Chapter: The Bond
Caspian's body slipped through her arms like he weighed nothing at all, yet Nadeira felt his collapse like a rock crushing down on her chest.
His skin burned with fever, his lips turned pale, and his breaths seemed too shallow.
"Stay with me," she whispered fiercely, clutching his shoulders.
His eyes opened slowly, weaker but still stubborn. "The water… take me to the water."
Nadeira didn't question it, and started dragging him, half carrying, half stumbling through the halls until they reached the garden pool where the moonlight rippled silver.
She lowered him into it, her hands tremblied as the water swallowed him whole.
The moment he touched the surface, his body shivered…Scales shimmered across his legs, his tail unfurling, iridescent blue and silver under the moon…
Fins spread, trembling like a wounded bird's wings. His arms floated weakly, and eventually Caspian's head lolled back.
Nadeira gasped, stunned and lost, but her panic for him drowned out everything else. "Caspian! What should I do?"
He blinked, and whispered in a broken voice. "Mating… is the only way. It ties life together. But… I can't. Not without your will."
Her throat tightened. His words made no sense, yet her body knew they had some truth too deep to ignore.
His energy was pouring out of him, fading like a candle in the tide.
"What do you mean?" she asked, kneeling by the water, clutching his face with both hands.
His eyes, though still weak, held hers. "My mate's touch… seals me. Heals me. But I will not… steal it from you. Not unless you… allow."
Nadeira's heart pounded so hard she thought it might burst. The choice felt like iron in her chest.
His skin was hot under her fingers, yet when her thumb brushed his cheek, he sighed as though that small touch was air itself.
"If I don't?" she asked, carefully.
He shut his eyes. "Then I die."
Her breath broke. The thought of him slipping away now was unbearable.
He had fought beside her, shielded her, glared at the king…. And now, swimming before her, shaking like a flame about to go out.
Nadeira swallowed hard, pressing her forehead to his. "Then take it. I give you permission."
His eyes opened wide, the silver in them glowed under the water. His lips parted like he didn't dare to believe her.
"You mean it?"
She nodded, though fear and something hotter was drowning in her chest. "Yes. If this is what you need… then take it."
The moment she spoke, the water stirred. It rose in slow spirals, curling around their bodies as if the sea itself had heard and approved.
Caspian's tail moved weakly, yet it was shining blue. He lifted his hands to touch her arms.
"I'll be gentle," he promised. "Tell me if it's too much."
Her skin burned under his touch. But it wasn't from the heat or cold. Nadeira was feeling Caspian's pain.
His fingers traced up her arms, slow, reverent, like each inch carried meaning. She was forced to pause her breathing.
The burn spread. It was as if the sea wanted her too, searing her nerves, awakening something primal in her. She gasped softly, pressing closer, unable to stop herself.
"What is… happening?" Her eyes widened and eyebrows flew up.
"Our bond," Caspian breathed, resting his forehead against hers. "Your soul answers mine."
Her hands found his chest. His heart thundered beneath her palms, so wild, and so desperate.
The beat matched hers until she could not tell whose it was.
His lips brushed her temple, cautious.
The water swung around them, and her own body was no longer listening to her, leaning in, craving the closeness.
When his mouth finally found hers, somehow, it wasn't harsh.
It wasn't even hungry. It was pleading, tender, a kiss that felt like drowning and breathing at the same time.
She clutched him tighter, her whole body started shaking as something inside her unlocked, pouring out heat and light.
'I don't know what it is…but my belly is full of butterflies…'
The water wrapped around them, sparkling like glitter, and waves pulsed with their heartbeats.
Caspian's scales turned brighter, his strength was flooding back as her energy fed into him.
But Nadeira wasn't being drained…it felt like she was being filled too, her own body was vibrating and shivering like she'd stepped into warm water.
"Caspian…" she gasped against his lips.
He pulled back just enough to speak, "You're mine now. And I'm yours. There's no turning back."
Her skin tingled everywhere his hands moved, her shoulders, her back, the curve of her neck.
Nadeira felt branded, marked, yet she didn't want it to stop. She wanted more…to get closer to him, to get deeper.
The water surged once, lifting them as if the tide carried their bond.
She clung to him, her body pressed to his scales, her breath was lost near his lips.
And in that moment, as his tongue touched her skin and her nails dug into his shoulders, Nadeira realised the truth: the bond wasn't just saving him.
It was saving her too.
Author's Note: Next chapter will be updated a bit earlier…spoiler alert; Don't judge me for my fantasy choices…and I'll hope you'll enjoy it. :')