I looked at the clock. It was still four pm. Zale had just left after his lesson.

I can’t believe he let me touch his neck. He is driving me mad.

He made me feel everything all at once. I beamed like a fool until I checked today’s schedule.

Maeve looked at me with pity.

Today was Mark’s wood carving lesson, pompous man. I had to deal with the fact that Fleur had left a whole log of oak tree in his room.

I sighed.

This was going to be a long day.

********************

Zale

The normally serene pulse on my left hand started to burn. The unfinished star bond was starting to show its ugly teeth.

However, I wouldn’t let this ruin today.

She called me beautiful.

That little woman who made beautiful creations called me beautiful.

I was elated.

I reached the office.

I sat at my desk.

Vaxar knocked on the door.

“Elder.”

“Come in, Vaxar.”

He entered, bowed, then sat in the chair in front of my desk.

“Report the meeting with the human government,” I commanded.

“I explained to the government that the romantic bond propaganda is no longer serving its purpose. I made it crystal clear that once the star bond is formed, the mated human fertility will be restored. The bond doesn’t need to be labeled under romance; it can be friendship, family, and so on.”

“The current human leaders reread the old agreements and understood that we have been crystal clear about this for 20 years, but because of their leaders back then, things went out of proportion.”

Vaxar handed me papers with the new agreement.

“Their government will remove the whole find your fated love label. They suggested a social media series where existing star bonds will record live videos. Many varied relations could be introduced to humans.”

I nodded. Vaxar wasn’t that hopeless after all.

“They do argue a lot, though.” Vaxar shook his head.

“That is their own business to deal with,” I replied. “You did great, Vaxar. You can go back to your wife and your Star-Bonded mate for now”

Vaxar nodded.

“I still can’t believe you brought your whole vacation to Earth.”

He scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

Suddenly, someone pounded on the door.

Vaxar, in a flash, opened the door.

A Yin-ra official entered.

“Elders, a Yin-ra’s curse has been activated.” I stayed still.

The temperature in the room dropped. It was almost freezing.

Vaxar immediately released his aura, forcing the official to his knees.

“Explain,” Vaxar interrogated him.

“His completed star bond mate was killed while he was away.” The official looked terrified. This was probably his first time seeing the curse fully activate.

“When the Yin-Ra man finally reached his mate, it was too late to save her. His stars had started to fade away. He is dying.”

That was it. The same report. Different people yet the same report. Different races, yet the same report. The punishment for the sins our ancestors made long ago.

I stood up.

“Vaxar, let’s go.”

Suddenly Vaxar turned. He looked bewildered.

“Elder, please stay back. I will take care of it.” He knelt. I didn’t even release any aura. “I have handled this for the past hundred years. I beg you to stay.”

“Vaxar, what are you doing?”

“Elder Zale, you have been protecting our race for the last 200 years.” He didn’t look up at me. “The least we can do is handle this.”

I sat back down. I knew well what he feared, what they feared.

Let’s not add more to their plate.

They left the room.

My chest tightened.

I couldn’t breathe.

I needed air.

I went for a run.

“I shouldn’t have chosen you.”   

The nightmare that I tried to keep at bay for a hundred years kept echoing in my mind. 

I ran more.

I ended up in front of the last place I should have gone to.

“I am going home.”

Hera opened the door. She was surprised when she saw me.

“Zale, are you okay?”

“Can you lend me a shoulder?”

She nodded.

I rested my head onto her shoulder

She patted my back.

And for the first time in a century, my tears fell.