Elarion pushed her hand away, his face now more serious as he took deep breaths.
"Be fast about it."
Kaelis pouted, sat back, and sighed.
"Always in a rush when it comes to leaving me," she shrugged. "Anyway, I need some materials. Go to the city and get them."
Elarion tilted his head, a grin etched on his face.
"What should I get you?"
Kaelis grinned back, tilting her head carelessly.
"Goblin eyes. About ten."
Elarion's smile dropped, replaced by a scowl as he glared at her.
"Is that a joke? Only goblin eyes?"
She laughed quietly, running her hand over Elarion's face with a sigh.
"Oh, dear brother, always so naive." She pointed to the door. "Now shhh, go and get them."
Without another word, Elarion left the tower—but not before breaking the door with a kick. She shouted after him as he walked away.
"You have to fix it when you come back, or we cancel the deal!"
He shrugged and replied, "Yes, I will. Now go back to your corner."
Kaelis headed back to her corner as told, hugging her head, crying and sobbing quietly.
"Why can't you just give up and live properly..."
Elarion returned to Cael and Hadeon, clear annoyance on his face. He pointed at them and said in a cold tone:
"You two, go and fetch me goblin eyes—" he hissed, "and make it quick."
Cael and Hadeon nodded. Cael flew away quickly while Hadeon ran toward the forest. As their traces disappeared, Elarion stroked Terra's hair.
"Hello, sweetie. Did you enjoy your nap?" He tapped her forehead, canceling the sleeping spell. "Wake up, sleeping beauty," he giggled. "Are you a princess or something?"
She opened her eyes, pulling back instantly, glaring at his smiling face. Then she sighed.
"Why are you doing this?"
Elarion tilted his head, feigning ignorance.
"Doing what?"
She sat away from him, nostrils flaring, eyes burning with rage.
"Trying to tame me after everything you've put me through?"
Elarion reached out and slapped her cheek hard. Her face turned to the side from the impact. She laughed quietly, smiling into his eyes, which made him feel both annoyed and strangely hurt. His mouth opened slightly before he composed himself. Then he spoke in a soft tone.
"Don't give me that fake smile." He tapped her nose. "And for earlier… I'm truly sorry." He looked deep into her eyes. "How can I make it up to you?" he smiled.
Terra took his hand and placed it on her throat, closing her eyes and tilting her head up.
"Kill me. Then I'll forgive you for everything."
Elarion pulled his hand back and hugged her tightly instead, rubbing her back gently while humming softly. She resisted at first, pulling back, but his grip was strong. Eventually, she succumbed. Unusually, she found peace in his arms. She finally hugged him back, tears streaming from her eyes, her voice hitched.
"I will never forgive me," she said, yet she didn't let go of his embrace. She chuckled through her trembling voice. "What's with that humming? It's awful."
Elarion pouted, pulling back slightly, but she pulled him in again. He laughed.
"I thought you hated my lullaby."
She rested her head on his shoulder. She wanted to let go, but something strange inside kept her holding him close—as if it were magic or a curse. But it was neither. She spoke in a soft tone:
"Why am I doing this?" she asked, though she knew the answer wouldn't be true or satisfying.
Elarion rubbed the back of her head, whispering quietly.
"What if I told you I used magic to make you submit?"
She buried her face in his neck, tugging him closer.
"If it were magic, I wouldn't be surprised… but I know it's not."
She finally pulled away from the hug, smiling slightly—this time, it was genuine.
"Because if you wanted to use magic, you would've done it before."
She stood up, surprise flashing across her face as she realized she was still naked. She tried to cover herself with both hands, blushing furiously.
"Pervert! Give me some clothes!"
Elarion bowed his head, putting his hands together in a praying gesture.
"Thanks for the show. I'll engrave it in my memory."
Terra slapped the back of his head, frustrated.
"Forget it! And give me clothes, or I won't ever forgive you!"
Elarion extended his hand, and a flash of light covered her body. When it faded, she was dressed in a tight white dress, her legs exposed. He grinned.
"You look beautiful in this too."
She slapped his head again, this time harder, clenching her fists.
"Just give me my old clothes!"
Elarion shrugged, extended his hand again, and maid clothes covered her body. He glanced sideways, then back at her with a grin.
"Wait… that works too," he purred. "My lovely maid, Terra," he winked.
She slapped his head one last time, looking annoyed as she turned away, blushing.
"Master…" she muttered, her voice barely a whisper.
Elarion leaned in slightly.
"I couldn't hear that. What did you say?"
Terra looked around before leaning closer to whisper:
"I'll only say it once, so don't get used to it." She pulled back, her voice a soft slurry: "My master."
Elarion blushed slightly. Terra grinned, then leaned in closer, whispering rapidly: "Master, master, master, master…" She blushed furiously and pulled back as Cael flew toward them. She quickly looked away.
Cael landed beside Elarion and handed him a pouch filled with goblin eyes. Elarion patted Cael's hair.
"Good job."
Terra glared at them, annoyed by Elarion's praise. She huffed and looked away again, trying to hide her frustration—but it was obvious.
Elarion walked to her, stroking her hair.
"Don't be mad at me."
She pushed his hand away.
"I'm not some kind of animal," she said. Yet despite her words, she looked happy, hiding her smile by turning away.
Hadeon returned shortly after, looking confused.
"Did something happen?" he asked.
Cael glared at him, noticing his empty hands. He stepped forward until he stood tall before him, glaring down.
"How dare you come back empty-handed?"
Hadeon looked down in shame, his ankles trembling.
"There were no goblins nearby, I tr—"
"Don't give us excuses. Do you want to disappoint Master after he let you live?"
Elarion stepped between them, ruffling Cael's feathers. Cael purred, leaning into his touch, forgetting his anger.
"Master…" he purred louder, his wings brushing against Elarion as he savored the moment.
Elarion looked at Hadeon, smiling dangerously, sending a chill down his spine.
"Now explain yourself. Why couldn't you get any goblin eyes?"
Hadeon knelt, pleading visible on his face.
"I tried, I swear! But wherever I went, they were already eliminated."
Elarion looked at Cael, who was humming in a happy tone as he continued to stroke his feathers. He sighed.
"So it was your fault."
Elarion stopped stroking the feathers, sighing unconsciously. He pointed at both of them.
"You two should get along with each other, do you understand?" he muttered, then pointed at Terra with a soft smile. "Anyway, Terra, let's go."
He grabbed her hand, dragging her along with him into the tower. Once inside, he threw the pouch in front of Kaelis, who was still crying.
"I got what you wanted," he said, then pushed Terra forward. "Say hello to my lover."
Terra blushed furiously. "I'm not his lover!"
Kaelis wiped her tears away as she stood, then ran a hand along Terra's face in a strange, almost eerie way. Her fingers squeezed Terra's cheeks, fury flashing across her face as she suddenly shouted:
"What did you do to her?!"
Elarion looked away, avoiding eye contact as he whistled carelessly.
"Me? I didn't do anything."
Kaelis hissed, let go of Terra's face, grabbed the pouch, and walked past Elarion, heading up the stairs. Her footsteps creaked heavily on the broken wood with each slow step.
Terra looked confused, huffing as she touched her own face.
"Who is that crazy woman?"
Elarion pulled her ear, sighing.
"Don't talk bad about my sister. She just looked into your memories and saw what happened."
Terra covered her face, chuckling.
"So she scolded you just now, huh? Poor thing." She patted his hair.
He pushed her hand away, grinning. "I'm not some kind of animal," he said, mocking her earlier words.
But she grinned back. "I wouldn't mind keeping you as a pet."
Elarion raised a brow. "What makes you think it won't be the other way around?"
She shrugged. "Keep dreaming, stubborn boy."
As they bantered, Kaelis came down the stairs holding a glowing sword. She sheathed it, then handed it to Elarion with a cold tone.
"Here's your sword. You can leave now."
Elarion took the sword and held Terra's hand as they turned to leave. But just as they stepped forward, Kaelis tapped his back.
He collapsed to the ground instantly.
Terra gasped and looked back, seeing Elarion lying motionless on the floor while still holding her hand. She dropped to the ground beside him, shaking him roughly, panic rising in her voice.
"What did you do to him?!" she screamed. "Wake up, you lunatic! Don't toy with me now!" Tears fell from her eyes. "This isn't funny!"
Kaelis knelt beside her and gently tapped Terra's forehead. But Terra didn't feel anything—she simply collapsed beside Elarion.
Kaelis sighed as she looked at them, still holding hands, a bittersweet smile forming through her tears.
"If only you could live normally... I wouldn't have to cast the dreaming spell on you."