Chained Together

The morning sun had barely begun its slow ascent when Raven awoke to the sharp tug of the bond. It wasn’t painful, exactly, but it was insistent, like an invisible chain wrapped around their wrist, pulling them toward its counterpart.

Lucian was already awake, standing near the open balcony of their temporary shelter—an abandoned watchtower on the outskirts of the capital. His back was rigid, arms crossed, as if pretending they weren’t magically tethered together.

“Good morning, sunshine,” Raven drawled, stretching lazily. “You look thrilled.”

Lucian didn’t even turn. “I hardly see what’s good about it.”

Raven sat up, rubbing their wrist where the bond pulsed faintly. “Well, you’re alive, I’m alive. That’s something.”

Lucian finally turned, his silver eyes cold as steel. “This bond is unnatural. The sooner we sever it, the better.”

Raven sighed dramatically. “And here I thought we were bonding.”

Lucian’s glare intensified, and Raven smirked. But beneath the teasing, they both knew the truth: this bond wasn’t going to be easy to break. And neither of them had any idea what it would demand of them.

They had traveled through the night after discovering the bond, neither willing to risk staying in the palace where too many eyes were watching. Lucian had suggested the abandoned watchtower—a relic from an old war that the empire no longer cared to maintain. It was empty, dusty, and cold, but at least they wouldn’t be found immediately.

Raven rose to their feet and made their way to the balcony, leaning against the stone railing. Below them, the forest stretched into the distance, mist still clinging to the treetops. “So, what’s the plan, oh mighty general?”

Lucian clenched his jaw. “I need to speak to the High Enchanter. If anyone knows about this kind of magic, it’s him.”

“Sounds like a fantastic plan, except for one little problem.” Raven held up their wrist, the golden mark glinting in the sunlight. “Where you go, I go.”

Lucian’s fingers curled into a fist. “I am aware.”

Raven grinned. “Good. Just making sure you’re ready to have me as your personal shadow.”

Lucian exhaled sharply, turning away. “Pack your things. We leave within the hour.”

Raven saluted mockingly. “Yes, sir.”

---

Traveling with Lucian was exactly as frustrating as Raven had expected. He walked too fast, spoke too little, and ignored every attempt at conversation. By midday, Raven was thoroughly bored.

“You know,” Raven mused as they walked along the overgrown path, “this whole ‘silent brooding’ act is really impressive. Do you practice in front of a mirror?”

Lucian didn’t even glance at them. “No.”

“Fascinating,” Raven continued, undeterred. “I bet you’re a hit at parties.”

“I don’t attend parties.”

“Of course, you don’t,” Raven muttered. “Tragic.”

Silence stretched between them again, save for the rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds. The sun was high in the sky now, casting dappled light through the trees. Despite the tension between them, Raven couldn’t deny the beauty of the landscape. It was a rare sight for someone used to the dark alleyways and rooftops of the capital.

“Tell me something,” Raven said after a while. “Why do you even care about breaking this bond? I mean, I get why I don’t want to be stuck with you, but you? You’re a general. You could just lock me in a dungeon and be done with it.”

Lucian’s steps slowed just a fraction, but he didn’t stop. “This bond is dangerous.”

Raven raised an eyebrow. “Dangerous how?”

Lucian hesitated before answering. “Magic like this isn’t meant to exist anymore. If it was sealed away, there was a reason. If someone finds out about it—about us—it could be used as a weapon.”

Raven whistled. “So dramatic. And here I thought you just didn’t like my charming personality.”

Lucian shot them a look. “I don’t.”

Raven clutched their chest in mock offense. “Ouch.”

They continued walking, the air growing heavier as the day stretched on. The forest slowly began to thin, revealing the outskirts of a small village nestled against the hills. Smoke curled from chimneys, and the faint sound of a blacksmith’s hammer echoed in the distance.

Lucian pulled his cloak tighter around himself. “We’ll rest here for the night. Keep a low profile.”

Raven grinned. “You do realize ‘low profile’ isn’t exactly my specialty?”

Lucian sighed. “Just… try.”

They entered the village just as the sun began to dip below the horizon. The bond pulsed faintly, a constant reminder that no matter how much they tried to ignore it, they were stuck with each other.

And somehow, Raven had the feeling this was only the beginning.

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