(Myra’s POV)

"To know whether the mate bond is true or not, we need to share~ ... a kiss," Brave revealed, his lashes fluttering.

My eyes contracted then expanded. Once again, for the nth time, tonight, I was left utterly stupefied by his words, ’What did he just say? He~ .... he and I~ .... he and I need to do WHAT? We need to share a ki~ ... ki~ ... KISS? Did I hear it right? Are my ears playing a trick?’

"What are you saying, Brave?" I questioned his baffling revelation.

He bit his lower lip, took a pause and then replied, "To know whether the mate bond is true or not, physical contact is required. When I touch you, I feel a tingling sensation, a connection that’s binding us. But, as you said, you are a full fledged human. So maybe skin to skin contact isn’t enough for you. That’s why, for confirmation, we need to," he licked his lips, "we need to do something more intimate. That’s why we need to share a kiss." 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

His words have left me thoroughly speechless. I want to scream at him, rebuke him for even thinking this. I want to tell him to stop with this disgusting joke, but the sincerity dripped from his eyes. He isn’t lying. Not one bit.

Now~ ... how do I react to this? What should I even say to him? Ughhh~ .... I am a total mess right now. My brain isn’t working.

"Myra~ ...." his voice came from above me. He has closed in on me and now standing right in front of me. There were barely a few inches between us, almost touching.

I lifted my eyelids to gaze at him, and what I saw left me awestruck. The bright, thick, almost complete gibbous moon was casting a radiant, vibrant glow on his already handsome face. Moonbeams chiselled his jawline and facial features, highlighting his features gloriously. His breath grazed my forehead. I could feel the rhythm of his breathing, and my heart soared as if it were ready to fly. His eyes, those shining brown jewels, were piercing me with their immense, intense stare. He was waiting, waiting for me to open my mouth. Waiting for my answer.

I felt something melting inside me. And in that moment, a voice, as low as a whisper, sprouted within me, ’Just do it~ .... Myra. Just do it and get it over with. See for yourself if it’s a lie or not. Prove it to him and yourself that you both don’t have any connection.’

But another sharp voice cut it down, ’No, you should not do it. Don’t fall for this. That dream, that pathetically shameless dream, has already consumed your mind. But doing something like this in reality, there will be no going back from this.’

Those conflicting voices clashing inside my subconscious were making me even more confused. This back and forth was draining me dry. This can’t go on. I have to find a solution. So, I came to a conclusion.

All this while, Brave remained patient, giving me all the time in the world. I bored my eyes straight at him and said, "Okay~ .... let’s do it."

Brave was taken aback by my words; his long lashes fluttered rapidly as I repeated, "Let’s do it. The kiss."

"Are you sure about that?" he queried, his voice unethically sweet and tender.

Gosh, why is he doing this? Does he have to be so~ .... ohhh god, I’m fucking losing my mind here. Dude, do you know how much courage it took me to even utter this? Don’t make this more difficult for me.

Forget it. Just go for it.

Instead of replying, I grabbed his shoulder, squinting my eyes tightly and tiptoed to aim for him, or rather, his lips. But before my lips could meet those plump ones of his, mine were met with an obstruction.

Confused, my eyes flew open. His warm, calloused palm was placed on my lips as he said, "Not like this."

"Huhh?" I flinched. ’Are you kidding me? He is~ ... he is messing around with me.’ I could feel my eyes moistening.

"I don’t want to force myself on you. Don’t feel pressured by my words. I want you to feel fully comfortable with the idea. No need to push yourself right now. Take your time," he breathed those words calmly.

Only when he said it, I realised I was trembling like a reed in the wind. My other hand was fisted in an iron grip, and my knuckles had paled in colour. I was shaking from head to toe with nervousness.

He cupped my face in both his hands and mumbled, "Whenever you are ready." His voice breathy and raspy. It was hypnotic in a way I can’t even define.

Then he tucked out a wisp of my hair, entangled it around his thick finger and placed a soft kiss on it instead, "For now~ ... I will take this." His actions were extremely delicate. He then let go of my hair as well as me. The lack of that calming warmth, the distance, filled me with a little disappointment.

’WAIT, WHAT? What are you thinking? Disappointed? Why the hel~ ... why the hell will you be disappointed, huhh? Are you crazy, Myra Miracle?’

He wiped the corner of my eyes and said, "Our walk has taken a while. Your parents must be waiting for you. Let’s go back."

I instantly transported back to reality, pulled myself together as we both walked back to my home. During the small stroll, he didn’t mention anything about mate, or bond or kiss or anything, just said, "I heard from Nora that from tomorrow you will be rejoining your classes."

Pursing my lips, I hummed and answered, "Yes, it has been too long. I don’t want to fall behind in my studies."

He voiced a soft chuckle as he added, "So diligently assiduous of you, as expected. But don’t push yourself too hard. Your health is more important."

I nodded.

Out of the blue, he suggested, "Ummm~ .... after your graduation, why don’t you come and work at the Everests Corporation?"

To Be Continued . . . . . . . .