THE DIVINE FRACTURE: MATES & PAST LIVES

THE BOND

They sat there for a few moments in comfortable silence, letting the fountain's gentle trickle fill the space between them, and for once, Amaris felt like she could breathe without weight of expectations or pressure.

"You know," Elias said quietly, "you don't have to hold everything in."

Amaris's gaze flicked up at him. "I don't know, it's hard not to"

He smiled faintly, warm. "Well you don't have to with me at least, I noticed," he said softly. "The way you think before you speak. The way you carry yourself. It tells me more than words ever could."

Amaris looked down, a blush creeping up her neck. She wanted to say something, anything to hide how aware she was of his presence, Instead, she let a small, teasing smirk escape.

"And here I thought you were all stern prince and danger. The one who practices his intimidation face in the mirror during his free time"

"Danger," he repeated with a small chuckle. "Depends who you ask."

"Interesting," she murmured, her eyes glinting with quiet amusement.

For a moment, they simply watched the water, the tension in the air settling into something warmer.

"I can tell you genuinely care. That compassion... it's not something you see every day. Most people just... exist, or survive. You try to make things better."

Amaris felt a little surprised by how much that meant to her. That someone noticed. "It's all I can do. I can't change everything, but I can try."

"And that's enough," he said, voice soft, "It's... it's impressive. And it's human. That's what makes it different from everything else in my life. You're real."

Her breath caught at his words. She had no idea what to say, so she didn't say anything.

Elias noticed her hesitation and smiled gently, leaning back just enough to give her space but keeping his eyes locked on hers. "Hey," he murmured as he reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. His touch was light, almost instinctive - careful enough not to overstep, but enough to make her pulse quicken.

"You're safe with me," he said softly.

Her chest swelled at the reassurance, and for the first time in hours, maybe longer, she let herself relax into the moment. "I appreciate that," she admitted quietly.

"I'm glad," he said, a small but kind smile tugging at his lips.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she let out a soft laugh, crossed her arms and said "You really have a way of making people trust you, don't you?"

"Only when I think they deserve it," he said, his gaze warm, teasing, and steady all at once.

She shook her head lightly, her smirk returning, a little bolder this time. "No, I think you just have a way with everyone."

"Maybe," he said, voice low, leaning just enough closer that their knees nearly touched. "Or maybe I just have a way with you."

She felt conflicted. .Caught somewhere between wanting to argue and wanting to lean closer. And in the quiet silver light of the courtyard, she realized - for the first time - that this spark between them wasn't fleeting. It was real.

A bond. Something she couldn't yet name, but already felt in her chest.

And Elias felt it too.