Chapter 7: Midnight

The moon hung low in the sky, casting an ethereal glow through my window. Sleep eluded me, my mind racing with thoughts of the day's events. Asher's touch still lingered on my skin, a phantom warmth that both comforted and confused me. I sighed, turning over in bed for what felt like the hundredth time.

A soft tap at my window made me freeze. For a moment, I thought I'd imagined it. Then it came again, more insistent this time. Heart pounding, I slipped out of bed and crept to the window.

There, bathed in moonlight, stood Lucian.

Our eyes met, and I felt a jolt of... something.

"Lucian," I whispered, "what are you doing here?"

His eyes, a striking green that seemed to glow in the darkness, roamed over my face as if memorizing every detail. "I had to see you," he said softly. "May I come in?"

I hesitated. This was dangerous. But the pull I felt towards Lucian was undeniable. Wordlessly, I stepped back, allowing him to climb through the window with a grace that belied his powerful frame.

As he straightened, his scent washed over me – pine needles, rain, and something wild that made my heart race. It was different from Asher's scent, yet equally intoxicating.

"We shouldn't be doing this," I murmured, even as I found myself stepping closer to him. "If Asher finds out—"

"Asher doesn't control you," Lucian interrupted, his voice low and intense. "You're not just his Luna, Lyra. You're so much more than that."

I swallowed hard, fighting the urge to close the distance between us. "What do you mean?"

Lucian took a deep breath, running a hand through his tousled dark hair. "There's something I need to tell you. Something I've been waiting years to say."

The seriousness in his tone made me pause. "What is it?"

He moved to the window, gazing out at the moon-drenched forest. "Do you remember the night I was exiled?" he asked softly.

I shook my head. "I was just a child then. I don't remember much from those days."

Lucian turned back to me, his eyes filled with an emotion I couldn't quite read. "You were young, yes. But you were there. In the forest."

My brow furrowed in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

He took a step towards me, and I found myself rooted to the spot. "I was wounded, dying. The punishment for my supposed crimes was exile, but they might as well have sentenced me to death. I had dragged myself deep into the forest, ready to give up."

As he spoke, fragmented images flashed through my mind – moonlight filtering through trees, the scent of blood, a pair of pain-filled green eyes.

"And then," Lucian continued, his voice barely above a whisper, "an angel appeared."

My breath caught in my throat. "Me?" I whispered, disbelief coloring my tone.

Lucian nodded, taking another step closer. We were barely a foot apart now, and I could feel the heat radiating from his body. "You found me, Lyra. You put your hands on me, and they glowed with a silver light. The pain faded, my wounds closed. You saved my life."

I stared at him, my mind reeling. "But... I don't remember..."

"You were so young," he said gently. "And your powers were just beginning to manifest. It's not surprising you don't remember clearly."

I closed my eyes, trying to sort through the jumbled memories.

When I opened my eyes, Lucian was even closer. His hand came up, hovering near my cheek as if he wanted to touch me but was afraid I'd disappear if he did.

"I've been looking for you ever since," he murmured. "My little moon angel. I never thought I'd find you here, of all places."

The intensity in his gaze made it hard to breathe. I felt drawn to him, like a moth to a flame. But at the same time, guilt gnawed at me. I was Asher's Luna. I shouldn't be feeling this way about his brother.

"Lucian," I whispered, my voice trembling slightly, "I... I don't know what to say."

His hand finally made contact with my cheek, his touch feather-light but sending sparks through my entire body. "You don't have to say anything," he said softly. "I just needed you to know. To understand why I can't stay away from you."

I found myself leaning into his touch, my eyes fluttering closed. The connection between us hummed, a tangible thing that seemed to fill the air around us.

"I feel it too," I admitted, opening my eyes to meet his gaze. "This... pull. But Lucian, I'm Asher's Luna. We can't—"

"Can't what?" he challenged gently. "Can't acknowledge this bond between us? Can't explore what it means?"

His other hand came up, cradling my face. I should have pulled away. I knew I should. But I couldn't make myself move.

"Lyra," Lucian breathed, his face inching closer to mine. "My brave, beautiful Lyra. Do you have any idea how special you are?"

My hands seemed to move of their own accord, coming to rest on his chest. I could feel his heart pounding beneath my palms, matching the frantic rhythm of my own.

"This is wrong," I whispered, even as I tilted my face up towards his.

Lucian's eyes darkened, his gaze dropping to my lips. "Then why does it feel so right?"

The air between us crackled with tension. I knew if I didn't stop this now, something would happen that couldn't be undone. But as Lucian's lips hovered just inches from mine, I found I didn't want to stop it.

Just as I felt his breath ghost across my lips, a low, menacing growl shattered the moment.

"What the hell is going on here?"

Lucian and I sprang apart, turning to find Asher standing in the doorway. His eyes blazed with fury, his body rigid with barely contained rage.

"Asher," I gasped, my heart pounding for an entirely different reason now. "I... we..."

But Asher's gaze was fixed on Lucian, who had stepped slightly in front of me in a protective stance.

"Brother," Lucian said, his voice calm but with an underlying tension. "This isn't what it looks like."

Asher's laugh was harsh and without humor. "Really? Because it looks like you're in my Luna's bedroom in the middle of the night, about to kiss her."

The accusation hung in the air between us, heavy and undeniable. I wanted to say something, to explain, but the words caught in my throat. How could I explain something I didn't understand myself?

"Asher," I finally managed, taking a step towards him. "Please, let me explain—"

But Asher held up a hand, silencing me. His eyes, when they finally met mine, were filled with a mixture of anger and hurt that made my chest ache.

"Don't," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "Just... don't."

He turned his attention back to Lucian, who hadn't moved from his protective stance in front of me. "You," Asher growled, "outside. Now."

Lucian hesitated, glancing back at me. I could see the conflict in his eyes – the desire to stay and protect me warring with the need to face his brother.

"It's okay," I said softly, touching his arm. "Go. I'll be fine."

Lucian nodded, squeezing my hand briefly before moving towards the door. As he passed Asher, the tension between them was palpable, like two storm fronts colliding.

Once Lucian had left the room, Asher's gaze returned to me. The fury had faded somewhat, replaced by a weariness that made him look older than his years.

"We'll discuss this in the morning," he said, his voice devoid of emotion. "For now, get some sleep. You have training at dawn."

Before I could respond, he was gone, closing the door behind him with a finality that made my heart sink.