Filed to story: The Chosen Saga Novel PDF Free
“Does his darkness speak to you?”
“What does that matter?”
“I take it as a no, the darkness doesn’t speak to you.” Araiya shook her head.
Donal scoffed. “Our master would shatter our minds speaking to us directly, foolish girl. He sends feelings or a picture, but he cannot connect to anyone like you are suggesting. Only mates can connect like that from what I know. Even the simple communication gives me nose bleeds. When he takes over it is easier.”
“Shifted we can speak into other Dracoy, but he has moved past being just another Dracoy. Why?”
“He speaks to me directly…”? Araiya shuddered just thinking about his voice in her mind, or their last encounter in the dream walk.
“Yeah, right,” Zeph dismissed her.
“That must be why he chose you to be his wife, pathetic really. The master deserves a better brood mare then you, but sadly he lacks options.” Zeph cut a look that shut up Donal.
Shavon turned slowly and whispered to Araiya “The darkness chose you to breed with? Goddess save you.” She got up from where she was bowed. “Enforcer, I still have to heal her, or she will die.”
“Fine, let us give your suggestion a try.” Zeph crouched down again. “Sing like a bird, Araiya. Call to the mates who will never come for you.” Zeph gestured for Shavon to get behind Araiya again.
Korine, who had just been holding her for the last few moments, caught her eye. She gave a tiny nod, and Araiya squeezed her hand again. She took in a deep breath, and before she was ready, Shavon dug her hands deep into her back again.
Araiya arched away but she followed. The scream she released, it was like her soul was shattering, because that is exactly how it felt. Araiya couldn’t breathe, she couldn’t move. All she could do was scream. She begged for the Goddess, for her mates, for death, anything to save her from the white molten fire she felt.
It was worse than the Fire test, because this was real. Shavon dug her nails into her flesh, scraped down her spine, and shredded anything she could to get Araiya to make the call. Araiya couldn’t even stop herself even if she tried. It wasn’t a thought, there were no thoughts. Just escape, begging for escape.
“Enough.” Zeph grabbed Shavon over Araiya. “I said enough, I got my answer, now stop. Just heal the damage, now.” Zeph stood and then left the tent again, Donal trailing after.
Shavon gave a tiny huff before she withdrew her hands. She leaned in. “I am so sorry, Rai. He made me hurt you. I didn’t want to.”
“It’s okay, I know you didn’t want to.” Araiya mumbled the appeasement as she shuddered in Korine’s arms.
Korine whispered softly into her ear, “It’s okay, I got you.” Over and over, through the entire thing. Araiya felt like she ground her sister’s fingers into dust with how hard she had squeezed, but Korine didn’t blink, didn’t pull back. Korine didn’t falter once, and Araiya loved her in that moment.
Since coming to this hell, Araiya had grown closer and closer to Korine. But in this moment, she loved her. Loved her like a sister, like a friend.
Shavon placed her hands on her back, causing her to arch away as much as she could. “It’s okay, I am going to do my best to heal you now.” A soft breeze cut across her back and Araiya sighed. “I’m sorry, Air doesn’t have the greatest access to healing.”
“It’s fine.” Araiya felt a little better. She pushed herself up a little and looked at Korine. Shavon was still behind her, so she didn’t see Araiya squeeze Korine’s hand. “Thank you.” She squeezed her hand again. “I do not know if I would have survived without you.” Korine’s eyes swelled and gave the tiniest of nods.
“No need to thank me Araiya, my dearest friend, I am just sorry I couldn’t do more. I have healed your back as much as I am able.” Shavon stood and patted her head. “I have to go find the Enforcer.
Araiya grabbed her hand. “Can you reach Talon through your bond? Can you call him to us?”
“He isn’t coming, not for you and not for me.”
“Why?”
“Shavon, let’s go. Donal is giving us a tour,” Zeph called from outside.
“I have to go; I will come back soon.” Shavon hurried out and left the two behind.
“You have shit luck Araiya.” Korine stared where Shavon had just left.
“What do you mean?”
“You’re here, first and foremost, but that was your best friend. That girl has darkness in her, she took pleasure in your pain.”
“I hope that isn’t true and her words are. Her mate is my friend, she was my friend, just a little jealous.” Araiya silently prayed that it was the truth.
“You didn’t see her eyes.” Korine shuddered which caused Araiya to smile at her. “Let’s tie you back up, and hey, she healed you a little, so that is a bonus at the very least.” Korine helped her sit up. “Can you sit up by yourself.”
“Yeah, I think so.” Araiya braced her hands on the floor. Korine shuffled behind her and… nothing. “Korine?” Araiya looked over her shoulder and Korine was frozen. Her hand was over her mouth, and tears fell from her eyes. “Korine?”? Her eyes jumped up to hers, and then back down to her back. Araiya tried to turn but her back was still sore and very tight. “Korine, talk to me, please.”
“She, oh Rai, this isn’t healed. She just sealed it; the infection is still there. It’s still red and hot, but she didn’t repair the torn tissue. Your back, the skin…” She sobbed and grabbed her face again. “This is somehow worse. It’s just a twisted tangled mess of scars.” She ran her other hand slowly down her back and Araiya felt how her hand dipped and trailed over the new contour of her back.
“Help me up.”