Tristan sat across from Loraura, his nerves a tangled mess as he stared down at the plate in front of him. His hands trembled slightly, and sweat trickled down the back of his neck, soaking into his collar. He risked a glance at Loraura, who sat calmly, sipping her tea with a content smile, completely unaware of the storm of emotions brewing inside him.
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With a deep breath, Tristan stabbed his fork into his pasta, forcing himself to eat. His heart raced, not from the food, but from the weight of the words he had yet to say.
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"Once again, the food's delicious, Loraura," Tristan managed to say, his voice betraying his nerves.
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"I'm glad you are enjoying it," Loraura replied, her blue eyes sparkling with joy. She was always so gentle, so composed, and that only made things harder for him. How was he supposed to tell her how he really felt?
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As Tristan ate in silence, he couldn't stop his thoughts from spiraling. He wasn't used to this. Romance, feelings, the vulnerability of it all—it was foreign territory. Sure, Janice had tried to offer her 'advice,' but none of that seemed helpful now. Loraura wasn't someone he could just blurt things out to. She was special, and that made this even more terrifying.
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By the time Tristan finished his meal, his anxiety had only grown. He watched as Loraura cleared the dishes, moving with the same grace and ease she always did. How could he possibly go through with this?
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"Loraura," Tristan said suddenly, standing up. "Would you join me on the patio?"
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She turned to him, a hint of surprise in her eyes, but she nodded, smiling as she placed the dishes down. "Of course."
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The two stepped out onto the patio, the cool night air a welcome contrast to Tristan's overheated body. He tugged at his tie, trying to loosen it, but it didn't help. Sweat soaked through his suit, and he could feel it sticking to his skin, but all he could do was try to steady his breathing. He avoided Loraura's gaze as they sat down together, his eyes focused on the dark sky above.
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"It's a beautiful night, right?" Tristan asked, forcing a nervous laugh, his voice barely steady.
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Loraura glanced up, her serene smile never faltering. "Yes, indeed it is."
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The way she spoke so easily, so calmly, only made his stomach twist even tighter. Here he was, sweating bullets, his heart ready to explode, while she remained composed. How could she make everything seem so effortless?
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Tristan looked down at his hands, clenching them tightly. He had to say something, but the words refused to form. His mind raced, wondering how to express everything he'd been holding in for so long.
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Loraura's gaze lingered on Tristan as he sat beside her, sweat dripping from his forehead and soaking into his shirt. She wasn't entirely familiar with the intricacies of human biology, but she knew enough to understand that this level of perspiration wasn't normal. His breathing was shallow, and his heart seemed to pound harder than it should. Something was off, and the more she focused, the more she could feel it.
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Extending her senses, Loraura linked her mind to Tristan's body. It was something she had only done a few times before, but now, it seemed necessary. She could feel his heart racing, his temperature rising beyond a safe level. His body was reacting in a way that made her nervous—no, more than that. Fear crept into her chest. Was he in danger?
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"Loraura..." Tristan's voice broke her concentration, pulling her back to the present.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yTlr8GcJI
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"Yes?" Loraura quickly responded, her eyes wide with concern.
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"I-I want you t-to know, how much I appreciate you," Tristan stammered, offering her a crooked smile, but his words barely registered in her mind. His voice seemed distant, faint, as her focus returned to his worsening condition.
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Her connection with his body told her all she needed to know—Tristan was overheating, his heart was working overtime, and if she didn't do something, things could get much worse.
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"Tristan!" Loraura's voice rang out, her usual calm shattered by panic.
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Tristan jumped at her outburst, his confusion clear. "Yes?" he asked, startled by her sudden change in tone.
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"I believe your body may be under attack," Loraura said, her words rushed and full of urgency. "I beg your pardon, but I'll have to carry you."
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Before Tristan could protest, Loraura lifted him into the air with her powers. "What the—?" Tristan's eyes widened in panic as he felt his feet leave the ground. He wasn't used to this—being helpless, being carried like this. He tried to reach for something to steady himself, but there was nothing to hold on to.
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Loraura hovered in the air, her face set in determined concentration as she grabbed him with both hands, pulling him close. She wasted no time, flying them both into the temple, moving with speed that left Tristan in a daze. Within moments, they were in his room, and she carefully placed him down on the bed, her hands trembling slightly as she let him go.
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Tristan lay there, still trying to catch his breath, his head spinning from everything that had just happened. "Loraura, what's going on?" he asked, his voice shaky.
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Loraura, her heart still racing from the panic, gently placed her finger on Tristan's forehead. "I'm sorry, Tristan, but I'll have to ask you to lay down," she whispered, her voice trembling as she pressed softly. Tristan's eyes fluttered, and his body went light-headed, sinking back onto the pillow.
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As he lay there, Loraura's panic surged once more. His heart rate still hadn't stabilized. She extended both hands over his chest, her palms glowing with a soft, radiant blue light. Her power, usually so controlled, now pulsed with urgency, spreading through Tristan's body in waves, trying to soothe the storm within him.
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"L-Loraura," Tristan groaned, his voice weak but insistent. He squirmed beneath the energy surrounding him, his body fighting against her healing touch. "Loraura!" His voice grew louder, desperate, as he struggled to sit up. With a final push, he broke through her aura, reaching out and grabbing her shoulders, his grip shaky but firm.
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Loraura's eyes widened in surprise as her concentration shattered, her glowing hands dimming as Tristan forced himself upright. "I-I just wanted to t-tell you... how m-much I care about you..." His voice grew weaker, his words slurring as his strength gave out. He swayed for a moment, his body fighting the exhaustion, before finally collapsing back onto the bed, unconscious.
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"Tristan..." Loraura whispered, staring down at him, her heart aching. His words hung in the air, unfinished but clear. "So that's what you were trying to say..." She slowly calmed herself, her hands gently resting on his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heart beneath her fingertips. It was still racing, but now, she understood why.
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"You don't have to worry," Loraura whispered softly, her hand moving to stroke his hair, her touch gentle and tender. "For all my words have been true." She smiled, her panic fading into something softer, warmer. "I'll be here with you, always."
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Up above the temple, a silver-haired woman hovered in the night sky, her eyes glinting with curiosity. Vyra, with her long silver hair whipping through the air, crossed her arms and looked down at the scene below. Her smile was knowing, almost playful, as if she had stumbled upon a secret she was eager to uncover.
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"Interesting... very interesting," she murmured, her voice soft but brimming with amusement. The breeze caught her hair, lifting it in graceful waves as her gaze stayed fixed on the temple. She could feel the energies swirling inside, particularly Loraura's.
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"She's gotten attached," Vyra mused to herself, watching the faint glow from the windows below. "I didn't expect this from you, little sister. Contracting with a mortal like him..." Her smirk widened as she tilted her head, amused by the connection Loraura had made.
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Vyra drifted down a bit closer, her eyes narrowing slightly as she probed the bond between Loraura and Tristan. "Well, I suppose I'll have to meet him sooner or later," she said with a hint of mischief, letting the thought linger.
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With a graceful movement, she turned and hovered in place, debating whether or not to make her presence known just yet. "I'll give you a little more time, Loraura... but soon." Her smile grew wider, as she began to slowly fade into the night sky, leaving only the whisper of her voice behind. "This is going to be fun."
***
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Author notes: Please support my work on Patreon for early access to new chapters. https://patreon.com/DarkMatteromniverse86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIoRTu0Qyg
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