An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

"What?" Miles was shocked. He jumped from his seat, thinking he must have misheard.

He could not believe he was sharing a life with Ruby because of a pill. How ridiculous. Who would ever believe this?

The others looked bewildered after hearing Abigail's unexpected revelation.

The Echoed Curse was a powerful and rarely seen spell. It could change destinies and even save lives.

But Abigail had turned it into a joke and bound Miles and Ruby's lives together. This prank had gone too far.

"Ms. Abigail, can we undo this Echoed Curse?" Ruby's voice quivered.

Her initial curiosity now filled her with dread and uncertainty. She disliked the idea of sharing her fate, especially with Miles.

As she pondered, a troubling realization struck her. What if he got into trouble one day? Would she be pulled down with him?

"No, the Echoed Curses are for one-time use only. Once taken, their effects can't be undone," Abigail explained.

She smiled faintly and added, "From now on, your destinies are linked, so take care of each other."

"What?" Ruby's face tightened, and tears welled up in her eyes. "This... is too sudden, doesn't it?"

"What's wrong? Didn't you want something unique?" Abigail asked innocently.

"Unique?" Ruby's eyes narrowed, showing her bitterness.

She was

you're such a fool!" Miles fumed as he smacked his thigh

on trying it, would he have risked his life like this? Now, he

pursed her lips. She admitted her mistake and chose to

than just binding your lives," she explained. "You'll gain telepathic skills

double progress in half the time.

they couldn't change the fact that their lives were bound together. But they found solace in the advantages of the Echoed

over there. I could see them, no

a group of burly men dressed in black stormed into the venue with an intimidating air.

at a towering six feet five, the leader looked rough and menacing, like a

trouble and said, "Hey, aren't those guys from Frostzard Manor? Looks

Are they strong?" Ruby

he said, scratching his chin. "But there are

see them here after their

Miles spoke, the Frostzard Manor group

your face here! With plenty of other options, you chose to walk right into the lion's den. Today, I'll

he was crazy. "Who are you? Have we

"I'm Luke Harding

supposedly because of your Mystic Arts Order! You'll

does your father's death have to do with me? Take

"Hmph! Enough with your excuses! All those Mystic Arts Order disciples are wicked, horrible

I'll ensure to avenge my father's death. Justice

noble." Abigail scoffed. "These supposed righteous groups, how many of them really