Driving always helped me clear my head, especially when I needed to think. Today was one of those days. I could have just teleported myself to Leora's castle, but that would have been too fast. I needed time. Time to think about this damn Perfect Match system.
Perfect Match, my ass. As if some test could tell me who I'm supposed to spend my life with. I never believed in that crap. I live by my own rules, and no system is going to tell me who I should be with. The idea that some piece of paper could dictate my love life? Ridiculous.
As I drove through the winding roads, the scenery passed by in a blur. The hum of the engine and the rhythmic thud of the tires against the pavement provided a soothing backdrop to my turbulent thoughts. The memory of receiving that damned letter played on a loop in my mind, each replay stoking the fire of my anger further.
"How can anyone believe in this nonsense?" I muttered to myself, tightening my grip on the steering wheel until my knuckles turned white. The dashboard lights illuminated my face in the dim interior of the car, casting long shadows that danced with my every movement.
Flashbacks of past relationships surfaced, each one a testament to the unpredictable nature of love. No test could capture the complexity, the highs and lows, the unpredictability of human connection. I wasn't about to let some arbitrary system dictate my future. No way in hell.
As I pulled up in front of Leora's castle, I parked and sat in the car for a moment. The castle loomed ahead, as imposing as ever. I took a deep breath and got out, trying to shake off the lingering unease. My heart pounded a bit harder than I'd like to admit. Stress? Maybe. But I wouldn't let it show. Not now, not ever.
The heavy oak doors creaked open as I pushed through, stepping into the grand entrance hall. The chill of the stone floor seeped through my shoes, grounding me as I made my way towards Leora's office. The hallway seemed longer than usual, every footstep echoing loudly in the silent corridor. Each echo felt like a countdown to an unknown fate.
Finally, I reached Leora's office. Pushing open the door, I saw Leora and Aeliana waiting, two letters lying ominously on the table between them.
"Alright, I'm here," I said, letting impatience color my tone. "Let's get this over with."
Leora's serene expression didn't falter. She gestured towards the letters with a graceful wave of her hand. "These letters contain your Perfect Match results. Please, take yours."
Aeliana stepped forward and reached for the letter with her name. I did the same, feeling the tension thickening the air around us. I opened my letter slowly, trying to maintain my composure. I glanced at Aeliana, who still hadn't opened hers yet.
I unfolded the paper and began to read. "Your perfect match is Aeliana Whitfield."
What the actual fuck? I turned to Aeliana, who was already looking at me, her eyes wide with shock. We both turned to Leora simultaneously.
"Are you sure this is not a mistake?" we said in unison.
"This is bullshit," I spat, the anger boiling over. "This stupid system is messed up. There's no way in hell Aeliana and I are a perfect match. This is a joke, right?"
The room was tense, and I could see the same confusion mirrored in Aeliana's eyes. Just as I was about to launch into a full-blown tirade, Leora stepped forward, her expression calm but resolute.
"This is no joke," Leora said firmly. "The system has proven itself time and time again. I understand your skepticism, but the match is accurate."
Aeliana's voice trembled as she spoke up. "But we're so different. We barely get along most of the time. How could we possibly be a perfect match?"
Leora's gaze softened as she looked between us. "Sometimes, what we need isn't what we expect. The system sees compatibility beyond the surface. It's about balance, growth, and potential. You two have that."
I shook my head, unwilling to accept it. "This is insane. You can't force us into this."
Leora sighed, as if she had anticipated this reaction. "I'm not forcing you into anything. But I do believe you owe it to yourselves to see where this could lead."
Before I could protest further, she teleported us both to my castle, directly into my room. The sudden shift left me disoriented, and I felt a familiar sense of vulnerability wash over me as Leora placed her hand on my shoulder, nullifying my magic. She did the same to Aeliana.
"I'm not staying here," Aeliana protested, her voice shaking with frustration. "I don't have any clothes here, and this is just ridiculous."
Leora calmly walked over to my wardrobe and opened it, revealing a selection of Aeliana's clothes neatly hung inside. Both Aeliana and I stared in shock.
"We already knew you were the perfect match for each other," Leora said, a hint of amusement in her voice. "So we prepared everything. Now, please, don't kill each other."
The reality of the situation crashed down on me, and for the first time in a long while, I felt completely and utterly lost.
The air was thick with tension. Aeliana and I stood there, both of us stunned and more than a little stressed. I could see the worry etched on her face, mirroring my own feelings. This wasn't just some random hookup gone wrong; this was our lives being manipulated by that damned system.
I needed to get out. The walls felt like they were closing in on me. Without a word, I made a beeline for the door, but as soon as I reached for the handle, a shimmering magic barrier appeared, blocking my way.
"Are you fucking kidding me?" I spat, glaring at the barrier as if sheer willpower could break it. "Leora, what the hell is this?"
Aeliana looked equally alarmed, her eyes darting from me to the barrier and back again. "Ciara, what are we going to do?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
"First, I'm going to break this damn barrier," I growled, raising my hand to summon my flames, but then remembered my magic was nullified. "Shit."
I paced back and forth, frustration mounting with every step. "Great. Just fucking great. Trapped in a room with you of all people."
Aeliana's eyes flashed with irritation, and I knew we were in for a long, stressful night.