The Bond

Valencia straightened her arm behind her, staring at Vrastos. Vrastos’s eyes became clearer.

Purple with brown pupils.

“Why is my vessel staring at me?” it questioned loudly.

Valencia gulped, sitting obediently with her arms tucked between her legs.

“Were you… once a human?”

THUD.

The surrounding terrain flicked white in an instant as Vrastos’s eyes widened, yet the terrain returned to purple stars in the night sky.

“Human?”

“You… have a face!” Valencia replied. She stood and walked to it without fear.

Vrastos took a step back, reaching a hand between them.

“I’m no human! Idiot!” Vrastos yelled. Valencia paused. “How can I ever be a human?”

“Then… you’re also a God?” she asked, dumbfounded.

Vrastos groaned, frowning.

“I take back my words. You don’t have a sharp mind—”

“Hey!” Valencia argued. She took a step forward—

Vrastos smiled at her, waving.

“See you next time, vessel.”

Valencia fell into a never-ending dark hole. She swung her arms around, trying to find something to grab. She closed her eyes as she realized that she couldn’t.

“STOP!” she yelled.

A faint purple orb surrounded her as she floated in the air. She gasped as she slowly opened her eyes and looked around. Her lips curved into a smile.

“I… I managed to—”

“Where’s she?!” Kael’s voice pierced through her ears from afar.

She choked her words as the purple orb popped, and she fell to the ground. She groaned, standing. She observed her surroundings. The forest near the dukedom.

“Where am I?” she mumbled.

“Search for her now!” Kael ordered.

All of the maidservants and servants scattered throughout the dukedom, searching for Valencia.

Valencia looked into the sky and saw the mansion’s tower.

“I’ll just head over there…”

She walked through the endless trees in the forest before she reached the tower. Kael exhaustedly ran through the corridors—

“Young Duke! She’s… outside!” Jayce screamed, pointing at the window.

Kael gulped in relief, then he hurried down the steps and slammed the door open. Valencia looked at him and smiled awkwardly.

“Hi… Hmm… Lord Kael. I took a night walk—”

He hugged her tightly, panting beside her ear. She held her breath.

“Why didn’t you tell anyone? Or bring anyone?” he asked, steadying his breath.

She swallowed, and she covered her head beneath his chest. Her hands raised behind his back, holding onto him.

“I’m sorry… I didn’t think I would go that far…”

After that, Kael carried her inside without a word, placing her into the bathtub to clean her dirty feet. She watched him, aching as he moved. Guilt churned her stomach as she couldn’t think or express any words of comfort to him. They heard a soft knock from the bathroom door.

“Young Duke…” William called from behind.

“Placed the new set of night clothes on the bed…” Kael responded.

“Yes…”

Then the door closed before the bathroom door. Kael grabbed a towel and pulled her feet out of the water.

“I can do it myself—”

“Why did you walk out without shoes?” he questioned.

Valencia clenched her fists.

“I… I got carried away—”

“Not taken?” he wondered. They locked eyes before her gaze turned away. “I feel like you don’t trust me enough… that… you keep avoiding my eyes.”

He grabbed her chin and pulled her to look at him. She bit her lower lip and slowly released her fists.

“The more you know about me… the less you’ll want to be near me—”

He leaned in, closing their lips together. Her eyes widened, staring at his closed eyes. Then he pulled away.

“You’re sweating like you needed some guidance.”