STARLIGHT UNBOUND by Deus Ex Machina - HTML preview

STARLIGHT UNBOUND

Lyra gave him a look. “That’s not it.”

His brow furrowed. He glanced at her again.

“You’ve been carrying something since you told me about… you know.”

His fingers tightened around the cigarette.

“I don’t know what it is, but it’s written all over you. And don’t say it’s nothing. I don ’t buy it.”

Lucien was silent, staring at the starburst above.

Finally, he spoke.

“Since I met you… things have been different. I’ve been seeing things. Feeling things. Things I can ’t explain.”

Lyra’s arms dropped to her sides. “Different how?”

Lucien turned to face her fully, his voice barely above a whisper.

“It’s like… the world doesn’t feel real anymore.” He swallowed. “I see things I shouldn ’t. Feel this… pull, like something’s breaking. Inside me. Or outside me. I don’t even know.”

She stepped closer, searching his face. “And you think it’s because of me?”

Lucien let out a hollow laugh, shaking his head. “I don’t know. But it started after I met you. ”

“The painting. Your words. Just you. It’s like you lit a match inside me, and now everything ’s on fire.”

Lyra’s breath caught, tilting her head to the sky above them. “Maybe you were always meant to burn. ”

Lucien met her eyes. “And what if I burn out?”

Lyra stepped closer. No hesitation.

“Then we’ll light another match.” Her voice was steady. “Together.”

The city stretched out before them, the rebellion ’s symbol burning above it all.

Lyra reached out —plucking the cigarette from his fingers—and stubbed it out against the rooftop ledge.

“No more chain-smoking while you’re on my team.”

Lucien huffed a quiet laugh and raised his hand in a mock salute.

“Yes, ma’am.”

She smirked, turning to lean against the ledge.

Lyra reached for his hand, locking her fingers in his, as they stared out at the messages they had carved into the sky.

For the first time in weeks, the task ahead didn’t seem unbearable.

Not with her here.

184