Chapter 17: Connected Hearts
572words
"What are you thinking about?" Rayne's voice came from behind, holding two cups of hot tea in his hands.
Lyra took the cup: "Aldrich's words. We need to trust each other completely, but..."
"But you still have doubts," Rayne finished her sentence. "About me, about everything that happened in our past lives."
Lyra nodded: "Some memories are still fuzzy. I'm not sure which ones are real and which ones have been tampered with."
Rayne pondered for a moment: "There's a method that can help us. The Wolf Clan has an ancient ritual called 'Mind Resonance.' It allows two people to share memories and see the truth in each other's hearts."
"Sounds dangerous," Lyra hesitated.
"It is," Rayne admitted. "It requires complete trust and openness. Any concealment or resistance could cause mental trauma. But if successful, our minds will truly connect."
Lyra took a deep breath: "I'm willing to try."
They came to the most secluded room in the ancient castle. It was simply furnished with only a circular stone platform and several silver candles. Rayne lit the candles, and silver flames danced in the darkness.
"Lie down, face to face," Rayne instructed. "Then hold each other's hands and press your foreheads together."
Lyra followed the instructions, and when her forehead touched Rayne's, a strange warmth flowed throughout her entire body.
"Now, empty your mind, allow me to enter your memories. At the same time, you will see mine as well," Rayne said softly, "Don't resist, don't be afraid."
Lyra closed her eyes, feeling her consciousness gradually becoming blurry. Suddenly, scenes both strange yet familiar flooded into her mind:
The first time Rayne saw her at the Training Camp, attracted by the power contained within her quietness;
How he secretly protected her, observing her training from a distance;
His joy and worry when he learned she would be sent for an arranged marriage;
His anxious search after discovering she had disappeared;
Finding her dying in the forest, desperately trying to save her with the Blood Covenant oath;
Finally, his own death from severe injuries, yet his soul remained tightly connected to hers...
At the same time, Rayne also saw Lyra's memories:
Her fear of arranged marriage and worry about the unknown;
Irene's lie that Rayne planned to kill her;
The ambush by Karen during her escape;
The pain and darkness of death;
The determination for revenge after rebirth;
Growing doubts and wavering feelings toward Rayne;
Finally, transformation into protection and love...
When they opened their eyes, tears had already dampened both their faces. No words, only deep understanding and an unprecedented connection.
"Now you know," Rayne said softly. "I never wanted to hurt you."
Lyra nodded, the last trace of doubt in her heart disappearing: "We were deceived, but not this time."
They looked at each other and smiled, feeling the resonance of each other's heartbeats. This connection was not merely physical, but spiritual. The trial of Moon Shadow Valley required such a connection, and now, they were ready.
However, what they didn't know was that Karen was also making his own preparations. At the other end of the ancient castle, he was in a secret room, performing some kind of dark ritual, making final preparations for the upcoming trial.
