While I breathe, I hope

Ethan

"What do you mean, you both felt another soulmate bond? Are you—" Nicholas started.

"Yes, we're quite sure we both felt it. Don't say it like it was just some fleeting attraction," Aria snapped.

"No one's doubting you," Adonis said quickly, hands raised in peace. "It's just... no one's ever heard of something like this. A second soulmate? It's unheard of."

"All we know is we felt the bond," I said firmly.

We were all sitting in Iris's chambers, deep in the eastern tower of the academy. Soft tapestries lined the walls, enchanted lanterns glowed overhead, and the subtle scent of lavender lingered in the air, a comforting warmth amid the unease.

Iris, Stephen's soulmate and Aria's older sister, was looking at Aria with an unreadable expression. Their bond was known throughout the empires, strong, enviable, pure. Only two years apart, but Iris had always taken on the role of protector. She had taken care of Aria, and in some ways, me too.

Being here, with all of them, Nicholas, Adonis, Stephen, Iris, it made me feel like we could create something better. A future not ruled by history, bloodlines, or magic alone. These people, from two of the most powerful empires, Allerick and Callisto treated each other like family. Maybe, just maybe, we could all prove our nations wrong.

Allerick and Callisto had once been a single empire before the great divide centuries ago. Callisto and Allerick were born from a civil war steeped in elemental conflict and broken alliances. The scars of that division still lingered. It was etched into the names of noble houses, into traditions passed down like fragile heirlooms.

Allerick, forged in fire, was proud and bold. Their capital city glittered in crimson rooftops and volcanic stone, its skies often marked by flickers of flame-magic trails. The Ambers House, Aria's family, was known for their stubbornness and their strength.

Callisto, by contrast, was a kingdom of wind and whispers. Their cliffside cities hung with glass bridges, carried by wind wards and invisible airstreams. The Wolfe House, my family, wielded diplomacy like a blade hidden in silk.

And yet here we were, children of old rivals sitting in the same room, choosing love over legacy.

"What are you both going to do?" Iris suddenly snapped. "What if that guy only shares the bond with one of you? What if he chooses one of you? Then what?"

"Iris, the goddess literally split our souls three ways," Aria said, voice rising. "There's no way he only feels it toward one of us. I love Ethan more than my own life, bond or not. But this pull... It's real. You all feel it too, right? Nicholas, could you ever walk away from Adonis? Stephen, could you leave my sister?"

"We told you because we trusted you," I added quietly. "We knew you'd support us, even if the noble houses, even if our parents didn't. Were we wrong to believe that?"

"No, Ethan. Of course not," Adonis said, his expression softening. "We're with you. Always. But you will face questions. Pressure. Backlash. You know this path won't be easy."

Stephen had been silent until now, his fingers steepled, thoughtful. Finally, he looked up. "Alright. You felt something. What now? Do you know who he is? His name? What do you plan to do?"

What else can we plan but find our mate? Nova grumbled in my head. He wasn't wrong.

Both Nova and Elora were restless. They hadn't seen the other familiar, and their unease mirrored ours.

"Honestly?" I said. "We just want to find him. Ask why he ran. Or better, how he could run after feeling something like that."

"It left us breathless," Aria added, her voice softening. "It's hard to imagine ignoring something so powerful. I want to know everything about him. Court him. Woo him. With Ethan. So he never dares run from us again."

That made Adonis chuckle. "Now that sounds like Aria."

"He looked like royalty," I said. "Might be from one of the other empires. Zamani, maybe Moksha. His familiar was an eagle I think."

"Could be noble class," Aria mused. "Or commoner, but getting into the academy as a commoner is rare. Still... he had that grace. Like someone born into high ranks. Or maybe he is a prince."

"How did he look? Maybe he's a second-year. We might know him," Adonis said.

"Prettiest purple eyes," Aria began.

"Light purple it was like... like a gemstone," I cut in, smiling. "White curly hair, shoulder-length. Skin like caramel. Honestly, he was breathtaking."

Aria nodded eagerly. "His smile, it was only a glimpse, but goddess, I wish we could freeze that moment."

Stephen rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "That doesn't match anyone I know from noble houses in any empire. Sounds like he might be a new student. Same year as you two."

We both nodded.

"I guess we just have to find him at orientation," Aria said. "If he's not already hiding in the shadows again."

"You should head to your dorms. It's late," Iris said with a pointed look.

"We know," Aria said, rising to her feet. "We're going, we're going. Don't get your braid in a twist."

I grinned. "It really feels like a miracle to sit here like this. No guards. No formalities. Just us."

Nicholas ruffled my hair. "We planned this since we were kids. Remember hiding in the temple ruins? Iris may look grumpy now, but she was also counting down the days."

"Shut up, Nicholas. Don't spread lies," Iris said, cheeks slightly pink.

We laughed, and for a moment, the world felt less heavy.

Stephen stood, brushing off his robe. "Let's go before it gets too late. You two still need to settle in."

As we left the chamber, I glanced back. Stephen stayed behind with Iris. I didn't say anything, but we all knew. They needed their alone time. Royal or not, love didn't wait.