Chapter 137: _Do You Need Me? Elian’s POV
When his eyes locked with Lucian’s outside, with Kyren leading him toward his battle craft... He hesitated. This was a man who had shown so much disdain for people like him. Omegas. Those at the bottom of the food chain as they call it. Yet... That was Lucian in his past life. Both were still the same people in every sense, but the Lucian of his past life wouldn’t have blinked at him leaving. He would’ve welcomed it in fact. Which meant one thing that pressed on his heart like a dumbbell: Lucian has changed. Elian thought about all this while settling into the battle craft. The padded seats of the battle craft were unlike anything he’d ever seen in the palace. . Black leather stitched with glowing silver thread that pulsed faintly like veins, as if the ship itself was alive. The walls were curved and seamless, panels of obsidian metal that hummed with quiet energy. Runes—red, jagged, almost aggressive—ran in spirals across the ceiling, shifting like constellations as the engines thrummed beneath his feet.
When his eyes locked with Lucian’s outside, with Kyren leading him toward his battle craft... He hesitated. This was a man who had shown so much disdain for people like him. Omegas. Those at the bottom of the food chain as they call it. Yet... That was Lucian in his past life. Both were still the same people in every sense, but the Lucian of his past life wouldn’t have blinked at him leaving. He would’ve welcomed it in fact. Which meant one thing that pressed on his heart like a dumbbell: Lucian has changed. Elian thought about all this while settling into the battle craft. The padded seats of the battle craft were unlike anything he’d ever seen in the palace. . Black leather stitched with glowing silver thread that pulsed faintly like veins, as if the ship itself was alive. The walls were curved and seamless, panels of obsidian metal that hummed with quiet energy. Runes—red, jagged, almost aggressive—ran in spirals across the ceiling, shifting like constellations as the engines thrummed beneath his feet.
The air smelled faintly of iron and ozone, sharp and biting, a reminder that this was no mere vessel but a weapon disguised as transport.
At the tip end of the ship, a long glass panel acted as both a window and a command screen, flickering as the ship lifted. Symbols rearranged themselves in midair, glowing crimson glyphs hovering like ghosts before sinking back into the console.
And yet... the seat cradled him with unnerving comfort. Too much comfort. Like a predator coaxing its prey to relax before the bite.
"Elian." Kyren’s voice snapped him out of his reverie, forcing him to drag his eyes back to the command screen.
The rogue king sat on a black seat shaped like a throne, the top filled with jagged spikes.
[Is that even comfortable?]
Elian ignored the system’s voice, forcing a smile as he watched Kyren slowly rise from his seat. The rogue king’s crimson eyes glinted in the dimly lit space as he took steady steps toward him.
Dear goddess...
"You’ve been silent since we stepped in here," Kyren remarked, tilting his head with an almost knowing expression. "What’s on your mind?"
Elian swallowed hard, fiddling with his fingers nervously.
Staring into Kyren’s eyes felt like he was about to unearth dark sides of himself he didn’t know existed.
And that was annoyingly addictive. Too addictive.
"I’m just... I’m just trying to adjust." Elian said with a soft tone. "This is my first time being on an aircraft of any kind. Talk less of one from the Dark Lands."
The freaking Dark Lands.
He’s been there through his consciousness twice, yes. But going there physically was the real deal.
This time, he’d actually have to worry about stuff like survival or whatever the heck goes on in that land of sin.
[Don’t you think you’re overreacting just a tiny bit?]
Elian closed his eyes, but Kyren’s voice boomed softly yet again.
"It’s more than that. Isn’t it?"
Elian’s eyes fluttered open, his jaw tightening as he stared at Kyren.
The latter had a small smirk curling up the corner of his lips. "Lucian. I saw the way you looked at him. The way you paused. The way you stopped to think if you were making the right choice."
Kyren finally got in front of him, making himself comfortable by sitting on the padded couch. He crossed one leg on top of the other, letting out a small sigh.
"But like I told you down there, Elian." He brought his lips close to his ear, making his warm breath hit his skin.
Elian shuddered from the proximity, subconsciously biting his bottom lip to stop himself from giving in to his desires.
[And why the heck would you even want to stop that?]
"You don’t have to make a choice you don’t want, little flame." Kyren continued, his voice intoxicating and reassuring at the same time. "I told you you could wait and think about it while I head back to the Dark Lands."
Elian blinked, his cheeks heating up. "I... I know. But that’s the thing. I’ve made my decision."
He turned, facing Kyren firmly. "I want you, Kyren. I choose to be with you. To be in your domain."
Kyren’s smirk widened as he raised his right hand.
His fingers twirled Elian’s curls, ghosting just centimetres away from his face.
Elian’s breathing heightened as Kyren whispered.
"Want... It is a basic nature present in all sentient beings. We all want something, Elian." He paused, only for a couple of seconds. "But do you NEED me?"
Elian pursed his lips, his gaze glued on Kyren’s crimson orbs.
Want and need.
The lines between both blurred sometimes but the difference has always been clear.
"Do I need to... Need you?" Elian asked, squinting with confusion. "I—"
"You don’t need to do anything, little flame." Kyren grabbed the back of his head, his fingers curling deeper into the root of his hair.
Elian gasped, his breath hitching as their noses touched.
"I’ve been without a mate for centuries." Kyren blurted, his gaze flicking from Elian’s eyes to his lips. "Centuries, Elian. So when I finally sensed you, you can imagine how it felt."
Elian was silent, unsure whether he should even say anything right now.
[Shh... He’s having his big sociopathic daddy moment.]
"I need you. You’re my other half." Kyren said that like it was his greatest pleasure. "I don’t mind if you need me as well. You being by my side... Is enough."
Elian’s heart surged with an odd warmth as Kyren finally broke the distance. Their lips smashed in a wet kiss, rough and filled with need.
Not want. NEED.
The bond between them thrummed as Elian let himself get lost in his desires, wrapping his arms around Kyren’s neck.
But then—
The ship suddenly came to a halt, shaking a bit before making a mechanical whirring sound.
Kyren broke the kiss, bringing his eyes to the command screen.
"We’ve arrived in Noctreth. Capital of the Dark Lands." A robotic voice echoed through the ship as Kyren cleared his throat.
The rogue king got on his feet, stretching his right hand to Elian’s face and signalling him to take it.
"Let me show you my home. In person."
Elian’s heart beat was still in disarray but he smiled, grabbing Kyren’s hand and letting him lift him off the couch.
They walked to the door which slid open, a metallic flight of stairs leading outside stretching before them.
Elian held his breath, clutching Kyren’s hand tightly as his eyes scanned the barren red sand, as well as the familiar palace etched in a colossal black mountain that touched the spiralling ashen clouds.
The air was different, almost completely dry. Unlike the fresh air in Moonhaven, which made it seem like it was in perpetual spring.
However, just when he and Kyren were about to step down the flight of stairs, a loud panicked voice called out from the mountain.
"My Lord!" Elian squinted when he saw Kyren’s commander running toward the ship like he had grave news.
Oh no...
[Just your luck. You’re always welcomed with trouble. It should be a super power at this point.]
"Farrell. Couldn’t you at least let us settle inside before doing whatever the heck this is?" Kyren asked with a cold tone, clutching Elian’s hand tighter. "What is it?"
Farrell stopped just below the stairs, his lips trembling. His eyes landed on Elian briefly, confusion flashing in them for a beat before he finally spoke.
"Arcadia launched a fresh wave of attacks on the border city of Gravethorn. Just a few minutes ago."