Magic in the Bindings

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Sylvie quietly watched as her sister lead two Humans through the corridor. She didn't have to say anything, because she didn't have anything to say. For Melinda this was normal, and nothing her sister said would ever change whatever she was up to.

Mikel spotted Sylvie as she peaked at them, and he was a little astonished. He sees Melinda a lot because of her excessive dating, and Lady Emeldia attends many social events, but Sylvie Corvinus...

Well, she's a myth.

And the legends were true. She was small, almost too small to be merely sixteen, and delicate in a wonderful way. Her hair looked white in the sunlight with glistening violet eyes. Those eyes, almost too large for her small face, connected with his silver gaze curiously. Mikel wasn't attracted to her, but he was mesmerized by her fragile grace, and she reminded him a bit of his own sister.

Sylvie watched silently as the handsome Human watched her. He seemed a bit regal, compared to some of the other Humans she saw every day. He didn't stare at her like she was a freak, or with lust like the other Human was, but with wonderment. She smiled softly as her sister dragged them both away. She liked Humans like a botanist; with inquisitiveness and appreciation, but she might learn to like that one a little more.

A few moments after they disappeared, Theo appeared from the back entrance with Aunt Ariana close behind. They both seem irritated by something. Sylvie was concerned in her own quiet way. "Theo." She held out her arms because she knew all too well that he wouldn't tell anyone about his troubles. He never did.

Theo let Sylvie hug him. She knew she was just trying to ease his heart, and right now a good squeeze from his younger sister seemed like the perfect thing. He nodded to their Aunt and she quickly skidded off to find their sister. They had things to discuss.

Sylvie released her brother only to tug on his arm. She wanted to talk, but not here, where so many servants could overhear their conversation. Theo sighed, he never could say no to someone so gentle.

'/,

About an hour later Theo had poured a small part of his anxiety into his sister's comfort over tea and cookies in her room. He didn't tell her about his Soulmate supposedly being a male, which he decided to deny until proven otherwise, for his own sanity's sake.

Sylvie also told him that she saw Melinda with two Humans today, and he didn't like that. Out of the three siblings, Melinda was the trouble maker. She was obviously up to something, but he had other pressing matters on his mind.

"How does this...'Soulmate' stuff even work?" Theo asked. Out of the three of them, Sylvie was the one who studied the most. Performing magic was a little hard for her, but the more she knew about its history the better she is at casting. The Soulmate principle was most definitely on her list, since she would go through the same process in two years.

"It's supposed to be wonderful." Sylvie's voice was very quiet as she nibbled a cookie. "Like finding your other half, or the better part of yourself."

Theo's toes lightly tapped themselves. Fidgeting was habit he did when he was nervous. "I heard you could die if you avoid them."

Sylvie nodded. "Once you find them, your soul will start to crave a connection through physical contact, which is what binds the souls together. I read once about a man who tried to avoid his Soulmate by never making the connection."

Theo silently gulped. "What happened to him?"

"Hm?" Sylvie took a sip of her tea. "Oh, he suffocated. It was like his blood was deprived of all oxygen after twenty-four hours."

"He...suffocated." From the inside out. Theo needed to calm himself before he broke out into a cold-sweat. Sylvie noticed his odd reek of fear that was coming from his aura, but she ignored it.

"Once the connection is made the two can't be separated for more than a day or two. It all depends on how strong the bond is. The stronger it is, the shorter amount of time they can spend before effects take over."

"The effects...of suffocation." Theo couldn't imagine it as he ducked his head. He could be breathing fine, but his blood could be deprived anyway. Aunt Ariana was right, he really did have to keep his Soulmate around after he found him. But how would he hide him? Force him to join the staff? Lock him in the cellar?

“No.” Theo thought. “I'm not that cruel. I won't be cruel.”

Sylvie carried on. "But having a Soulmate can have its perks."

He raised his head. "Such as?"

"Telepathy, for one." Sylvie smiled as she stood. She strode to her rabbit cage where a pure white hare slept peacefully. "The pair can communicate with their thoughts over a certain distance. They can share emotions too, and in rare cases, they can even heal each other-"

"Alright!" Theo burst out. He didn't really yell, but his voice was strong with grit. "A-Alright, I get it. Soulmates are just dandy."

Sylvie smiled as she brought her rabbit to the tea table. Theo thought the small ball of fur almost blends into the room. Sylvie liked pastel colors, like pale blues and whites and sometimes mint. Her room, for example, is covered with these colors.

"You have a right to be nervous, but not frightened like you are." She ran her free hand through his copper hair for a moment, and then poked his nose. "Boop."

Theo rubbed his nose grumpily. "How would you know?"

Sylvie sat on the bed and laid the rabbit next to her. It seemed terrified to be out of it's cage, but she didn't seem to mind as she spoke. "Anything new can be scary at first," She reached out to the rabbit whose response was only a shiver. "but eventually..." She carefully touched two fingers to head, and then moved down to stroke it's back. After a moment of repetition, the rabbit stopped shaking. "It turns into something wonderful."

She smiled as if she perfectly proved her point. Theo in truth felt a little better, but he didn't think a lazy hare was a good metaphor for his entire future. Still, he placed a kiss on his sister's temple before exiting the room.

After all he still needed to find Melinda. He didn't trust her to be innocent today.

'/,

Mikel ended up waiting in the library. He browsed the rows upon rows of books that dated back long before he was born. Which was only nineteen years, but they were still pretty old. He picked up one that looked like it could be twice his age when the grand doors opened.

"Now." Melinda smiled brightly at her boyfriend. "You stay here, while I show Mikel what he's doing." Adrian seemed to be pouting but agreed anyway. You can't really argue with someone like Melinda.

"Mikel!" She called and waved for him to follow.

Mikel shoved the book he was skimming at Adrian. "Your girlfriend's crazy."

Adrian smiled innocently with his head in the clouds. "Yeah..."

Mikel rolled his eyes and jogged to catch up with the siren. He followed her upstairs and down a long hallway. Mikel was wondering if they were heading towards a bedroom when Melinda suddenly stopped.

"Hide!" She hissed as she suddenly pulled Mikel into the closest room. She crouched and peeked through the crack in the door. Curious, Mikel leaned over her and peered out himself.

At first there was nothing, but then fast paced steps softly sounded on the carpet. A moment later, someone came into view.

Mikel's breath caught as his eyes seemingly drank the stranger's appearance. He had a head of coppery blonde hair that spiked out in the sunlight. Bright green eyes, the color of emeralds, were hardened into a glare that sent a shiver down Mikel's spine. His clothing was proper compared to everyone else he's seen here, a casual suit complete with cuffs, stud earrings, and a tie, which gave him a sense of authority when he strode past.

Mikel stared after him. He couldn't remember the last time he saw someone so...striking.

But suddenly, regal figure stopped almost right next to the room they were hiding in. Everyone held their breath as the stranger glanced at the door. For a brief second, Mikel thought he was looking right at him, and his heart inadvertently skipped a beat.

And then he shook his head, as if he was just imagining something, and walked past like nothing had ever happened.

Melinda breathed a sigh of relief before exiting the room. Mikel stared down the corridor the stranger had traversed through. "Who was that?"

"That, pretty boy, was the snob himself." Melinda smiled a wicked grin. She had just dodged a bullet. It's a good thing she left Adrian in the library to distract her brother's senses, and her charm was working out splendidly. "Theodore Corvinus." She purred her clarification as if even his name was held some special power, before rushing down the hall. "Come on, it's this way."

Mikel didn't move for a moment, before finally following the siren. But the entire way, he wondered why his heart’s sporadic rhythm lingered on the stranger.