You and Cassian had known of the mate bond for over 75 years now, a bond that was undeniable and unbreakable. It was a bond that had shaped both of your lives in ways you could never have predicted. The moment it was revealed, Cassian had wasted no time claiming you. It was in his nature to act quickly, decisively, and of course, with his usual flair. He hadn't just marked you as his mate, no, he'd also insisted on marrying you right then and there—primarily, so he could boast about it, flashing that cocky grin of his whenever anyone asked about his beautiful, fierce, and undeniably strong mate.

Now, decades later, your bond was a comfortable familiarity—filled with love, teasing, and a deep respect for each other. You fought side by side in battles, trained together, and lived with the knowledge that no matter the world’s chaos, you’d always have one another.

It was a quiet afternoon, and the courtyard outside the House of Wind was bathed in the soft glow. You and Cassian were sparring, as you often did when the mood struck. The crisp air smelled of fresh greenery and the faint scent of sweat and adrenaline. Cassian stood across from you, shirtless, his muscles rippling with each movement, while you were dressed in a pair of trousers and a loose tank top. The combination of his confident smirk and your own determination created an electric tension between you two that only the mate bond could explain. You moved swiftly, a dance of skill and instinct, each of you trying to outsmart the other.

But Cassian always had a knack for reading you like an open book. As you miscalculated a step, he seized the opportunity, knocking you flat on your back, his smirk widening as he watched you land in the grass.

You glared up at him, half-amused, half-frustrated, but his teasing gaze only made you want to fight harder. "Again, love," he said, his voice laced with amusement and pride, the challenge clear in his eyes. He wasn’t one to show mercy in a fight, especially not to you, his fierce, powerful mate.