Crimson Veil (Book I)

Crossing the Line

The air in the room seemed to hum with unspoken tension as the three of them stood close, their breaths mingling in the tight space. Elena's heart raced as she felt both Lucien and Dante so near, their eyes on her, waiting for her to take the next step. There was no more denying it—this was the moment when everything would change.

Lucien's voice broke the silence first, his tone low and filled with raw honesty. "Elena, you don't have to make this choice. But whatever happens next, you need to know... I've always cared about you. From the beginning."

Elena's breath caught as she turned to face him, their eyes locking. She could see the truth in his gaze, the depth of emotion that had been hidden beneath layers of duty and restraint. Lucien had been by her side since the start, always calm, always steady—but there had always been more.

"I know," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "I've felt it too, Lucien. But... I didn't know how to handle it."

Before she could say more, Dante's voice interrupted, smoother and more playful, though there was an intensity in his eyes that matched Lucien's. "You think you're the only one feeling this, Lucien? We've all been dancing around it for too long."

Elena's gaze shifted to Dante, and her pulse quickened as she saw the way he was watching her. There was no teasing grin this time—just a smoldering heat that she had felt before but never let herself fully acknowledge.

"Dante," she began, her voice faltering, "you're always so..."

"Unpredictable?" he finished with a crooked smile. He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Maybe. But you can't deny that we've got something too."

Elena's heart pounded as she felt herself pulled between them, the tension that had been building for weeks now coming to a head. They were both right—this wasn't something that could be ignored anymore. She had been trying to keep her emotions in check, trying to stay focused on the battles ahead, but now... now it was impossible.

"I don't want to fight it anymore," she said softly, her gaze flicking between the two of them.

Lucien's hand moved to her waist, his touch gentle but firm, as if he was waiting for her to pull away. "You don't have to."

Dante stepped closer too, his breath hot against her neck as he spoke. "We're all in this together, Elena. Whatever happens next... we're with you."

Her heart raced, the warmth of their bodies pressing against her on either side. It was too much—the emotions, the closeness, the unspoken desires that had been bottled up for so long. She closed her eyes, letting herself feel everything they had been holding back. There was no room for hesitation anymore.

Lucien's hand slid up her back, his breath tickling her ear as he whispered, "You don't have to choose between us."

Elena's eyes fluttered open, and she turned to face him, her lips inches from his. "What are you saying?"

Lucien's gaze darkened with desire, his voice thick with emotion. "I'm saying that we both care about you, Elena. You don't have to choose."

Lucien and Dante stood before Elena, their expressions serious yet gentle as they spoke in unison, their voices a low, comforting rumble.

"You can have and love us both, Elena," Lucien said, his gaze locked onto hers with unwavering intensity. "It's alright. After all, it's written in the ancient magic of your bloodline."

Dante nodded in agreement, stepping closer to her, his eyes soft with understanding. "The strength of the child you carry is born from balance. The Queen, your ancestor, carried the blood of various families—bloodlines unknown even to them. It wasn't just about power. It was about loyalty, about ensuring that those around her were tied to her and the child she carried."

Elena's heart pounded as she listened to their words. The ancient magic, her bloodline, the bond she shared with both of them—it was all connected, deeper than she had imagined. She had always felt torn between them, between Lucien's steady, commanding presence and Dante's wild, unpredictable passion. But now, she realized there was no need to choose. She could have them both, love them both, and it would only strengthen the bond between them and the child she carried.

Lucien reached out, cupping her face in his hand, his thumb brushing softly against her cheek. "This will ensure the child's strength and the loyalty of those who stand by you. The magic flows through all of us now."

Dante moved to her other side, his hand resting gently on her lower back, the warmth of his touch sending shivers through her. "And through this bond, we will always be tied to you—and each other. There's no shame in loving both of us, Elena. It's your destiny. It's the ancient way."

Elena looked between them, her mind spinning with the weight of what they were saying. But as she felt their hands on her, their presence grounding her in the moment, a strange sense of calm washed over her. She had been fighting this, torn by the idea of having to choose between them. But now, she realized that the magic of her bloodline had always been about balance, unity, and love—more than one, stronger together.

"It's the only way," Lucien whispered, his hand still cradling her face. "To protect the child, to protect us all."

Dante smiled, leaning in to kiss her gently on the forehead. "We are yours, Elena. Together."

Her heart swelled with the realization, the truth of it sinking in. She didn't have to choose between Lucien and Dante. She could have them both, love them both, and together, they would be unstoppable. This was her bloodline's way, her family's ancient magic. The bond between them would only strengthen the child's power and their loyalty to her.

With a deep breath, Elena nodded, accepting what had always been destined for her. She smiled her heart at peace. "Together," she whispered, feeling the magic of their connection grow stronger with every word.

Dante's hand slid around her waist, pulling her gently toward him. "He's right. We've been in this fight together for so long, and now... now we're on the same side in this too."

Elena's breath hitched as she looked between them, her mind spinning. Was this happening? Could she let go of the tension, the control she had been holding onto for so long?

Before she could second-guess herself, Lucien leaned in, his lips brushing against hers in a soft, tentative kiss. Her pulse quickened as she responded, the kiss deepening as her body melted into his. It was gentle at first, but beneath it, she felt the restraint that had been holding him back for so long.

Dante's hand slid up her arm, and she turned toward him as Lucien pulled away, her lips parted, her breath coming in shallow gasps. Dante's eyes were dark, filled with heat as he leaned in, his mouth claiming hers in a kiss that was fiercer, more urgent. The difference between them was stark—where Lucien was controlled and careful, Dante was wild and reckless.

Elena's body responded to both of them, the fire that had been smouldering between them now blazing into something undeniable. She didn't have to choose between them—they were both here, both wanting her as much as she wanted them.

Lucien's hand slid under her shirt, his fingers trailing across her skin as Dante's kiss deepened, his hands gripping her waist as if he couldn't hold back any longer.

"Elena," Lucien whispered against her ear, his breath hot and shaky. "Tell us what you want."

She pulled back slightly, her eyes meeting his before flicking to Dante. "I want this," she whispered, her voice trembling with desire. "I want both of you."

Dante chuckled softly, his lips brushing against her neck. "Good. Because we're not letting you go."

Lucien's hand tightened on her waist, and she could feel the heat of his body pressing against her. "Are you sure? We don't have to rush this."

Elena shook her head, her voice steady despite the racing of her heart. "I'm sure. I don't want to hold back anymore."

Lucien's lips found hers again, more urgent this time, as Dante's hands moved over her body, his touch setting her skin on fire. The tension that had been building between them for so long finally broke, and there was no more room for hesitation, no more space for doubts.

This was what she wanted. Both of them, together, without guilt.

And from tonight onward, nothing would stop her from having it.