Raegar stared at Drusilla, who was growing increasingly embarrassed as her face and ears turned bright red, but a smile appeared on his face. ''Thank you for that kiss and of course, we bonded, didn't we?'' he said, touching the spot she kissed.
A blinding light erupted from the Dark Fairy, her form twisting and shifting in a whirlwind of shadow and glow, he quickly shielded his eyes. A sudden force slammed into him, knocking him back onto the bed, his breath catching in a gasp.
His eyes flew open, heart pounding, to find the beautiful Drusilla, now human-sized, her presence intoxicating. She leaned over him, her smile laced with possessive fire. ''You're mine now, as I am yours, my love,'' she purred, a promise that sent shivers down his spine.
Before he could utter a word, she surged forward, capturing his lips in a surprise kiss. Their Aether collided, a torrent of raw energy intertwining, binding their connection that burned deeper than anything he'd ever known, leaving him utterly speechless.
Raegar's hands found her waist, pulling the Fairy closer as she pressed herself against him. Her wings hummed, a faint buzz as they vanished, leaving her transformed. Now she was a normal-looking girl who could pass for a classmate, but no less captivating.
Their kiss deepened, Aether still pulsing between them, binding their hearts in a fiery, unspoken vow as they melted into each other on the bed. Drusilla leaned back, her radiant smile illuminating the dim room as she gazed down at him.
''Thank you for accepting me, my love,'' she whispered, her eyes sparkling.
He nodded, his expression tinged with wonder as the sight caught his breath. ''How did you transform like this?'' he asked, curiosity flickering in his gaze as he traced the curve of her now-human form.
Drusilla's smile deepened, a hint of mischief dancing in her big blue eyes. ''The Aether in our bond,'' she murmured, leaning closer, her fingers brushing his chest. ''It reshaped me, tied my essence to yours. I'm yours in every way now, human or not.''
His tone softened, a hint of hesitation in his eyes. ''We need to talk about the others,'' he said, his fingers still resting gently on her waist.
The Dark Fairy's brow furrowed, a flicker of confusion crossing her face. ''What do you mean?'' she asked, tilting her head, her now-human form somehow making her expression even more striking.
Raegar chuckled. ''There's Yuki back home,'' he explained. ''Then there's Dominique, Zahara, and Selene alongside someone else.''
Drusilla's eyes widened, but an understanding smile spread across her face as she agreed. ''That's fine,'' she said warmly. ''I know she is your first, and I respect that. The others… they're lovely, and I can feel how much they care for you.''
She leaned closer, her hand resting over his heart, a touch grounding yet electric. ''Our bond doesn't diminish theirs. We're all part of you, Raegar, and I'm happy to share in that love, especially with those three.''
Following that, Drusilla jumped up, and he quickly realized that she was naked, his eyes widening. She quickly wrapped a blanket around herself just as someone knocked. Raegar's head snapped to it as the Fairy transformed into her small form.
She flew toward him, ducking behind him as the door creaked open in case it was someone they didn't know. Peeking out, she caught sight of Valentina standing there, a warm smile lighting up her face.
The older woman stepped inside, her presence commanding yet kind, and gently closed the door behind her. ''Evening, Rae,'' she greeted, smiling. ''I came to give you something, but...''
Her eyes scanned the room. ''Where's the girl who was just in here?''
Raegar stiffened at her words until a giggle rang out as Drusilla appeared on his shoulder with a knowing expression. ''So you're this someone else, Professor Morris.''
The older woman was momentarily shocked, but soon her red eyes were twinkling. ''Yes, but nothing's official until he meets Yuki,'' she teased cheerfully. ''Still, you two as Bondmates? I'm a bit jealous!''
Drusilla's lips curved into a sly smile. In a flash, she leapt from Raegar's shoulder as she transformed mid-air, landing gracefully in her human form, her glow now softened but no less captivating.
Valentina's eyes widened, her hand instinctively rising to her chest in surprise. The younger blonde's voice was smooth as she spoke. ''We Dark Fairies are a fragile sort. Far from our villages, our strength wanes, and the Aether dims, leaving us vulnerable.'' S~eaʀᴄh the NovelZone.fun website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
After speaking, Drusilla walked toward Raegar, who was watching the two women as she continued talking. ''With Rae here, his Aether anchors me, strengthens me. Thanks to him, I can thrive in the wider world.''
When hearing this explanation, the older woman's jaw dropped, but a delighted grin soon followed, her gaze darting between the two. ''Well, isn't that something?'' she murmured, clearly impressed.
Drusilla's expression softened as she glanced at Raegar, a sweet smile appearing. ''Yes, my Aether was fading, growing faint. But when we took that next step…''
Her gaze lingered on him, the air between them humming. ''I feel stronger than ever, alive in a way I never thought possible.''
His smile mirrored hers, softening as her expression grew thoughtful. ''And I'll respect Yuki's place,'' she said. ''After all, she was the first woman he loved in this world, besides your mother.''
When Raegar heard this, his body went stiff as his eyes widened as he thought. 'Does she know I reincarnated?'
Just then, Valentina interrupted while pulling out a book. ''Here you go, Rae. It's a book on the ranks and tiers of the Devils. Lord Inquisitor Amara asked me to pass it on to you before she headed north.''
''Why is she going north?'' he curiously questioned. ''More attacks happening?''
The older blonde nodded gravely. "Unfortunately, now that the west has been secured, the north has become the focal point of attacks. I'll meet with your father and brother on my way there, but I won't return until the Grand Magic Games announcement.''
''Selene said that happens in a couple of months?'' Raegar muttered. ''Is it that serious that you have to go?''
Valentina nodded. ''I'm only escorting the knights there, once I'm done, I'll be taking a Carrier back to Drakenwood,'' she revealed.
For the next few hours, the trio continued talking, their laughter and stories filling the room. The older blonde, her golden hair catching the soft glow of the lamplight, suddenly shifted closer to Raegar.
A playful glint in her deep red eyes, she slid onto his lap. Drusilla's lips curved into a knowing smile, her eyes sparkling with mischief. ''Well, look at you, Professor,'' she teased. ''Quite the bold move.''
Valentina met the Dark Fairies' gaze. ''Don't pretend you haven't felt that same pull,'' she countered. ''It's like a current, impossible to resist.''
In that moment, she leaned forward, her breath soft against Raegar's skin, and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips. The tender gesture sent a ripple of electricity through the air, a shared thrill that danced down his spine.
The two lingered in their kiss, a tender exchange that seemed to suspend time, until Valentina gently pulled back, her lips curving into a warm, knowing smile as she sat on his lap, looking down at him.
''Stay out of trouble, handsome,'' she said softly, her voice laced with affection. ''Keep the Devils at bay, and they'll stop showing up. But their cults… those fanatics will still come for you, so don't let your guard down.''
Raegar's eyebrow arched at her words, a flicker of concern crossing his face. He nodded as she rose gracefully to her feet, stretching with a casual elegance that carried the weight of her warning.
''They shouldn't attack Drakenwood,'' she continued. ''High Command's report already admits they've failed to stop those cults from spreading through the empire like wildfire.''
''Don't worry, I don't plan to travel around Dawnfire until the tournament starts,'' he answered honestly. ''Unless something happens to my father, then I'll go north, but he has the Blackwood Guards with him, so things will be fine.''
The room's warm ambiance shattered as the sea beyond the window plunged into an inky darkness, drawing their gazes. Drusilla froze, her body tensing as a massive shadow glided past.
''Rae! What is that thing?'' she questioned while backing off.
A colossal, unblinking eye loomed, sparking a surge of panic among the trio as Valentina had never seen such a monster. Raegar, however, steadied himself, his expression shifting from alarm to weary familiarity.
''It's just the Kraken that lingers out there,'' he answered. ''It's been watching me through that window every day since I founded Drakenwood.''
The air in the room grew heavy, the flickering light casting shadows across the walls. Drusilla's breath hitched, her gaze still locked on the massive, glistening eye that seemed to pulse with an otherworldly intelligence before it vanished.
Valentina's hand lingered on his arm, her earlier warmth replaced by nervousness as the aura was something else, something ancient and powerful. The sea outside churned silently, its darkness a stark contrast to the fading glow of the evening.