Chapter 11

Eli didn’t feel at ease after Kieran left.

Even though the pressure in the air had disappeared—

Something else remained.

Something heavier.

“…You didn’t tell me things were this serious,” Charlotte said softly.

They were walking again, but slower this time.

Eli rubbed the back of his neck.

“…I didn’t think it would reach you.”

Charlotte looked at him.

“That’s not an answer.”

Eli sighed.

“…I don’t even understand it myself.”

That was the truth.

Everything about Kieran.

The bond.

The danger.

It all felt like something forced into his life without permission.

Charlotte studied him for a moment.

“…Do you trust him?”

Eli paused.

That question—

He didn’t answer immediately.

“…I don’t know,” he admitted.

Charlotte nodded slightly.

“That means no.”

Eli let out a small breath.

“…He’s not a bad person.”

“But?” she asked gently.

Eli looked away.

“…But he doesn’t feel normal.”

Charlotte smiled faintly.

“That’s one way to put it.”

Eli huffed a quiet laugh.

“…You have no idea.”

They walked in silence for a few seconds.

Then Charlotte spoke again.

“…He cares about you.”

Eli frowned immediately.

“No, he doesn’t.”

Charlotte tilted her head.

“He does.”

Eli shook his head.

“He just thinks I’m his responsibility or something.”

Charlotte didn’t argue.

But she didn’t look convinced either.

Later that evening, Eli sat alone outside his house.

The sky was darker now, the air cooler.

Quiet.

Peaceful.

But his mind wasn’t.

“…Stay away from the forest tonight.”

Kieran’s words repeated in his head.

Eli frowned.

“…Why?”

He hated not knowing things.

Hated being told what to do without explanation.

And yet—

He stayed.

Not because he wanted to listen.

But because something told him…

This time, Kieran wasn’t just being controlling.

There was a reason.

Eli leaned back slightly, staring at the sky.

“…This is so frustrating.”

The bond pulsed faintly.

Distant.

But present.

Eli closed his eyes briefly.

“…Why does it feel like you’re still watching?”

The moment he said it—

The feeling shifted.

Slightly stronger.

Eli’s eyes opened immediately.

“…That’s not funny.”

At the edge of the forest—

Kieran stood in the shadows.

His gaze fixed on the village in the distance.

Unmoving.

Silent.

But his attention—

Focused on one place.

Eli.

The bond connected them.

Faint.

But clear.

Kieran’s expression remained calm.

But his thoughts weren’t.

“She interferes.”

The words echoed quietly in his mind.

Charlotte.

Her presence had disrupted something.

Not the bond itself.

But—

Eli.

Kieran’s gaze darkened slightly.

“…He’s attached.”

That realization didn’t sit well.

Not at all.

The feeling from earlier returned.

That unfamiliar irritation.

That sharp edge under his calm.

Kieran clenched his jaw slightly.

“…It doesn’t matter.”

His voice was quiet.

Certain.

“He’ll turn away from her eventually.”

Because to him—

There was no other outcome.

The next day came quietly.

Eli found himself back at the forest again.

Like always.

“…I should really stop coming here,” he muttered.

“You won’t.”

Eli didn’t even flinch this time.

“…Yeah, I figured.”

Kieran stepped out from behind the trees.

His expression was back to normal.

Calm.

Unreadable.

Like nothing had happened yesterday.

Eli frowned slightly.

“…You could at least greet normally.”

“I did.”

“That’s not a greeting.”

Kieran didn’t respond.

Eli sighed.

“…Whatever. Are we training or not?”

Kieran nodded once.

“Yes.”

Eli stretched slightly.

“…Good. I need to get better at this.”

Kieran watched him closely.

“You’re motivated.”

Eli shrugged.

“I don’t want to die.”

A pause.

“…And I don’t want to depend on you for everything.”

Kieran’s gaze shifted slightly.

But he said nothing.

Training started again.

Faster this time.

Sharper.

Eli moved better.

Reacted quicker.

But he was still learning.

Still making mistakes.

At one point—

He misstepped.

And nearly fell.

Kieran caught him instantly.

A firm grip on his arm.

Pulling him upright.

Eli froze slightly.

“…I had it.”

“No,” Kieran said calmly. “You didn’t.”

Eli frowned.

“…You don’t have to grab me every time.”

Kieran didn’t let go immediately.

His grip remained.

Steady.

Warm.

Eli noticed.

“…Kieran.”

A second passed.

Then Kieran released him.

Eli stepped back slightly.

“…You do that a lot.”

“What?”

“Touching me like that.”

Kieran didn’t look bothered.

“It’s necessary.”

Eli crossed his arms.

“…Everything is ‘necessary’ to you.”

Kieran didn’t deny it.

Eli exhaled.

“…You’re really annoying.”

But his tone wasn’t as sharp this time.

They continued.

And as training went on—

Something small happened.

Eli improved again.

A clean dodge.

A proper block.

Even a counter.

He stepped back, slightly surprised.

“…Okay.”

Kieran watched him.

“You’re learning.”

Eli smirked slightly.

“…Of course I am.”

Without thinking—

He stepped forward.

And hugged Kieran.

Quick.

Natural.

Unplanned.

“…That was actually good, right?” he said lightly.

Kieran froze.

Completely.

His body went still.

Unmoving.

Eli blinked.

“…What?”

Then he realized.

And immediately stepped back.

“…Oh—”

He scratched his head awkwardly.

“Sorry. That was just—instinct.”

Kieran didn’t respond.

But his gaze had changed.

Slightly.

Something deeper.

Something harder to read.

Eli frowned.

“…Why are you looking at me like that?”

Kieran finally spoke.

“…Don’t do that again.”

Eli blinked.

“…Do what?”

“Touch me like that.”

Eli scoffed slightly.

“It was just a hug.”

Kieran’s voice lowered.

“Don’t.”

Eli raised a brow.

“…You’re the one always grabbing me.”

“That’s different.”

Eli rolled his eyes.

“…Sure it is.”

But he didn’t hug him again.

Still—

Something lingered.

Because for that one moment—

Kieran hadn’t moved.

Hadn’t reacted.

Hadn’t even breathed properly.

And Eli—

Didn’t understand why.