Updated Nov 20, 2025 • ~5 min read
Liana woke to sunlight streaming through the bedroom window and Comet’s cold nose pressed against her hand.
“Alright, alright,” she mumbled. “I’m up.”
Beside her, Kaelen stirred. “What time is it?”
“Too early. But someone needs breakfast.” Liana scratched Comet’s ears—gray now around the muzzle, but still energetic. “Come on, girl.”
She padded downstairs, Comet trailing behind. Their home looked lived-in now—books overflowing shelves, photos covering every available surface, Kaelen’s latest woodworking project taking up half the dining table. Five years of life layered on top of itself.
The marks on Liana’s skin had settled into something between tattoo and scar—visible but no longer glowing constantly. Most days, she forgot they were there. They’d become just another part of her body, like freckles or fingerprints.
While coffee brewed, she checked her phone. Messages from students, requests for training consultations, an invitation to speak at a conference about bond management. The marked community had grown exponentially—hundreds of pairs now, with training centers on three continents.
She and Kaelen had built something bigger than they’d imagined.
“Morning,” Kaelen said, appearing in sweatpants and an ancient t-shirt. He kissed her cheek and poured two coffees with practiced ease. “What’s the damage today?”
“Three training requests, conference wants us to keynote, and Maya says we need to come to dinner tonight because she has news.”
“News good or news bad?”
“With Maya, could be either.” Liana sipped her coffee. “What’s your schedule?”
“Two private sessions, then working on that commission.” He gestured to the half-finished sculpture—a bonded pair, intertwined, that someone had ordered for a Starlight Union ceremony. His woodworking had evolved from hobby to side business over the years.
“You’re getting famous.”
“I’m getting orders. There’s a difference.” But he was smiling.
They’d fallen into comfortable patterns—mornings like this, evenings on the porch, weekends at the cabin when they needed escape. Life had become delightfully mundane. Predictable in the best way.
Later, at the training center, Liana worked with a newly marked pair—teenagers, terrified and overwhelmed. She remembered that feeling viscerally.
“It gets easier,” she told them. “The bond feels invasive now, but eventually it becomes natural. Like breathing.”
“Did yours feel like this?” the girl asked. “Like someone’s constantly in your head?”
“Worse, actually. I tried to break it at one point.”
“You did?” Both teens looked shocked. Breaking a bond was considered almost sacred—unthinkable.
“I was scared. Didn’t want to need anyone.” Liana smiled. “I got over it. Learned that needing someone isn’t weakness. It’s just love.”
She felt Kaelen through the bond—he was across the facility, working with his own students, but the connection was always there. Quiet background hum. Comforting.
After training, they met Maya and Suki for dinner at a small restaurant near their home. Maya was practically vibrating with excitement.
“So,” Maya said the moment they sat down. “We have news.”
“You’re pregnant,” Liana guessed.
Maya’s jaw dropped. “How did you—”
“You’ve been glowing for a week. Plus you keep touching your stomach.” Liana grinned. “Congratulations.”
“Bond baby,” Suki said, beaming. “The healers confirmed it yesterday. Due in seven months.”
Kaelen raised his glass. “To new beginnings.”
They toasted, talked about baby names and nursery colors and all the mundane beautiful things that came with new life. And Liana felt something shift in her chest. A wanting she hadn’t let herself feel before.
On the walk home, she was quiet. Kaelen noticed immediately.
“What are you thinking?” he asked.
“About Maya. The baby.” Liana took a breath. “About us, maybe. Someday.”
Kaelen stopped walking. “Yeah?”
“I don’t know. Maybe. Is that insane?” She looked at him. “We said we wanted time to just be us. To not rush into anything.”
“That was five years ago. We’ve had time.” His expression was soft. “If you’re thinking about it, I’m thinking about it too.”
Through the bond, she felt his honesty. His openness to the possibility. No pressure. Just mutual consideration.
“Not now,” Liana said. “But someday. When it feels right.”
“Someday,” Kaelen agreed. “We’ve got time.”
That night, lying in bed with Comet snoring at their feet, Liana thought about the future. About tiny humans with Kaelen’s eyes and her curls. About expanding their family. About all the choices still ahead of them.
Five years ago, she’d been terrified of the bond. Of needing someone. Of building a life that could be destroyed.
Now? Now she wanted more. Wanted everything. Wanted to build something so beautiful and strong that nothing could tear it down.
“I love you,” she said into the darkness.
“I love you too,” Kaelen replied, arms tightening around her. “Always have. Always will.”
Through the bond, she felt his certainty. His joy. His absolute commitment to their future.
Whatever came next—they’d face it together.
Just like they’d faced everything else.
Reader Reactions