15. Elara

15

ELARA

T he shadows linger even after the creature is gone, the memory of its twisted form haunting the corners of my mind. I watch Lucian, his gaze hard, his posture tense, and I realize how much I’ve come to rely on him. It’s an unsettling thought, one that fills me with both gratitude and frustration. I came here unwillingly, thrust into a world I barely understand, but he’s been my anchor, my shield in this realm of darkness.

But this isn’t enough—not anymore. If I’m going to survive, I need more than just protection. I need strength. And maybe… maybe I need to understand what binds us, what lies beneath this pact that links our fates.

When Lucian finally turns to leave, I follow him, my steps hurried as I try to catch up. “Lucian,” I call, and he pauses, glancing over his shoulder. “We need to talk. About… the pact.”

His eyes narrow slightly, but he doesn’t dismiss me. “What about it?”

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. “It’s more than just protection, isn’t it? I can feel it, this connection between us. It’s deeper than I thought.”

He sighs, his expression guarded. “A pact in the Underworld is not a simple promise, Elara. It binds us, yes. But it also links us in ways that are… difficult to explain.”

I step closer, my gaze unwavering. “Then explain it to me. I deserve to know what I’ve agreed to, what’s truly tying us together.”

He watches me for a moment, as if weighing whether or not to trust me with the truth. Finally, he nods, gesturing for me to follow him into a quiet chamber. The shadows here are softer, less foreboding, and I feel a strange sense of calm settle over me.

“When I made the pact,” he begins, his voice low, “I didn’t anticipate… this. I meant only to keep you safe, to ensure you’d survive long enough to understand your power. But the bond—it ties us beyond mere protection. It shares… essence.”

“Essence?” I echo, trying to grasp his meaning.

“Our lives are intertwined,” he says, his gaze steady. “Your survival affects mine, and mine… affects yours. We share strength, endurance, even emotions to an extent. The longer this pact holds, the stronger it grows.”

His words settle over me, and I feel a mixture of fear and wonder. This bond between us, it’s more than just a shield—it’s a part of me, a thread woven into my very being. “Then… does that mean you feel what I feel?”

“To an extent,” he admits, his gaze softening. “It’s not a complete merger, but there are moments when… our essences overlap. It’s part of why I can sense when you’re in danger. The pact pulls me to you.”

I look away, trying to process the weight of his words. “So… this connection, it’s permanent?”

“Not necessarily,” he replies, though there’s a hint of reluctance in his tone. “The pact could be broken, in theory. But doing so would weaken us both, leave us vulnerable.”

A shiver runs through me, and I meet his gaze. “What if… what if we strengthened it instead?”

His eyes flash with something I can’t quite decipher—caution, perhaps, or concern. “Strengthening the pact would bind us even more deeply, Elara. It would link our fates, our very lives. Are you sure that’s what you want?”

I hesitate, the enormity of his question settling over me. But I know, deep down, that I don’t have a choice. The threats we face are relentless, and if this bond gives me a better chance of survival, I have to take it. “Yes,” I say, my voice steady. “I’m sure.”

For a moment, he’s silent, as if considering my resolve. Then he nods, stepping closer. “Very well. But understand—this ritual will not be easy. It will demand… vulnerability.”

I swallow, nodding. “I understand.”

He places his hands on my shoulders, his touch surprisingly gentle, and I feel the warmth of his presence wash over me, a current of strength and calm. “Close your eyes,” he says softly, and I obey, letting my mind drift into the darkness, feeling the faint pulse of his essence, steady and strong.

The ritual begins, and I feel our energies intertwine, a merging of strength and spirit. His essence flows into me, a dark, powerful force that fills me with both fear and awe. I sense his past, the years of solitude, the weight of his curse, the strength he’s cultivated through centuries of struggle.

And then, I feel my own essence pour into him, my memories, my fears, my determination. It’s a strange, intimate connection, one that leaves me feeling exposed, vulnerable, but also… whole.

As the ritual concludes, I open my eyes, meeting his gaze. There’s something different between us now, a bond that feels unbreakable, a thread of understanding that goes beyond words. He looks at me, his expression softer than I’ve ever seen, and for a brief moment, I see the pain he hides, the burden of his own existence.

“Thank you,” I whisper, feeling the weight of our connection settle over me.

He nods, his gaze lingering on me. “Be careful, Elara,” he says quietly. “This bond… it’s both a gift and a curse. If one of us falls, the other will feel it.”

I nod, a fierce determination filling me. “Then I won’t let you fall.”

He gives me a faint smile, though there’s a sadness in his eyes. “The Underworld doesn’t forgive weakness, Elara. It will test you, push you to your limits. But remember—you’re not alone in this.”

As he steps back, I feel the bond pulsing within me, a thread that ties us together, a promise of strength and resilience. I know that whatever challenges lie ahead, we’ll face them together. And as much as I fear this world, I know that with Lucian by my side, I have a fighting chance.

The Underworld may come for us, but we’re ready.