HIS TRUE SELF: THE MONSTER’S CONFESSION

“Your turn,” Zeda said to Lucian after they finished eating. “Tell me about you. What have you been up to?”

“Nothing much. I’m an only child,” he said.

“Me too,” Zeda smiled.

“Don’t you think we share a lot in common?” Lucian asked with a dark look in his eyes.

“I guess so,” she replied with a shy smile.

“What do you want to know about me, love?” he asked, leaning forward with a charming smile.

“A lot. But I’m most curious about why you don’t go on missions with the other princes, even in the mixed team, like I heard.”

Lucian immediately stiffened, his smile disappearing. Zeda instantly regretted her words. Carrie had told her this was something he never talked about.

Lucian leaned back and poured himself a glass of wine, downing it all at once. She was about to tell him to forget it, but he cleared his throat, and she waited.

“I don’t go on missions because I don’t want to reveal my true self,” he said.

“Why not?” Zeda asked.

“Because I’m a monster on the inside, and I’m afraid I wo