BeastBound ༶

The Beginning of Us

As dawn broke over the Kingdom of Arathia, Elysia awoke with a sense of anticipation. The sun’s warm rays filtered through her window, casting a golden glow across her room. She couldn’t shake the feeling that today would be different. Today, she would start her training with Thornvald, but her heart was already fluttering with thoughts of him.

After a quick breakfast, Elysia made her way to the training grounds, a beautiful open space surrounded by towering trees and vibrant flowers. She found Thornvald waiting for her, his posture relaxed yet commanding as he stood with his arms crossed, a soft smile on his lips.

“Good morning, Elysia,” he greeted her, his deep voice sending a thrill through her. “Are you ready for your lessons?”

“I am,” she replied, excitement bubbling within her. But before they could begin, Thornvald stepped forward, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

“I have a surprise for you,” he said, motioning for her to follow him.

Curiosity piqued, Elysia followed Thornvald deeper into the gardens. He led her to a secluded clearing where a small, sparkling pond lay nestled among the trees. The water glimmered under the sunlight, and blooming lilies floated gently on the surface.

“I thought you might enjoy a moment of peace,” Thornvald said, his voice softer now. “And perhaps a little lesson in the magic of nature.”

Elysia marveled at the beauty of the scene, her heart swelling with warmth. “It’s stunning,” she breathed, stepping closer to the water’s edge.

Thornvald knelt beside her, his presence comforting. “The magic of this pond is ancient. If you listen closely, you can hear the whispers of the past.”

Elysia closed her eyes, focusing on the gentle sounds of the water lapping against the shore and the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze. As she did, a sense of tranquility washed over her, and she could almost feel the magic surrounding them.

“Now, let’s try something,” Thornvald suggested, his voice steady. “Concentrate on the water. Imagine your thoughts flowing into it, letting the magic guide you.”

With his guidance, Elysia began to meditate, allowing her mind to clear. As she focused, she felt an unexpected connection to Thornvald, a bond that seemed to deepen with each passing moment.

After their lesson, Thornvald surprised her further by pulling out a small, intricately carved wooden box from behind a nearby tree. “I made this for you,” he said, his eyes shining with sincerity.

Elysia’s heart raced. “For me?”

He nodded, opening the box to reveal a delicate bracelet made of silver and adorned with small, shimmering stones that caught the light. “It’s a charm to protect you. A piece of my magic, to remind you that you are never alone.”

Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as she took the bracelet from him. “It’s beautiful, Thornvald. Thank you.” She fastened it around her wrist, feeling a warmth spread through her at the thoughtfulness of his gesture.

Thornvald’s gaze softened, and for a moment, they simply stood there, sharing a quiet understanding. Elysia realized that each moment spent with him was slowly unraveling the barriers she had built around her heart.

As days turned into weeks, Thornvald continued to surprise her with thoughtful gestures—he brought her flowers, shared stories of his past, and even cooked her favorite meals using ingredients from the garden. With each new experience, Elysia found herself drawn deeper into his world and, unbeknownst to her, deeper into her feelings for him.

One evening, while stargazing on a hilltop, Elysia turned to Thornvald, who was sitting beside her. “Do you believe in fate?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I do,” he replied, his eyes reflecting the starlight. “Fate brought us together for a reason.”

Elysia contemplated his words, feeling a strange sense of destiny intertwining with her heart. “Sometimes I think about how different my life was before coming here. And yet, now…” She hesitated, searching for the right words. “Now it feels like I’m meant to be here, with you.”

A flicker of hope danced in Thornvald’s gaze, and he took her hand in his, intertwining their fingers. “Elysia, you are more than you realize. You are the key to my freedom, and perhaps to your own destiny as well.”

The weight of his words settled heavily in the air, and Elysia’s heart raced. She could feel something shifting within her, a dawning realization that perhaps she was indeed more than just a visitor in this world.

Days later, as Elysia wandered back to the library, drawn by an insatiable curiosity, she stumbled upon another book—this one bound in dark leather and embossed with golden symbols. Flipping through its pages, she found passages about the destined bride of the King Beast, the one who could unlock not only his chains but also the power that lay within both of them.

With each word she read, the truth began to dawn on her, and Elysia’s heart raced in tandem with the growing realization. She was his destined bride, the one who had opened his chains and unlocked the potential for a future they could share together.

Overwhelmed by the weight of her discovery, Elysia rushed to find Thornvald, her heart pounding with excitement and fear. She had to tell him, had to confront the truth that had been hiding in plain sight all along.

As she approached his chambers, determination coursing through her veins, she knew one thing for certain—she was ready to embrace her destiny in the Kingdom of Arathia and the love that had blossomed between them.

                           *:..｡o○　○o｡..:*