Amber woke tangled in warmth—soft moss beneath her, Nate's arms around her, and the first rays of morning sun spilling through the trees. For a moment, she didn't move. She just breathed. Her body ached in the most delicious way, her skin still tingling where his lips had touched, where his magic had burned into hers.
Her hand drifted to the mark on her shoulder.
It was different now—no longer just a symbol, but a part of her. Glowing faintly gold, it pulsed in time with her heartbeat. She could feel Nate's presence inside her magic now. It didn't hurt. It felt… right. As if she'd always been meant to carry a piece of him.
"You're awake."
His voice rumbled low behind her, and she turned to find him watching her, eyes soft but guarded.
"Barely," she murmured, snuggling into his chest. "Was that real? All of it?"
His arms tightened around her. "More real than anything I've ever known."
They lay in silence for a moment, the forest waking around them—birds calling, leaves rustling, the distant rush of water. It should have been peaceful.
But Amber could feel it. The shift.
Something had changed the moment their bond was sealed. The forest felt… watchful. Like they weren't alone anymore.
"Nate," she said softly. "You said they'd come. The Order."
He nodded, tension sliding into his jaw. "They're probably already tracking us. Our bond triggered a magical surge strong enough to be felt miles away."
"Will they hurt us?"
"They'll try."
He sat up, scanning the trees, his hand already on the dagger strapped to his thigh. "We need to move. They'll send Seekers first—sorcerers trained to break illegal bonds."
Amber flinched. "Break?"
"It's torture," he growled. "They force the connection apart. It can kill you if your magic isn't strong enough."
Fear fluttered in her chest, but she pushed it down. "Then we stay strong. We fight."
He looked at her, gaze fierce. "You're not trained. You don't know how to shield your magic yet. If they grab you—"
"They won't," she snapped. "Because you won't let them. And neither will I."
His lips twitched. "You've got fire, I'll give you that."
She stood, wrapping her cloak tighter around her bare skin. "Then let's burn anyone who tries to tear us apart."
Nate chuckled, dark and amused. "You're going to be the death of me."
Amber smiled over her shoulder. "You say that like it's a bad thing."
---
They traveled fast through the forest, Amber on horseback behind Nate. The energy between them hadn't dulled since their night together. If anything, it hummed stronger now—like a current linking them heart to heart, soul to soul. Every time he looked back at her, her skin flushed. Every brush of his hand was a silent promise.
But there was no time for sweet moments.
By midday, they heard the whispers.
Nate yanked the reins and slid off the horse. "Stay low," he ordered, scanning the treeline. "They're close."
Amber followed, ducking behind the gnarled roots of an ancient tree. Her mark burned slightly—just a whisper of pain, but enough to tell her something was wrong.
"Do you feel that?" she whispered.
"Yes. They're masking their magic, but not well enough."
The air grew still. Even the birds had gone silent.
And then they stepped into the clearing—three hooded figures in crimson robes. Their faces were shadowed, but their presence screamed power.
"Unregistered bond," the tallest said, his voice hollow. "Surrender now, and only one of you dies."
Amber felt a spike of rage flare in Nate. "Come closer and I'll show you what both of us can do."
The Seeker raised a gloved hand. "Don't be foolish, Nate. You know the law. Bonds without the Circle's sanction are forbidden. Corrupt. Dangerous."
Amber stepped forward. "It's our magic. Our choice. You have no right—"
Before she could finish, the Seeker unleashed a blast of magic.
Nate moved fast, throwing up a shield that shimmered gold. The impact rocked the ground, sending roots flying and branches crashing around them.
"Run!" he shouted.
"No!"
"I'll hold them. Get to the river—"
"I'm not leaving you!"
He spun to face her, eyes blazing. "Amber, if they take you, they'll break your mind. I won't let that happen."
She didn't hesitate. Instead of running, she reached for him—through the bond. Her magic met his in a surge of heat and light, fusing together into something stronger. Their mark blazed like fire between them.
"Then we fight," she said, lifting her hands.
Nate cursed. "You're insane."
She grinned. "So are you. That's why this works."
Together, they turned to face the Seekers.
Amber let the magic pour from her fingertips, golden fire dancing across her skin. She didn't know what she was doing—but the bond guided her. Nate's power wove with hers, spinning into a brilliant shield, then lashing out like a whip.
The first Seeker stumbled back, cloak smoking. The second lunged with a blade of ice, only for Nate to catch it mid-air and crush it into dust.
Amber lifted her hand and called to the fire. It answered. A jet of flame erupted from her palm, sending the third Seeker screaming into the trees.
By the time it ended, the clearing was scorched, trees half-burned, smoke rising in the air.
The Seekers were gone.
Amber fell to her knees, breathing hard. Nate rushed to her, dropping beside her.
"Are you okay?"
She nodded. "Did we just… win?"
"Barely," he said. "They'll send more. Stronger ones."
She leaned into him. "Then we get stronger, too."
He brushed a kiss to her temple. "You surprise me, you know that?"
"I'm full of surprises."
He cupped her face, looking deep into her eyes. "I've never bonded like this before. Never wanted to. But with you… it feels right. Dangerous. But right."
Amber reached up and touched his chest, feeling the steady thrum of his heart. "We're already in this. No going back now."
"No," he murmured, voice husky. "No going back."
Their lips met again—slower this time. Not the frenzy of need like before, but something deeper. A promise. A beginning.
But somewhere beyond the trees, a new shadow stirred.
And it was watching.
Waiting.