Page 25 of Fairy's Forbidden Touch
“That was…” I began, then found myself without adequate words.
“The bond responding to our connection,” he explained softly, turning to face me. “It seeks acknowledgment.”
I traced the patterns on his chest, watching as they brightened under my touch. “Is it always going to be like that? If we… formalize things?”
“More so,” he admitted. “In my realm, the effects would be even more pronounced.”
The thought was both intimidating and incredibly appealing. Sex with Thalen was already mind-blowing—the idea that it could be even more intense was almost too much to contemplate.
We lay in comfortable silence for a while, my hand continuing its idle exploration of his skin while his fingers played with my hair. Despite the enormity of the decision facing me, I felt strangely peaceful in this moment.
“I should go,” he said eventually, though he made no move to disentangle himself. “To give you space for consideration.”
“Stay,” I said immediately. “First night in my new place. I want you here.”
The smile that bloomed across his face was worth any amount of magical complication. “Then I shall remain.”
We relocated to the bedroom, where my newly purchased bed—the first real adult furniture I’d ever owned—awaited. As we settled beneath the covers, Thalen’s cool body pressed against mine in a now-familiar way, I found myself thinking that whatever decision I made, it would be based on this—on the simple rightness of being together, magical bond or no.
Chapter 6: Bound by Magic
The next evening found me at Moonlight Brews, mechanically going through the motions of my shift while my mind raced with the decision before me. Pix had noticed my distraction immediately but had refrained from commenting until the café emptied out near closing time.
“Alright, spill it,” she demanded, hovering at eye level. “You’ve been a zombie all night. Did something happen with His Royal Hotness?”
I sighed, setting down the mug I’d been cleaning. “You could say that. Apparently, we have some kind of magical bond, and I have until tomorrow to decide whether to officially acknowledge it or reject it.”
Pix’s wings stopped beating for a moment, causing her to drop several inches before she recovered. “He told you about the resonance bond?! Finally!”
I stared at her. “You knew?”
She had the grace to look sheepish. “Everyone knew, sweetie. It’s obvious to any fae with basic magical sensitivity. You two practically glow when you’re together.”
“And no one thought to mention this to me?!”
“Not our place,” she said with a shrug. “Bond acknowledgment is deeply personal. Even I know better than to meddle in that.”
I groaned, leaning against the counter. “Great. So I’m the only one who didn’t know I was magically connected to the crown prince of the fae.”
“If it helps, you’re taking it better than the last human who bonded with fae royalty,” she offered. “That poor woman fainted seven times during the explanation. Of course, that was back when humans still believed in witchcraft, so…” She trailed off, noticing my expression. “Not helping?”
“Not really,” I confirmed. “I have to decide by tomorrow night, Pix. Whether to formally acknowledge this bond or reject it.”
Her expression turned serious, wings slowing to a gentle hover. “What does your heart tell you?”
“That’s the thing,” I said, frustration bleeding into my voice. “My heart and my head are saying completely different things. My heart says this is right, that Thalen and I have something real. But my head says I’m being impulsive again, making another bad decision because it feels good in the moment.”
“Hmm.” She settled on the counter, her tiny features scrunched in thought. “Can I offer some perspective? From someone who’s been around a few centuries?”
I nodded, willing to take wisdom from any source at this point.
“Resonance bonds don’t make mistakes,” she said simply. “They form between souls that genuinely complement each other—that make each other better, stronger, more complete. The magic doesn’t create feelings that aren’t there; it simply recognizes and amplifies what already exists.”
“So you’re saying…”
“I’m saying that what you feel for Thalen, and what he feels for you—that’s real. The bond merely confirms what your hearts already knew.” She smiled gently. “The question isn’t whetherthe bond is valid, but whether you’re brave enough to accept what it means.”
Her words settled over me, resonating with something I’d felt but been afraid to acknowledge. Whatever had drawn Thalen and me together—whether chance or magic or some combination of both—it had become something real and valuable.
