CHAPTER 249: _HEART

Elian’s POV

*****

The thing sparkling like a fallen star in the open locket was a purple crystal bracelet. Each individual gem glowed with a soft light that made Elian feel... Warm.

But that wasn’t the best part.

"A heart jewel," Lucian muttered, his hand still resting softly on Elian’s.

He slowly picked out the bracelet, as if it were the most fragile thing, dangling it briefly in front of his face. Then, without a word, he wrapped it around Elian’s right wrist, the bracelet automatically fitting through nanotech.

A sharp heat stung Elian’s wrist for a fraction of a second, fading away quicker than it had come. And when it was all over, the bracelet’s light beat in rhythmic pulses. Like a heartbeat.

"It contains fragments of my memories and emotions for you," Lucian explained, tapping the bracelet with a proud grin. "That way, regardless of wherever you are on this planet, you’ll always have a piece of me with you."

Elian was speechless, gaze fleeting from the bracelet to Lucian’s silver eyes repeatedly.

"W–Why purple though?" It was the first question that eventually came out of his mouth.

Purple happened to be the colour of his mana core. Was this a coincidence or—

"It matches your gorgeous violet eyes, of course." Lucian withdrew his hands, placing them on Elian’s cheeks. "Why? You don’t like—"

"I do!" Elian raised his voice, his throat tightening. "I... I really like it. I do, but I... I feel like—"

He didn’t know how to feel. That’s the thing.

[Gods, just accept the gift without complicating things with your emotional constipation.]

Elian’s lips pressed into a thin line, itching to say something sarcastic to the system.

But then Lucian’s fingers brushed through his hair, sending shivers down his body. In the best way ever.

"Remember when I still didn’t have my memories of you?" The Alpha Prince asked, focused on looking through Elian’s hair.

The latter’s cheeks flushed as he nodded. "How could I forget?"

Lucian’s smile widened. "Forgetting you felt... Awful. You stayed by my side all those days back in the Dark Lands during my recovery."

Elian tried looking away. "Lucian, we’ve talked about this. It was really nothing and I—"

He was cut short when Lucian grabbed his chin, forcing their gazes to lock. "Oh, but it was something, Elian. It was everything to me."

Silence.

They stared at each other for a long time, neither saying anything.

People in other tables far away from theirs were laughing, eating, drinking, and chattering. Just living their own lives while Elian and Lucian remained in this little bubble of theirs.

"Right before I got my memories of you back," Lucian finally broke the silence, keeping his fingers clasped to Elian’s chin. "I promised to get you a gift. Something that I’ll actually remember."

Elian could still remember that night. The night Arian died.

The warmth and sincerity in Lucian’s eyes were still fresh in his head. The way he stared at him like he meant the world to him—it was still etched into him.

And the fear. The fear Elian felt at the idea of Lucian changing when he recovered his memories. Yet here he was—

"I... I remember that night." Elian laughed softly, voice raw with nostalgia. "And I also remember telling you you didn’t have to get me any gifts."

"You know I’m stubborn."

"Yeah, and so am I." Elian’s head tilted. His eyes scanned the restaurant.

Surprisingly, no one seemed to notice them. Or maybe they hadn’t yet.

"A match made in heaven, no?" Lucian winked, bringing his hands to Elian’s.

He held his palms close, leaning across the table until Elian could feel his warm breath hitting his face. Their hearts beat in tandem, the world around them narrowing into nothingness.

"You’re my other half, Elian," Lucian whispered, his lips inches away from Elian’s ear. "You make me complete. And even though I didn’t have the chance to ask before... Allow me to do it now."

Elian blinked.

Ask what? Do what?

Before he could make a word, Lucian said words he never saw coming in a million years. Words that swept him off the seat and made his heart swell.

"I love you."

A soft gasp left Elian’s lips.

He couldn’t believe it. Was... Was this a dream?

The truth in Lucian’s gaze was proof that it indeed wasn’t a dream.

"Lucian—"

"Will you marry me?" Lucian went on, rubbing his knuckles gently. "I’m sorry for not asking before making that announcement. But the pressure from the Eastern council and then my father’s death—"

"Lucian..."

"I understand if you don’t want to be tied to me." Lucian’s eyes lowered. "Even when I’m trying to be good I end up fucking things up. I really should’ve discussed it with you. We’re... We’re a team. You’re meant to be my consort and—"

"Lucian, for the love of the moon!" Elian swatted his hands out of his grip, his palms finding his cheeks. "I... I love you too. Your gift is amazing and I feel so awkward because I didn’t get you anything."

There. He said it. He finally told one of his mates he loves him.

It was funny how he once thought Axel would be the first one he’d ever tell that. Or maybe Kyren. Admitting it out loud was a lot harder than he imagined.

"You don’t have to get me anything." Lucian’s breath was shaky, his smile twitching with disbelief. "Those words you just said? They’re the best gift I can ever get."

[Look at my babies go. Oh my goddess, I can feel the water works coming...]

Elian shook his head, pushing forward until their lips met in a kiss. His muscles relaxed his tongue taking in the taste of his lips.

The Alpha Prince shared the same fire, tangling his hand into Elian’s hair.

Time melted away like wax around them. Nothing and no one else mattered.

But then—

"Ahem." A voice coughed awkwardly, breaking the moment.

Elian jolted, pulling away and swerving his head to the side. A waitress was holding a tray with their food and drinks, a small smile tugging her lips. Her brown eyes looked between him and Lucian.

"Sorry for interrupting. I got your orders..." She paused, her eyes glinting with excitement. "Oh, my gods. Alpha Prince... And Elian!"

She dropped the tray on the table, bowing quickly while Elian felt like jumping into a hole.

"I... I thought the trays and plates could float to the customers here?" He couldn’t help asking, glancing at Lucian, who had a rather amused smile.

The waitress straightened her posture, swatting invisible dust off her apron. "Yes. But after the incident last month, they hired waiters. Makes the place feel less... Robotic."

Elian nodded slowly, watching the girl pull out a holographic tablet.

"Your announcement last night." She muttered, her smile never fading. "I almost can’t believe you two are getting married. I have an Omega girlfriend and always get so much judgment from my family."

Oh...

Elian’s features softened, a genuine smile stretching his lips as she continued. "You’re both inspirations to Omegas and people who chose to love them everywhere. And with that said..."

She stretched out the holographic screen which glowed with a soft white light. "Can... Can I take a picture with you two?"

Lucian and Elian gave each other a look. But neither seemed against the idea, even grinning as they nodded simultaneously at the waitress.

"Sure."

When the picture was being taken, Elian couldn’t help staring at Lucian. His first mate.

Thinking about how far they’ve come was ecstatic. From hating each other to making love confessions. Time flies. People do change after all.

The Alpha Prince just needed a little push in the right direction.

[Ugh, don’t be modest. A lot of pushing was involved. That and a concussion on his end.]

For the first time in a long while, Elian truly felt happy. He just didn’t notice how the heart jewel’s rhythm pulsed out of sync with Lucian’s heart for a second.