om the memory of Kael's intensity, his cryptic words about fate, bonds, and "our kind." She wasn't ready to believe h

r covers barely legible, but there was something intriguing about the weight of history that filled this place. Scrolls and documents lay caref

an her hand, its surface polished to a silver gleam that seemed to shift and shimmer, as if something lay beneath its glassy surface, waiting to be seen.

n't hear the soft knock at the door. She started, s

had dark hair pulled back into a braid, and her face was soft but serious, her gaze da

asked, her voice g

o see someone other than

e, glancing at her with an unreadable expressio

her tone. Elena glanced at the food-warm, savory-scented bread, a bowl of soup,

er. "But... can you tell me where I really

hough reluctant to meet Elena's gaze. "I wish I

ed. "Why not? Why is

he paused, her gaze briefly flicking to Elena before she seemed to reconsider her words. "Well, they don't bond with humans. It's

strange pang of something that almost felt like... recognition. "Y

But once a bond is formed, it's impossible to break. And even though yo

"This is absurd. How can something as simple a

hose who've experienced it describe it as an instinct... a pull they can't resist. A

simply dismiss everything as some elaborate trick. And the worst part was, deep down, part of her felt the truth of it, as if something had al

oice barely above a whisper, "what makes him think he c

wering. "I can't speak for him. But I know this is difficult. And I

hing else, something heavier, darker. "So you're saying

that. But maybe try to und

y, to reject everything she was saying and fight with every ounce of strength she had. But another part, the pa

n, and Kael stepped inside, his gaze shifting immed

tic look before she slipped out of the roo

moment, his gaze sharp and ass

ng at her sides. "Is she one of the many

is expression remained calm. "She's

fy that? You talk about bonds, about fate, but

that? You think I don't understand what I've done?" His voice softened, a strange, raw edge slipping

e quickly masked it, refusing to let herself be swayed. "If you truly h

tion and regret. "I can't. Even if I wanted to. The bond... it's

e could see the turmoil in his eyes, the conflict that mirrored her own,

red, her voice filled with a mixture of exhaustio

ew it, his jaw tightening. "I want you to accept what's between

hat bound them together. It was a feeling she didn't want to acknowledge, didn't want to accep

t ready to gi