Chapter 7 - The Magic of a Challenge

Chloe’s posture shifted by a millimeter. “Zachary,” she said, pleasant but taut. “Everly.”

The names rolled off her tongue like they carried weight, their appearances and aura roving that to be true..

It wasn’t hard for Aiden to notice Jaxson’s jaw tightening at the sound of their names, or how Avery’s hand instinctively found his sleeve, attempting to keep him relaxed. Even Chloe’s bright expression dulled, a tiny shadow creeping behind her eyes.

The way the couple stood near each other brought Maximus’s warning back to his mind. Not every bond is built on love. Some marriages are for status, arrangements to stack power, to polish reputations. Those couples wield vows like weapons, not promises.

The Guild Master hadn’t given names. And now he didn’t need to.

Zachary’s gaze drifted over the table, analyzing every detail. He lingered on Aiden and Valerie’s joined hands, the silver glint of her oval-cut diamond and the muted gleam of his tungsten band drawing him in. Something flickered in his eyes, sharp amusement, gone before Aiden could pin it down.

“Introductions,” Chloe said briskly, her tone a bit more sullen. “Aiden, Valerie, this is Zachary and Everly. They work… independently.”

“Selectively,” Everly corrected, her voice as smooth as velvet. “We prefer quality over volume.”

“Right,” Chloe muttered under her breath. “That’s the word.”

Everly glided closer, emerald silk whispering around her ankles. Her smile was painted on, precise, but her eyes told a different story, a sadder one.

Zachary stopped just short of the table, hands folded behind his back, posture flawless. He was tall, his black coat tailored sharp, every button polished to a mirror sheen. His dark hair gleamed like a raven’s wing, slick and controlled.

“We’ve heard stories,” he said, his tone cultured, like he was commenting on fine art. “Newcomers with an… unusual bond. Adventurers claiming Heartlink magic exists.”

Aiden bit back a snort. As if they hadn’t nearly lit the entire guild hall like a Christmas tree three days ago.

He kept his voice even. “Ask anyone in the guild who was healed that day. They’ll tell you it exists.”

Zachary hummed low, almost amused. He flicked a glance at Everly, something passing silently between them, a private joke meant only for their polished smiles.

Everly tilted her head, her voice soft, deliberate. “Heartlink is…unpredictable. Rarely worth the trouble.”

Aiden felt heat coil in his chest, a tight spark under his ribs. He opened his mouth, ready to retort.

But Valerie beat him to it.

Her eyes narrowed just slightly, her voice calm but edged with steel. “Maybe Heartlink feels like trouble for those who don’t know what real trust looks like,” she said. “For us, it’s just a matter of time.”

Aiden blinked, caught off guard. His surprise melted quickly into admiration, his chest tightening. Val…What a woman.

Everly’s smile faltered for the briefest moment, a crack in her flawless mask, before she smoothed it over again.

Zachary chuckled, spreading his hands as though offering wisdom. “Trust is overrated. Shared purpose is what binds people. Without it, love rots.”

Valerie leaned forward, shoulders squared. “I agree, a shared purpose does matter. But if you don’t trust each other, how do you even start building towards one?”

The words hung in the air like blades.

Aiden glanced at Chloe. She was silent, lips pressed tight. Jaxson’s eyes had narrowed, Avery’s hand still gripping his sleeve.

The square’s chatter seemed distant now, muffled by the pressure hanging between the two couples.

“Trust?” Zachary scoffed softly. “A pretty word to soothe weak hearts. Real bonds are built on power. One leading, the other following. Perhaps your husband should remind you which role is yours.”

The world stopped for half a second. The jaws of Chloe, Jaxson and Avery dropped unanimously in disbelief.

Aiden’s smile froze. Slowly, deliberately, he pushed his chair back, the scrape of wood on stone loud enough to turn heads.

He stood tall, walking slowly to where Zachary was. His smile never faltered, as painted on as Everly’s was. He placed one hand on the man’s shoulder, firm, steady, as if comforting him for what was to come next.

Crack.

Zachary stumbled, catching himself on the fountain’s edge, one hand shooting out to brace against the stone, the other nursing his jaw. The sound of impact echoed, clean and satisfying.

The square went silent. Carts creaked to a stop, townsfolk froze mid-step, baskets and parcels dangling forgotten in their hands. A murmur spread like sparks on dry grass, gasps, nervous laughs, whispers darting from mouth to mouth. For a heartbeat, the town seemed to forget how to breathe. Only the fountain carried on, its steady splash mocking the stillness that had fallen over everyone else.

Aiden flexed his hand, the sting worth every repercussion he might have to endure. “I’m proud to stand beside a woman strong enough to speak her mind,” he said, voice steady. “If that intimidates you, that’s your problem, not hers. Maybe you’ll remember that next time…before you overstep again.”

Chloe’s lips twitched, fighting a grin. Jaxson’s face stayed stoic, but his eyes lit up like a man finally seeing justice served. Avery’s lips pressed tight, but her hand relaxed its grip.

Everly bent toward Zachary, her hand outstretched. He smacked it away.

“I don’t need help.” His voice was sharp, brittle.

Her eyes dulled, and with practiced ease she stepped half a step behind Zachary, becoming part of his shadow once more.

He stood up, dust clinging to his immaculate coat. His cheek burned red where Aiden’s fist had landed. “Of course. When words fail, the unrefined always reach for their fists.”

Aiden blurted a laugh, short and sharp. “Oh please. If I’d used magic, I’d have melted the sneer right off your face.”

Valerie’s lips curved, but she stayed quiet, her hand slipping into Aiden’s arm like an anchor.

Jaxson finally stood, moving between them, his guard’s authority slipping into his tone. “That’s enough. As a city guard, I can’t let this escalate further and endanger the town.”

Zachary’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Funny. You didn’t step in when I was struck.”

Jaxson shrugged. “Must’ve been too distracted by my beautiful fiance. It looked like you tripped.”

Avery smothered a laugh behind her hand. Even Chloe’s grin broke loose.

For the first time, Zachary’s composure cracked. His jaw clenched before he forced it smooth again. He straightened out his suit, adjusting his cuffs like nothing had happened.

“If you’re so certain of your bond,” he said finally, looking at Valerie, “as well as your magic,” Now looking at Aiden, “then prove it. Join Everly and me in clearing a dungeon.” He smiled thinly. “Don’t worry, we’ll keep it simple. A beginner’s dungeon should be manageable… even for you.”

Aiden’s stomach dropped. His gaming instincts flared like alarms. Beginner dungeon, sure. But even starter zones can wipe out rookies. And Val…

Valerie’s fingers tightened on his sleeve. He looked down. She didn’t say a word, but her eyes asked the same question his mind screamed: Can we handle this?

Before he could answer, Chloe stepped forward, hands on her hips. “Then Maximus and I will come too. That way no one has to worry about things getting… messy.”

Her eyes flicked sharply at Zachary, and for once he didn’t take the bait.

Instead, his smirk returned, polished and poisonous. “I see, well then let’s meet back here and head to the dungeon together. We wouldn’t want anyone getting lost.”

His eyes rested on Aiden and Valerie, malice dripping with every word.

“Dear,” he said to Everly, his voice smooth enough to cut glass. “Our objective is clear. We shall clear the dungeon.”

Aiden flinched at the word “We”.

He means “them”. He plans on making us look foolish.

Everly’s smile was cold, a mirror to Zachary’s.

He turned, flicked dust from his cuff, and strode away. Everly followed, her emerald dress sweeping like a tide.

The square’s noise returned, merchants shouting, children laughing, carts scraping the ground. But the air still buzzed with tension.

Aiden collapsed back into his chair, his pulse finally slowing. His knuckles throbbed, but he couldn’t imagine a better feeling right now.

Chloe leaned in, grin wicked. “Okay. But seriously. How did that feel?”

Aiden smirked, rubbing his fist. “Amazing.”

Jaxson chuckled, shaking his head. “I’ve always wanted to do that myself, but being a city guard comes with some restrictions. Thank you for that.”

Valerie wrapped both arms around Aiden’s, leaning in close. She pressed a kiss against his cheek, soft and deliberate. “My hero!”

Heat rushed to Aiden’s ears. He grinned sheepishly. “Anything for you, m’lady.”

Chloe groaned. “Ugh. Gross.” But her grin betrayed her.

The group laughed, tension melting for a moment. But beneath it all, the challenge lingered.

A dungeon. Against Zachary and Everly.

Aiden met Valerie’s gaze. Determination flickered between them.

Aiden flexed his sore knuckles, grinning at Valerie. “Guess we’ll just have to show them what trust is really worth.”