The Sunshine Curse

The scream that had shattered the picnic's peace turned out to be a false alarm—nothing more than an overenthusiastic balloon popping near the magician's tent. But for Lucien Blackthorn, who'd instinctively scanned the crowd like a sniper about to strike, it was a brutal reminder of why he didn't do "relaxing."

The golden hour crept in like a secret, cloaking the park in peach and lavender. Children, undeterred by the brief chaos, resumed their bubble-chasing adventures. Elderly patients snoozed beneath knitted blankets, sun-warmed and smiling.

Lucien stood alone, beneath the tallest tree in the park—the one with bark like battle-worn armor. His arms crossed, expression unreadable, presence unmistakable. Without Kade, who had gone on his own mini-vacation, Lucien looked even more out of place.

He'd already stayed longer than he promised. Longer than anyone expected.

But he hadn't left.

Not yet.

"Elaina, the magician's rabbit just escaped and it bit someone!"

"What?!" Elaina shot up from her blanket, nearly knocking over a stack of cookies.

A small girl giggled. "Just kidding! But it really did run away."

Groaning, Elaina dropped back to the grass. "Remind me why I signed up for this?"

From a distance, she spotted him—Lucien. The eternal shadow in the sunshine. Standing immobile as if the tree required supervision.

She picked up a glass of lemonade and walked over.

"You look like a vampire forced to attend a kindergarten birthday party," she said, offering the drink. "Here. Hydration. It's all the rage with humans."

He took it without looking at her. "You're disturbingly cheerful today."

"I found a child's drawing of you in the donation box. It was labeled 'Tall Angry Cloud.' Made my week."

He exhaled through his nose. Might've been amusement. Or disgust. Hard to say.

"You stayed," she noted. "I didn't think you would."

Lucien's eyes flicked to the children. "That boy. Leo. He reminds me of someone I knew. A long time ago."

"Someone you lost?"

A pause. His jaw clenched. That was answer enough.

Elaina moved closer. The air around him always felt colder, sharper—like standing too close to a storm.

"You know," she said softly, "you can let yourself enjoy this. Just a little. The universe won't punish you for smiling."

He finally looked at her. Not just glanced—looked.

"You shine too much," he said quietly.

She blinked. "Sorry?"

"You walk into a room and everything changes. It's unsettling."

Her breath caught. Her voice was barely a whisper. "That's… not a bad thing."

"It is. Because people like you always think the world will be kind if you just keep smiling. It won't be."

"Maybe not," she said. "But I'll keep smiling anyway."

Then—

"Elaina! We can't find the kite!"

A small girl tugged at her skirt. Elaina gave Lucien one last glance.

"You could help, you know."

Lucien raised a brow. "Terrified of flying objects."

But a ghost of a smile teased his lips. Just barely there.

She ran off, leaving behind the soft echo of her laughter—and a man who hadn't let himself feel warmth in years.

---

Half an hour later, with the sun sinking and card games sprawled across picnic blankets, the air shifted again—not with a scream this time, but with the distinct, unmistakable sound of heels clacking on grass.

"Elaiiiinaaaa!"

She looked up from a game of Go Fish with two elderly women.

Daisy.

And beside her was a woman with power in every step: auburn curls, tailored sundress, designer sunglasses. She practically radiated competence and conquest.

"Sorry I'm late!" Daisy called. "Ran into a college friend—brought her along. This is Dr. Marissa Hale. She's a cardiothoracic surgeon."

Elaina stood, instantly alert.

Marissa's smile was butter-smooth. "I've heard so much about you. Daisy says you're charming. And quirky."

"And occasionally covered in yogurt and glitter," Daisy chimed in.

"Only on Wednesdays," Elaina replied, shaking her hand.

Marissa's eyes slid past her.

And locked onto Lucien.

"Who," she asked slowly, "is that?"

Elaina followed her gaze and immediately felt something primal coil in her stomach.

"Lucien Blackthorn. Hospital owner. Very unavailable."

Marissa tilted her head. "He looks like the male lead in a dark romance novel."

Daisy choked on her juice.

Before Elaina could respond, Marissa was already crossing the grass.

"She's going to die," Elaina muttered.

"Or get frostbite," Daisy said. "Let's watch."

---

Marissa stopped in front of Lucien, pulling off her sunglasses with a flourish.

"You must be Lucien Blackthorn."

No response.

"I'm Dr. Marissa Hale. Cardiothoracic surgeon. I specialize in breaking and fixing hearts."

Still silence.

She offered a hand. He didn't take it.

Undeterred, she leaned in. "You don't strike me as the picnic type. That's refreshing. I like men who don't pretend."

Lucien finally looked at her.

"I didn't come here to be liked," he said flatly.

She laughed. "Honesty. I adore that. We should talk more. Maybe dinner?"

"No."

"…Coffee?"

"No."

She blinked. "You're hard to crack, Mr. Blackthorn."

"I'm not a puzzle. I'm a closed door. Respect it."

Marissa's confidence faltered. Only slightly.

"Women must throw themselves at you."

Lucien's voice was like frost. "I don't collect admirers. Or waste time."

And with that, he turned.

Walked straight toward Elaina.

Lucien found himself at the medical tent where Elaina stood

She was standing with arms crossed, eyes narrowed and expression thunderous.

He knew that look.

Jealousy.

Deliciously obvious.

Lucien didn't even try to hide the small curl of amusement at the corner of his mouth.

Daisy leaned over and whispered, "Jealousy looks cute on you."

"I'm not jealous."

"You're seconds away from launching that lemonade like a grenade."

"I just don't like her perfume."

"She's fifty feet away."

"I feel it."

Daisy cackled. "Just admit it. You want him all to yourself."

Elaina didn't answer.

Because yes. Yes, she did.

And if Marissa Hale thought she could just waltz in and charm her cold vampire king?

She had no idea what kind of war she'd just started.