CHAPTER 231: CHAPTER 231 THE WITCHES’ REALM (7)

He knew deep down, even if Alaric and the witch had accepted each other, they would have to face criticism and hatred from the two races... in other words, there would be no place for them.

"There’s nothing to figure out, Theo. She’s a witch. The same kind of creatures that wiped out our entire family. And she hates me at first sight. You think the universe is just messing with me?"

Theo sighed, unsure what to say.

Alaric looked down at his hands, flexing his fingers slowly. "It wasn’t supposed to be her."

Theo didn’t argue.

They stood there in silence for a while, the sounds of the distant festival slowly creeping back into their ears. The music felt too happy, and too wrong compared to the weight in Alaric’s chest.

Then Theo mumbled, "Maybe the goddess has a reason for this... look at my father and Ember."

Alaric turned to him, and gave him a "really?" look.

Theo quickly corrected. "I know their situation is very messy right now..."

"It’s messier than messy." Alaric began to walk back towards the festival, not bothering to take a last glance at the direction she had disappeared earlier.

"Are you going to tell my father?" Theo muttered, afraid Alaric would take it the wrong way.

Alaric paused. "It is best if we keep it from him. He already has a lot on his plate, I don’t want to burden him with my own problems."

Theo nodded, even though his own opinion was different from Alaric’s. After all, it is his life, and he didn’t want to rub salt over his wound.

’But why did my father and Alaric get their mates from the creatures they hated the most... is this a curse or blessing? And what about me? Would I be added to their category? Oh moon goddess, spare me!’

The music grew louder as they got closer to the festival. Laughter echoed through the trees, mixed with the hum of magical instruments and faint chimes in the wind.

A child ran past them, giggling, with glowing flower petals floating behind her. Theo stepped aside, watching the scene with furrowed brows.

Alaric walked mindlessly as if his mind was trapped in another dimension.

The crowd had gathered around the village center. Colored ribbons were tied between buildings, and colourful reddish-brown leaves fluttered overhead, enchanted to hover just above people’s heads.

A few witches glanced in their direction. Some smiled politely. Others looked at them like they weren’t welcome.

"We should get back," Theo said quietly.

Alaric nodded.

They didn’t speak again as they walked through the colorful chaos. Every lantern and enchanted spark in the air just reminded Alaric how far he was from where he thought he’d be.

Theo finally broke the silence. "Do you think you’ll see her again?"

Alaric stared straight ahead. "I don’t know."

Theo hesitated. "Would you want to?"

Alaric’s jaw clenched. He didn’t answer.

The truth was... yes, he wanted to. But he was also afraid of what that would mean, of what he’d do. And of what she’d do.

.......

(Aeris POV)

The festival music faded behind us as we slipped into a quieter alley with booths arranged on both sides.

Bright fabric fluttered overhead, casting streaks of color across the dirt path. I could still hear laughter and soft chatter, but it all felt far away now.

Damon walked beside me without saying much. He kept his distance, but not too much, it was just enough to remind me he was still there.

We stopped at a small stall lined with silver trinkets and glowing stones. Most of it looked handmade. There were simple charms, braided cords, and nothing fancy.

My eyes caught on a black bracelet sitting in the center, the charm in the middle shaped like two crescent moons barely touching.

I picked it up. "What’s this?"

The woman behind the stall leaned forward. Her eyes were a bit too amused. "That one connects emotions. You wear one half, and someone else wears the other. It links your feelings together."

I blinked. "That sounds... invasive."

"Some couples like it," she said. "Some do it for fun. But the charm doesn’t come off until both people understand each other completely."

Damon stepped closer, his eyes narrowed on the bracelet. "Completely?"

She nodded. "Yes, you have to understand your partner’s emotions. You don’t need to agree, but you have to understand each other. That’s the key."

I glanced at him. "You want to play?"

His eyebrow lifted. "Are you serious?"

"You can back out if you’re scared."

He snorted and picked up the second bracelet. "Put it on."

I looked at him taken aback by his readiness to play, it almost felt like he had his own agenda. Brushing the thought away, we tied them around our wrists.

As soon as the clasp locked, I felt something strange settle in my chest. It wasn’t pain, it was just a pressure, like a weight that didn’t belong to me.

I looked at Damon.

His eyes narrowed slightly. "You’re nervous."

"And you’re annoyed," I shot back. "Already regretting it?"

"Not yet."

The woman smiled as we both stared down at the bracelets. "It only comes off when the connection is mutual."

"What if it never happens?" I asked.

"Then you wear it until it does."

She didn’t look like she was joking.

Damon didn’t say anything, but I could feel his mood pressing into mine like a mountain. He was frustrated, guilty, sad, and hurt. And I didn’t know what to do with that.

I tugged at the charm, but it didn’t budge. ’What have I gotten myself into?’

"This was a terrible idea," I muttered, stepping away from the stall.

Damon followed after me. "No one forced you."

"You dared me."

"And you said yes."

We walked in silence for a while, the bracelet pulsing faintly against my skin. It didn’t hurt, but it wasn’t comfortable either. It felt like someone else’s heartbeat pressing against mine.

He wasn’t looking at me, but I could feel his discomfort. He probably felt mine too.