The Only Son Amongst The Daughters Of Eros

Aeric dismounted Sylver, the Silverwolf huffing softly as its thick, silver-tipped fur rippled in the sunlight which was not as bright as it had been back in the Starlight Region.

He tried not to pay too much attention to her, but Melina stood before him, her hands clasped tightly in front of her, her cheeks flushed.

When he adjusted himself after coming down, she got a bit closer and then greeted him shyly, her voice soft and almost hesitant.

"Hello, Aeric."

Before Aeric could reply, Delva, still astride her sleek mare, leaned down and smiled her usual sensual and Taunton smile, even adding a polite nod. "Good morning, Melina."

She said the 'leeeeenaaahhh' in such a dragged way that Aeric could tell she was obviously taunting him.

Even though they were not friends, Melina found herself smiling back although she was more interested in Aeric and his response.

But Aeric appeared to be avoiding her gaze. He looked around everywhere till his eyes moved and stopped at where Aryanne leaned against the very far wall of the huge school, arms crossed, her silver hair glinting under the light.

A massive scowl was etched on her face and it was utterly impossible to miss. Her almost white eyes burned with silent fury as she observed her sister standing obediently before Aeric, seemingly submitting herself to his will once again.

Aeric knew that if Aryanne was here, then Luna was not far away.

He kept Aryanne's glare for a brief moment but then dismissed her entirely, sighing after. Neither she nor Luna mattered — not right now.

Instead and finally, his face fell to the girl in front him; Daughter Melina of Moonlight, who stood quietly, a smile on her face that was about to disappear if he had refused to look at her any longer.

"I'm ready to go," she said, trying to keep her anxious voice steady, though her eyes sparkled with an affection Aeric couldn't quite place.

"I can see that," Aeric said, looking at her face. He studied her, unsure of what he saw.

Was this the same girl who once fought him tooth and nail, refusing to acknowledge him as her equal? Treated him like trash over and over.

Yes, at the back of his mind he knew that she was doing it for the sake of her mother. Just like at the back of his mind, he knew she'd always been after his attention. Even when she apparently hated him.

Now, here she was, willingly submitting herself to another Crest. Assuming she truly had changed, was it the Crest that had changed her, or was it because she'd finally seen the wrong in her ways?

Aeric admitted that he'd probably never find out since she'd already worn the Crest before she changed.

"Let's go then," he said curtly, though his gaze lingered on her for a moment longer, watching as she turned around and walked to her beast. Watching her hips... Her ass.

"Let's go, Master Aeric," Delva whispered playfully from her horse.

Aeric frowned, then looked up at her. She laughed.

They mounted their beasts again. Sylver turned its sleek head, amber eyes meeting the nervous gaze of Melina's Nightpanther. The feline creature let out a low, shy growl and quickly looked away, as if embarrassed under the Silverwolf's steady stare.

Aeric noticed this. 'Don't tell me you're flirting with Drex, Sylver.'

The beast growled in annoyance. Aeric chuckled.

The journey to the Divine Artist's shop was quick, the group riding in companionable silence. When they arrived, Vennel, the famed Divine Artist, greeted them at the door, his brows furrowing in surprise to see them again.

"Back so soon?" he asked, scratching his chin. "Is there an issue with the first Crest?"

"No," Aeric replied, stepping forward. "Melina wants another one. This time, she's willing to bear it without protest."

Vennel blinked, clearly taken aback. "Willingly, you say? That's a rare thing." He turned to Melina, his gaze searching hers for any sign of hesitation. "You do understand what you're asking for, yes?"

Melina nodded firmly. "I do."

The artist shrugged and led her to the table. "I notice you didn't bring the noisy one with you today. Guess she's nobody's favorite, huh?"

Aeric looked at him with no expression. "Draw the Crest."

"Oh yes. Oh yes, Indeed, my Prince!"

The ritual was much the same as before, his practiced hands drew the precise lines across her chest with divine ink. Then came the binding. Aeric sliced through his palm until blood spilled and dropped on the Crest which glowed after.

Vennel performed the chants and the bonding was done. Aeric saw the interface once again with Melina's stats and Skills.

Taking his payment, Vennel wiped his hands and looked at them both as they began to leave. "I must warn you," he said, his tone serious. "Binding multiple Crests to the same Bondmaster can lead to... complications. Obsession, uncontrollable affections towards that Bondmaster. It's a dangerous road. Be mindful of that."

Aeric didn't say anything, but his gaze flicked to Melina, who stood with her head bowed. "I know what I'm doing," she said.

"That'll be all, Artist," Aeric said, and they left. Stay connected with empire

Back at the Institution, they dismounted. Aeric's thoughts were a tangled mess, and so he turned to Melina, deciding to let her know exactly what he thought about all this.

"Look, Melina," he began with a low voice. "I know you're trying your best to earn your place, but I can't help but feel like I'm making this too easy for you. Especially after everything you've done to me."

Melina met his gaze, her eyes soft with regret. "I can't apologize enough, Aeric," she said. "But I really am sorry." She smiled and lifted the edge of her collar, revealing the fresh Crest on her large cleavage. "It's why I'm willingly wearing this, accepting to be your Bondservant as a fitting punishment for all I did."

"Yeah," Aeric sighed, "but if you're enjoying wearing it, it's not really a punishment, is it?"

Melina looked away, conceding his point.

Just then, a familiar voice broke the tension.

"Master Aeric!"

They all turned around to see Phoebe approaching them. She was wearing a beautiful new emerald gown swaying as she walked, her elf ears had shiny silver earrings, and her smile was radiant.

"Happy Declaration Day!" she said brightly.

Aeric smiled. "Hey, Pheebs. Looking good today, and thanks."

Melina's cheeks flushed, her smile faltering. Aeric hadn't complimented her dress at all.

Then, a gentle tug at his sleeve caught his attention. He turned to see Celestia, dressed in her region's deep yellow hues, her eyes warm but guarded.

"Hey," she said softly.

"Celestia," Aeric replied, his smile turning nervous. There was still so much left unsaid between them, and he could feel the weight of her gaze.

Delva, watching the interaction, chuckled softly. "Well, Master Aeric," she said, swinging onto her horse. "I'll see you after you're done with... school."

Aeric looked back at her, frowning at her taunting sarcasm, then continued towards the school.

Before she turned to leave, Delva paused, glancing back with a knowing smile as Aeric stood surrounded by those beautiful women. Funny enough, he was seemingly unaware of the magnetic pull he had over them.

Shaking her head, she rode off.

As Aeric neared the school doors, his eyes caught movement far away. The Temple door creaked open briefly before closing again. He hesitated, memories of the Divine Priest flashing through his mind.

Today was his Declaration of Divinity. And it meant it was the best time to have that talk with the Divine Priest.

He turned to the girls. "Head to the assembly without me. I'll meet you all there."

They nodded, though their eyes lingered as he walked through the green field, toward the Divine Temple.