CHAPTER 218: _CHERISH WHAT WE HAVE

Elian’s POV

*****

"Hey." He slowly shifted away from Lucian after several minutes of silence between them, placing his hands on his shoulders.

As he stared into those teary silver eyes, he simultaneously blinked at the system screen glowing in front of his face.

Seventy per cent.

Nothing about this interaction was pushing that seventy per cent further.

[And you say I’m the insensitive one...]

’You’re the one who said I won’t like what will happen if I fail to help Lucian get his memories back before dawn tomorrow.’

[Yes, I did. But that was before the man lost his father and wept in your arms. Lucian doesn’t need you meddling in his memories right now.]

As the system scolded him, Elian’s chest rose and fell slowly, his gaze never leaving Lucian’s eyes.

They both stared at each other like it was their first time seeing each other.

And for the briefest moments, Elian saw a flash of recognition in the Alpha Prince’s eyes.

[Lucian needs his mate right now. That’s the whole point of this mission. Making you stay close to him and see the layers of himself he might’ve kept hidden before the amnesia. The layers which are now out in the open for you to enjoy.]

"You..." Lucian broke the silence finally, his voice still croaky. "You called me, then spaced out there for a second. Almost like you’re—"

"Talking to someone else?" Elian smirked knowingly, withdrawing his hands from his shoulders. "Yeah. Where have I heard that line from before?"

He noticed Lucian’s brows furrow when he glanced at him from the corner of his eyes.

"Yeah, actually," Lucian whispered, causing Elian to turn back to him. "Is that... Is that a line I used to say a lot? Back when I remembered you."

Elian’s breath hitched with excitement but he held himself back, nodding profusely. "Yes, yes... You did. From the night when the mate bond was activated, actually. You once accused me of having a wolf I was hiding."

Lucian scoffed silently, rubbing his forehead with his right hand. "Each time I hear more about our interactions back then I feel like such a jerk."

Elian smiled wryly, adjusting the bed sheets underneath his bum.

He brought his eyes to the ceiling, staring at the soft glinting golden lights of the crystal chandelier.

"Oh, you are." He ended up mumbling before he could think.

But then his eyes widened, his gaze landing on Lucian again.

"Oh..." The Alpha Prince rubbed the back of his neck with an awkward laugh. "Good to know that part of me still stuck, I guess..."

Wait, wait... No!

"I spoke without thinking. I’m so sorry." Elian waved his hands hastily, trying to gain back his attention but Lucian shrugged dismissively.

The Alpha Prince sniffled. "It’s fine. If you had to think about it, I guess that means I’m really still a jerk."

How the fuck did this conversation get here?!

[You have this uncanny ability to turn any conversation into a disaster. So I’m not surprised...]

"Lucian, wait." Elian grabbed his arm when he turned his head away.

Lucian’s brows rose as Elian continued. "You’re not a jerk. I mean, you used to be... A huge one, actually."

Lucian’s lips twisted.

Shit.

"My point is, even before the amnesia... You’ve been making a conscious effort to change." Elian tried to be reassuring, caressing his arm tenderly.

But Lucian shook his head. "But was I doing it for you? Or because I finally realised that I couldn’t get rid of you or my selfish feelings?"

Elian’s lips pursed, his shoulders dropping.

He genuinely had no words to say to that.

[Why don’t you go with whatever you were about to tell him before this disaster of a convo started?]

Elian swallowed hard, trying to remember what he wanted to say when Lucian suddenly used the fingers of his right hand to touch his neck.

He stiffened, a jolt like electricity sparking through him as the Alpha Prince’s fingers traced his collar bone before finally grabbing the trinket around his neck.

Kyren’s necklace.

"I’m guessing I’m not the one who gave you this," Lucian muttered, his eyes glinting with admiration for the jewellery. "Let me guess... Kyren?"

Elian gave an impressed nod. "How did you know?"

Lucian finally let go of the necklace. "I can almost feel the magic coming off it. It’s... It’s beautiful. Lord Kyren is a keeper for sure."

Elian chuckled softly. "You didn’t get me anything though," he teased, trying to lighten the air that had thickened between them.

Lucian’s head snapped up, silver eyes widening slightly. "I didn’t?"

Elian shook his head. "Nope. Not that I remember. But it’s fine. I never got you anything either, so I guess that makes us even."

Lucian frowned, his jaw clenching. "It’s not fine."

"Lucian—"

"No," he cut in gently but firmly, gaze dropping to his hands. "You remember me. The way I acted. The things I did. And yet, even when I had the chance to show you you mattered, I didn’t."

The Alpha Prince sighed, shaking his head. "I don’t even have a memory of giving you a single gift. Not one."

A beat of silence passed between them before Elian reached out, placing a hand over Lucian’s.

"Hey. You don’t have to prove anything to me, alright? I can already feel it... Every time you look at me, every time you try to understand what we used to have. That’s more than enough."

Lucian lifted his gaze again, silver eyes shimmering under the chandelier’s glow.

"Maybe. But I still want to," he whispered. "I want to give you something—something that shows how much you mean to me. Something I’ll actually remember."

Elian’s throat tightened. "Lucian..."

"I just—" Lucian’s voice faltered as his expression softened, vulnerable in a way Elian hadn’t seen before. "I just lost my father, Elian. And it made me realise how fragile everything is. How quickly things... disappear. I want to cherish what I have while it’s still here."

For a moment, Elian could only stare at him—at the sincerity etched into those tired features.

He reached up instinctively, his hand cupping Lucian’s cheek. "That’s beautiful," he said softly.

Lucian leaned into the touch, and before Elian could think, their lips met—gentle at first, then deeper, hungrier, their grief turning to warmth and need.

But before it could spiral further, Elian broke the kiss with a shaky breath, resting his forehead against Lucian’s.

"Not tonight," he whispered. "Doing anything more the night your father died would feel... wrong."

Lucian nodded slowly, his eyes hooded but understanding. "You’re right."

[Look at you, setting aside your horniness for once. Character development!]

Elian resisted the urge to roll his eyes at the system’s snark, chuckling softly instead.

Lucian stood, brushing invisible dust from his pants. "Good night, Elian."

"Good night, Lucian," Elian murmured, watching him linger at the door for one last glance before slipping out.

Bittersweet silence filled the room again. And deep down, Elian knew... the night was far from over.