<h4>Chapter 617: Foreign Energies (II)</h4>


    <strong>Evaline:</strong>


    Kieran’s eyes snapped back to mine.


    "When we were trapped in the secret chamber," I continued, my voice trembling slightly, "my healing power was almostpletely drained. I remember reaching for something. Anything. I didn’t know what I was doing. I just... grabbed."


    His expression sharpened.


    "Are you saying you used my energy that night?" He asked.


    I nodded quickly.


    "Remember how you felt drained that night," I pressed. "You said you were unusually tired."


    His jaw tightened slightly.


    "I thought it was something in that ce."


    "It wasn’t," I whispered. "It was me."


    Understanding flooded his gaze.


    "You tapped into my energy," he breathed.


    "I did," I confirmed. "Without realizing."


    My fingers curled against my palms.


    "I used your power as if it was mine."


    The weight of that realization settled heavily in my chest.


    Silence followed. But it wasn’t tense. It wasn’t angry. If anything, Kieran looked... relieved.


    A soft, almost incredulous smile curved his lips.


    "You are incredible," he murmured.


    I blinked. "That’s not the reaction I was expecting."


    He stepped closer again, his hands returning to my waist.


    "Do you realize what this means?" he asked gently.


    "That I need to be careful?" I replied immediately. "I can’t just pull from you or River unconsciously. What if I drain you during something important? What if I don’t realize how much I’m taking?"


    He cupped my face brushing his thumb gently over my cheek.


    "You didn’t drain me dry," he said softly. "And you did it under extreme circumstances."


    "But still-"


    "Little mate." His voice firmed slightly, but warmth never left it. "You were at your limit. You were protecting all of us. If my energy helped you survive that moment, then I’m grateful."


    I stared at him.


    "You are not angry?"


    He almostughed.


    "Angry?" His forehead rested against mine. "You carrying a part of my power inside you feels... right."


    My breath hitched.


    "It feels like proof," he continued quietly. "That we are not just bonded emotionally. Or physically. But fundamentally."


    His thumb brushed beneath my lower lip.


    "And if you need my energy," he added, "you take it."


    My heart tightened painfully in the best way.


    "You say that so easily," I whispered.


    "Because I mean it."


    He leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead.


    "I know my brother would say the same."


    River.


    The second energy inside me pulsed faintly at the thought of him.


    "I’ll still be careful," I murmured.


    "I know you will."


    "But I don’t want to use it unconsciously again."


    "Then we learn," he said simply. "Together."


    I exhaled slowly.


    This bond.


    It kept deepening in ways I hadn’t even imagined.


    First emotions.


    Then instincts.


    Now power itself.


    I rested my head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.


    "I need to be more aware from now on," I said softly. "Not just of my power. But of yours. And River’s."


    His arms tightened around me. "And we’ll be there with you."


    I smiled faintly against him.


    A quiet understanding settled between us - not heavy, not overwhelming.


    Just steady.


    Secure.


    I had discovered something extraordinary tonight.


    Something powerful.


    But more than that, I had discovered something reassuring.


    I wasn’t alone inside myself anymore.


    And instead of fear, all I felt was warmth.


    Connection.


    Belonging.


    Kieran pressed another soft kiss into my hair.


    "Come," he murmured gently. "Let’s get you to dinner before you start discovering you can summon storms too."


    Iughed quietly, the tension finally dissolving.


    He started to step back, but I didn’t let him.


    My fingers tightened around his hand before he could fully turn, and I tugged him back toward me.


    "Kieran," I breathed.


    He looked mildly surprised, his eyes soft but questioning. "What is it?"


    Instead of answering, I stepped forward and fisted my hands into the fabric of his shirt, pulling him down the inch I needed.


    Then I kissed him.


    It wasn’t rushed.


    It wasn’t desperate.


    It was deliberate.


    Soft at first... just my lips pressing against his, testing, savoring. I felt the exact moment he froze in surprise... and then the even sweeter moment he melted.


    His hands came back to my waist instantly, firm and warm, drawing me closer as if he had been waiting for this exact excuse.


    The kiss deepened slowly.


    Carefully.


    Like neither of us wanted to break the fragile, glowing thing between us.


    His lips moved against mine with quiet assurance - not demanding, not overpowering - just steady and certain. I could feel the faint brush of his breath against my cheek, warm and controlled despite the subtle hitch I caused when I tilted my head and pressed closer.


    My heart fluttered wildly in my chest.


    He responded instantly when I slid one hand upward to rest against his jaw, my thumb brushing the edge of his cheekbone. His fingers flexed at my waist, pulling me fully against him until there was no space left between us.


    The kiss shifted.


    Not more intense... but deeper.


    He kissed like he did everything else - with intention.


    Every small movement felt measured, thoughtful, like he was memorizing the feel of me the same way I was memorizing him.


    When his lips parted slightly against mine, I followed without hesitation, the connection soft and unhurried. A quiet sound escaped him... almost a hum... low in his throat, and the vibration sent warmth spiraling down my spine.


    I smiled faintly against his mouth.


    He felt it.


    His hand slid upward slightly, fingers brushing along my back, not wandering... just holding me closer as if anchoring himself.


    It wasn’t consuming.


    It wasn’t overwhelming.


    It was steady.


    Safe.


    Sweet.


    And somehow that made it even more powerful.


    When we finally broke apart, it wasn’t because either of us wanted to. It was because breathing had be necessary again.


    He rested his forehead against mine, our breaths mingling in the quietb.


    "You are going to be the end of me," he murmured softly.


    Iughed under my breath, my fingers still curled lightly into his shirt. "You are exaggerating, Professor."


    "Not even slightly."


    His thumb traced a slow line along my waist, absent-minded, like he was still grounding himself in the feel of me.


    I leaned up and pressed onest soft kiss to the corner of his mouth before stepping back.


    He looked almost reluctant to let me go.


    Almost.


    "I should go," I said quietly, though my heart was still racing pleasantly. "Dinner."


    He exhaled slowly, nodding. But his eyes didn’t leave mine.


    I picked up my bag, slung it over my shoulder, and walked toward the door. Just before stepping out, I nced back at him.


    He was still standing exactly where I had left him.


    Watching me.


    There was something thoughtful in his expression now. Softer than usual. Less guarded.


    I gave him a small smile before slipping out into the corridor.


    The door shut quietly behind me.


    The cool evening air of the hallway brushed against my warmed skin, but I didn’t feel cold.


    Not even close.