The forest was silent in that eerie way only early morning could be—fog curling around the trees, birds still too afraid to sing. Cas kept his hand close to his belt knife, even though he knew it wouldn't do much. Not against what was coming.
He and Evren had been walking for hours. No talking. Just footsteps, breath, and that damn golden thread between them, glowing softly like it was enjoying the awkward silence.
Cas stole a glance at the prince walking a few paces ahead.
Even with torn armor and dried blood on his temple, Evren walked like a man who'd been born with a crown. Back straight, eyes forward, jaw clenched like he'd sooner eat gravel than admit he was in pain.
Cas rolled his eyes.
"Your majesty," he said, voice dry, "I know you're wounded. You can stop pretending you're not limping."
Evren didn't look at him. "I'm fine."
"Right. And I'm the goddess of spring."
"You talk too much."
"You glower too much."
That finally earned him a glance. Brief. Sharp. Infuriatingly pretty.
"You're enjoying this," Evren muttered.
"I'm enjoying not being dead," Cas replied. "Which, considering the way you attract trouble, may not last long."
🔔 SYSTEM UPDATE
➤ Emotional Sync: 17%➤ New Passive Perk Unlocked: Bonded Banter – Mild regeneration when engaging in mutual sarcasm.
[Cas: HP +2 | Evren: HP +1]
Cas blinked. "Did you just heal a little?"
Evren frowned. "I think you did too."
"From talking smack?"
"…Apparently."
Cas grinned. "This system might be the best mistake I've ever made."
They reached the edge of the glade by midday, where a ruined stone arch marked the hidden path to Brielle's safehouse. She was a smuggler, a former bond-pair reject who made a living sneaking fugitives through the Ashlands. Cas had only met her once—she'd called him "sweetheart" and stolen his shoes.
Evren hesitated near the arch. "You trust this girl?"
"No," Cas said. "But I don't trust the Church more."
They stepped through together.
A shimmer of old-world warding magic rippled around them, and suddenly they were inside a dome of silence—trees muffled, birdsong distant, time itself slower.
And then she was there—lean, scarred, leaning against a crumbling column with a dagger in one hand and a smirk in the other.
"Well," Brielle said, eyes flicking from Cas to the glowing thread connecting him to the prince, "looks like somebody finally got bonded. About damn time."
Later That Night
They made camp inside the ruined sanctuary. Brielle disappeared after giving Cas a wink and warning Evren not to stab anyone without permission.
Cas sat by the fire, arms wrapped around his knees. Evren sat opposite, sharpening a blade with too much focus.
"So," Cas said after a while. "This bond thing."
Evren didn't look up. "What about it?"
"Can you feel what I feel?"
Evren paused. "Not exactly. It's… echoes. Emotions. You're nervous. You want answers."
Cas nodded. "Do you feel anything else?"
A beat.
Then: "You're curious. About me."
Cas swallowed. "Yeah. I am."
Evren finally looked up. His eyes weren't cold now. Just tired. And maybe—just maybe—lonely.
"You shouldn't be," he said. "I'm not good for you."
Cas laughed softly. "You think I'm good for you?"
Silence.
And then:
🔔 Emotional Sync Increased: 21%New Skill Available: Empathic Touch – Temporarily share clarity or calm with your bonded partner via physical contact.
Evren stood, dropped his blade, and walked around the fire.
Cas watched, heart pounding.
"You're shaking," Evren murmured.
"No, I'm not," Cas whispered.
Evren knelt beside him. "You are."
And then, slowly, deliberately, he reached out and touched Cas's hand.
Warmth spread instantly—deep and strange and terrifyingly safe. The bond thread pulsed once, like a heartbeat. Cas didn't pull away.
Neither did Evren.
They sat there, fingers barely linked, until the fire died.