May
For a long moment, the room is completely silent.
Not the kind of silence that calms —
the kind that shakes.
Nathel's words hang between them like a blade.
"If I love you… the Shadow Lord will kill you to get to me."
May stares at him.
"Then… why are you here?" she whispers. "Why didn't you stay away?"
Nathel's breath shudders out of him.
"I tried."
His voice cracks — barely, but it does.
"I tried so hard."
He looks away like the memory hurts.
Idris folds his arms. "You think destiny cares about your attempts?"
Nathel shoots him a glare, but Idris just smirks.
May forces herself upright, even though her body still feels like someone dragged her through a storm.
"Nathel," she says, "just tell me everything. No more hiding. No more half-truths. I deserve to know what I'm fighting."
Nathel nods slowly.
"You're right."
He shifts so he's sitting across from her now — close enough to touch, but giving her space. His eyes, still faintly glowing, lock onto hers with fierce, vulnerable honesty.
"May… the Shadow Lord isn't just some monster."
He swallows.
"He used to be my father's brother."
She gasps softly.
Idris mutters under his breath, "A cursed line always begins with family."
Nathel continues.
"He lost his soul years ago while trying to claim forbidden power. When he fell, he didn't just lose himself… he became something ancient. Something hungry."
May feels the chill run through her blood.
"And he hates you?" she whispers.
Nathel nods.
"He hates my entire family — everyone connected to the old magic. But me, he hates most. Because I…"
He breaks off.
Idris steps in.
"Because Nathel is the last living heir of the Sunline. And the only one who can awaken the bond's full power."
May's eyes widen.
"Bond," she repeats. "Everyone keeps saying that word but no one's explained it."
Nathel looks at her — really looks, as if bracing himself.
"A destiny bond is… rare. Ancient. A connection between two souls who were never meant to live separate lives."
His voice softens.
"It's more than love. It's… choosing someone with your whole being. Even before you realize you've done it."
May's heart beats out of rhythm.
"And I did that?" she asks quietly. "Without knowing?"
Nathel's gaze drops to her chest — not in a romantic way, but to the spot where her heartbeat flares through the bond.
"You whispered my name," he murmurs, "the night the bond snapped back to life. That's all it takes."
She remembers.
The echo.
The cold.
The mirror.
Her own terrified whisper—
"…Nathel."
Her breath catches.
"So that… woke it?"
"Yes."
His eyes are almost unbearably soft.
"And when your soul reached for mine… mine reached back."
May's chest tightens.
"Nath—"
He cuts her off with a whisper.
"But you weren't supposed to choose me."
Idris clears his throat loudly.
"Because the Sunline only binds once," he says. "And when Nathel's bond activates—if it completes—he becomes powerful enough to challenge the Shadow Lord."
May frowns. "Then shouldn't that be a good thing?"
Idris gives her a look.
"You don't understand. That power doesn't come for free. Destiny magic always demands a price."
Nathel clenches his fists.
"And in our case…"
He meets May's eyes.
"Your life is the price he'll take first."
May's heartbeat stutters.
Nathel sees it — she can tell he feels it — and he starts to speak again, but she raises a hand.
"No. Don't protect me from this. Tell me everything."
His voice drops, soft and tormented.
"I've been fighting the bond for months. Ever since it first stirred. Because I knew what would happen if it linked fully."
He looks down at his hands.
"I thought leaving you alone would keep you safe."
May exhale trembles.
"You… stayed away because you cared."
"I stayed away because I love you," he whispers.
The words hit her like lightning.
He looks like he regrets saying it — not because it isn't true, but because it puts her in danger.
May shakes her head, eyes burning.
"You're not the only one who feels something, Nathel."
He freezes.
Idris coughs loudly. "Yes, yes, love is tragic and beautiful—BUT WE HAVE A PROBLEM."
They both turn to him.
Idris gestures at the broken doorframe.
"The Shadow Lord sent a scout tonight. That means he knows she exists. And once he knows a bond-wielder's heart?"
His voice drops.
"He moves fast."
Nathel stands immediately — tense, alert, furious.
"What do we do?"
Idris meets his gaze.
"You finish the bond."
Nathel goes pale.
May stiffens. "Finish? What does that mean?"
Idris shrugs as if discussing something simple.
"You complete it. Tie your souls fully. Seal the bond."
Nathel whispers, horrified, "That will paint a target on her soul."
"It will also give you the only power strong enough to keep her alive," Idris snaps.
May's breath shakes.
"So either way," she says slowly, "he comes for me."
Idris nods solemnly.
"The difference, my dear, is whether he finds you helpless… or untouchable."
The room goes still.
Nathel looks at her, fear and love warring in his eyes.
"May," he whispers, voice breaking, "this could change everything. You'd be tied to me. Forever. No undoing it. No going back."
Her heartbeat softens.
Warms.
Steadies.
"I'm already tied to you," she says quietly. "I just didn't have a name for it."
His breath catches.
Idris groans. "Perfect. Wonderful. Lovers making destiny decisions. My favorite kind of chaos."
May takes Nathel's hand.
"Tell me what finishing the bond requires."
Idris grins like someone who enjoys problems more than solutions.
"Oh," he says casually, "it's simple."
They both wait.
Idris continues:
"You just have to let your heart choose him out loud."