Stuck In Between

Chapter Twenty-Three

"Very well," Solana said warmly, her grip tightening slightly around Y/n's pinky.

"Agreed," Venali added, his deep voice tinged with amusement as he mirrored the gesture.

The three of them stood there, their hands bound by the simple but profound promise. The warmth of their shared moment seemed to push back the lingering heaviness in the air, if only for a little while.

Y/n, flanked by King Venali and Queen Solana, made her way toward the stables. The gentle rustle of leaves and the distant hum of the castle grounds provided a serene backdrop. Yet, the royal couple couldn't help but steal glances at Y/n as they walked, their expressions a blend of curiosity and concern.

Arriving at the stables, the stablemen immediately bowed low, greeting the royal couple with practiced reverence. "Your Majesties," they said in unison, their voices respectful.

Y/n, walking between the king and queen, went unnoticed by the stablemen, who didn't seem to register her presence at all. She paid it no mind, her attention drawn ahead as they stepped inside.

The stables smelled of fresh hay and leather, with the soft sounds of horses shuffling in their stalls. Y/n's gaze immediately landed on Cerberus, her loyal companion, standing stiffly near two other majestic horses. These were none other than the king's and queen's prized steeds: Hades, a towering black stallion with a mane like flowing ink, and Persephone, a sleek chestnut mare with an air of grace.

Cerberus, visibly uneasy, kept shifting his weight and flicking his ears as if unsure of how to respond to the two horses. Hades and Persephone stood close to him, their curious postures revealing they were merely trying to befriend him.

Y/n approached quietly, smiling at the sight. She reached out and gently patted Hades' and Persephone's strong, muscled backs, earning brief glances from them before they resumed their attempts to engage Cerberus.

"They just want to be friends, don't they?" Y/n murmured softly, her voice filled with warmth.

Cerberus noticed Y/n's calm demeanor and relaxed slightly, his stiff posture easing as his focus shifted to her. Y/n moved closer, reaching up to stroke the side of his neck, her fingers brushing through his dark, coarse fur. "It's okay," she whispered soothingly. "They mean no harm."

As Y/n calmed Cerberus, Hades and Persephone noticed their masters. Their ears perked, and they turned to trot toward King Venali and Queen Solana, leaving Cerberus behind. Cerberus kept a wary eye on them until they exited the stable. Then his attention returned to Y/n, her calm presence anchoring him.

Y/n smiled at him reassuringly, but her expression suddenly shifted. Her smile vanished, her (e/c) eyes glazing over as they turned an unearthly white. She froze mid-motion, her hand still resting on Cerberus' neck.

Cerberus stiffened as well. His gray eyes turned completely white, mirroring Y/n's. Both stood motionless, locked in a strange, shared stillness.

Inside Y/n's mind, memories unfolded—disjointed and vivid. She saw through Cerberus' eyes, reliving the previous night's events: the flicker of the firelight, the sounds of distant creatures and people, the unease that had plagued him. At the same time, Cerberus experienced Y/n's recent memories—the exhaustion, the burning emotions that had consumed her before she collapsed.

A stableman passing by caught sight of the eerie scene. Y/n and Cerberus stood unnaturally still, their eyes glowing white, and the sight sent a jolt of fear through him. Panicked, he bolted out of the stable, shouting incoherently as he stumbled toward the royal couple.

"Your Majesties! Something's wrong!" he gasped, struggling to catch his breath. His words tumbled out in fragments, but the urgency in his voice was unmistakable.

Venali and Solana exchanged alarmed glances before striding swiftly toward the stable. Behind them, Hades and Persephone followed, their movements purposeful and alert.

Inside, just as the royal couple approached, Y/n's and Cerberus' eyes returned to normal. The strange connection had drained them both, leaving their bodies weak. Cerberus collapsed onto a mound of hay with a soft thud, while Y/n staggered backward before falling onto another pile.

"Y/n!" Solana cried, rushing forward with Venali close behind.

Cerberus, recovering quickly, shook his massive body, scattering hay from his fur. He rose to his feet, his gray eyes scanning Y/n with concern.

Y/n groaned softly as she regained consciousness, blinking up at the queen, who was kneeling at her right side, and the king, crouched on her left. Their hands gently supported her as they helped her sit up.

"Easy," Solana said softly, her voice soothing.

Y/n's gaze flicked to Cerberus, who stood steady now, watching her intently. His large, expressive eyes seemed to hold the same question swirling in Y/n's mind.

"What just happened?" she murmured, her voice shaky.

Venali and Solana looked at each other, their concern deepening, while Y/n and Cerberus continued to share a look, both of them silently grappling with the inexplicable bond they had just experienced.

What the hell is going on?