BOUND BY ROYALTY

CHAPTER 14

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The night air was thick with the scent of rain, the lingering dampness clinging to the stone walls of Kastiel's private estate. The flickering candlelight barely illuminated the vast chamber, casting shadows that stretched like ghosts across the marble floor.

Lucian sat on the edge of the grand bed, his hands clasped together, knuckles white from how tightly he was gripping them. His heart pounded against his ribs, drowning out the quiet crackle of the fireplace. He had come here hoping, praying that tonight would be different. That Kastiel would listen. That for once, he wouldn't have to fight for a love that should have come freely.

Kastiel stood near the window, his back turned to Lucian, the moonlight outlining the sharp edges of his figure. He hadn't spoken in minutes, letting Lucian's words hang in the air like an unfinished melody.

"You humiliated me today," Lucian whispered, his voice trembling despite his effort to keep it steady. "In front of them all."

Kastiel exhaled sharply, turning his head slightly but not enough to meet Lucian's eyes. "Is that what this is about?" His tone was smooth, unbothered, as if Lucien were being unreasonable. "I was simply speaking the truth."

Lucian flinched, his stomach twisting. "The truth?" he repeated, his voice rising despite himself. "You dismissed me like I was nothing. Like I was just another one of your admirers, not..." He stopped himself, swallowing back the emotion clawing at his throat.

Not the person who loved you. Not the person who would have done anything for you.

Kastiel finally turned, his eyes assessing Lucian with that same unreadable expression. "You're being dramatic," he said, stepping closer. "Why do you always make things more difficult than they need to be?"

Lucian let out a shaky laugh, though there was no humor in it. "Because I want to matter to you." His voice cracked on the last word. "Because I can't keep pretending that this, whatever this is, is enough."

Kastiel sighed as if tired of the conversation. "Lucian," he started, voice slow and careful, "there's something I need to tell you."

Lucian stiffened, watching as Kastiel ran a hand through his hair, clearly weighing his next words.

"I'm leaving the capital."

The words slammed into Lucian like a physical blow. His breath caught in his throat. "What?"

Kastiel's gaze didn't waver. "I've decided to go south. Far away from here."

Lucian stared at him, waiting for a laugh, for some sign that this was a cruel joke. But there was nothing.

"You're serious." His voice came out hoarse.

Kastiel nodded, as if this were just another fact to be stated, as if it wouldn't rip Lucian apart. "There's nothing for me here anymore."

Nothing for him.

Lucian's stomach twisted. "And me?" His voice was barely above a whisper.

Kastiel tilted his head, his expression unreadable. "What about you?"

Lucian felt like the air had been stolen from his lungs. He had spent so long fighting for Kastiel's affection, believing that deep down, there was something real between them. But this, this was proof that he had been alone in that love all along.

He let out a bitter laugh, though he could already feel his chest tightening with the weight of his breaking heart. "You were planning to leave, and you weren't even going to tell me?"

Kastiel's jaw tightened. "I didn't want to deal with this," he muttered, rubbing his temples. "You always make everything so emotional, Lucian."

Lucian's breath hitched. Emotional?