Eclipse Love

The golden realm was dying.

Selene could feel it in the air, in the way the sky trembled and the ground cracked beneath her. The once-imposing palace of Vale, gilded and shimmering, was beginning to unravel. Columns crumbled, golden flames flickered and died, and the world itself seemed to sigh—wounded.

But she couldn't focus on that.

Not when Lucian's hands were still on her face.

Not when she could still feel his rage, his fear, his desperation—all swirling beneath his skin like a storm barely held at bay.

Selene took a slow, shaky breath.

"I'm fine," she murmured.

Lucian didn't move. His silver eyes were still locked onto hers, his expression hard, unreadable.

But his hands trembled.

And that—that terrified her more than anything.

The Storm Inside Him

Lucian hadn't let go of her since she stopped him. Since she pulled him back from whatever dark abyss he had almost fallen into.

But even now, his body was taut with tension.

His fingers, still warm against her skin, were coiled as if he was trying to ground himself.

She had never seen him like this.

Not just angry. Not just powerful.

But frightened.

Not of Vale.

Not of losing.

Of himself.

Selene reached up, pressing her palm over his hand, feeling the warmth of his skin, the way his pulse raced beneath her touch.

"You stopped," she whispered.

Lucian's breath was ragged.

"I almost didn't."

She swallowed.

"You did."

Lucian closed his eyes for half a second—then exhaled. His grip on her face eased, fingers trailing down to her shoulders, her arms, as if he needed to feel every part of her. To convince himself that she was still here.

Selene let him.

Because for all his power, for all the fury and destruction he had unleashed—he had almost lost himself.

And she knew, without a doubt, that if she hadn't been there to stop him…

He wouldn't have come back.

Vale's Shadow

A low groan broke through the air.

Lucian's body went rigid. His head snapped toward the source.

Vale.

The golden-haired ruler was struggling to stand. Blood smeared his lip, his once-pristine robes torn. His power was weakened, flickering around him in dim, broken waves.

Lucian moved instinctively—his muscles tensing, his body ready to end this once and for all.

But Selene caught his wrist before he could step forward.

"Lucian," she murmured.

His jaw clenched.

Vale lifted his gaze to them, golden eyes dim but sharp. His expression was unreadable, but there was something new in it.

Something that almost looked like…

Recognition.

"I see it now," Vale murmured, his voice hoarse. He wiped the blood from his mouth and exhaled a slow, shaking breath. "The two of you… you were never meant to be apart."

Lucian's glare sharpened. "You don't get to speak like you understand us."

Vale smirked.

"Perhaps not." He let out a soft chuckle, though there was no humor in it. "But I understand one thing now—" His gaze flickered to Selene. "Your power… it's awakening. And when it does, even he won't be able to control it."

Selene stiffened.

Before she could ask what he meant, Vale's body flickered—and then, in a shimmer of golden light, he was gone.

Silence.

A long, endless silence.

Lucian was still staring at the spot where Vale had been, his entire body vibrating with restrained fury.

Selene squeezed his wrist gently.

"He's gone."

Lucian didn't answer at first. His breathing was still uneven, his muscles still tensed for war.

But then—his fingers curled over hers.

And slowly, he turned to her.

The Aftermath

Selene wasn't sure how they ended up collapsing on the broken steps of Vale's ruined palace, but somehow, they did.

Lucian sat beside her, their shoulders touching, their breaths still uneven.

Neither of them spoke for a long time.

The realm around them continued to crumble, the golden walls turning to dust, the shimmering lights flickering out one by one.

It was over.

But neither of them felt victorious.

Lucian let out a slow breath and leaned his head back against the broken pillar behind him.

"I almost lost you today," he murmured.

Selene turned to him.

She could still see the lingering storm in his eyes—the ghost of his rage, the fear of what could have happened.

"You didn't," she whispered.

Lucian didn't respond right away. His silver eyes traced her features—slowly, carefully. As if memorizing every detail.

Then, finally, he sighed.

"I don't ever want to come that close again."

Selene's heart ached.

For him.

For both of them.

She reached for his hand, threading her fingers through his. Their bond hummed between them, warm and steady.

"You won't," she promised.

Lucian gave her a long, searching look—then, finally, nodded.

For now, that was enough.

A Quiet Moment

For the first time in what felt like ages, there was no immediate danger. No battles to fight. No enemies lurking in the shadows.

Just the two of them, sitting on the ruins of a once-mighty kingdom, watching the golden sky fade into darkness.

Selene let out a soft breath, resting her head against Lucian's shoulder.

He tensed for half a second—then exhaled, leaning into her touch.

The silence stretched, but it wasn't heavy anymore.

It was peaceful.

Selene closed her eyes.

She didn't know what was coming next.

Didn't know what Vale's final words meant.

Didn't know why her powers were awakening now, or what it meant for their bond.

But in this moment—with Lucian beside her, his hand in hers…

For the first time in a long time—

She wasn't afraid.

End of Chapter Thirty