Kael ignored it.
At first-
It was easy
A dull ache beneath his skin, pulsing faintly through the mark on his wrist. Annoying, but manageable. Something he could suppress, control, dominate-
Like everything else.
He stood in the council chamber, listening to reports, his posture straight, his expression cold and unreadable.
"-the southern borders remain stable-
*-we'll need reinforcement by the next cycle-"
Voices continued.
Orders were given.
Nothing changed.
Except-
The pain.
It grew.
Slowly.
Relentlessly.
Like something tightening around his bones.
Kael's fingers curled slightly at his side.
Unnoticed.
Ignored.
"Your Highness?"
A voice pulled him back.
Selene.
Standing beside him, her brows drawn slightly
"You seem distracted."
Kael didn't look at her
"I'm not."
A lie
Another pulse hit
Stronger.
This time, it didn't just stay in his wrist.
It spread.
Up his arm
Into his chest.
Sharp.
Unforgiving.
Kael inhaled slowly,
Controlled.
Continue," he said to the council.
His voice didn't waver.
But his body-
Was starting to.
Minutes passed.
Too long.
Each second heavier than the last.
The pain didn't fade.
Didn't ease.
Didn't obey.
For the first time-
Kael felt something he wasn't used to.
Loss of control.
His jaw tightened.
Enough.
Without another word, he turned
Leaving the council mid-discussion.
Silence followed him
But he didn't care.
The corridors felt longer than usual.
Each step sharper,
Faster
The pain had become unbearable now-no
longer something he could suppress.
Something was wrong.
This wasn't just the bond.
This was-
Different.
Worse
Lyra
Kael stopped in front of her chamber.
For a second-
Just a second-
He hesitated.
Then-
He opened the door.
Lyra looked up immediately.
Annoyance flashing across her face.
"You don't knock?"
Kael didn't respond.
Didn't waste time.
"Come here."
The words were low.
Tense
Not a command-
But close.
Lyra frowned,
"Excuse me?"
Kael stepped forward.
His movements slower than usual.
More controlled.
Too controlled
"The bond," he said. "It's reacting again."
Lyra crossed her arms.
"And?"
"And we need to stabilize it."
Lyra's eyes hardened instantly,
"No."
The word came without hesitation.
Sharp.
Final.
Kael stilled.
Just for a second.
"...This isn't optional," he said.
Lyra let out a cold laugh
"Everything about this is optional to me."
Another pulse hit.
Stronger
Kael's breath faltered.
Just slightly.
Lyra noticed.
But she didn't move
Didn't step closer.
Because she was still angry.
Still holding onto it
"Stay where you are," she said instead. "You
said you didn't need me, remember?"
Kael's jaw tightened.
"That was before."
Lyra tilted her head slightly
"And now?"
A pause
Kael didn't answer.
Another wave of pain struck
Violent.
This time-
He couldn't hide it.
A low groan escaped him before he could stop it.
Lyra froze
Just for a second.
Her brows furrowed
Kael steadied himself against the wall.
His breathing uneven now.
The mark bumed like fire under his skin.
"...Come here," he said again.
Quieter.
Lyra's fingers tightened slightly.
But she didn't move.
"No
The word came softer this time.
But still firm.
Kael let out a sharp breath.
Another pulse-
Stronger.
His body tensed.
"Lyra."
Her name came out strained.
Uncontrolled.
Lyra had never heard him like that before.
Never
Kael-
Weak?
No.
That wasn't right
But this-
This wasn't control
Still-
She didn't mave
"I told you," she said, her voice lower now, "don't
come near me."
Kael laughed.
But there was no humor in it.
"Then don't," he said.
And he didn't.
He stayed where he was.
Didn't step closer.
Didn't force it.
Because-
He wouldn't.
Another wave hit,
And this time-
He dropped to one knee.
Lyra's breath caught
Her body moved-
Instinctively.
Then stopped.
Halfway.
Kael's hand pressed against the ground, his other his wrist tightly as if trying to crush the gripping pain out of it.
A low, strained sound escaped him.
Something between a breath-
And a groan.
Lyra stared
Frozen.
Conflicted
"What is this?" she whispered.
This wasn't normal
This wasn't just the bond.
Kael didn't answer.
Couldn't
Another pulse-
Stronger than before-
Hit him.
And this time-
It felt like something tearing through him.
Lyra stepped forward,
Without realizing.
"This isn't just me, is it?"
Kael let out a rough breath.
"No."
One word
Barely
The curse.
Lyra's gaze dropped to his wrist.
The mark-
Glowing violently.
Unstable.
Her fingers curled.
"If I step closer"
She didn't finish.
Didn't need to
Kael didn't look at her
Didn't reach for her.
Didn't ask
Because he wouldn't.
Another wave hit.
His body tensed again.
Harder this time
Lyra took a step forward.
Then another.
Slow
Careful.
Like approaching something dangerous.
"..Don't misunderstand," she said quietly.
Her voice-
Still guarded.
Still distant,
She reached out-
Hesitated-
Then placed her hand on his arm.
The effect was immediate.
The pain-
Eased
Not gone.
But reduced
Controlled
Kael's breathing steadied slightly.
His grip loosened.
Just a little.
Silence filled the room.
Heavy
Different.
Lyra didn't move her hand.
But her gaze-
Didn't meet his
"..This is temporary," she said
More to herself than to him.
Kael let out a slow breath.
"Of course it is."
His voice was still rough,
Still low
But steadier now.
Neither of them moved.
Neither of them spoke.
Because they both knew-
This wasn't over.
Not the bond.
Not the pain,
Not whatever this was becoming.