In the night, I was like the flora of nature, alive and unseeing, existing only as myself. With eyes closed, I was at home and the blackness around, was my cocoon, a place in which my dreams could flow freely. As the moon and stars shone above the passing clouds of ink, as the air released the heat of the day, my mind went back to my palace.

The air touched my face, softer than the kisses of my mother and just as cold as the memories had turned. Her smile flashed before my eyes, how she always wore father's boots with five layer of socks rather than buying her own, how she never got too old to splash in the puddles. She loved her kingdom deeply. My mother was the kind of queen to sacrifice anything for the happiness of her subjects.

I looked at the silvery moon, shining peacefully in the safety of the velvety sky. "How can I leave either of them?" I whispered.

"He's a half-witch. Can't they accept him? How can I pick one of them? I can't leave my people even if he's my soulmate. But I can't just leave my soulmate! What do I do? Help me, Goddess. Please help me."

My frustration was pouring out of me, bubbling through the pores of my being, making my magic shake with ferocity. Taking a deep breath, I tried to calm down. I desperately wished my mother was here to soothe my worries. She used to say that life was very simple, we made it complicated. But how was this simple? What was the right way to uncomplicate this situation?

"Whatever your instinct tells you."

I snapped my head to the right as Nick's voice tore through the silence of the night. My brother was no more than a silhouette; I could only see the fluid black outline of his broad shoulders and strong limbs. Sitting beside me on an old wooden bench, his characteristic soft smile came into my view as the silvery-white light tumbled onto his skin.

"It feels like my instincts are also divided," I sighed,"What do I do Nick?"

"Sleep," he said, smiling at my helpless expression.

"What?" I asked, furrowing my brows in confusion.

"It's midnight. Go to your room and sleep."

Standing up, he held my hand and pushed me towards Conrad's house. "Go!" he said, firmly. Nodding rapidly, I turned away from him.

I was walking slowly, almost robotically, as if my brain was struggling to tell each foot to take the next step. Tenser than a tiger stalking his prey, I glided deeper into Conrad's room.

A sigh of relief left me when I saw that the empty room. The dark room was like a place out of time, a place for me to rest. The darkness, in that way, was my sanctuary, a place to recharge and forget the things the world said had to be done. I needed this, the feeling of stepping out of this craziness for a while. Laying on the soft bed, I was about to slip into the land of dreams when my fingers stumbled upon a rough material.

Switching on the lights, I looked at the folded paper carelessly tossed on to the bed. The white note crinkled as I held it close to me, the black messy handwriting conveying the writer's haste.

Dear Nora,

I think we both know that we aren't that good with communication, so I decided to write this letter for you. I know that witches don't give that much importance to mate bond. I understand why they don't want to accept me but asking you to reject your bond too, that's a little harsh.

I'm writing this letter to tell you that I will never force you stay with me. I tried to put myself in your position and I understand how hard it must be for you. So, I have decided to accept whatever decision you'll make. I promise to accept the rejection and move on. But if you decide to stay, I promise to try my best to support you through all these chaotic situations. I know that you have stayed with me for so long, without fighting about anything because of your powers. I know that you don't want them to reduce. But if we reject each other, our powers will decrease. Think carefully about everything. I will always believe in you. Whatever decision you'll make will be the right decision.

All the best for tomorrow. I'll see you? Atleast I hope I do.

Thank you for coming into my life.
I will miss you.

The tears burst forth like water from a dam, spilling down my face. The muscles of my chin trembled like a small child and I looked towards the window, as if the light would soothe me. I didn't know what to do. I never wanted to reject him but leaving my kingdom in this situation would be incredibly selfish. My mind was a surging perplexity.

My love was like two charging horses pulling in opposite directions. I couldn't abandon either of them. Every one of them was important, everyone of them was a part of my soul. The only option, then, was to find a way for them to charge in the same direction, to pull together. Problem was that I didn't know how to do that. A rustling noise caught my attention, and I turned towards the paper that was swaying lightly in air.

His words rocked my mind, leaving it to move in the most foreign ways. The words on that letter were echoing in my mind, reverberating through my carefully built walls. My magic was scattered throughout my body, trembling with anxiety. Balling my fists, I sighed in frustration. I stared at his letter again, as if his words could provide me the answer to my conflict.

My eyes widened. I knew what to do! His words were staring at me as I silently thanked the Gods above. It felt like his letter was a blessing in disguise. I was still lost and confused, but happy and certain. A ball of tangled yarn was what my mental state felt like. The mess was endless but atleast I could make my descion. Snatching a rough notebook from his table, I began to write.

Thank you so much for reading!

I know that this chapter wasn't much but I really wanted to show her conflicting emotions.