Vaati x Reader: The Princess and the Wind Mage

Chapter 13: The Wind Sorcerer Makes His Move

Y/N's Pov.

Once I had gotten back to the castle, everyone was so relieved to see that I was alright, and of course, thanked Link for "rescuing me." I was happy to be back, or at least, that's what I tried to convince myself. Even though I was back home and no longer bound to Vaati, something inside of me felt... empty. I couldn't explain it myself even. A part of me just felt missing, something that I had never felt before when I was with Vaati. I couldn't be missing him... could I? I kept telling myself to ignore this feeling, reminding myself the terrible things that Vaati had done: kidnapping me, threatening my kingdom, and forcing me to be his bride. But no matter how many times I told myself this, I always found myself thinking back to how kind he was, the cloud garden he had made for me, and our dance out in the flower meadow.

It has been nearly a week since I had left Vaati, and this empty feeling I felt was still there. In fact, it was almost like the longer I stayed away from him, the stronger it grew. My father and most others didn't notice, but Link apparently did. I was now sitting in my room when I heard a knock on the door.
"Who is it?"
"It's me, Y/N. Link." I hear Link's voice come from the other side.
"Come in..." I reply a bit quietly. Link then opens the door and enters my room, walking over to and sitting beside me on my bed.
"Y/N, I know that something is bothering you. You used to be so energetic, but now you just sit in your room most of the time, ever since I brought you back. Please tell me what's wrong." He asks, holding my hand. I flinch slightly and pull my hand away from his. Normally, I wouldn't mind having Link touch me (not in that way, you pervs >X3 Yeah, you! I know who you are.), but now... something about Link's touch didn't feel... right anymore.
"I... It's nothing..." I say, looking away from him.
"Y/N... Did something happen while you were with that mon-"
"He's not a monster!" I quickly retort, cutting him off before quickly covering my mouth. My response surprised both Link and myself.
"I'm sorry..." I say, going back to being quiet again. "I don't know what's bothering me. It's like... even though I'm back here with you and everyone else, I still feel all alone..." Link stays silent for a moment as if thinking before his eyes widen.
"Y/N... y-you can't possibly have... feelings for him, can you?" Link questions.
"I... I don't know!" I reply, burying my face in my hands for a moment before turning to face Link. "He's not as bad as everyone thinks. Ever since I got there, he's been trying to be nothing but kind to me. He did whatever he could to make me happy, even if he didn't want to sometimes. He never did anything to upset me, not purposefully anyway. He even-" Before I could finish, a guard bursts into my room.

"Apologies for the intrusion Princess, but something's happened!" The guard starts. Link quickly stands up and walks after the guard outside. Both curious and worried about what was happened, I quickly follow after them. I find Link and more guards standing outside, looking up at the sky with both fear and shock in their eyes.

"Link, what's going on?" I say, walking over beside him. He doesn't say anything, not moving his eyes away from the sky. As I look up, my eyes widen at what I see. The clouds had darkened, but not like it was going to rain, some sparking lightning from them. Those clouds were surrounding something that was floating above the clouds... A giant castle... the Wind Palace. I wasn't as clear at first, but then I saw a figure in purple standing on the edge of one of the clouds, his arms raised and his eyes glowing. I didn't even need to question who it was because I knew already.

"Vaati..."