As we sat there beneath the sprawling oak tree, the air thick with unspoken promises and growing curiosity, Autumn and Nerina—who had remained respectfully quiet until now—finally joined the conversation. The two of them, though subtle in their movements, held a presence that commanded attention.
It was Nerina who spoke first, her tone calm yet carrying a weight of something deeper. "Rosé," she began, her eyes locking with mine, "there's something I've been meaning to ask you."
I tilted my head slightly, curious about what she was leading to. Her usually composed demeanor held a new intensity, something I hadn't noticed until this very moment. "What is it, Nerina?" I asked, my voice steady, though I could feel the ripple of power just beneath the surface, knowing I could shape the course of this conversation however I wished.
She hesitated for a brief moment, her gaze drifting to Valendra and Elowen before returning to me. "Would you consider forming an eternal bond with me?"
Her words struck like a sudden storm, unexpected and profound. For a moment, I didn't speak. I simply looked at her, trying to gauge her intentions. An eternal bond was no small matter—it was a connection that transcended time and space, a link that would tie our lives together in ways beyond even the ordinary bounds of Lumera. It was more than a ritual or an alliance; it was the deepest form of commitment.
I glanced at Autumn, who wore a calm, knowing smile, as if this conversation had been brewing for some time. But what puzzled me most was that I had assumed Nerina was already bonded. Specifically, I thought she had bonded with Illyana—they shared the same surname, after all, and their connection had always seemed familial, almost inseparable.
I leaned forward slightly, my expression thoughtful. "I have to admit, Nerina, I always thought you and Illyana were bonded. You share the same surname, and your relationship..."
Nerina smiled softly, though there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. "It's a common assumption, and it's true that we are incredibly close, but our bond isn't the kind you're thinking of."
I waited, sensing that there was more to the story, and I wasn't wrong. Nerina drew a deep breath, her voice becoming gentler, more reflective.
"Illyana's surname came from me," she began. "But not because we formed an eternal bond. It was more... like I took her under my wing. I've watched over her since she was very young. In many ways, I'm more of a mother to her than anything else."
I nodded slowly, the pieces starting to come together. "So you're saying she's not your bonded partner?"
"No," Nerina confirmed, shaking her head lightly. "Illyana is family to me, yes, but the bond we share is not eternal. It's something born from love, from me raising her after she lost her parents. She took my surname as a symbol of our connection, but it isn't the same as the bond you and I could form."
Her words hung in the air, heavy with implication. Nerina wasn't simply asking me for a connection—she was offering something far deeper, something that would tether us together in a way that even the strongest Lumera could not easily break.
"And why now?" I asked, my voice quieter now. "Why ask for this bond today?"
Nerina's gaze softened, and for the first time, I saw something vulnerable in her eyes. "Because," she said, "after all this time, I've come to realize that there are few I would trust with something so sacred. And now that I've met you, seen your strength, your kindness... I feel that connection. I want to be by your side, to protect this village and everything we hold dear. I feel it's my purpose."
The sincerity in her voice stirred something inside me. Nerina, with her ageless wisdom and her unwavering presence, was offering me something precious. And while I knew the weight of what she was asking, I also knew that this world—my world now—was one where I could shape my future as I wished. There were no limits anymore, not for me.
Autumn, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up, her voice as soft as the breeze around us. "Nerina has always been a guardian, someone who cares deeply for those around her. Her offer to you is one of the greatest gifts a Lumera can give."
I glanced at Autumn, seeing the quiet approval in her eyes, before turning back to Nerina. "You've taken care of Illyana all these years," I said, my voice thoughtful. "And now you wish to bond with me. I want to be sure this is truly what you want."
Nerina nodded, her expression resolute. "More than anything. This village, this life we've built here—it's all that I care about. And now, I feel drawn to you, to your power, your presence. I want to share in it, to be bound to it."
I considered her words, feeling the weight of the decision before me. But deep down, I already knew my answer. I had the power to shape this bond, to make it whatever I wanted. And if Nerina truly wished to be bound to me, then who was I to deny her?
My gaze softened as I looked at her, letting my decision show in my eyes before I even spoke the words. "Then let's forge that bond, Nerina. Let's become something greater than what we are now."
A small, relieved smile crossed her lips, and for the first time since this conversation began, I saw a flicker of excitement in her expression. Autumn and Valendra watched closely, while Elowen's eyes gleamed with curiosity, her quiet interest in this entire exchange never wavering.
Nerina bowed her head slightly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you, Rosé. You won't regret this."
I smirked, leaning back against the tree, the power thrumming through me more potent than ever. "I know I won't Nerina ."
I tilted my head slightly, my eyes never leaving hers as I leaned back against the tree with a relaxed confidence, letting my presence fill the space between us. "So," I began, my voice low, playful, "an eternal bond, huh? You must really like me."
Nerina's cheeks flushed slightly, and though she tried to keep her composure, there was a flicker of amusement in her eyes. "Perhaps," she said, her voice soft but with an edge of humor. "Or maybe I just see the potential in you."
I let out a soft chuckle, raising an eyebrow. "Oh, just potential? Not charm? Not… irresistible appeal?" I leaned in a bit closer, my tone teasing but my gaze serious, daring her to challenge the growing tension.
She gave a small laugh, her smile widening, but her breath hitched ever so slightly at my proximity. Her fingers fidgeted for a moment before she composed herself, though her gaze had softened, the intensity from earlier now mingling with something else. "I wouldn't deny those, either," she admitted, her voice quieter, as if testing the waters of this new dynamic.
Autumn, standing nearby, exchanged a knowing glance with Valendra but said nothing, both of them seeming content to watch this interaction unfold. Elowen, however, was watching even more intently now, her curiosity practically palpable in the air.