The Moment His Eyes Locked with Mine

Arvanya's POV:

My gaze was drawn to him, as if I was helpless to look away. His dark hair, as inky as midnight, fell slightly across his brow, framing eyes the color of molten amber. Those eyes gleamed with something fierce, untouchable, as if they held the power of the very elements he controlled.

He looked like he could set the world on fire with just a glance, and yet here he was, standing still, his focus elsewhere.

They seemed to be watching everything—and yet, nothing at all—contemplating something deep and dangerous. It was as though he held secrets not meant for this world, and perhaps even I would never know them.

The intensity in those eyes made my breath catch in my throat, like I was standing too close to something wild and uncontainable.

When our eyes met, it felt like a jolt of electricity surged between us. His gaze was sharp, piercing, as though he could see straight through me—into the very depths of my thoughts, my fears, my secrets.

I felt a strange mix of anticipation and vulnerability under that gaze, as if he'd already peeled away every layer of my defenses with a single look.

For a brief moment, I felt completely exposed, as if he knew me in a way no one else ever could. That gaze—it wasn't just a look, it was an interrogation, a challenge, and somehow, a claim all at once.

It was as if he were daring me to stand my ground, to match his intensity with my own. And I wasn't sure if I could.

Every inch of him exuded power. The sharp lines of his jaw, the broadness of his shoulders, the way his body seemed to vibrate with restrained strength. Even the way he held himself, so confident and unyielding, left no doubt in my mind that he was a force to be reckoned with.

It was all calculated, I realized. His presence was a weapon in itself. Intimidation, control—it was all so carefully sculpted, like a mask he wore. And yet, even though I was trying my best to remain composed, I couldn't help but feel it. That pull.

This is my mate. The thought echoed in my mind, both thrilling and terrifying. The realization settled in my bones like a spark catching fire, spreading warmth and fear in equal measure.

I wanted to hold on to that warmth, to let it fuel the hope that maybe, just maybe, he could feel it too.

Just as I was lost in my own thoughts, a soft voice cut through the haze of my mind.

"Try not to look at him like that," Esme whispered, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. "Definitely don't look into his eyes like that. He might actually notice you."

I blinked, momentarily shaken from my thoughts. Notice me? My heart skipped a beat at the possibility, and I had to force myself to sound casual, to keep the tremble out of my voice.

"Who... who is he?" I asked, as if I didn't already know. I didn't want to sound too eager, even though my heart was racing in my chest.

Esme lowered her voice, leaning in with a dramatic whisper. "That's Lucian Vortex," she said, and my breath caught. "The prince of the Fire Kingdom and the ruler of all realms."

The words hit me like a lightning strike. Lucian Vortex. The name I had heard whispered in the corners of my childhood, the name that filled me with both awe and a quiet fear.

The wielder of five elements, I thought, trying to keep my composure. The ruthless prince who values power above all else. The stories I had heard seemed to pale in comparison to the reality of him, standing there in all his quiet intensity.

But then it hit me again—the shock that Lucian, the one who had haunted my thoughts, was my mate. The one I was destined for. My mind whirled with the implications of that revelation.

But he doesn't even know who I am, I realized, feeling a strange sense of relief mixed with sadness. I've hidden myself so well. He has no idea.

My gaze drifted back to him, despite myself, and I saw something—someone—else standing beside him. A girl.

The girl had long, platinum blonde hair, styled in soft waves that cascaded down her back. Her striking blue eyes shimmered with confidence, and her figure was graceful yet undeniably alluring, fitted into a tailored dress that screamed wealth and elegance.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

The way she smiled up at Lucian, the way she stood so close to him, sent an unexpected pang through my chest. My heart clenched as I watched them, a thousand questions racing through my mind. What's their relationship? I thought, my heart sinking as I stared at them.

"Who... who is she?" I couldn't help but ask, my voice quieter now, as though speaking too loudly might shatter the fragile control I had over my emotions.

Esme's expression darkened as she looked over at the girl. "That's Celeste," she said with a hint of distaste. "Lucian's girlfriend."

Esme's words hit me harder this time, with a force that seemed to echo inside me, more intense than the first. Lucian Vortex—the ruthless prince, the wielder of five elements—is my mate.

MY MATE.

That truth alone would have been enough to overwhelm me, to send my mind spiraling. But then the second blow landed, more painful and unforgiving than the first: he has a girlfriend.

The reality settled heavily over me, each revelation compounding the weight in my chest. I felt dizzy, my thoughts racing as I tried to process it all. My mate wasn't just any powerful figure; he was Lucian Vortex, the prince I'd heard so many stories about, a figure both feared and respected, known for his mastery over all five elements and a heart as cold as winter's breath. And yet, he belonged to someone else.

Esme continued, her voice low. "You should stay away from Lucian if you don't want to make Celeste a target. She's... not someone you want to cross. Trust me."

As I glanced at Celeste again, I noticed the girl was staring directly at me, a knowing look in her eyes. I held her gaze, unflinching, refusing to be intimidated. There was a glint in her eyes, as if she knew exactly what had just happened between me and Lucian, as if she could sense the shift in the air. But I didn't let it faze me.

With a slight, dismissive tilt of my head, I turned my attention away from Celeste, choosing to ignore the silent challenge in her eyes. If Celeste wanted to play games, I wasn't interested. Let her think what she wants, I thought, squaring my shoulders and trying to push away the ache in my chest.

The weight of Esme's words sank into my chest, but the real blow came when I looked back at Lucian and Celeste, and the image of them together—so close, so comfortable—stung worse than anything I had expected. My mate.

The one I had waited for my whole life. Was now with someone else. I fought back the tears that threatened to spill. I blinked rapidly, but it was useless. The sting of hurt was too raw.

He's not even mine, I thought, swallowing the painful lump in my throat. And he doesn't even know who I am. The cruel irony was almost too much to bear.

I turned to Esme, trying to smile as if nothing was wrong. "I think I'm just exhausted," I said, forcing the words past the ache in my chest. "The jet lag is getting to me. I'm going to head back to our room."

Esme gave me a sympathetic look, nodding in understanding, and we both made our way back to the room in silence. My mind was numb, my heart bruised, and each step felt heavier than the last. The pain of knowing Lucian was with someone else felt like a weight pressing down on me, suffocating and relentless.

Once inside, I sat down on my bed, trying to steady myself. The weight of the situation felt unbearable. I wanted to hide away from everything. I wanted to scream, to ask why fate had been so cruel, but I did neither. Instead, I looked at Esme, the smile still lingering on my face, trying to convince her—and maybe even myself—that I was fine.

"I just need a moment," I murmured, the weight of the day too much for me to bear.

After a quiet nod from Esme, I retreated into the restroom, my heart pounding as I finally let myself feel the hurt I'd been holding back.

As soon as the door clicked shut, I stood in front of the mirror, feeling the tears well up. How is this fair? I thought, staring at my own reflection, willing myself to be stronger. How could fate bring me so close to him, only to let him slip away?

I bit my lip, trying to hold back the sobs, but they came anyway—silent and steady, each one heavier than the last. My tears traced silent paths down my cheeks, each drop carrying the weight of my shattered expectations.

My mind echoed with the bitter realization. Lucian. My mate. The one I've waited for my whole life... belongs to someone else. A cruel irony that my mate—the person I was destined for, the one I had dreamed of—was with someone else, and worse, he didn't even believe in the bond that tied us.

The rumors I had heard of his indifference toward mates, his devotion to power above all else, felt like fresh wounds now.

After a few minutes, I collected myself, wiping away the evidence of my pain. I wiped away the tears quickly, not wanting to let Esme see. I stepped out, took a deep breath, and steeled myself. The hurt was still there, but I wouldn't let it consume me.

When I emerged from the restroom, Esme was sitting on the bed, watching me with concern.

"Are you okay?" Esme asked, her voice gentle.

I forced a smile, though it didn't reach my eyes. "Yeah," I replied, trying to make my voice sound light. "I'm just missing my family a little. That's all."

Esme gave me a small, understanding smile. "I get that. First days can be hard. But you're not alone here, okay?"

I nodded, the tightness in my chest easing just a little from Esme's words. But the truth still lingered, heavy and painful. Lucian—the man I was meant for—was with someone else. And there was nothing I could do about it.

I smiled, grateful for Esme's kindness, though it barely touched the sadness lingering in my chest. I moved to my bed and lay down, staring up at the ceiling, trying to ignore the swirling thoughts that wouldn't let my mind rest.

I tried to sleep, forcing myself to calm my mind, but every time I closed my eyes, Lucian's face appeared.

Again and again, the memory of him standing with Celeste surfaced, making my heart ache anew. Sleep remained elusive, taunting me with the one thing I wanted but couldn't seem to find—peace.

After what felt like hours of tossing and turning, I finally gave up on sleep. My mind kept circling back to Lucian and the shock of seeing him with Celeste. The ache in my chest felt relentless, and no amount of closed eyes or deep breaths could make it fade.

I sat up quietly, careful not to disturb Esme, who was fast asleep, breathing softly in the bed next to me.

Moving silently, I reached over to grab my phone from the bedside table, then slipped my feet into my slippers. With my phone in hand, I made my way out of the room, closing the door gently behind me.