Chapter Title: What the Bond Demands
Bryant's POV
The sky was a quiet shade of lavender. The kind of calm that only showed after a storm. The royal garden, bathed in the soft glow of the morning sun, felt unusually peaceful. Birds sang from nearby trees, and a gentle breeze teased the surface of the teacup before me. For once, I had chosen to sit out on the stone terrace behind my chambers.
I didn't come for the view. I just needed to breathe.
My thoughts had been twisted ever since Rosa left my chambers. Her eyes—wounded and disappointed—were etched into my mind like scars. Her voice still rang in my ears, trembling with pain. And that word she said… "dignity." It shook me more than I wanted to admit.
I took a sip of the tea—bitter, the way I liked it. But it did nothing to calm the ache that had been building behind my ribs.
"Mate!" A soft, sugary voice chimed behind me, pulling me out of my thoughts. "What are you doing out here all alone?"
I didn't even need to look.
Matilda.
She walked gracefully toward me, dressed in a flowering plum gown, hair pinned up perfectly, a wide smile painted on her lips. I didn't return it.
Instead, I stood slowly.
And before I could stop myself—before I could even think—I grabbed her by the throat.
Her smile disappeared instantly.
"Why did you tell her?" I growled, voice low and cold.
Her hands clutched at my wrists, her feet scrambling against the stone floor. "Bry—Bryant—please…"
"Did I ask you to?" I tightened my grip. "Did I tell you to open your mouth to her?"
She gasped for air, face turning pale. "I—was—just—"
I let her go, the rage still hot in my chest.
She fell to her knees, coughing violently, eyes wide and red. And then, to my surprise, tears poured down her cheeks—not the manipulative kind I usually saw—but desperate, wounded tears.
"Why are you treating me like this?" she cried, voice cracking. "Why can't you just respect what we have?"
I said nothing. My hands clenched at my sides.
She knelt there, trembling, wiping at her tears with the back of her hand. "You never acknowledged me. Not even once. You act like I forced the bond on you. But I didn't, Bryant. The Moon Goddess chose me for you."
I looked away. The sun had risen higher now, its golden light falling on her tear-streaked face.
"You keep talking about her," she added bitterly. "Like she's still your responsibility. Like she still belongs in your life. But I'm the one destined to be by your side."
She sniffed hard. "If it makes you happy, we can reject the bond. Maybe… maybe I was too overwhelmed by the joy of finally being yours. But clearly… you don't want me."
She stood slowly, gathering the folds of her dress, her voice softening into something heartbreakingly human. "You don't have to love me. I get it. But you could at least stop treating me like the enemy."
There was a long silence.
Something about her words lingered. Not the manipulation I knew she was capable of, but the quiet ache behind them. I didn't want to feel anything. I couldn't afford to. But still… I did.
I exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand down my face.
"Stay away from Rosa," I said finally, my voice getting colder now.
She blinked. "What?"
"I mean it." I looked her straight in the eye. "Whatever this bond is between us… it doesn't give you the right to touch her life. Not again."
Matilda stiffened, her smile fading completely this time. "You still care for her…"
"I said what I said."
Without another word, I turned and walked away, leaving her alone with her emotions. Her soft sob behind me was the last thingWould you like the next I heard before the garden swallowed me whole.
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