CHAPTER 45: A SIREN

"Fiancée..." she repeated with a smile.

A fox! I confirmed it immediately in my head. How else could someone smile so sweetly while saying something so provocative? Who introduces herself as an ex-fiancée in front of someone’s wife and still looks like she’s posing for a portrait?

My eyes narrowed as I studied her carefully. Golden hair, perfect curls, voice dripping with honey—classic fox behavior. I tilted my head slightly, trying to peek behind her. "There must be at least seven tails back there... tchh."

Lucian’s low voice came from beside me. "Celeste."

"What? I’m just confirming something."

The woman tilted her head, golden hair glinting like liquid sunlight under the glowing mall lights. "Is something wrong?" she asked, her tone syrupy-smooth.

I straightened at once. "Oh, nothing! I was just wondering how you manage to stand so perfectly still. You know... Foxes with their seven—"

Her brows lifted delicately. "Foxes?"

"Yes," I said with absolute confidence. "You’re a fox spirit, right? Golden hair, charming smile, suspicious confidence... it’s a textbook."

There was a small pause before she let out a soft laugh that seemed to ripple through the air. "Oh, dear," she said gently, amusement sparkling in her golden eyes. "I’m not a fox, Celeste. I’m a siren."

My brain froze. "A what—"

Before I could finish digested, I noticed it... people were staring. Heads turned, whispers rippled through the crowd, and the ambient music of the Leviathan mall seemed to fade beneath a sudden buzz of excitement.

Then came the first shout.

"Wait—wait! That’s Lyra Nerina!"

A second later, chaos broke loose.

"Lyra! Over here!"

"Oh my gods, it really is her!"

"Lyra! Can I get a picture?!"

Fans flooded the corridor, crystal pads lighting up as dozens of translucent screens hovered in the air, projecting her face in faint glows of blue and gold.

My jaw dropped. "She’s—she’s that famous?!"

Lucian exhaled quietly, already taking my hand. "We’re leaving."

"What do you mean we’re—ah!"

He didn’t wait for me to argue, just guided me quickly through the thickening crowd. The excited chatter of fans, the shimmer of floating crystal pads, and the sound of Lyra’s name echoing behind us filled the corridor.

When we finally stopped in a quieter area, I was out of breath. "You didn’t tell me your ex-fiancée was a celebrity!"

"She wasn’t," Lucian said flatly. "Not back then."

I blinked. "Well, she is now! Apparently the entire ocean’s obsessed with her!"

He sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "She’s a siren from the Nerina Clan. Famous singer. Actress. Model. You name it."

My jaw dropped. "So basically... your ex-fiancée is an underwater pop star."

Lucian didn’t deny it. "Unfortunately."

I crossed my arms. "You really have a type, don’t you?"

He glanced at me sideways. "Do I?"

"Yeah," I said seriously. "She’s really beautiful."

Lucian tilted his head slightly, as if amused by my tone. "Is she?"

That calm answer just made something twist in my chest. I looked away quickly, pretending to be very interested in the decorative coral display by the wall. "You don’t have to sound so unsure," I muttered. "Everyone saw it. Half the mall practically fainted when she smiled."

He didn’t say anything, and that only made it worse. I sighed dramatically and tugged my hand out of his. "Let’s just go home."

Lucian blinked, a flicker of confusion crossing his face. "Go home? I thought you wanted to shop."

"I changed my mind," I said curtly, crossing my arms again. "I’m suddenly not in the mood."

A faint smile tugged at his lips, the kind that made me want to throw a pillow at him. "Are you sulking?"

"I’m not sulking," I said instantly, far too quick.

"Yes, you are."

"No, I’m not."

He took a slow step closer, lowering his head until his breath brushed against my ear. "Then why won’t you look at me?"

I swallowed, eyes darting anywhere but him. "Because I don’t feel like it."

"Hmm," he murmured, clearly entertained. "Jealousy doesn’t suit a phoenix..."

"Then what suits a phoenix? Obeying everything?"

Lucian’s lips curved faintly, that knowing smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Obeying?" he echoed, his tone low and teasing. "That doesn’t sound like you at all."

I frowned, looking away again. "Then what does suit a phoenix, according to the great Lucian Drake?"

He stepped closer, and I could feel the heat rise to my cheeks as his shadow fell over me. "Fire," he said simply, his voice a quiet hum against my ear. "Defiance. That little temper that makes you glare at me like you want to burn me alive."

I scoffed, folding my arms again just to keep my hands from shaking. "You’re ridiculous."

"Maybe," he said easily, his smile deepening, "but that’s what makes you beautiful."

I blinked up at him, caught completely off guard. "You—You can’t just say that after—"

"After teasing you?" he offered smoothly.

"Yes!" I huffed. "You make me angry on purpose!"

"Only because you’re adorable when you’re angry," he murmured, brushing a stray lock of hair behind my ear.

I opened my mouth, ready to argue but then stopped, realizing I was doing exactly what he wanted.

"Ugh, fine," I muttered, spinning away from him. "Let’s just go home."

Lucian chuckled under his breath, following close behind. "So you’re not shopping anymore?"

"No," I said flatly. "I’m officially retiring from being your arm candy for the day."

He arched a brow, his tone calm but laced with mischief. "Even if I said I wanted to buy you something?"

I paused mid-step, suspicious. "What is it?"

Lucian didn’t answer right away. Instead, he reached for my hand, his thumb brushing lightly over my fingers as if studying them. His touch was cool, careful and thoughtful?

"It’s just..." he murmured, his eyes lowering to where our hands met, "something’s missing."

I blinked, brow furrowing. "Missing?"

He looked up, the corner of his mouth curving faintly.

"Don’t tell me," I said quickly, narrowing my eyes, "you’re planning to buy me pyjamas again."

Lucian’s soft laugh echoed between us. "Not this time."

"Good," I muttered, still wary. "Because if you think that’s romantic, you need serious help."

He shook his head, that calm smile never fading. "You’ll see."