Page 12 of Faeheart
“Until we determine the nature and extent of this connection.” She began gathering items from her desk. “Physical proximity may help stabilize the bond and prevent further... incidents.”
Wild groaned dramatically. “So, I’m stuck babysitting Mr. Perfect here? No thanks.”
“Wild and I are already roommates,” Caden added.
Professor Blackwood turned to me. “Then you will stay in Mr. Cromwell and Mr. Briar Hall’s dormitory,” she declared. “I’ll have a third bed brought in immediately. And Mr. Thorne, I’ll inform your residence director of the change.”
My carefully ordered world was crumbling around me. Staying in a dormitory? With these two? My parents would be furious when they found out.
“Professor,” I began, desperately searching for an excuse, “my personal study materials?—”
“Will be transferred,” she said firmly. “This is not a request, Mr. Thorne. Given the unpredictable nature of this binding, separation could be dangerous for all three of you.”
Wild was suddenly beside me, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from his skin. “Dangerous how?” he asked, and I felt his curiosity spike through our connection.
“Wild magic bindings have been known to cause physical deterioration if the bonded parties are kept apart for extended periods,” Professor Blackwood explained, her voice taking on a lecturing tone. “Fever, disorientation, magical instability. In extreme cases, complete magical burnout.”
The blood drained from my face. “Burnout?”
“The permanent loss of magical ability,” she confirmed grimly. “Which is why you will remain together until I can find a solution.”
Caden moved closer to us, creating a small triangle. “How long do we have before... the deterioration starts?”
“Unknown. The literature suggests anywhere from hours to days, depending on the strength of the initial binding.” Professor Blackwood’s gaze swept over us. “Given the intensity of what just occurred, I wouldn’t recommend testing it.”
Wild’s hand suddenly shot out, grabbing my wrist. The contact sent a jolt of energy up my arm, and I saw his eyes widen as he felt it too.
“Shit,” he breathed. “I can feel your magic under your skin. It’s like... lightning trapped in glass.”
I tried to pull away, but his grip tightened. “Let go of me.”
“Can’t,” he said, his voice strained. “Something’s happening.”
The pendant around my neck began to warm again, and I heard Caden gasp as his did the same. The three crystals were responding to each other once more, pulsing in sync.
“Professor,” Caden said urgently, “they’re activating again.”
Professor Blackwood moved quickly, her hands weaving containment spells around us. “Whatever you do, don’t let go of each other. If the binding destabilizes while you’re in physical contact?—”
She didn’t finish the sentence, but she didn’t need to. I could feel Wild’s panic bleeding into me, mixing with my own terror to create something almost overwhelming. My free hand reached out instinctively, finding Caden’s fingers.
The moment we connected, the chaotic energy settled into something almost... peaceful. The pendants’ glow softened, and the crushing weight of foreign emotions eased into something manageable.
“Interesting,” Professor Blackwood murmured, making notes. “Physical contact appears to stabilize the connection.”
Wild’s thumb was tracing patterns on my wrist, and I realized with horror that it felt... good. Comforting, even. “So, we’re basically magically handcuffed to each other?”
“In a manner of speaking, yes.”
I closed my eyes, trying to process this nightmare. My parents were going to kill me. I could already hear my mother’s scandalized voice, her lecture about proper associations and the Thorne family name.
“Let them try,” Wild muttered, and I realized with a start that he was responding to my thoughts.
“You can hear me?” I whispered, horrified.
“Not exactly,” he replied, his green eyes searching mine. “More like... I can feel what you’re feeling. The fear of disappointing Mommy and Daddy is coming through loud and clear.”
Professor Blackwood cleared her throat. “This development is concerning. Your binding appears to be strengthening rather than stabilizing.”
