Warning from Beyond

LUCIAN

Once Liana and I get back home, she passes out completely from exhaustion. I wrap her up in the sheets and take some time to admire the soft, subtle changes in her body while she sleeps. She is noticeably stronger and slightly more toned now, but still has those luscious, thick curves to hold onto. Thank the Goddess. I love everything about her, just the way she is. I’d never want to change her.

With a single finger, I trace over the two silvery scars on her neck, and she shivers. I can feel the sensation on my own scars, and the same reaction passes through me, making my hairs stand on end and a smile appear on my lips.

Tonight was…far from what I expected. It was wonderful to see my mother again. Although we didn’t have a lot of time together while she was alive, it was much more than Liana had with her own mother.

Their first meeting was beautiful to behold, and so moving. I could feel Liana’s full warmth flooding through my body; the love simply poured from her when she set eyes on her mother for the first time. To feel her arms wrapped around her, as they always should have been, was definitely a magical moment.

Lying down and putting my arm around her, I let my eyes close. I breathe in her sweet honey scent, burying my nose in her hair, and let myself drift.

***

~“Lucian,” my mother’s voice whispers, making me stir. “Lucian, wake up.” My eyes flicker open slightly, and I see my mother leaning over Liana and me.~

~“Fuck!” I jump and then smile, but she shows no trace of humor.~

~“Lucian, listen. I haven’t got long.”~

~I frown at the tone in her voice and rub my eyes, trying to wake myself more. Liana lies perfectly still and breathing softly at my side, still deep in sleep.~

~“It’s great to see you again, but Mom, you can’t just pop out in our private room—”~

~“Hush! I don’t have the time!” she says sharply, then looks around as if she suspects she’s being followed. I frown, but find myself doing the same thing. “Be careful, my son. Look after Liana.” Her concerned tone makes me tense.~

~“Mom…what’s going on?” I demand. I can see it in her eyes—she knows something. But she shakes her head.~

~“There are forces. Close to home. Working against you and your queen. Be careful, my son.” Her voice is tight with urgency and warning.~

~“Mom…”~

~“I have to go,” she says, still looking around anxiously. “Take care of her, Lucian! She is important!”~

~Still feeling dazed and confused, I look down at Liana and stroke her face with my knuckles as she sighs in her sleep. I glance back at my mother. She is looking down at Liana too. She gives a small smile before vanishing once again.~

~***~

I wake with a jolt. Soft sunlight fills the room, and Liana jumps too.

“Lucian? Are you okay?” she murmurs sleepily.

I sit up slightly and look around the room for any traces that my mother was really here, but see none. I frown, running a hand down my face. Flopping back onto the bed, I pull Liana over and drape her across my body with her head resting on my chest.

“Yeah… I’m okay. Weird dream,” I say, unsure if it’s the truth. I put up a small block between us so she can’t tell if I’m lying or not, because the truth is, not even I know whether I’m lying.

When I know she’s not looking at me, I flick my eyes around the room, my frown still present. My mind keeps replaying my possible dream and my mother’s words.

~“There are forces. Close to home. Working against you and your queen. Be careful, my son.”~

Why would I dream of such a thing? I know I worry for Liana, but I wouldn’t make up some crazy scenario like that. Maybe I wasn’t dreaming? My mother wouldn’t lie to me. Not about something like that. Was she really here? My heart tells me that she was. I can almost pick up the faintest whiff of sweet peonies. She was definitely here. She came back. She came back to warn me…but why? What does it mean? What’s going to happen that I can’t predict?

I don’t like all the questions that suddenly flood my mind. Questions I have no answers for. All I have is my mother’s warning, but maybe that is all I need. She knows I will stop at nothing to protect my queen. The world will burn before anyone takes her from me.

Could this be about Liana’s father? Is that why she’s been reluctant to go home and break the news to him? Would his reaction cause this “danger” to close in on her?

“Baby?” I whisper, and she hums happily against my chest, making me smile despite my worry. “I think it’s time, baby… I think we should see your father today.”

She props herself up on an elbow to turn and look at me. Her smile soothes me immediately, and she nods.

“You’re right. We’re mated now. No turning back.”

I chuckle at the teasing note in her voice as she moves up my body a little and presses her lips to mine.

“Well…almost,” I murmur against her lips. My body responds to hers as if it’s a natural aphrodisiac, and she laughs against my lips and nods.

“Mmm,” she hums, slipping her hand down my body—and really waking me up.