Severed Bonds

Fragments

Seven Years Ago

The palace gardens smelled of sunlight and freshly trimmed hedges, mingling with the faint scent of jasmine from the decorative planters along the marble paths. The fountain at the center splashed rhythmically, water catching the light like scattered diamonds. I darted ahead, basket in hand, laughing as a rogue strawberry rolled toward the fountain.

"L! Watch it!" Kael’s voice rang behind me, fast and urgent. His polished shoes clicked against the smooth marble path but he still couldn’t reach the berry in time.

I spun, scooping it up just before it could fall into the fountain. "Got it!"

"You’re impossible," he huffed, his round, boyish face splitting into a grin as he gently took my hand in his.

My cheeks heated but I couldn’t look away from those sharp blue, eager eyes that softened as they met mine. For a moment nothing else seemed to exist; no ranks, no rules, just the warm, steady feeling that thrummed deep in my chest and hummed quietly through our bond, natural, unspoken.

Adrian, quiet as ever, skidded to a stop beside us, tossing Kael a berry, his focus on me. "I think you’re just lucky," he said softly, cheeks flushed.

I laughed, playfully twirling away from Kael while holding the basket high. "What can I say?"

Clarissa sat perched on the edge of the new fountain, arms crossed, shoes resting on the stone edge, hair catching the sunlight like strands of gold but those amber eyes followed me with a calculated precision. "Saving the berries for yourself again, L?" she asked lightly, a subtle edge in her tone.

It was something that had begun to creep in. Something I had begun to take notice of but chose to ignore, dismissing it as mood swings.

"You know I wouldn't. Just gathering them so we get to use them later," I smiled brightly, stepping closer. "Come on, help me Rissa!"

She hesitated then slowly placed her hand in mine. "Fine. But I call the shots for the next hunt. We'll pair up. Kael will pair with me and you'll pair with my brother, Adrian," she added, a small, almost reluctant smile tugging at her lips.

"Perfect, isn't it?" She pressed, eyes lingering on Kael just a fraction too long.

Something fluttered in my chest for a second but I shoved it aside as Kael and Adrian murmured in agreement. Clarissa was a sister to me and I was probably just overthinking, I had thought to myself.

We settled by the fountain, the sunlight reflecting off the glassy tiles. Kael crouched beside me while Adrian knelt across from us, our hands reaching into the basket, tossing berries back and forth like tiny coins; however, Clarissa didn't indulge.

"You all are ridiculous," she said, shaking her head. "Playing around with berries like we aren't noble-born. The servants-" Her eyes cut towards mine. "Ought to be doing this, not us."

I frowned.

"Since when has that been a problem, Clarissa? We always get berries ourselves to make our special cocktail for the bonfire. What changed?" Kael replied, frowning.

I winced at the sharp tone in his voice and so did the others, tension tightening our spine. Kael wasn’t fully grown yet his alpha commanding tone slipped out when he got frustrated.

"Hey! Stop!" I said gently, bumping my shoulder against Clarissa's to lighten the moment. "We’re just having fun!"

Adrian shrugged, "Yeah. Laila’s right. You worry too much, Rissa."

Clarissa, however, didn't respond, looking down at her hands and muttering something under her breath. The tension in her shoulders betrayed her and my frown deepened; however, I brushed it off again.

Holding up a strawberry, I let the sunlight gleam on it. "It’s sunny, the fountain’s perfect, we’ve got berries and an upcoming secret bonfire. Let's just lay back and enjoy."

Her eyes flicked to mine and something passed- a flicker of something I didn’t understand yet but she nodded, letting out a soft, almost grudging laugh. "You're right. I guess I'm just exhausted and irritated."

Kael rolled his eyes but a grin spread across his face. "Aren't you always?" he teased.

Clarissa rolled her eyes but let out a laugh as she walked away to grab her basket.

Adrian cleared his throat quietly, leaning over to whisper, "She is somewhat different today, isn’t she?"

I shook my head, smiling. "Nah, she’s just Rissa. Sometimes serious, sometimes silly. Don't read too much into it."

He frowned but didn’t argue. He never did.

"My strawberries will be gone by midnight, won't they?"

Luna Elaria's voice suddenly drifted across the garden, calm yet commanding. We turned to see her standing beneath the archway, her maids by her side. Sunlight glimmered across her deep sapphire gown, its silver embroidery tracing the fabric like frost, dark hair was swept into an elegant crown braid that framed her sharp, regal features. Authority clung to her effortlessly but those blue eyes carried a quiet warmth as she regarded us.

"Mom, what are you doing here?" Hunter drawled out, rolling his eyes.

"Luna," I greeted alongside Adrian, bowing quickly but she smiled, waving it off as she walked over.

"Enough of that," she said, her voice light with amusement. "It wasn't that hard to find you all. Your crackles can be heard miles away."

Her gaze moved across the scattered berries before settling on me. A soft fondness touched her expression as she reached out, brushing a loose strand of hair from my face. "You always bring life into this place, child."

Heat rushed up my neck as I ducked my head slightly.

Her attention shifted to Clarissa, who hurried over, lips tightening as her gaze flickered from the Luna to me. "Luna," she bowed distractedly.

Luna Elaria's brow lifted slightly. "Clarissa. Are you alright? It looks as though your afternoon isn't going as planned."

Clarissa stiffened for half a second, her gaze darting away before smiling politely. "I’m fine, my lady. Just -uh, a little bit under the weather."

Luna Elaria hummed softly, staring at Clarissa for a moment with an unreadable expression as though she noticed more than she said before turning to Kael. "Kael, your father expects you at the council chamber for an important council meeting at dusk before the festivities. Try to be punctual."

Kael groaned quietly. "Do I really have to? I just want to spend time with Lai-" he stopped short, eyes darting away as though embarrassed.

My cheeks heated.

Luna Elaine looked amused. "Well, my dear, that isn’t optional," she replied, expression darkening for a moment. "Your father is already in a rather foul mood. He won’t entertain any of this as an excuse."

Taking in our sullen expressions, her gaze softened as she continued, "That said, if you attend and behave appropriately, I’ll make sure you’re allowed to leave before the night festivities and excesses. You’ll have time for your- bonfire plans."

I froze, gaze flickering to the others, their shock as evident as mine.

"Did you truly believe your bonfire was a secret?" she asked lightly. "Sneaking out through the backdoor, into the woods at night?"

I swallowed nervously, thinking of what my mother would say if she found out I was sneaking out at night but Luna Elaine raised her hand gently. "Don't fret. A Luna sees and knows everything that goes on in her home." She cupped my face gently and whispered. "That's something you'll experience one day."

With that, she turned gracefully and walked away, her maids trailing behind her.

Adrian exhaled loudly, "That was terrifying."

"Yeah," I whispered and we burst into laughter, the tension breaking apart.

As the sun climbed higher, warming our shoulders, we chased the last of the berries, tossing them, ducking and laughing until our lungs burned. For a moment, the palace walls didn’t exist. Titles didn’t matter. We were just four kids in the sun and Kael was my mate, my first and only love.

His hand brushed mine as we both reached for the same strawberry. A warmth spread through me, a spark that made my cheeks flush but I didn’t pull away, basking in the warm, tingling feeling that spread round my body, settling in my abdomen. My heart raced as he deliberately stroked his palm across mine.

"Careful, Laila," he said softly, low enough for only me to hear, gaze lingering on my lips, intense, hungry in a way that made my chest tighten. "Mine. Don’t want you getting hurt."

My cheeks warmed. "I won’t," I whispered, heart hammering.

The clearing of a throat nearby, however, broke through our moment, making our heads turn to the side.

"Damn it, Adrian. You really have the worst timing ever," Kael mumbled, glaring at Adrian while deliberately grazing his fingers against mine for a brief moment before making his way to the fountain with a grumpy expression.

"Aren't you two being too obvious?" Adrian suddenly said, a sharp undertone in his voice.

I looked up at him in surprise but he looked away quickly, pink in the cheeks.

"What are you talking about?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "Even the Luna knows we're together, Adrian."

"Yeah. I know that. But I mean-," he hesitated. "You're my- um- friend but Kael seems to keep you pretty occupied most of the time. And I know Kael is my friend too, I just-"

I immediately understood. Adrian was my close friend and he probably felt neglected since I spent so much time with Kael so I nodded, smiling gently as I rested a hand on his arm. "I understand Adrian," I whispered. "But you don't have to worry about that. I'll always be here for you."

Tension seemed to drain from him at my words. He exhaled slowly, a faint smile lingering, though sadness hovered behind his eyes- something I didn’t understand yet.

"Friends first?" I called out, holding onto Adrian's arm as we made our way over to Kael and Clarissa.

"Friends first. Friends forever," they echoed back our friendship code, our laughter blending in together in a symphony.

At that moment, everything was perfect. My bond with Kael hummed quietly beneath the surface, like a rising fire. I had my friends by my side; no idea of what the future would demand, no idea the rising fire would one day burn hot and no idea our friendship could twist into jealousy, betrayal and heartbreak.