As luck…or Hell…would have it, my last opponent of the morning was Elder Merrick.
I sighed, rubbing my forehead, more than drained now from the use of such powerful magic, not having used it regularly. It was taking a damn toll on my body, even after I ate three more protein bars I had managed to dig from within that lovely bag, which I had found out was Elder Farrar’s, his lips having twitched a bit, but saying no more. So far, the Prodigies had only managed to win two out of the eleven matches, Brann winning one, mine the other. And now, I was the last of the day, moving onto the mats, bouncing on my feet a bit to gain some energy, seriously wishing this would have happened earlier when I wasn’t so damn pathetically weak because I really wanted to kick his ass.
And he wanted the same thing, not even appearing cautious from the show I had put on with Elder Venclaire and King Zeller. Instead, he seemed damn invigorated by the thought of facing off against me. And, I couldn’t say the same. Not right now. Not when I was about to drop magically, and now physically, as my body compensated for the muscle, my Core, that needed the energy, sapping my body’s strength.
“You’re looking a little pale, Ms. Jules. I hope this isn’t too easy.” Elder Merrick’s lips curved cruelly, standing a few feet from me. “Too bad there’s no dirt to bury you in after I lay you out.”
I didn’t waste the energy it took to fake a smile or a laugh. “Fuck off.”
Black slashes of eyebrows rose as he inhaled heavily. “You really are exhausted.” He stretched his arms over his head, and I quickly averted my gaze when his shirt pulled up to show his lean waist, a rippling stomach muscle, his navel, and a thin line of black hair over olive skin sliding beneath his black gym shorts. “Wish you were feeling better to make this more of a challenge, but I’m still going to enjoy hurting you.”
I blinked slowly, sighing in aggravation, and glanced to Queen Ruckler. “Would you mind starting this?”
King Collins placed a hand on Queen Ruckler’s shoulder, stopping her, his blue brows together. “Actually, this may not be the best of ideas. It’s no secret you both despise each other. And I don’t want either one of you getting permanently hurt during this if your emotions override sensible judgment.”
Elder Merrick’s voice was snarling and incredulous. “Are you fucking shitting me?”
I waved a hand, a bit surprised by this myself. “If we planned to kill each other, we would have done so by now.” A roll of my finger. “Let’s just get this going.”
King Collins still appeared apprehensive, but stated, “Go ahead, Queen Ruckler.” Brown eyes flayed Elder Merrick. “Keep it clean.”
Well…that didn’t bode well…especially, when a tiny grin graced Elder Merrick’s pouty lips.
I instantly started moving across the mats as Queen Ruckler started counting down…only to have Elder Merrick follow unhurriedly. I paused, glaring over my shoulder, and saw his lips curve a bit more, eyes beginning to glow as he stalked me. I picked up my pace as he acted like the damn dog—wolf—he was, on a hunt. It freaked me a bit, but also fueled my anger to a nice simmering point, giving me energy I so desperately needed.
“Please…run,” Elder Merrick purred softly. “I love when prey does that.”
I didn’t fall for the trick. I kept moving at a fast pace, but altered, jumping to walk backward, glowering, facing him full on as the countdown ticked away. Onlookers watched with barely masked apprehension, and even a little excitement I could tell they were trying to hide, apparently, all of them enjoying a good blood shedding. I put as much distance as I could between us, barely formulating a plan as my Core opened, the countdown…finished.
Instantly, I jumped backward off the side of the mat, blasting its edge hard with a pulse wave violently enough to shake the floor as Elder Merrick threw his arm out, his wolf growling loudly, a furious blast of his power heating the air, coming right toward me. I knew I couldn’t disappear again to the Temple without finishing what I was doing, but it meant I was going to get hit hard. I grunted, throwing my arms up in a flurry, the mat’s edges flying up into the air, landing over him, twisting from the pulse I yanked back in my direction.
Just as his power rammed into me.
I dropped. Instantly. And hard. Groaning in shivering pain as wild animal’s fury wrapped around me, not the chaotically beautiful power I was used to at all from him, hearing him snarl in fury.
Choking in air, I reached out a shaky hand, and sent another pulse wave as fast as I could, even as his power ate at me from the outside in, crawling over me like biting teeth. The mat rolled. I hit it again as tears fell from my eyes, this powered pain unlike anything I had ever felt before from magic, the feeling of bits of me grinding under gnashing teeth. Again, I hit the mat as his wolf snarled in fury, trapped within the depths, a Shifter’s worst nightmare.
Inhaling heavily, choking on bile, I rose on shaking knees, pulling the stars power into my palms, willing it for unmentionable pain.
And shot it at the mat.
Elder Merrick grunted.
Choked.
A growl reverberated inside the room.
I sucked in a breath, pushing off the floor to stand on wobbling legs, moving through the dissipating magic when a portion of the mat altered where he was, and then there was a deafening snarl. Shredding noises came next as I blasted the mat repeatedly. Howls coming from inside. Again, and again, I hit it with my weakening power, and frame, stumbling with the motion, fury rippling through me.
It wasn’t enough.
Fifteen seconds later…the scariest, deadliest wolf I had ever seen tore through the binding.
My breath caught.
Fear arced through me, the wolf as tall as my chest, his black fur slightly curled, instead of straight like a normal wolf. He shook his fur once as if brushing off the trapping he had been in. Paws as big as my damn head. Claws scratching on the rough, gray flooring now under us without the mat. Teeth…fucking long as my hand. White, shiny, and sharp bared at me. And navy blue eyes, glowing and brilliant and deadly, stared back as he hunched, a growl reverberating from deep within his chest, the slow, menacing type anyone would hate to hear behind them in the middle of the night, flaying me as I hurried to scramble back.
“Holy. Shit,” Queen Cooper muttered, oddly her voice carrying. “He’s bigger than Brann.”
Elder Zeller hummed. “And he’s pissed.”
The wolf’s back feet pattered as he prepared to launch.
Elder Farrar murmured, “King Collins, maybe you should end this—”
I screeched, cutting off anything else he was going to say as Elder Merrick flew through the air with his Shifter strength. I dropped, rolled, and landed on my knees, white stars fire flaming from my palms. It hit his furry flank, a baying howl echoing loudly until he hit the ground, rolling, jumping easily to his paws. And, it had only pissed him off further as I jumped to my feet, scrambling back.
Flying on instinct, I opened my Core, ready to access the Temple again…until a blast of furious wild animalistic magic slammed right through my chest. Shoulders heaving, I screamed in agony as those fucking gnashing teeth seemed to attack my Core, dropping to my knees. Instant tears welled and flooded down my cheeks as a straight shot of relentless power aimed through me, consuming me in horrendous, unyielding agony.
He stalked toward me, unfeeling, uncaring, growling low until he was towering above my kneeling position, my screams becoming hoarse.
Lids dipping over soaked cheeks, knowing it was done, unable to access my powers, my Core churning, ripping, I choked, “Fuck you.”
He lifted a paw, snarling in my face, and shoved my shoulder brutally.
I fell back as his power surrounded me, enveloping me unbelievably more, my back arching off the ground. “Hate…you.” My lids fell completely as he loomed over me, the last thing I saw was his teeth bared and navy blue iced glowing eyes filled with hatred staring me straight in the face. “Forever…hate you.” And, everything fell away to nothing.
“Get the fuck back!” King Collins shouting voice echoed inside my ears. “I told you not to hurt her. I knew I shouldn’t have let her near you.”
“Get the One,” Queen Ruckler stated instantly, and I tried to speak, or even open my eyes, but nothing was working, not even my limbs. It was like I was trapped inside my own head, a dream, but only a nightmare. “He’ll know what’s wrong.”
“I…I didn’t…” Elder Merrick’s voice was guttural, hesitant from above, and I could feel the sound vibrating on the back of my head, and I realized my backside was half lying on top of him.
“You don’t even know what you did?” King Collins bellowed, and I heard a shuffling sound.
“It was strong, alright?” Elder Merrick shouted loudly, the sound ringing my ears. “But, I didn’t fucking turn it deadly. She should have woken by now.”
“Jack, calm down,” King Zeller murmured in a soothing tone. “Lily’s right. Since Bindi doesn’t know what’s wrong, we need to get the One.”
“I’m sorry,” Elder Merrick whispered thickly, the feeling of his hot breaths against my ear. “I’m so sorry, Caro.” I felt a palm rest over the top of my head, and start petting in the gentlest of strokes. “Open your eyes and I’ll let you beat the shit out of me next time, huh? Sounds like a fair trade, right?”
I struggled to speak. To lash at him with words to the pits of hell. But, nothing happened. Fucking trapped…like I had trapped him inside the dirt…worse than a cell.
“Just get away from her,” King Collins snarled, his tone worried and anxious. “Saying you’re sorry now doesn’t fucking help the situation.”
“Bindi, go get the One,” Queen Ruckler demanded quietly, and a beat later I heard a door opening and closing, meaning I had been moved at some point.
“You can fuck the hell off,” Elder Merrick growled quietly, sounding violent, even as his hand continued to pet my hair in the gentlest of strokes, and I wished very much to take each one of his fingers and snap them, then rip them off and shove each digit down his throat. “When she wakes she’s going to want to kick my ass, and I’ll gladly give her that option,” lips back to my ear, “if you fucking open your eyes.”
More shuffling sounded, and then King Zeller’s voice was winded, but he said calmly, “Just let him stay, Jack. The damage is done. And he’s not hurting the situation right now. Let him be, and worry about the situation at hand.”
Puffed exhalations. “Christ. Whatever.” A pause. “Just don’t fucking harm her any more than you already have,” King Collins hissed, and I could imagine him pacing and running his hands through his hair as his voice traveled back and forth. “Do you think spirit Elementals can go into…like a damn…Com concussion, or something? She did hit her head hard on the ground when he shoved her.” A minute pause. “Anyone? Does anyone have any clue?”
“I’ve never seen her like this.” Elder Fergus’s voice sounded off to my far right.
A grunt by Elder Jacobs in the same direction. “Even back in the nineties when she was broken and bleeding, and damn near death, inside a jail cell, she was still conscious.”
There was a long silence.
King Collins shouted, “What? You didn’t fucking tell me that?”
Elder Jacobs cleared his throat. “She was defending Elder Kincaid and Elder Venclaire. She healed and recovered within three days. Elder Fergus terminated the individuals in Law enforcement responsible for her injuries.”
King Collins voice was closer as he growled, “I will want the whole story later.”
King Zeller interjected. “The One’s coming.”
Everyone was silent, even as I struggled to move again, but not even a blink or a damn peep emitted from me. Fingers, warm fingers I would know anywhere, started stroking behind my ear softly, my hair now down, lying softly against my face, so it felt like a hidden gesture from Elder Merrick in the silence.
A door opened, and then the One was demanding instantly, “Tell me exactly what happened.”
Elder Merrick immediately started speaking over King Collins, taking the lead, explaining in detail the previous fights, what I had done during each in extreme detail, my hunger afterward, my drunken-like happy state, my weariness before the last fight, and then, every detail in depth of our fight, not leaving out one brutal angle or enraged action he had committed, stating each factually, putting it all out there.
Extended silence wrapped around the room, then the One asked quietly, “Does anyone know how regularly, and hopefully recently, she’s used her powers at a high volume such as she did?”
“I don’t believe any of us have ever seen her use powers like that before,” King Collins stated instantly, hearing the worry in his tone. “She’s normally very wary of them.”
The One cursed quietly, and then I heard him moving forward. “Bindi, if you would, please close the door.” His voice was suddenly closer, much closer, like directly over me as I heard the door close and lock, and I felt a hand, his tender fingers, brushing my hair back, Elder Merrick’s fingers instantly disappearing from behind my ear, and he murmured softly, “That was too much, kitten. And now, we’re both going to have to pay. I had hoped you would find this out on your own, but now it’s too late.”
“What are you going to do?” King Collins asked instantly, his voice sounding above me to the left.
A heavy sigh. “I’m going to awaken her.”
“You said that before,” King Zeller stated instantly. “What does that mean?”
“It means…” he hummed quietly, “It means she’s my other half. I am the One. And she is the Chosen.”
I had no clue what that fucking meant, but it didn’t sound like I had a choice in the matter, and I struggled with all of my damn might, not about to give up any choices, even as I felt Elder Merrick stiffen completely under me.
“The Chosen?” King Collins asked slowly into the descending, damning silence.
“Yes.” The One’s voice was factual. “Why do you think Jacob Angel really targeted her? Why do you think she and I instantly had a connection those years ago? Why do you think Tristan instantly liked her? Why do you think her Vizoac instantly liked me?” Then, he growled quietly, again, a tiger menacing purr sounding. “And what I’d love to fucking know is who put the protection over her to keep her from me.”
“You’re mates.” Elder Merrick’s voice was toneless, gravelly. “You’re saying she’s your mate.”
“I did not say that,” the One explained, which honestly, didn’t make me feel a shit ton better as I continued to struggle. “I said she was my other half. I’m her One, and she’s my Chosen.”
“That explains so much,” Queen Ruckler murmured dryly.
“Yes…well,” a heavy sigh, “I can’t explain it any other way. And now, if you don’t want her permanently like this, I need to awaken her. Understand?”
Queen Ruckler mumbled after a moment, “Truth.”
“Wait,” King Collins muttered quickly. “She’s big on choice. And I know she isn’t going to like this. Is there nothing else that can be done, so you don’t have to…awaken her?”
Thank you, my-goddamn-mother-fucking-King.
“No, there’s nothing else that can be done.” And just like that my heart sunk pitilessly. “Any spirit Elemental that overly exerts themselves, pulls the stunts she did, without proper exercise goes into a,” he hummed quietly in thought, “I can’t say exactly what happens, but imagine a Com coma. But, never ending. That is where she is. I’ve never known a spirit to free themselves from it before, and she would have known this had she stayed at the Temple longer, but she left too damn early.”
“Elder Merrick?” King Collins asked instantly.
His voice was choked, even though he was frozen still under me. “Truth.”
My mind blanked…then screamed at myself in fury.
“I can scent her emotions,” King Zeller rambled hurriedly, and my brain stalled listening to him. “She has to be able to hear us, if she’s as furious as what she is right now.”
“That doesn’t surprise me. Rare Com coma patients have been known to wake and say they heard those around them.” I felt the brush of his fingers glide down the side of my face. “I’m sorry, kitten, but this is the only way. I really had wished you’d awake on your own.”
Instantly, fear and misery transfused my being, swirling with the anger at my own lack of knowledge, but I still couldn’t fucking move or speak.
“What is she feeling now?” King Collins asked instantly.
“What anyone would in her situation.” King Zeller’s voice was quiet. “Fear. Despair. Anger.”
The One sighed heavily. “I’m not so bad, kitten. I had hoped you’d learn I’m nothing like Jacob Angel before this occurred. And on your own. He poisoned your mind with preconceived notions about me on purpose.” Another stroke of his fingers, his tone quiet. “We’ll work through this.”
“King Collins, she’s strong,” Elder Merrick rumbled instantly, and I felt his hand land on my forehead, holding me firmly against his chest. “Damn strong and powerful. Given time, her Core might heal, if that’s the issue. Just…just give her the time to see if she can pull through this, instead of taking away her choice.”
“I have witnessed others, a few anyway, who are just as strong as her, or even more so, still in this state from their lack of control, even though they knew the rules.” Slow words. “She will not wake from this.”
Quiet words from King Collins. “Elder Merrick?”
He gurgled, and I felt his chest heaving under my chest. Choked. His wolf growled softly. More choking, then he growled, “Truth.” He inhaled hard, stating angrily, “It still doesn’t mean she can’t make it through.”
King Collins sounded tired. “Elder Merrick, I know you feel guilty and responsible for this, but it sounds as if it was only lack of knowledge. It was no one’s fault.”
“The One should have told her.” Elder Merrick spoke gruffly, his wolf snarling. “He’s had ample amount of time, and yet, he spoke nothing of it. Who’s to say, he wasn’t waiting for this to happen so he could,” his wolf huffed, “awaken her?”
The One’s tone was bordering on angered. “That was not my plan. I did not wish this for her, and I never expected her to have to overexert herself without going into damn battle as she did because as you have said, she is damn powerful. I would have much rather her find all this out on her own. Let her come into her own without my help. Now, she is going to think I forced it on her when I have no other choice.” He paused, tone turning to a lazy growl. “And yes, you know that’s the truth, so sniff the fuck away.”
Elder Merrick’s wolf growled quietly, the sound reverberating against the back of my head, but he didn’t contradict the One’s words, so I prayed they were the truth.
“And now?” King Collins asked. “What is she feeling now?”
One quiet word from King Zeller. “Despair.”
Yes, all I felt was despair of the unknown. The man I hated with a vengeance, the one who seemed to complete me and somehow…held me captive…behind me. And the man before me I was somehow bound to, who irritated me at times with his stubbornness, but did seem to be a caring individual…was going to hold a piece of me…all from my reckless choices in life.
“I’m sorry, kitten.” I felt the gentlest of kisses land on the corner of my mouth, soft rolls of hair tickling my cheeks. Elder Merrick freezing completely under me, his muscles so tight they started to tremble, his grip on my forehead unbreakable. The hair brushed, moving slowly, another soft kiss on the other edge of my lips, and then he whispered, “It was always meant to be, so please don’t blame me.” He lips hovered over mine, their heat penetrating. “King Collins, I will ask your permission once.”
In the still of the room, King Collins asked, “And if I say no?”
Simple words, no fanfare, his warm breath brushing over my mouth, not moving from whatever he was preparing to do. “I will do what needs to be done to save her.”
My mind churned, in despair and confusion as I felt one man’s breathing begin to accelerate over my lips, while another man’s heart skyrocket, beating frantically against the back of my head, time ticking incrementally slower than all three actions, my mind, the breaths, and the heart.
Elder Jacobs slowly prompted in the quiet, “King Collins…”
A loud shaky inhale from my King. “Caro, I’m making the hard choice for you.” A pause. “Do it. Save her.”
Wait, my mind screamed, just as the One’s lips landed on mine gently. Reverently. The softest caress of his plump lips against my unmoving mouth, before his thumb pressed my chin down, and I heard him inhale before his hair stroked over my face and his opened mouth captured mine, his heated breath rushing through my mouth, the tingle of the stars, but potent, so much stronger than my own as my chest lifted, my lungs filling with his given air and power, even as he laid a hand over my Core, tingling and magical, zapping my flesh in a warm caress before his power plunged deep within me, a straight shot at my Core, a magical feeling of rightness. Then, he pulled, his magic grabbing hold of mine in an iron fist, and started a slow pull toward his own. Mine bowed, a low groan flying into his mouth over mine just as my power touched his, injecting, weaving instantly, and I heard him whisper in my mind, my very being, “Awaken, the Chosen.”
My eyes shot wide open to a blue ceiling with painted whimsical clouds, and I knew instantly I was in King Collins’s office as my mind tumbled in a blurred double vision, also seeing my face from a downwards view. My chest heaved, and I shoved at Leric, pushing him away, no longer at any way just the One to me, feeling a damn tether connected to him, feeling…him. “Jesus Christ!”
He sat back instantly, actually falling back, blinking just as hard at me as I scrambled up…Elder Merrick’s body…gripping his neck tightly with one arm, curled up on him as my heart rate shot off like a damn cannon, rubbing my eyes repeatedly, “Christ, I’m going to puke!”
Leric was rubbing his eyes, shaking his head hard, then more rubbing. “I can’t say that was what I always thought I’d hear the first time my Chosen and I connected, but,” more rubbing, “fuck, I can’t say I disagree with you, either.”
King Collins grabbed my face, bending over the back of the couch, staring down into my frightened gaze. “What’s wrong?”
“Jesus,” Leric barked, waving a hand drunkenly in my peripheral from the ground, “Not so damn close, man. Move back.”
My eyes damn near crossed and I swallowed the bile down hard as I saw not only King Collins face, but me at a distance on top of Elder Merrick, my Kings hands gripping my face. “Leric!” My voice was shrill and frantic. “Turn this off!” Okay, maybe I was yelling. A little.
Instantly, part of the double vision went away, blankness, as I stared up at King Collins, and I sighed a bit in relief, until Leric barked, “Caro! Close your eyes!”
I did instantly, realizing he was probably still seeing what I did, even with his eyes shut. My chest heaved repeatedly as beautiful nothing surrounded me…except for a damn emotion I could feel starting to radiate down through the tether, and I waggled my finger in Leric’s general direction, shouting, “Keep that to yourself, buddy.”
His quiet chuckle sounded behind the blankness. “You can feel that, can you?”
“Just stop it.” My chest heaved…and I shuddered the barest bit, since he didn’t stop. “That is not funny.”
“You know I find you attractive.” More chuckling. “This shouldn’t be a surprise.”
I jerked my face from King Collins’s hands. “Somebody tell me how to stop this shit!”
King Collins cleared his throat. “What exactly is it you’re…er…experiencing?”
Instant from Leric. “Double vision. I can see what she sees, and it appears, vice versa.”
I talked over him. “Emotions. I can feel his emotions.” Shuddering again, I snapped my fingers in his direction. “Goddammit, stop that!”
“You’re frightened,” Leric murmured softly, a quiet purr. “I’m just trying to compensate.”
“Oh, bullshit. I don’t even have to be a Shifter to smell that,”
“Lie?” Leric whispered on a purr inside my head. “Is that what you were going to say, kitten?”
I thumped my head hard. “And his voice.” More thumping. “His voice is in my head.” And it wasn’t stopping as I began hearing every damn thought, but suddenly, I jerked on top of Elder Merrick, sucking in a harsh breath as I felt an influx of power down our joined tether, a heady dose, and I knew I was glowing. “And his power. I can feel his power.” Yeah, my voice sounded a little awed, but still…”Someone tell us how to stop this!”
Dead silence reigned.
“Hello?” I was starting to sweat, his voice, his thoughts, I could tell were trying to be quiet, but…they weren’t so much. “We need some damn help here!”
King Collins instantly growled, “You said she wasn’t your mate!”
“She’s. My. Chosen.” Leric’s tone was a growl. “And I would really like to be able to walk fucking straight again, so somebody give us a damn hand with this.” And…a tiger’s growl echoed.
Instantly, I jerked, and the force I had felt when I had awakened bubbled up like a fountain from my Core. I grabbed at my chest, choking. Coughing hard. Pushing it…down…frightened as a fury built within me. Coughed hard, my body racking…and it burst forth, my lips parted.
The tiniest tiger growl I had ever heard emitted from within my chest.
“Ahh!” I screamed, scrabbling at my chest with my free hand. “What. The. Fuck?”
Leric sighed, his own growling stopping, sounding damn content. “There you are.”
My chest was pumping in frenzy as quiet surrounded us, and I screamed, “I am going to start hurting people if you don’t quit staring, and help us!” I thumped on my chest as another…goddamn…bitty growl erupted. “And this shit, Leric. You are going to explain.”
“It’s a…baby tiger,” Queen Ruckler murmured, sounding awed, her voice coming closer. “Is she going to shift, or something?”
I froze. Utter and completely. “If I’m going to be turning furry, you had better warn me right fucking now before I rip your goddamn balls off for doing this!”
“Just calm down…and nothing will happen.” Elusive words, which I didn’t like one damn bit…and I instantly felt him trying to soothe me down the tether, which only worried me more. “Really, people, I know you’ve had mates before. This runs parallel. Just a little advice would go a long damn way.”
Realizing—belatedly—I was probably choking Elder Merrick, even as I sucked oxygen, I loosened my hold…a bit…and held still on his frozen lap, feeling his heartbeat pound like rapid fire against my side, racing as fast as mine, waiting…for someone to get over their damn shock.
King Collins eventually cleared his throat. “Alright,” another clearing of his throat, “normally as I’m sure you both know when two individuals of like faction are mated, they receive one mate gift.” A pause. “You’ve apparently received all, plus…others. The double vision and “tiger”…thing, aren’t usual. The other three are. To control the other three, you need to envision your power. Your gift, which would probably work best as the stars. Imagine building a wall of this between you and the other in your mind…”
He continued babbling in a calming voice, but I was already working aggressively on my damn wall of stars. It wasn’t easy. Not at all. Beads of sweat started perspiring down my temples, and I started trembling the barest bit at the effort it took, because the expanse was so damn vast. Eventually, after what seemed like forever, I muttered on a defeated breath, “It’s too much.” It was the fucking galaxies. It would take a lifetime to accomplish.
Leric grunted, his own voice breathless. “This is ridiculous.”
My brows pinched, even as Elder Jacobs started in, stating patiently how to do it, and I shook my head, murmuring, “It’s too much! Imagine the endless sky. How long would it take to block that?”
Everyone was silent for long moments, and then Elder Merrick spoke softly, his voice hoarse, “Encompass just yourself.”
Keeping my mind blank, I instantly started firing stars around myself in the ether, pulling from the ones I had already placed on the wall, twisting and turning, floating upside down at one point, my hair floating about me, until I had finally constructed the wall, placing the last fireball in place, then blowing on it, bathing it, to one large ring of stars fire around me, strong, but clear enough to see through…and instantly, Leric’s voice cut off inside my head, the emotions gone, the added power I had felt sizzling just within my reach gone…and I inhaled, wiggled my shoulders…and fucking growled like a damn tiger. A baby one, anyway, that not gone. But, I slowly peeked open one eye, not seeing anything wickedly twisted, so I let both eyes open, seeing Leric on the ground, still working on his wall, eyes closed in concentration, his face a bit pale. He was much larger than me, so it would probably take him a while longer, but he didn’t react to me opening my eyes, so the double vision must be gone.
I tilted my damp face toward Elder Merrick…only to have my cheek brush his, and through all my swirling emotions, I felt an instant jolt of arousal low in my gut, quickly pulling my face away, stuttering, “I-It…worked.”
His jaw was clenched tight, eyes hooded, black thick lashes hiding his gaze, lips thinned, but his brows slammed together with his next inhale, and if it was possible, he froze even more under me, his lips parting on a shaky exhale.
I cleared my throat, damn shocked, realizing I could still feel that…because mates weren’t supposed to feel arousal for another. “Um…” My mouth flapped for a moment, then I patted his chest awkwardly with my free hand. “I’d…uh…say thanks, but I still need to kick your ass.”
My attention jerked to Leric when he asked, eyes still closed, “You’re done? It worked for you?”
Eyes a bit wide, I mumbled, “Yes. Nothing going in or out from what I can tell.” Mind swirling, but confusion reigning, I quickly released Elder Merrick, practically tumbling down his chest I had been resting against, swiftly moving to the far end of the couch, shoving his legs off it. He was dressed, but only in a pair of white athletic shorts, his feet bare, so I didn’t look anywhere near his gorgeous body. Instead, I curled up on the edge, placing a hand over my forehead, staring at Leric as he worked, his handsome face one I had dreamed of many times after first meeting him, knowing he was creating his barrier meticulously, just as he had done with the terrible cookies we had made together.
What the fuck was the Chosen?
What the hell did it mean in correlation to the One?
…and how the hell was I able to still get aroused for someone else?
King Collins moved around the couch to squat in front of me. “Are you alright, Caro?”
“Not really.” My voice was a bit breathless, not caring if I was showing weakness right now, and I knew my gaze was wide, frightened. “I’m freaked and confused as hell.” I rubbed at my chest, feeling the…animal…the definite damn tiger inside me. “Weirded…most definitely weirded out.”
King Collins placed his hand on my bare knee, still dressed in the damn tiny match clothing. “I had to make this choice for you given the facts.”
“I know.” I placed my cold palm over his, squeezing it. “I wasn’t upset about that. I would have made the same decision if I were in your place.” I inhaled shakily, and tried to breathe out calmly. “This is just a bit much.” With not enough answers.
King Collins grabbed the blanket on the back of the couch, blankets he had placed all over the Elemental section now that I was here, a kind, thoughtful gesture, pulling it over my shoulders and wrapping me up tight.
My smile was small with my emotions as they were, but my heart expanded for him, a definite place there for him, and I whispered quietly, “You’re going to make a good dad one day.” It was safe to say.
Brown eyes slammed to mine, and he swallowed hard, his voice gruff. “Yes,” he cleared his throat, tucking the blanket under my feet, “well…I’m definitely getting practice in patience and anxiety lately, so I hope so.” He cleared his throat again, straightening, but when he moved, he only sat on the arm of the couch, directly next to my elbow, placing his hand on my shoulder, leaving it there.
Only a minute later, Leric opened his shadowed eyes slowly in the quiet around us, and he blinked a few times before he sighed heavily, sitting up straight, not bothering to stand while he stretched his arms over his head, his V-neck cashmere white thin sweater pulling against his muscles, and yeah, I noticed more than a little, but my gaze was dead on his when silver eyes met mine. He held it steadily, keen intelligence in their depths which he didn’t try to hide. “I imagine you have questions.” Simple words.
“Understatement.” My own tone was brusque, and I couldn’t hide my agitation. “You’ve know this…since when?”
“Since Tristan reacted as he did with you in my study.”
My fingers tapped on my forehead. “And you didn’t bother to tell me?”
“I wanted it to be a natural acceptance. For you to awaken on your own, no matter how long it took, instead of forcing the issue.” He stared at me pointedly. “You weren’t ready for it, either, with what that bastard did with my face.”
“And how might the awakening have happened naturally?”
“Extreme emotion.” His head cocked. “It almost happened in here that day I spied on you, didn’t it?” His gaze was watchful. “I felt the stirring inside you. It pulled at me.”
“If you’re talking about,” I rubbed at my chest again, the feeling odd, “the fury and the tiger bit, that would a yes.” My own gaze was watchful. “When did you…awaken? Because you’ve done the tiger thing before.”
His lips twitched. “The night we were in the kitchen.”
I thought that through, realizing he was saying it had happened for him when he was turned on. “Then awakening and,” I fluttered a hand, “the connecting, or whatever that just was, are two separate occurrences?”
“They can be, but it’s only ever triggered by the One to the Chosen, or vice versa. Once the second individual awakens, the connection between the two is instantaneous. I imagine the reason why there wasn’t sound erupting from you when you did awaken is because of the comatose state you were in.”
I nodded once, agreeing with this since I had felt it. “While I was trapped inside my own body, you said I’m your other half. Exactly what does that mean? And what is the Chosen?”
“Other half, means exactly that. We fit. Perfectly. Your strengths and weakness offset my strengths and weaknesses. And mine offset yours. Body and mind and heart and soul, we are one when we are together.” His head tilted at the others in the room. “As for what being the Chosen means, I cannot explain it with others listening.”
Spirit secrets.
I moved on for now. “We’re bound. I can feel that. How closely related to mates is that to what we are?”
“We run parallel. Not on the same line, but very similar. The simple point being, you are mine, and I am yours by the magic gifted to us, just like mates, but,” his smile was small, “as where spirit Elementals are always concerned, it is a choice in the end.”
I blinked slowly. “We don’t have to accept this binding?”
He shook his head. “The binding is irreversible. You are the Chosen by birth, just as I am the One by birth. Our fates are always meant to be as one. We will forever be bound because we belong together, but whether we are…is our choice.”
I was pretty sure I heard King Collins quiet exhalation as he squeezed my shoulder, but I kept my expression blank, exalted I had a damn choice in this matter, the still effective arousal making sense, but I still needed more information. “If you had the Primal Diamond for so long, then why didn’t you try to use it periodically to find the Chosen…me?” If I mattered that damn much, then why hadn’t he tried to find me sooner?
He actually chuckled quietly, the tone a quiet timbre. “I actually did and failed many times, even knowing the Chosen is not revealed until,” his head teetered in thought, “well, the Chosen is revealed through Tristan.” White brows lifted a bit. “And not soon after he apparently did this, my Primal Diamond was stolen.”
“My diamond,” I mumbled, now understanding the magic that is Tristan, the One’s Lance, not unlike a Vizoac, had found me…just as he had revealed the One many years ago. I cleared my throat. “So Tristan’s mine, just as much as he’s yours?”
Leric choked on a chuckle, eyeing me with amusement. “Is Isolde also mine?”
“Not the same.” I sniffed down my nose at him, daring him to argue with me, and wisely, he stayed silent, but his silver eyes continued to sparkle with mirth. “Does this mean I get one of those fancy diamond thrones?”
Not able to contain himself, his head fell back, a throaty laugh echoed throughout the room, his shoulders shaking merrily.
“Shut up.” I covered my feet that had come untucked, trying to ignore the fact his laughter was really nice. “I am a woman. And a spirit Elemental. The two go hand-in-hand for diamonds.”
Still chuckling, silver eyes dipped back to mine, and he stated quietly, “Yes, you are definitely those two things.” And…there was enough heat in his gaze and his words to melt the damn diamond throne I was imagining for myself.
My tiny finger waggled out of the blanket. “Enough of that,”
“For now.”
I cleared my throat pointedly. “Anyway…” I blinked, remembering how most of the spirits had eyed me inside the Temple, and my lips curved a bit cruelly. “Actually, I do want that diamond throne, but mixed with black onyx and pink sapphires.”
Again, his lips trembled, and he rested his arms behind him, sitting easily as he drawled lazily, “I can imagine their faces now.”
I snickered, and it sounded damn evil. “The Upper Families will faint dead.”
Deadpanned. “And that would be a terrible shame.”
We both chuckled a bit at that, but when King Collins cleared his throat quietly, a gentle reminder to stay on task, I quickly steered back from the realm of retribution, and asked, “Will being the Chosen take time away from my current, and soon to be, duties?”
His brows lifted the barest bit. “If I had to be the King Elemental, would it take time from my duties as the One?”
That was code talk, but it was easy enough to decipher. “How much time are we talking?”
He shrugged one shoulder. “You chose this life. The protection you wear gave you access to your current position. And your birthright made you the Chosen.” One brow lifted. “It’s safe to assume, you are going to be a very busy individual doing both.”
I rubbed my forehead at that, already feeling the drain. “Wonderful.” I flicked my finger between the two of us, dreading this question even worse. “Will I be doing what you do?”
Careful, quiet words as he watched me intently. “We’ll be working side-by-side.”
I felt the blood drain from my face, feeling instantly faint.
“That’s not a good thing, I take it?” King Collins asked, peering down at me, then to Leric.
Leric sighed heavily, not taking his gaze from mine. “It’s the reason she hates using her powers in the first place.”
Yep…I was going to throw up. “Trashcan…need a trashcan.” It must have really showed, because a few of them dove for the small thing, King Zeller getting to it fastest, handing it me…just so I could stare down into its depths and tremble fiercely, trying to keep it down.
Instantly, I felt a shove of cooling tranquility transfuse my body, and I sucked in a harsh breath as my body relaxed instantly, my gaze flying to Leric’s.
He shrugged a shoulder where he sat lazy on the floor, stating casually—I could tell trying not to scare me, “The bond’s not all bad. It has its perks.”
I licked my lips, and nodded once, but stated, “Don’t do that too often. Emotions are there for a reason.” Like telling you when you’re in over your head. I set the trashcan aside. “I need to get used to this someway.”
His head cocked slightly, still sending his own subtle peace down the bond. “You want me to take it away?”
Um…no. “I’d rather puke in private.”
“Alright.” He stretched his legs out in front of him, and didn’t relent with his peace. “What other questions do you have that I’m able to answer in front of the others?”
“Your speed,” I stated factually. “Do I have that now that I’m the Chosen?”
His lips curved. “You’ve always been the Chosen. And, yes. You will. In time.”
I stared pointedly.
“You’re still young.”
Ah. Okay, so…”Will I get one of those,” I waved a pointed finger around my head, “in time, also?”
“A halo?”
“Leric.”
He chuckled, and nodded. “Yes. In time. Just a bit more feminine.”
I blinked, and then automatically raised a hand from the blanket toward my King, not even glancing in his direction.
He instantly high fived me.
That fucking rocked, no matter what else was going on. That crown was intimidation without anyone even knowing what the hell it actually meant. The big, bad all in a crown.
Leric chuckled, shaking his head. “And with it…”
A roll of my eyes. “…comes a lifetime of great duty.” I waved my hand before tucking it back under the blanket because, apparently, being the Chosen was correlated to the One, which was a forever duty, until death. “Whatever. I still get a…halo.”
“Yes, you do.” White arched brow lifted a bit. “And a duty that would not have been gifted to you if you couldn’t handle it.”
I swallowed hard, thanking the fact he was still gifting me with his peace. “When does that start? My duty for being the Chosen?”
“Now that we’re bound, you’ve feel the,” his nose crinkled, glancing at the others, “pull…whenever I do.”
Wonderful. “How often is that?”
“A few times a week. Sometimes less. Sometimes more.” His eyes narrowed a bit on the others now. “Depending on how the world turns.”
Ah. “Maybe it’s a good thing I’m going to be Queen.” Keep the damn peace as much as I could.
His head cocked, and he instantly stared off to the side.
Immediately following this…I felt a vibration…on the tether connecting us. “What is that?” I shivered at the odd sensation. Stalled. My eyes flew wide, and I damn near started hyperventilating. “It’s not happening now, is it?” My voice was piercing. “No, no, no, no. I haven’t even had time,” my hands were shooting out the blanket, fluttering about, “to process any of this! It cannot be happening-”
“Shh. Calm down,” Leric murmured in my mind. “It’s just my mom. She’s talking to me.”
“Oh.” I cleared my throat, my cheeks flushing a bit as most everyone in the room stared at my overtly faint-hearted reaction to something unseen, or felt, by them. “Right.” I nodded once. “Tell her I said hi. And the next time I’m at the Temple we have a date for French silk pie.”
Leric’s lips trembled a bit, even as he stared off at nothing, then he breathed a puff of air, stars twinkling, then instantly disappearing, his gaze coming back to me. “She’ll hold you to that.”
My stomach growled. “I hope so. That’s the best damn pie I ever had.”
King Collins appeared a bit wide-eyed, but he cleared his throat again.
I blinked…and couldn’t think of a damn thing to ask after that. “I think that’s all I’ve got for now, but the others,” a waved hand at the room, “may have questions, if you’re able to answer.”
As one…every single person started speaking over each other.
They shut up, all at once, glaring at one another silently.
Bless Leric, his lips didn’t even tremble, just continued sitting easily on the ground, watching me.
I cleared my throat pointedly. “How about we go in turns. King Collins?” My King took a deep breath in, expression banking on fascinated…and I interrupted, stating clearly, “One question at a time, then we’ll swing it to the next person.”
His eyes narrowed the barest bit. He paused in apparent thought, probably, coming up with his most desired question. Bounced his leg a bit, then blurted on a rush, “Does the Chosen mean she can choose to allow certain Mysticals of other factions into the Temple?”
My lips couldn’t help but tremble in amusement, even as Leric only answered solemnly in code, “That would be a bad assumption, King Collins.” His head cocked, eyes flicking to me, and I saw a bit of mischievousness in them before they turned to my King. “But…the One and the Chosen have the right of entry for any Lajak to the Temple in concerns of protection for themselves.”
Even I stared. “Really?”
His lips curved a bit cruelly. “Again, in regards to protection for themselves.” White brows lifted simply. “After all, our protection is monumental to all.”
Ohhh. “God, I could have so much fun with this.”
“My turn,” Queen Ruckler interjected, uncharacteristically bouncing a bit on her seat. “So, to clarify,” hands fluttered, “if Ms. Jules felt the need for a guard,” brows puckered, “a Lajak, I believe you said…she could pick…say,” a quick finger point to herself, “me, and then, I could go to the Temple?”
I placed a quick fist in front of my mouth, trying not to laugh my ass off, watching the normally staid Queen Bitch avidly giving begging and pleading eyes to Leric.
Leric answered her evenly somehow. “Yes, after she gave you,” his head teetered, “a breath of air, which I believe a few in this room already have.” Ah, my protection. “But, there are restrictions. She can only have eight Lajaks. They have to enter with her or die instantly at the entrance. They will be bound to never communicate of what they encounter because our secrecy is not bound inside the Temple, our sanctuary for free living and speech. It is a lifetime obligation, only taken away by the One or the Chosen, if they feel the Lajak is unfit. The rest of our guard, as you know, are named Guardians, therefore, spirit Elementals.”
Damn…there was practically a shuddering in the air of barely contained challenge as they eyed one another.
I lifted a little finger. “You do realize…you would be under my direct command at the Temple? No King or Queen or Elder to my Prodigy hierarchy. I would be your sole responsibility to keep alive?” A point at my chest. “Me, the boss.” Finger flicked to them. “You, the guards.”
And…boom.
Roles reversed.
Leric grinned, chuckling quietly in my mind. “Yes, my Chosen, I do believe you could have fun with this.” Brows lifted knowledgably. “But, remember, once you’re back here it all changes to their favor.”
“Hush,” I mumbled through our connection. “Let me have a little fun with this before reality crashes it.”
“Shit,” Queen Ruckler muttered, apparently not caring about me being the boss, nibbling on her nails. “There are really only seven positions up for the taking, not eight.”
Elder Jacobs instantly pointed a finger to Leric. “He said there were eight. How the hell are you coming up with seven?” His eyes narrowed. “You don’t think you automatically get a place as a Lajak, do you?” His finger jammed in my direction, still glaring at her. “She doesn’t even like you.”
“Hey now,” I mumbled quickly. “I never said that. I actually admire the bitch she is.” My eyes flared wide in shock, realizing what I had just said, gaze darting to her. “That was meant respectfully, of course.” I flicked a finger between the two of us as she glared a bit. “I actually think we have a lot in common.”
She snorted, then went back to nibbling on her nail. “How will you decide?”
“Without outside interference,” I stated honestly and with steel behind my tone. “But, you were right. There are only seven positions available.”
Yellow eyebrows snapped together, and Elder Jacobs asked, “Why seven?”
Elder Merrick grunted, resituating himself on the couch, and I firmly tried to keep my gaze off him as he ran a hand through his curls, the movement jerky, his tone growly irritated. “Have you not been paying any damn attention?” Another grunt. “Sin…Sin takes the first spot.”
My lips curved a bit. Of course, he did. It was always Sin.
“Speaking of Sin…” King Zeller murmured, his head cocking oddly.
Silver eyes pierced mine, grabbing my attention, speaking in my mind. “If he’s allowed access to the Temple…”
Ah…the reason I had forsaken the Temple in the first place. I pushed through our connection. “This is my home, Leric.”
His lips lifted a bit sadly. “I had to try.”
“I know.”
Another irked growl from Elder Merrick. “Most consider it rude for two mates to use their mate gift while in the middle of a conversation with others.” His wolf huffed quietly, and then he growled, “It’s considered poor etiquette, especially, done as obviously as you two are.”
I blinked slowly, even as I watched silver eyes slowly travel to Elder Merrick, and Leric lifted his brows a bit, stating idly, “I guess it’s a good thing I could care less about etiquette where my Chosen is concerned.”
“I do so hate to interrupt,” King Zeller stated on a drawl as they eyed each other. “But,” a head tilt toward the door with a small smile, “I believe Sin is…” He stopped, his lips trembling fiercely. “Never mind.”
The door banged open, and Sin rushed inside, muttering a curse under his breath, appearing frantic and extremely pissed…while he wiped blood off his knuckles onto his black cargos, his emerald green eyes glowing fiercely. “Caro?”
I was instantly on my feet, blanket left behind, moving toward him. “What’s wrong?”
His eyes were directly scanning me from head to toe, and then he breathed out heavily, slamming the door closed behind him…just as I saw the hallway littered with an unconscious Frost and Farley. “I heard you were hurt.” His chest heaved again, glaring fiercely over my shoulder. “Badly.”
I instantly touched his chest, running my hands up and down over his rigid muscles in a soothing gesture, even as he trembled the barest bit, talking to him gently. “I’m fine. I’m fine.” He grabbed my hips, pulling me against his hard body, trapping me against him, and I murmured against his chest. “Leric healed me. It was no one’s fault, but my own lack of knowledge.” I could practically feel his mind churning with Elder Merrick’s death. “Really, Sin. No one’s at fault and I’m okay.” I felt his hand slide from my hip, and I instantly grabbed it, his power he tried so hard to keep leashed, hidden, starting to leak. “Don’t even think about it.”
He growled quietly and stopped reaching for his gun, instead, reaching up to thread his strong fingers into my hair, tipping my head back. Instantly, he dipped his head…and his lips were on mine. I froze inside his hold when he didn’t just press his lips softly, his normal caress.
No…not normal…not as his wide, soft lips crushed mine.
Stroked possessively.
His other hand glided across my hip to the small of my back, pressing me against his hard, warm strength, even as his hand tightened in my hair, holding my face close.
Heart accelerating, I instantly felt the tranquility transfusing me disappear, the emotion I had been gifted by Leric gone, and I felt my own emotions brimming…exploding inside. Adoration and love poured over me in gulfing flames, my chest aching with it, throat clogging, while his lips caressed mine again…and again…but fear overrode all, air caught in my chest. “Sin,” I whispered against his lips, gripping his shirt in my fists, “I’m okay…I’m…” Another graze of his lips over mine, soft as satin, but wicked as the night almost had my knees buckling. “Sin, I’m alright.”
Hot panting breaths brushed over my mouth as his sensual onslaught slowly ceased, lips lightly touching mine, his forehead pressed against mine. My eyes flittered open, not even realizing they had closed. I stared into glowing emerald green, his gaze severe, my own eyes glowing on his, and he breathed harshly against my lips. “If he fucking touches you again,” in any way, he left unsaid with a pause, “I will shred him.”
“Shh,” I whispered, lifting my hands to brush them over his cheeks softly, rubbing my thumbs over his temples in deliberate calming strokes, even in my own frightened, and loved, state. “Calm down…I’m here…with you.”
“Fertilizer…” he breathed brutally, not calming. “He will be fucking fertilizer for our damn flowers.”
I blinked slowly. Continued rubbing. “I remember one year we had beautiful flowers.”
Feeling his lips curl slightly against mine, my brows rose, and he murmured, “Bruno was good for something.” My eyes widened marginally, and I felt his fingers stroke gently against the small of my back, his own thumb against my cheek began running softly against my skin. “You loved those flowers.”
I swallowed. “Yes, I did.” My own lips curled. “I’ll cherish their memory even more now.”
Softly, lovingly, he pressed his lips to mine more firmly, and I barely kept from trembling as he stroked them gently once, then whispered against them, “Remember, love…fertilizer.”
I started when Elder Jacobs cleared his throat loudly, half forgetting they were there, only to hear him mutter, “Yeah…he obviously gets a spot.” Another clearing of his throat. “And apparently, you, Mr. Damon, don’t have the possessive streak most mates do.”
I froze completely.
Leric’s drawl was overly lazily from behind me. “Oh, no, Elder Jacobs…it’s there, but I’ve learned restraint in my years.” Then in my mind, a quiet purr, “Restraint that is wearing thin quickly, especially with your most recent “free-loving-spree” and now that our connection has completed…and his fucking hand had better not slip down any farther, my Chosen.”
Abruptly, I turned inside Sin’s own frozen form, he, obviously, getting the gist of Elder Jacobs words. I held up my hands instantly in Leric’s direction, Sin’s grip that had been on the small of my back now on my lower stomach, his fingers digging in as he really started to tremble against my back…and I could only imagine the mirage of emotions twisting inside him, especially because I had managed at one point to tell him in code spirits didn’t have mates. “Leric…Sin is the only person I fully trust, unconditionally love, and can truly call my own.” My jaw clenched. “So, rein in whatever the hell you’re feeling, and don’t ever threaten him, or any fucking choice you may be hoping for will be,” I blinked, then grinned cruelly, “shredded.”
Leric’s nostrils flared, and his jaw clenched tight, but he stayed quiet.
King Zeller waved an absent finger from the hand he had over his mouth, watching Sin over my shoulder. “Ms. Jules, why don’t you take Sin out of here for a bit and explain the situation to him before there’s any more bloodshed today?” Not waiting for my approval, his next words were directed at Sin. “And her bodyguards are not effective if their unconscious, so please quit rendering them so.”
Sin’s response was a shaky exhale from the breath he had been holding in, sounding half growl, his gaze surely on Leric, his posturing enough I instantly started pressing backward with my feet, pushing us toward the door, gripping his thighs to make him move, and I mumbled hastily, “We’re going to take a walk.” Sin started pressing back, wanting to do God knows what, and I grunted, putting a little power behind my efforts. “A long walk.” My wide gaze went to Leric as Sin literally started growling behind me. “Leric, we’ll talk later.” More loud growling, and a fumbling for his gun.
And…God, help me…my gaze strayed to Elder Merrick for the barest moment, seeing his body utterly relaxed against the couch, a completely fake posturing since he wasn’t moving, his lids hiding his navy blue eyes from me…right as I slipped out the door, pushing Sin in the direction of the backyard while grabbing his gun from him he had managed to pull while fighting me.