Chapter 3: In The Dream Life

Evren opened his eyes to darkness. Not the cold, empty kind—but warm and alive. Shadows danced like flames, pulsing with color. He wasn't in the spring anymore.

He stood in a grand, moonlit hall made of obsidian and glass. The stars outside shimmered unnaturally. Magic buzzed beneath his skin. The bond had pulled him somewhere else.

A figure waited at the far end.

Kaelion.

But not as he was. No armor. No smirk. He wore black silk, barefoot, bathed in the light of the floating stars. His golden eyes were calm, but burning.

"You followed me," Kaelion said.

"I didn't mean to," Evren muttered. "Is this… a dream?"

Kaelion walked toward him. "A shared one. The bond's strengthening."

Evren's breath hitched. "Is that why it feels so—"

"Dangerous?" Kaelion asked softly. "Or real?"

Evren didn't answer. The heat between them was rising, slow and deliberate.

Kaelion stopped inches away. "This place shows us what we try to hide."

"Nothing to hide," Evren said too fast.

Kaelion tilted his head. "Really? Then why do you always flinch when I get close?"

Evren stared at him. "Why do you keep getting close?"

Neither of them moved. The silence buzzed with tension—then Kaelion reached out, hand hovering over Evren's chest.

"Because when you touched the bond," Kaelion whispered, "you didn't hesitate."

Evren's heart thundered.

"You felt it too," Kaelion said.

"I don't know what I felt," Evren whispered back. "And I'm not sure I want to."

Kaelion smiled, but it wasn't mocking this time. It was quiet. "You will."

And then the dreamfire surged around them—wrapping them in light, in heat, in everything they weren't saying.

Evren woke with a gasp.

The stone ceiling above him blurred for a moment before sharpening. The steam had faded. The warmth from the spring was gone. But the heat in his chest remained.

He sat up fast—and found Kaelion already awake, sitting on the edge of the pool with his back to him.

"You saw it too," Evren said.

Kaelion didn't turn around. "Yes."

The silence between them wasn't awkward—it was charged.

"What was that place?" Evren asked, his voice low.

"A mirror," Kaelion replied. "Of our thoughts. Our fears. And everything we're pretending not to feel."

Evren stood, dripping, tense. "So what, it just... shows our fantasies?"

Kaelion turned slowly, golden eyes unreadable. "Only the ones we keep buried."

Their eyes locked.

Before either could speak again, a loud knock slammed against the chamber door.

Kaelion shot to his feet, instantly alert. "What?"

A voice called from outside. "Prince Kaelion, Prince Evren—Your presence is required. An envoy from the Southern Court has arrived. She's asked for both of you together."

Evren blinked. "Together? That's new."

Kaelion frowned. "The Southern Court doesn't do unannounced visits."

"And they definitely don't ask politely," Evren muttered.

They dried quickly and changed in silence. The tension between them hadn't faded—it had thickened, wrapped around them like a second skin.

As they entered the throne hall, Evren paused.

Standing in the center of the room was a woman in dark crimson robes, eyes sharp as knives and lips curled into a smirk.

"Prince Kaelion," she said, then turned to Evren. "Prince Evren. Or should I say... bonded heirs?"

Evren's blood ran cold.

Kaelion stepped forward, voice steel. "Who told you that?"

The envoy laughed lightly. "Please. The magic pouring off you both is blinding. Do you really think you can hide something like that?"

Evren clenched his fists. "What do you want?"

She smiled wider. "Just to talk. About alliances. And what happens when two bonded princes become a threat to every single royal house in the realm."

Evren stood beside Kaelion at the royal table, arms crossed, expression cold. The envoy from the Southern Court, Lady Sylha, sipped her spiced wine like she owned the entire palace.

"Bonded heirs," she repeated, smirking. "The realm hasn't seen anything like this in generations. The kingdoms are whispering already."

Evren leaned forward. "Let them whisper. The bond doesn't change the politics."

Kaelion gave him a sharp look. "Don't speak like you understand court politics."

Evren glared back. "And you do? Must be nice, playing prince while the rest of us fought real wars."

Sylha raised a brow. "So the rumors are true—you two can't even agree on the air you breathe."

Kaelion didn't answer. He just stared at Evren, jaw clenched.

"I'm only here to offer a deal," Sylha said lightly. "A new alliance. The Southern Court wants a seat at the table when this… 'bonded era' begins."

Evren scoffed. "Sounds like you're trying to keep us under your thumb."

"Or protect you," she countered. "Your enemies won't care how new your bond is. They'll come for you both."

Kaelion folded his arms. "If they come, they'll bleed."

The envoy laughed. "That bravado might work with steel. Not with politics."

Evren pushed off the table. "We'll give you an answer when we decide—not when you show up uninvited."

"Charming," Sylha said as they turned to leave. "I see why the bond is so… volatile."

Outside the hall, Kaelion rounded on Evren. "You speak out of turn."

Evren got in his face. "And you act like I'm your guard, not your equal."

They stood close—too close. Again.

Kaelion's voice dropped. "We're not equals."

Evren smirked. "Not yet. But if this bond means anything, you better catch up."

And just like that, he turned and walked away, leaving Kaelion staring after him—annoyed, impressed, and maybe… a little rattled.

Rain fell hard over the capital as Evren slipped through the back corridor of the palace, cloak soaked, boots echoing against the stone. He wasn't running—he was avoiding. Kaelion had a way of getting under his skin, and Evren hated that it was starting to work.

He needed space. Air. A reason not to punch the prince next time they shared a room.

He turned the corner—and nearly slammed into a stranger standing in the hall, calm, dry, and smiling like he belonged there.

"Apologies," the man said smoothly, voice like silk over steel. "I didn't mean to startle you."

Evren stepped back, hand inching toward the dagger hidden at his side. "Who are you?"

The stranger bowed, one hand over his chest. "Prince Theron of the Thorn Court."

Evren blinked. "You weren't announced."

"Of course not." Theron's smile widened. "I prefer to arrive before the noise."

Evren's eyes narrowed. "So you're the one the council mentioned. The outsider."

"And yet, I'm here." Theron looked him over. "And you—you must be the fire they say Kaelion is struggling to contain."

Evren bristled. "He doesn't contain me."

"Clearly," Theron said, still amused. "But perhaps I can offer you something he can't. A way out. A different kind of power."

"Why would you offer me anything?"

Theron stepped closer, voice lowering. "Because I know what it's like to be bound to someone you don't trust. And because I don't want Kaelion Morellian anywhere near the throne."

Evren's jaw tightened. "You think I'd betray him?"

Theron's eyes gleamed. "I think you're still deciding who deserves your loyalty."

Before Evren could respond, footsteps echoed behind him—Kaelion, storm-eyed, striding straight toward them.

His gaze locked on Theron. "You're trespassing."

Theron didn't flinch. "Just introducing myself to your bonded heir."

Kaelion stood beside Evren now, close enough that their arms nearly touched. "He doesn't need your attention."

"Maybe," Theron said with a slight tilt of his head. "But he certainly has mine."

The royal chambers slammed shut behind them.

"What the hell was that?" Evren snapped, shaking off his wet cloak and tossing it across the couch.

Kaelion didn't bother looking at him. "A test."

"From who? You or him?" Evren challenged.

Kaelion turned, his expression unreadable. "You were smiling."

Evren blinked. "Excuse me?"

"With him," Kaelion said, voice lower now, colder. "I saw it. That smug little smirk you only give when someone's flirting with you."

Evren laughed bitterly. "You jealous, Your Highness?"

Kaelion's jaw clenched. "I don't get it jealous." you a man and I'm a man wtf would I be jealous of my fellow man

"Right. You just storm down hallways and act like you own me the second someone else shows interest."

Kaelion crossed the room in two slow steps, the air between them sharp with tension. "Do I need to remind you what this bond means?" you acting like a kid .

Evren stood his ground. "No, but maybe you need to remember I didn't ask for this. I'm not some royal puppet you can order around."

Kaelion's voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "And yet you're here."

Evren's lips curled. "Don't confuse obligation with loyalty."

Silence. Heavy. Charged.

Kaelion looked at him for a long time—too long—before finally stepping back.

"You're not ready to lead beside me," he said coldly. "Not like this."

Evren's chest tightened. "Then maybe you should ask the council for someone who will obey you."

Kaelion walked to the door, paused, and without turning said, "Obedience is easy. I expected more from you."

Then he left.

Evren stood alone in the room, throat tight, fists clenched, heart hammering against something he couldn't name.

Not trust.

Not yet.

But definitely something.

.....