Your perfect match has been determined

Three days. It had been three goddamn days since I last saw Aeliana, and I was doing everything in my power to keep it that way. I buried myself in missions, taking on every request that came my way. Anything to stay busy, anything to avoid going back to Leora's castle. Anything to avoid Aeliana.

I couldn't let her get to me. I couldn't afford to be distracted. Feelings were a liability, and right now, I needed to focus. I'd barely been back to my own castle, crashing wherever I ended up after a mission. Exhaustion was my constant companion, but it was better than the alternative. Better than letting my thoughts drift back to her.

Goddamn it, Ciara. What the hell are you thinking? You're supposed to be strong, supposed to keep your shit together. But no, one look from Aeliana and you're a mess. It's pathetic. You're pathetic.

Today, I had another mission lined up. Some thieves had been causing trouble in a demon village on the outskirts. It sounded simple enough, and that was exactly what I needed. Something straightforward, something that didn't involve any emotional bullshit.

As I made my way to the village, I kept my mind focused on the task at hand. The villagers had reported a group of rogue demons stealing supplies and harassing the locals. It was my job to put a stop to it.

When I arrived, the village was quiet, too quiet. The tension in the air was palpable, and I could sense the fear lurking beneath the surface. I took a deep breath, summoning my purple flames to my hands. Time to get to work.

I moved through the village, my senses on high alert. It didn't take long to find the thieves. A group of five demons, laughing and shoving each other as they rifled through a stash of stolen goods. They were big, muscular, and clearly enjoying themselves.

"Hey!" I shouted, catching their attention. "How about you put that shit back where you found it?"

The leader of the group, a hulking brute with a scar across his face, turned to me with a sneer. "And who the fuck do you think you are?"

I let the flames in my hands burn brighter, a warning. "Your worst nightmare."

He laughed, a harsh, grating sound. "Oh, really? I'd like to see you try."

With that, the fight was on. He lunged at me, swinging a massive fist, but I was faster. I ducked under his swing and lashed out with my flames, scorching his arm. He roared in pain and anger, but I didn't let up. I moved like a whirlwind, my flames dancing around me as I fought.

The other thieves joined in, trying to surround me, but I wasn't having any of it. I spun, kicking out and sending one of them flying with a burst of fire. Another came at me with a knife, but I caught his wrist and twisted, the blade clattering to the ground.

"Pathetic," I spat, throwing him aside. "Is this the best you've got?"

The leader was back on his feet, his eyes burning with rage. "You're gonna pay for that, bitch."

I smirked, the adrenaline pumping through my veins. "Bring it on."

He charged again, but this time I was ready. I sidestepped his attack and sent a wave of flames crashing into him. He screamed as the fire consumed him, but I didn't stop. I couldn't afford to. I had to finish this.

The fight was brutal, a chaotic blur of fire and fists. But I was relentless. I let my anger fuel me, every punch, every kick, every burst of flame driven by the frustration and rage that had been building inside me.

One by one, the thieves fell. The last of them tried to run, but I caught him with a blast of fire to the back. He collapsed, writhing in pain, and I stepped over him, my flames flickering out as I surveyed the scene.

It was over. I'd won.

I took a deep breath, feeling the tension in my muscles start to ease. The village was safe, at least for now. And for the first time in days, I felt a glimmer of satisfaction. Maybe this was what I needed. A reminder of what I was capable of, of why I did what I did.

As I stood there, catching my breath, a figure appeared in front of me. Zephara. She looked at me, her eyes sharp and probing.

"Are you avoiding us?" she asked, her voice cutting through the silence.

I stared at her, my heart pounding. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Zephara's gaze was unwavering, her eyes piercing right through my defenses. "You know exactly what I mean, Ciara. You've been avoiding us. Avoiding her."

"That's bullshit," I snapped, a surge of anger flaring up. "I've been busy. We all have jobs to do, remember?"

"Busy," Zephara repeated, her tone dripping with skepticism. "Busy running away from your feelings."

I clenched my fists, the frustration boiling over. "I don't have time for this psychoanalysis crap, Zephara. I'm out here doing my job, taking care of business. What more do you want from me?"

She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a near whisper. "I want you to be honest with yourself. You can't keep running forever, Ciara. It's going to catch up with you."

I laughed, a harsh, bitter sound. "Honest with myself? There's nothing to be honest about. I'm not running. I'm doing exactly what I need to do."

Zephara shook her head, disappointment etched across her features. "You're lying to yourself, and you know it. You're afraid."

"Afraid of what?" I challenged, my voice rising. "Afraid of some stupid feelings? That's not me, Zephara. I don't get tangled up in that crap."

She looked at me for a long moment, her eyes softening with a mix of pity and concern. "You have to go to Leora's castle. Your perfect match has been determined."

I froze, the weight of her words sinking in. My perfect match. The very thing I had been trying to avoid was now inevitable.