Minji set the dagger down.
“It’s not that simple.”
“No, it’s not,” I agreed. “But it’s real. It’s fate. And fighting it hurts more than surrendering to it ever could.”
Yuna turned toward me, finally letting her tears fall.
“He said I wasn’t meant for anyone.”
I looked at her—not as a demon, not as a prince—but as someone who knew exactly what it was to believe you’re unworthy of love.
“He’s scared,” I said. “So was I. Sometimes the bond feels like a noose when you’re not ready to feelanything at all. But Yuna…” I reached forward and gently pressed my hand over hers, covering the glowing mark.
“The bond doesn’t choose wrong. You weremeant.”
Minji stayed silent, but her fingers twitched near her ribcage—where I knew her mark lay hidden.
“And you,” I said, turning to her. “Jisoo… he made mistakes. He betrayed what mattered. But if he’s anything like the brother I remember—he’ll spend the rest of his eternity trying to earn your forgiveness.”
Her lips parted, trembling with unspoken words, but I didn’t press her to say them.
“I won’t tell you what to feel,” I said, standing. “But I will tell you this: follow your hearts. Not the voices that taught you love is weakness. Or pain. Or death.”
I turned, the black wind wrapping around my cloak like flame. My chest ached, my soul ached—but I wasn’t broken anymore.
“I’ll get her back,” I said, voice like thunder. “I swear to you both… I’ll bring Seori home.”
They watched me walk into the dark, and behind me, I heard armor shifting.
They were ready to fight.
But more than that—
They were ready tofeel.
--------???--------
The embers of the last fire still smoldered beneath ash and bone. We’d cleared the camp for the night, but sleep didn’t come easily—not for any of us. I found Taeyang near the edge of the cliffside, where the wind howled so loud it drowned out even your thoughts if you let it. He stood with his arms folded, staring into the void like it might stare back with answers.
His bond mark glowed faintly under the collar of his shirt. A reminder. A curse. A promise.
I approached without a word, letting my presence settle beside him.
“Why does it still hurt?” he asked after a long moment. His voice was raw. Quiet. “Why does it feel like she’s already gone, even when she’s standing right there?”
I looked at him—really looked.
“I asked myself the same thing about Seori,” I murmured. “It’s because the bond doesn’t just link souls. It shows you what could be. Whatshouldbe. And when we try to deny that? We suffer.”
He clenched his fists.
“I told her she was meant for no one.”
“You lied,” I said gently.
His breath caught.
“Not to her,” I added. “To yourself.”
