Kain hadn’t slept well.

  Not because of the shared dream. Not because of the history lesson in betrayal and godly politics.

  But because when he woke up, Tsuki was still sitting by the window.

  She hadn’t moved all night.

  She just sat there, staring at the moon, lost in thought.

  And for the first time, he didn’t have the guts to ask her what she was thinking.

  ---

  By morning, Tsuki was back to normal.

  Well, mostly.

  She didn’t mention the dream.

  She didn’t mention the conversation from the night before.

  And Kain wasn’t about to bring it up either.

  But something felt different.

  The usual playful distance she kept between them?

  Gone.

  The teasing?

  Still there—but not as sharp.

  The glint in her eyes?

  Still mischievous, but softer.

  And Kain hated that he noticed.

  ---

  He tried to ignore it.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  He focused on training, sparring with the palace guards (who still didn’t trust him).

  He bothered Lysara until she threatened to throw him into the dungeon.

  He walked around the palace, deliberately not checking rooftops or shadows for a pink-haired menace.

  And yet—

  Every time Tsuki was near, he felt it.

  The bond.

  It was stronger now.

  Like a presence always lingering in the back of his mind.

  Not forcing anything.

  Not controlling him.

  Just… there.

  ---

  It started small.

  If Tsuki was close, Kain could sense her mood.

  If she was amused, he felt a strange bubbling warmth in his chest.

  If she was bored, he felt irritated for no reason.

  When she was far away, there was a nagging awareness, like a voice reminding him that something was missing.

  And worst of all—

  Whenever she got flustered, for whatever reason—

  He felt it too.

  And that was a problem.

  ---

  Kain sat at the dining hall, shoveling food into his mouth aggressively, determined to ignore everything.

  Lysara watched him with an unimpressed look.

  “You’re acting weird.”

  Kain didn’t look up. “I’m fine.”

  “You’re eating like you’re fighting your own emotions.”

  He swallowed. Hard.

  “I’m just… very hungry.”

  Lysara arched an eyebrow.

  Kain could feel Tsuki smirking at him from across the table.

  She was way too entertained by his suffering.

  “Ohhh~ my dear thief, you’re so on edge today.”

  Kain stabbed his fork into his plate violently.

  Lysara sighed, rubbing her temples.

  "Did something else happen with the bond?"

  Kain froze mid-bite.

  Lysara caught it immediately.

  Her eyes narrowed.

  Kain tried to casually chew, but it was too late.

  Lysara’s brows furrowed.

  “What. Happened.”

  “Nothing.”

  “Kain.”

  He waved his fork vaguely. "Small stuff. Weird dreams. A little bit of... heightened awareness."

  Lysara stared at him.

  “Heightened awareness?”

  Kain cleared his throat.

  “I can kinda… sense things now.”

  Lysara tilted her head slightly. “Like what?”

  Kain opened his mouth, then shut it.

  If he told her, she’d never let him live it down.

  Especially the part where he started noticing things he really, really didn’t want to notice.

  So instead, he just said—

  “It’s fine! I’m fine! No problems!”

  Lysara looked deeply unimpressed.

  Tsuki, meanwhile, was clearly enjoying every second of this.

  “Ohhh~ my dear thief, you’re so tense~.”

  She leaned forward, propping her chin on her hands.

  Kain immediately tensed further.

  The moment she moved closer, the bond reacted.

  A spark. A warmth.

  Something unwanted and dangerous.

  His entire body locked up.

  Tsuki’s eyes glinted knowingly.

  Lysara’s gaze snapped between them.

  And then, just to make things worse—

  Tsuki smirked.

  "Mmm~ you seem a little nervous, Kain~. Thinking about something?"

  Kain immediately choked on his drink.

  Lysara’s face twisted in pure disgust.

  “Oh gods, I hate this.”

  Kain coughed violently, slamming his fist against his chest.

  “I’M NOT THINKING ABOUT ANYTHING.”

  Tsuki leaned even closer.

  Kain felt it again.

  That weird pull.

  The way his heartbeat stupidly sped up.

  The warmth in his chest that he absolutely did NOT want to acknowledge.

  His hands gripped the table.

  Tsuki’s smirk only widened.

  "Are you suuuuure?"

  Kain stood up so fast his chair nearly fell over.

  "I’M GOING TO BED. GOODBYE."

  He stormed out, practically fleeing the room.

  Lysara groaned into her hands.

  "I hate both of you."

  Tsuki just laughed.

  ---

  Kain collapsed onto his bed, staring at the ceiling in pure despair.

  The bond was messing with him.

  That was the only explanation.

  That was the only thing that made sense.

  He groaned loudly, dragging a hand down his face.

  “It’s just the bond.”

  “It’s just the bond.”

  “It’s just the bond.”

  He repeated it like a chant.

  But for the first time—

  He wasn’t sure if he believed it.

  And that?

  That terrified him.