... I can't believe it. You finally have new spank bank material. I'm so proud."
Rhyland, the smug bastard, throws his head back and laughs like he just heard the joke of the century. I, on the other hand, am not amused.
I roll my eyes. "Ha ha, very funny. Now, if you two lovebirds will excuse me, I have a soulmate to woo."
And with that, I stroll back towards my Halo Hottie, a swagger in my step and a gleam in my eye. I'm ready to sweep her off her feet and into my arms, where she belongs. Seraphina, my love, my mate, prepare to be wooed like you've never been wooed before.
The Lucian Express is coming, and it's a one-way ticket to Paradise.