The thorn crown

It started with a whisper.

Not out loud.

Inside.

I was watching Kael sleep—his head against the cool cave wall, arms crossed, breath shallow.

He looked younger like this.

Not a cursed heir.

Not a weapon.

Just… a boy trying not to break.

And yet, when I reached toward him—

I heard it.

A voice.

Mine. But not mine.

> You'd bleed for him, wouldn't you?

I froze.

My hand hovered inches from his shoulder, the bond between us pulsing warm and alive.

"Stop," I whispered. "Stop it."

> You like the way he hurts. The way he hides it. You crave it.

"No....

Kael stirred. Frowned.

He didn't wake.

But I felt it.

His fear.

It crawled into me like smoke.

Cold. Bitter. Deep-rooted.

I gasped and yanked my hand back.

But it didn't stop.

The echo clung to my ribs, to my pulse, feeding. Not just on the bond—but on him.

My heart raced with panic.

But not just mine.

His.

I could feel his nightmares.

Flashes of blood and fire.

Chains.

A boy screaming his name before going silent forever.

Kael's breath hitched in his sleep. His hands curled into fists.

"Kael," I whispered, reaching out again before I could stop myself.

This time when I touched him—

The fear turned to rage.

Hot. Pure. Blinding.

And I felt power surge through me.

But it wasn't mine.

It was his.

I stood too fast, stumbling back.

What the hell was happening?

Was I… absorbing him?

Or worse.....

Amplifying him?

Kael jolted awake.

Eyes wild. Magic crackling off him in erratic waves.

He looked around, chest heaving, then at me.

I must've looked like hell.

"Ariya?" he rasped. "What...what did you see?"

I didn't answer.

Couldn't.

Because I wasn't sure if what I saw was his past…

Or a glimpse of our future.