Kai's training session took place in the Academy's library after midnight, when most students were asleep. The massive chamber was lit only by floating candles, creating perfect conditions for shadow work.
"Shadow magic isn't about darkness," he explained as we settled into a secluded alcove between towering bookshelves. "It's about the spaces between light, the hidden places where truth lives."
"Very poetic," I said, settling cross-legged on the thick carpet across from him.
"Shadow fae are often poets," he said with a self-deprecating smile. "It's a cliché, I know."
"I don't mind clichés," I said honestly. "Especially when they come with cheekbones like yours."
He blinked, surprised by my directness, then laughed. "Careful, Luna. Flirting with me is dangerous."
"Everything about this place is dangerous," I pointed out. "I might as well enjoy it."
Something darkened in his eyes—not shadows, but heat. "You have no idea what you do to me."
The confession hung between us, charged with possibility.
"Show me," I said softly.
Kai's breath caught. "Luna…"
"Show me the shadows, Kai. I want to understand."
For a moment, he just stared at me. Then he extended his hand, palm up. Shadows began to gather there, not dark and frightening, but complex and beautiful like living art.
"Touch it," he said quietly.
I reached out tentatively, expecting my fingers to pass through empty darkness. Instead, the shadows felt like cool silk, substantial and warm and somehow alive.
"It's beautiful," I breathed.
"So are you," he said, and his voice was rough with honesty.
The shadows between us began to dance, responding to both our emotions and my spirit magic. They wrapped around our joined hands like silk ribbons, beautiful and intimate.
"This is what the bond feels like," Kai said softly. "Like coming home to something you didn't know you were missing."
I understood exactly what he meant. Sitting here with him, shadows dancing around us, felt right in a way that defied logic.
"Kai," I started to say, but he was already leaning closer.
When he kissed me, it was nothing like Magnus's ice-cold storm. This was warmth and darkness and secrets whispered in the space between heartbeats. His lips were soft but demanding, and when his tongue traced mine, I tasted midnight and starlight.
Shadows erupted around us, not chaotic but artistic—painting the walls with moving murals of light and dark. Books glowed softly on their shelves, and I could swear the library itself was sighing with contentment.
When we broke apart, we were both breathing hard.
"Well," came an amused voice from the darkness. "That was quite a show."
We sprang apart to see Asher leaning against a bookshelf, his golden hair catching the candlelight. But instead of looking angry or jealous, he seemed… pleased.
"Asher," I started, guilt flooding through me. "I can explain—"
"There's nothing to explain," he said gently, stepping into our alcove. "The bonds work both ways, Luna. What you feel, we feel. What affects one of us, affects all of us."
"You mean you could sense what just happened?"
"We all could," Zephyr said, appearing out of nowhere with his usual dramatic flair. Magnus followed more slowly, ice crystals glittering in his platinum hair.
I felt heat flood my cheeks. "That's… embarrassing."
"It's natural," Magnus corrected. "Spirit magic creates connections that transcend normal boundaries."
"So when I kissed Kai, you all felt it?"
"Not the physical sensation," Asher clarified. "But the emotion, the magical resonance… yes."
"And you're all okay with that?"
The four of them exchanged glances.
"The bonds are growing stronger," Zephyr said finally. "Fighting it would be like trying to stop a hurricane with an umbrella."
"Besides," Kai added with a wicked grin, "who said we wanted to stop it?"
I stared at them, these four incredible men who were apparently all connected to me by forces beyond any of our control.
"This is crazy," I said.
"Probably," Magnus agreed. "But crazy seems to suit you."
Looking around at all of them—feeling the invisible threads that tied us together growing stronger by the moment—I had to agree.
My life had become completely insane.
And I was starting to love every minute of it.