About half of the hands in the room rise, including mine, and I can feel the heat radiating from my neck and cheeks. I can feel Kellan’s gaze on me, and from behind, Anders’ glare burns into my back, adding to the stifling atmosphere. Once again, I find myself hot and uncomfortable. I brush back a loose strand of hair and pretend not to notice either of them.
“Good. Duchess Eryn, would you be willing to share what you’vebeen experiencing? Remember, you don’t have to reveal any names.” The class responds with a light chuckle, easing the tension. “Just explain how you recognize it’s the Bond.”
All eyes shift to the young woman from Bragr as she hesitates for a moment. “Sometimes, it’s just a single zap. It feels like a pinch,” she shares, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson, betraying her embarrassment. I can’t help but feel a sense of relief that Anders isn’t the one pinching me. I would get very annoyed very quickly.
“Excellent. And what about you, Lady Yessenia?” The junior from Veker, who is always smiling, takes a moment before responding. “Sometimes I feel like my skin is hot.” Kellan snorts beside me.
“That can happen,” Professor Becca acknowledges with a nod. “Now, gentlemen, how many of you have experienced your Bond?”
To my surprise, only about thirty hands shoot up in unison. I had not anticipated such a low response from the roughly one hundred men in this room. What truly surprises me is that Kellan’s hand remains firmly at his side, as does Tate’s. I scan the faces around me, my curiosity piqued, and spot Cole at the back of the room with his hand raised high. Behind me, I can see both Trysten and Anders also have their hands raised.
When Anders’ intense stare catches mine and holds for a fleeting moment, it sends ripples of light coursing through me, stronger than before, jolting straight to my core. I have to summon all my willpower to maintain my composure and look away. Still, there’s a deep, undeniable ache blossoming somewhere inside me, a sensation I can’t quite place.
I catch a glimpse of the faint smirk that tilts Anders’ lips as I whirl around so quickly that my head spins. I turn my attention to Kellan, hoping for a similar response, but all I detect is a gentle trickle of green light with soft ripples originating from him.
I face forward, determined to focus on the lesson for the rest of class. We delve into the history behind the Bonds bestowed upon royal households by the gods. It’s said that after the veil was summoned and Astor and Calia withdrew from our world, the empire understood this Bond as a divine gift—a way for the gods to remind usthat they were still with us, even in some small, mystic capacity. Each Bond is a potent force, entwining the essence of each individual, reflecting their true selves and the duties expected of them.
Generations have since been Bonded, inheriting powers that dictate their fates, with the stipulation that neither royals nor nobles may marry for love. We mustsubmitto the Bond.
The second king of Ateria attempted to marry for love, resulting in near catastrophe for both him and his would-be Bond. I have always been curious about stories of Bonded couples, tales of passion and devotion, yet something about the Bond feels unsettling and almost forced. There’s a sense of loss within the Bonds that makes me question how anyone can love their match and still feel free within it.
As I carefully sift through the papers within the folder, I discover resources centered on the necessity of protecting our Bonds. Thankfully, I’m familiar with most of the techniques that my tutors taught me over break.
Among the materials, I find extensive notes on how to nurture strong connections with those we feel a Bond to, alongside important reminders about the potential traps of losing ourselves and, therefore, our Bonds. Another flush warms my cheeks when I stumble across the section focusing on pregnancy precautions, a topic considered taboo among most noble families.
Being part of the royal family, I am strictly prohibited from taking pregnancy prevention serums—a rule designed to preserve our lineage. However, it’s common knowledge that lower members of nobility often ignore these regulations. The royal houses frown upon it, but that doesn’t stop them.
As I absorb Professor Becca’s lecture, I make a concerted effort to remain focused despite the uncomfortable weight in the air. While Kellan inches closer, his protectiveness and attention pull at me, but the biggest distraction of all is Anders. His unrelenting gaze penetrates right through me, boiling me from the inside out.
Each moment in this class becomes a challenge, and by the time the lecture wraps up, I find myself flushed, beads of sweat trailing down my neck and back. I can’t help but wish I had chosen to braidmy hair into a crown instead of tying the thick layers back in a long, wavy ponytail.
As soon as the bell signals the end of class, I rush for the door, needing to escape the heat. I need to feel the fresh air on my face to cool my heated skin. I push through the crowd, ignoring the calls from my friends, and don’t stop until I’m free.
eight
. . .
I don’t slowmy pace until I step out of the heavy doors of the Executive Hall, the weight of the Bonds finally lifting off my shoulders. As I step into the open air, a refreshing breeze sweeps over me, cooling my skin after an hour of stifling heat.
For the first time in what feels like an eternity, I draw in a deep breath, filling my lungs with the crisp scent of the surrounding trees and rich soil. Out here, the chaos of the hall fades away; there are no ripples of light, no pulsing energies, and no men. Instead, there is the comforting, familiar hum of the planet and the lush forest.
I kick off my shoes and carefully navigate a small trail I know winds past the Executive Yard and toward the river beyond the Specialist’s Yard. Glancing over my shoulder to ensure nobody is watching, I slip between the tall trunks, weaving through the dense foliage while remaining cloaked in the shadows. The soft rustling of leaves accompanies my steps until I finally reach the rocky edge of the riverbank.
The ground slopes gently toward the flowing water, and I can feel the dampness seeping between my toes with each step. Grass obscures hidden boulders beneath the tall blades. As I tread carefully,I lose my footing a few times, but each time I regain my balance before slipping down the slope into the icy river.
The ice-cold water is runoff from the Delormere Mountains to the west, where snow still clings to the peaks. In the coming weeks, the snow will thicken as Baedyn travels further from the sun. Beyond those rugged mountains lie the villages and colonies of the planet.
I find a smooth rock jutting out from the bank and sink onto it, grateful for the cool air brushing my skin. When I dip my toes into the frigid water, the sharp bite steals my breath, soothing the fire still burning in my veins. The sensation brings a renewed clarity. Above, the night sky is painted in deep navy hues, the moons rising, their soft light already illuminating the darkness. Stars twinkle into existence one by one, like little lanterns.
I close my eyes, shutting out the world, and take a moment to connect with the energy of the planet around me. I focus on the rhythmic sound of the water flowing, the whisper of the breeze through the trees, and the quiet pulse of life that courses beneath my skin. I attempt to clear the tangled thoughts in my mind from today’s events. I feel weighed down by it all.
In the stillness of the night, I hear the call of an Aticat, a sound that makes me feel uneasy. The fascinating creature is a vibrant teal with orange feathers and soft, pink, petal-like ears that twitch with every noise, details I find both charming and cute. While they possess incredible intelligence and a bite that carries a venomous risk, they wisely choose to keep their distance from humans.
Above me, the rustle of wings creates a gentle flapping noise that echoes through the night. The sound is too deep to belong to a DillyBird. I look up and see nothing but the twinkling stars resembling gems scattered across an endless black canvas. Three planets stand out brightly among them—Demeter, Sedgesea, and Cerus.
Cerus holds a special place in my heart. As the largest of the three visible planets, it commands attention in the night sky. Its pale blue surface is framed by thin white rings that cast a soft glow in the darkness.
Sitting here, I feel a profound connection to the magic around me,like a tangible string I might pluck from the air if I could only see it. It’s a reminder of the wonder that exists and the adventures still waiting for me beyond school.
