Page 38 of Second

Zar’Ryn stepped back, his arms falling to his sides, though his eyes remained on Elara. “What is it?”

Tor’Vek’s expression turned grave. “Selyr must be destroyed,” he said, his tone unyielding. “I have reason to believe he may still have additional bracelets or even prototypes. If left unchecked, the damage he could cause would be catastrophic.”

Elara’s stomach turned, the thought of more bracelets sending a chill down her spine. “He’s still working on them? Even after all this?”

Tor’Vek nodded. “His obsession knows no bounds. The bracelets’ destructive potential is greater than we imagined. If he succeeds in perfecting them, he could destabilize entire systems. This must be stopped.”

Zar’Ryn’s jaw tightened. “And you intend to find him alone?”

“I do,” Tor’Vek replied, his calm demeanor unwavering. “I have the knowledge necessary to dismantle his experiments and prevent him from recreating the bracelets. My scientific background gives me an advantage that brute force alone cannot provide.” A hard smile slid across his mouth. “Though I am also quite good at brute force.”

Elara’s concern deepened. “But it’s dangerous. What if he…”

Tor’Vek cut her off gently. “I understand the risks, but time is not on our side. The longer we delay, the more ground Selyr gains.” He turned to Zar’Ryn, his gaze steady. “While I handle this, you must remain vigilant. The bond you share with Elara is unique, but it is also vulnerable. Selyr may still find ways to manipulate it in unforeseen ways. Protect her, Zar’Ryn. Both of you must be prepared for what lies ahead.”

Zar’Ryn inclined his head, his expression hard. “Do what you must, but ensure you return. We may yet need your expertise.”

Tor’Vek offered a faint smile, his first show of warmth. “I will do my best.”

As the door hissed open, the soft glow of the corridor illuminated the sleek, metallic curves of his own small shipdocked in the adjacent hangar bay. Tor’Vek glanced back one final time, his gaze meeting Zar’Ryn’s in a silent promise of his return. Then, without another word, he turned and strode out, his footsteps echoing faintly as the door slid shut behindhim.

The silence that followed turned heavy, the weight of Tor’Vek’s warning lingering in the air. For a long moment, neither Zar’Ryn nor Elara spoke. Then, slowly, Zar’Ryn turned back to her, his shoulders still tense, though his expression softened as his gaze methers.

“You heard him,” he said quietly. “Selyr is still a threat.”

Elara nodded, though her attention remained fixed on the way his hands clenched and unclenched at his sides. “And Tor’Vek is right,” she said, stepping closer. “You have to be careful. About the bond, about everything.”

His gaze dropped to the floor, aflicker of remorse crossing his face. “I have put you in danger more times than I can count. If Selyr had succeeded—”

“But he didn’t,” Elara interrupted, her voice firm. She reached for him, her fingers brushing against his. “We survived. And we’ll keep surviving, because we’re stronger together.”

The bond between them pulsed, amplifying the emotions they shared. Relief, guilt, gratitude—it all blended into a warmth that wrapped around them, drawing them closer in a way neither could resist. Zar’Ryn lifted his hand, threading his fingers through hers, and for a moment, the tension in his frame eased.

“You saved me, Elara,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “Even when I wasn’t there for you, you found a way to keep going.”

Her chest tightened at his words. “You were there for me,” she said softly. “Maybe not physically, but I felt you, Zar’Ryn. Through the bond. Ialways feel you.”

His free hand came up to cup her cheek, his touch gentle yet grounding. “And I feel you. Every moment. Every breath. You are in my mind, my heart, my soul.”

“Then why did you want Tor’Vek to find a way to remove our bracelets? You insisted—”

“How close did I come to dying today?” he interrupted. “And what would have happened to you, if I had. Would my death mean your death?”

Her breath hitched as his words sank in, the sincerity in his gaze leaving her raw and exposed. “Fair enough.” She leaned into his touch, her hands resting on his chest as her voice dropped to a whisper. “Just don’t pull away. Don’t shut me out.”

“Never,” he said, and before she could say more, he leaned down and captured her lips withhis.

The kiss was raw and unrestrained, arelease of everything they’d held back. Elara’s hands slid up to his shoulders, gripping him as if afraid he’d disappear, while his arms wrapped around her, pulling her closer until there was no space left between them. The bond flared bright and vivid, amplifying their emotions into something almost tangible.

When they finally broke apart, their breaths mingling in the still air, Zar’Ryn rested his forehead against hers, his voice a soft rumble. “You have found my heart, Elara. My center. Iwill protect you, no matter what.”

Tears pricked her eyes, but she smiled, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw. “And I’ll protect you. We’re in this together, Zar’Ryn. Always.”

The room was quiet again, but this time, the silence was warm, filled with the unspoken promise that whatever came next, they would face it side byside.

They embraced again, their shared vulnerability spilling into a passionate kiss that ignited a fire neither could resist. The bond surged, feeding their mutual urgency, every touch electric with unspoken emotion. Zar’Ryn’s hands gripped her waist, pulling her closer, while Elara’s fingers tangled in his hair, anchoring them in a moment that felt like it would shatter them if broken.

What began as a desperate need to reassure each other burned into an all-consuming flame. Zar’Ryn’s lips traveled along her jawline, trailing down to her neck, each kiss searing and possessive. Elara arched into him, her breath hitching as her hands roamed the hard planes of his chest, her fingertips memorizing every scar and muscle. Their movements were wild, frantic, fueled by the overwhelming need to feel alive and connected after the chaos and fear that had surrounded them for solong.

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