The moments following their bond were nothing short of electric. Sophia could still feel the pulse of their connection, the way their fates were now irrevocably intertwined. Lucian had marked her in the most intimate way possible, claiming her as his own. His kiss lingered on her lips, leaving a burn that she didn't want to erase. The world around them felt suspended, as if time itself had paused to witness this union.
Lucian's chest rose and fell with every breath, his hands resting on her shoulders as he steadied himself. "Do you feel it?" he asked, his voice low, barely above a whisper. "The bond is complete. The blood and bone oath is ours now."
Sophia, her heart hammering in her chest, nodded slowly. She could feel the strength of the oath wrapping around her, melding her very essence with his. It was more than a physical connection; it was soul-deep, a promise written in the stars, one she couldn't escape, even if she tried.
"I feel it," she said, her voice shaking with the weight of it all. "I don't know what to do with it."
Lucian gently cupped her face, his fingers brushing the delicate skin of her cheek. "You don't have to do anything. It's already done. You are mine now, as I am yours."
She didn't need to say anything else. Her body responded to him, even though a part of her wanted to retreat, wanted to take back the control she had lost. But another part, the part that was bound to him through this oath, craved the connection. The desire burned beneath her skin, hot and intense.
Lucian took a step back, his gaze lingering on her as though she was a treasure he couldn't quite believe was now his. His hands trembled ever so slightly, betraying the turmoil he was trying to keep hidden.
"We should rest," he finally said, his voice rough. "Tomorrow, we begin the next part of our journey. But for tonight, we are bound, and we will take our time."
Sophia's chest tightened with emotions she couldn't fully understand. The night was silent, save for the crackling of the fire between them, yet the weight of everything felt heavy.
Lucian leaned in again, capturing her lips in another kiss. This time, there was no hesitation. The world, their past, and their future all seemed to collapse into this moment. His kiss deepened, and she responded, her hands threading through his dark hair, tugging him closer. He groaned, low and urgent, his arms encircling her to pull her flush against him. But then, just as quickly as the desire flared, Lucian pulled away, his eyes filled with something darker—something possessive.
"I can't have you right now," he said, his voice strained. "Not yet."
Sophia's heart raced. "Lucian, I—"
"I will not lose control again," he interrupted, his voice barely controlled. "We have more to do before I can claim you fully."
Sophia looked at him, confusion and desire mingling in her eyes. She understood the intensity in his words. He was holding back for both their sakes.
They lay in silence after that, the bond between them crackling softly in the air. Eventually, sleep claimed them both, their bodies entwined, but still cautious, still learning what this new union meant.
---
The next morning came with the heavy weight of what lay ahead. The portal was still within reach, but the world beyond it was unknown, filled with dangers and obstacles that could threaten them both. Lucian stood at the edge of their camp, his back to her as he gazed into the distance. Sophia watched him, sensing the war inside of him—the need to protect, to control, to make her his.
"We leave for the portal today," he said, his tone heavy. "We need to reach the castle. Your family will be there. And from there… we will see what comes next."
Sophia nodded, her heart thundering in her chest. She was ready, though uncertainty still gnawed at her. Lucian was changing her world, making it harder to breathe, but she wasn't ready to walk away from him. Not yet.
They packed up quickly, and as the journey began once again, Sophia could feel the weight of her transformation becoming more pronounced. Her wings stretched and fluttered gently, causing the air around her to hum with an electric charge. Every step felt like it took them closer to the truth, to the next chapter of their lives—whether they were ready or not.
---
They journeyed in silence, the landscape shifting around them as they moved closer to the Fae lands. The path grew more treacherous, but Lucian's determination never wavered. He stayed close, but his eyes were always on the horizon, as though expecting something to come for them.
Sophia's heart pounded as they finally reached the edge of the portal, a shimmering, pulsating doorway that stood between the realms. She could feel the pull of it, a magnetic force that seemed to call out to her, urging her forward. The moment she stepped through, the world around her seemed to bend, reality itself warping in ways she could barely comprehend.
When the portal closed behind them, they stood at the threshold of Lucian's kingdom.
Sophia's breath caught in her throat as she saw the castle looming before her, vast and imposing, a structure made of dark stone and glimmering with ancient magic. She could sense the power in the air, the weight of centuries of history, and the deep magic that flowed through every inch of the place.
Lucian's kingdom.
And it was now her home, whether she was ready or not.