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Their laughter traveled the soul link, tender and raw, like the hush of two hearts brushing against each other in the dark. For a moment, across the yawning distance of forest and sea, of kingdoms and war, they were just two souls again—tangled in longing and memory.
Somewhere between love and duty, between rebellion and forgiveness, they waited. Then Kai exhaled slowly, voice dipping low with finality.
"My aura's running out," he said. "The connection won't hold much longer."
Mia didn't speak. But in the silence that followed, her heartbeat whispered across the bond. Steady. Waiting. Wishing.
And somewhere, deep inside, Kai promised himself that he would bring her to him. He had to. The situation in ant kingdom is going to worsen by time.
"Hey," she added, voice teasing but warm. "Don't let that bunny girl steal your heart."
Kai smirked. "Too late. I've already sold mine."
Mia froze. "…What?"
