Chapter 32: Cerys' Experiments
953 Words
The night was calm, with only the crackling of campfires breaking the silence that had settled over the encampment. While some rested after the intensity of the past events, a small group gathered around a more secluded fire, exchanging curious and contemplative glances.
Morgana, Tristan, Alec, Aria, Cerys, and Gareth sat in an improvised circle, each lost in their own thoughts. The conversation had started casually but quickly took an intriguing turn: fated pairs.
— Have you all noticed how... everyone seems to be forming bonds, except us? — Aria asked, breaking the silence as she absentmindedly ran her fingers through her golden hair.
— Hard not to notice — Tristan muttered, crossing his arms. — First it was Rhys and Donovan, then Nerys and Finn, and now Brianna and Blake...
— It’s not jealousy — Morgana clarified, sitting up straighter. — But I’ll admit it makes me curious. If we all have fated partners, why have some already felt the bond while we haven’t?
— Maybe fate is playing with us — Alec suggested with a smirk. — Or maybe it just needs a push.
Cerys leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with a sudden idea. — What if we tested it?
Gareth raised an eyebrow. — Tested what, exactly?
— The bond theory. If we kiss different people in the group, maybe we’ll feel something — Cerys explained, her tone decisive. — We have nothing to lose.
Aria blinked, hesitant. — You want us to just... kiss each other? Just like that?
— Just to see if something sparks — Cerys shrugged. — If the bond is real, it should manifest with any kind of intimate contact.
— And if nothing happens? — Tristan questioned.
— Then we go back to square one and move on — Morgana reasoned. — But at least we’ll know we tried.
The group exchanged uncertain glances, but curiosity was palpable. After all, fate had already made so many decisions for them; it made sense to try to understand their role in this cosmic design.
— Alright — Gareth said with a slight smile. — But someone has to start.
Morgana took a deep breath and took the initiative.
Morgana kisses Gareth
Gareth gave her a hesitant look before they leaned toward each other. The kiss was soft, hesitant. Morgana felt his lips against hers, warm, firm, but... nothing. No spark, no shiver.
Gareth pulled back first, tilting his head. — Well... it was a pleasant kiss, but I didn’t feel anything special.
Morgana nodded, trying to mask her mild disappointment. — Agreed. There’s nothing here.
Morgana kisses Tristan
Tristan gave her a relaxed smile. — Well, let’s see.
The kiss was a little bolder, but it lasted only a few seconds before they pulled away.
Morgana blinked, surprised. — I felt nothing.
— Neither did I — Tristan admitted, running a hand through his hair. — At least we know we’re not the ones.
Morgana kisses Alec
When Morgana turned to Alec, he raised an eyebrow and smirked. — This is getting interesting.
She rolled her eyes before pulling him into a brief kiss. When they separated, both frowned.
— Nothing — Alec said.
— Absolutely nothing — Morgana confirmed.
The group chuckled at how bluntly they had stated it.
Cerys kisses Alec
Next, it was Cerys’ turn to test the experiment. She approached Alec, who gave her a playful wink before leaning in. The kiss was gentle, exploratory, but... empty.
Cerys pulled away, biting her lip. — Well, at least kissing well isn’t a problem for you.
Alec grinned. — I appreciate the compliment, but clearly, I’m not your match.
Cerys kisses Tristan
She turned to Tristan, who shrugged before leaning in. The kiss was brief, and when they pulled away, Cerys sighed.
— Nothing. — Tristan confirmed, shaking his head.
— At least we’re narrowing down the list — he joked.
Cerys kisses Gareth
The kiss with Gareth lasted a little longer, but when they separated, both had the same expression of uncertainty.
— I... didn’t feel anything — Gareth said.
— Neither did I — Cerys agreed, crossing her arms. — So I guess it’s not us either.
Aria kisses Gareth
Now it was Aria’s turn. She looked at Gareth, hesitant, before leaning in. The kiss was delicate, but again, there was no reaction.
Gareth pulled away with a half-smile. — Nothing.
Aria sighed. — Exactly. Another failed attempt.
Aria kisses Alec
She turned to Alec and swallowed before moving closer. The kiss was short but didn’t spark anything for either of them.
— It’s not you — Alec said, blinking.
— Nor you — Aria confirmed.
Aria kisses Tristan
The last test was with Tristan. The kiss was slightly longer, but when they separated, both let out a sigh of defeat.
— Nothing — Tristan said, laughing.
— Absolutely nothing — Aria echoed.
The group fell silent for a moment, each reflecting on what they had just experienced.
— So — Gareth finally said. — That was useless.
— It wasn’t useless — Cerys corrected. — We learned that the bond can’t be forced. That’s something.
— Which means we’ll just have to wait... and see how things unfold — Morgana added.
Aria sighed, crossing her arms. — Looks like fate will dictate the right moment, not us.
Cerys looked around and nodded. — I’ll think of another test. If the bond isn’t just physical, maybe it’s emotional. We need a new plan.
The group exchanged intrigued glances before finally dispersing to rest, each contemplating what they had just experienced.
If the bond couldn’t be forced, what else did they need to discover before they felt what the others had already found?
- Writer
