The Spider Queen

(Peterlor Estate- Holosuite 009)

(Cleo's POV)

It was an unexpected question. I could not help but freeze for a moment as Doctor Reynolds' voice echoed through the holosuite.

How did I feel about being permanently bonded to Sophie?

It was honestly something that I had not given much thought about or rather… never really tried to think about for too long.

I could see the nervousness in my girlfriend's face as she tightened her grip on my palm. I quietly leaned forward and pressed my lips against her cheek.

Sophie was clearly someone who had a low self-esteem. It was something that I just could not comprehend.

How was it possible that my girlfriend did not know that she was one of the most gorgeous beings that I had ever seen?

A seven-foot-tall amazon beauty with a lean muscular physique that took my breath away. Those deadly golden eyes that seemed to hook away the soul of anyone who saw them.

Those adorable, pointed ears and the sharp angular facial features that made her appear as a cold ice queen.

The way she was just so protective and loving.

Cleo blushed as she reminisced on all the times that Sophie had made her feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

It was not because of overly grand romantic gestures but rather the little things that made the relationship special.

Bringing her hot chocolate or coffee while she was studying. Holding her hand as they walked through the campus or just spending an afternoon cuddling on the sofa.

Cleo put these warm memories to the back of her mind as she focused on the question at hand.

Two minutes had already passed while she reminisced, and her silence was creating a tense atmosphere in the study room.

Being permanently bonded to Sophie…

Cleo gathered her thoughts carefully and then opened her mouth to speak, "The truth is that without Sophie's mark… I would have been swallowed up by the symbiote implanted in my body."

"I… I could not believe that my mother was so cruel… if it wasn't for… every time I think about what could have happened…losing my emotions and becoming a soulless husk…

"It… it terrifies me…that's why… I feel so awful…" Cleo couldn't finish the sentence that she was about to say.

"Why do you feel upset?" Doctor Reynolds asked in a plain tone.

It was impossible to tell what the psychologist was thinking behind that simple grey mask, but Cleo got the feeling that he knew exactly what was going on in her mind.

Cleo took a few deep breaths and locked eyes with her girlfriend who was staring at her with nothing but love and concern in her gaze.

Sophie had always been honest with her.

The least she could do was to return that honesty and be as open as possible.

"Because… because… a small part of me is bothered by just how much control Sophie has over my body," Cleo finally spoke in a rush.

"I know it's unfair…but I can't help but feel that way..."

There was a terrible silence in the air. Cleo looked down at the floor terrified to see the expression on Sophie's face.

Dark thoughts surfaced in the princess' mind but the voices that she heard resembled her mother's tone.

You ungrateful bitch…

You know that your girlfriend is in a bad mental state and here you are fucking up everything and making things worse…

Couldn't you keep this to yourself? Now Sophie is going to feel guilty and it's all your fault!

Doctor Reynolds cleared his throat, and the sudden noise was enough to snap Cleo out of her daze.

She looked up at the doctor who had now placed both of his skeletal-like hands on the table in front of him.

"Did Cleo's complaint come as a surprise to you Sophie?" Doctor Reynolds questioned in a low tone.

Cleo refused to look to the side but heard her girlfriend stutter an incomprehensible reply in shock.

The guilt that Cleo was now feeling made her heart uncomfortably tight.

Doctor Reynolds sighed heavily and addressed Sophie who was still in shock over Cleo's response, "It is a surprise to you, isn't it?"

"In your mind Cleo unconditionally and fully accepts everything about you. And why wouldn't you have that impression?"

"Cleo has never complained about getting permanently bonded and has even accepted your strange powers and abilities."

Doctor Reynolds watched as his words sank in Sophie's mind and then tilted his head to talk to Cleo directly.

"From what I have gathered from my previous sessions with Sophie," Doctor Reynolds spoke calmly.

"It appears as though she views your relationship as perfect and by extension… she also thinks of you as perfect."

"The problem is… you are not perfect. No one is perfect. Sophie views you as flawless and hence will see herself as being not worthy to be in a relationship with you."

"I believe that you have not addressed any issues you may have had with Sophie because you are afraid of hurting her."

"If you will allow me to be frank for a moment… that is an incorrect way of thinking."

Doctor Reynolds' words were slow and unhurried and yet every one of them pierced through Cleo's heart and forced her to pay attention.

Was he right? No… no… he couldn't be right…

Had she really subconsciously resisted telling Sophie about the problems that had been bothering her?

Cleo's mind was now a complete mess. There were many emotions filling her heart that she could not describe.

The only sound in the room was the crackling noise of the fireplace as neither girl could find the right words to say.

Doctor Reynolds leaned forward and addressed the pair with serious tone,

"I understand that my role was initially to only focus on your well-being Sophie but due to your connection with Cleo… I would like her to join a few more sessions in the future."

"My goal for these special therapy sessions is to help you both learn to communicate about any issues or problems in your relationship."

"Due to your young ages and the fact that your relationship has been relatively quick to form, it is completely normal for you both to experience challenges."

"It is how you respond to these challenges and to each other during those tough times that will determine the future path of your relationship."

"The mark that you have branded on Cleo may be permanent but if you do not cherish and maintain your relationship… then her love can easily turn to resentment."