Married to devil's son

Chapter 4

Lucian looked at the woman in front of him. She looked so scared and timid. He wondered if she was scared for the obvious reasons or if she was scared because she had heard the rumors about him.

Either way, he didn't blame her. Most people feared him, even his own father. He never dared to look his son in the eyes. Lucian always wondered what he had done to make his father fear him.

He knew he was different. He had even scared himself when he was a little boy and had discovered what he could do. When he, for the first time, moved an object with just a thought, or when he had wished his brother could burn, and then suddenly his brother's clothes were on fire.

Everyone ran to help him get out of the flaming clothes. That day he had been so scared he ran to his room where he sat in a corner crying, wishing he could talk to someone about it. But who?

His father feared and hated him; he would just scare him even more, and his mother was dead. He wondered how she would react. His brothers used to play with him at first, but then when they got older and they started their training, they noticed he was faster, stronger and a better fighter. He was also a very skilled swordsman; his teachers always praised him. But his brothers mocked him, telling him to stop cheating.

"Cheating is what the Devil does," they would say.

The maids had mixed feelings about him. They were as attracted to him as they were scared. Some of them liked the thrill, the danger. The young ones would give him seductive glances, but the older maids would warn them. "Be careful," they would say, "Tempting people and making them sin is what he does."

Some would listen, some wouldn't. The only people who didn't fear him or hate him were his men, his soldiers. They were tough men who didn't believe in rumors. They respected him. Still, they weren't his family; he could only talk business with them.

He looked at the woman now laying beside him. The woman who was his family now. She was lying so far out on the edge he was afraid she would fall down from the bed. She didn't even move; she looked so stiff. Even though he told her to sleep, he could still hear her heart beating wildly.

She had surprised him earlier with her bold questions. He liked her so far; she amused him. He remembered the look on her face when he told her he had mistresses. She was probably the jealous type. I guess I like jealous, he thought, smiling to himself.

He also liked when she played the flute, and when she had whispered his name. But now, she was as timid as a rabbit. That, he didn't like.

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That night I had a dream. I was running, terrified. I was running for my life, and something was chasing me. Something dark. Something with intent to kill. I couldn't see it but I could feel its presence.

It wanted me. It was hungry and angry and it wouldn't stop hunting me until it caught me. I ran so fast that I

stumbled on my own feet and fell. It was close now; it would catch me.

A dark figure slowly appeared from the shadows. It had red eyes and horns. Black horns, curling like the devils. It stretched its hands toward me. I could see it's nails that looked more like claws. They were coming closer. I shrieked a high, panicked sound. It had caught me, and now it was shaking me.

"My Lady! My Lady!" a gentle voice urged. I shot my eyes open with a gasp and found Lucian looming over me.

"You're ok", He assured, brushing something away from my face. "It was just a dream."

I was panting and sweat dripped down my face. I was

scared and confused. Lucian pulled me to his chest. He held me in his arms and stroke my hair.

"It's alright." He whispered softly. "Relax and sleep."

Eventually, as I lay in his arms, my heartbeat returned to a steady rhythm and I fell asleep once again.

**

When I woke up a few maids were already in the room but there was no sign of Lucian. I remembered last night while the maids helped me get prepared. I was surprised at the fact that I was still untouched.

He hadn't even tried. He must have been tired from the long journey, but tonight there was no escape. Maybe I should talk to him and tell him that I wasn't ready yet, I thought. The question was how.

I got out of the bed and the maids helped me bath and get dressed.

"His Highness wants you to join him for breakfast, My Lady," One of the maids informed when she was done with my hair.

"Lead the way," I said.

The maid led me to the garden just outside the room.

There Lucian was standing with his back toward me and his arms crossed behind his back.

"Your Highness?"

He turned around and I couldn't understand why my heart skipped a beat. "My Lady, did you have a good night's sleep?"

"I did, Your Highness. How about you?" He probably didn't, but it felt courteous to ask. I must have disturbed him with my dream.

"I have slept well. Do you mind having breakfast with me?"

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To be continued!