Filed to story: The Chosen Saga Novel PDF Free
“No, I need-” Araiya whirled around.
“No, you don’t. But your mates, your mates look like they do. Come.” Korine grabbed her arm pulled her away as Jon screamed at them to come back.
His screams followed them as they walked away. His screams and their roars of rage chased the two women up the sand dune. They headed away from the man who had shaped their childhood, and on to the next step of their lives.
Freedom.
They had crested two dunes before they
settled on the sands. There, the two women sat in silence, as Korine did her best to wipe the blood from Araiya’s back.
Araiya, after settling on the sand, took a giant breath and began to shake. She stared off into the desert and released everything that she had pent up over the years.
She was finally free.
Jon would never come back; he would never be able to touch her again. She would never have to see his face, hear his voice, or smell his scent-his suffocating scent-ever again. It was a final release, the tears that came. She never had to be afraid of him ever again. He was dead, never to return if the sounds of her mates here making were any sign. The man that had been one of her longest standing nightmares was no more.
The left-over bits and blood would be something the creatures of this hard life would reclaim.
“So.” Korine had waited until her tears had subsided before she broached the topic. “What’s next?” Araiya waited, because she faintly heard her men and Talon approaching. The men crested the dune and approached the women. They had heard the soft question and they too wondered what was to come.
“We go to the old Spirit Keep, I have secrets to unlock, and questions to be answered.” Araiya turned to the men standing behind them. “But first we need to go to Water. I need to be healed, Korine needs another look over, and we need a decent night’s sleep.”
“You…want me to come?” Korine looked up at Araiya with hopeful eyes.
Araiya leaned on Korine’s shoulder. “You saved me. I don’t think you actually realized how much you have done, and just how grateful I was. You did so much.” Araiya reached up and cupped her face. “You were my first friend, and you have stayed true to me more than anyone. Without question. Without complaint. Without any reciprocation. I trust you with my heart Kora, and I will never ever leave you behind again.”
“Really?” Korine whispered.
“Really. I am so fucking sorry.” Araiya kissed her forehead. “You were my friend. My protector, and I treated you like you betrayed me. I spent years hating you. I will never ever stop trying to make those years up to you.”
“You don’t hate me? Or think I am corrupted?”
“You soul is brighter than you realize, young one.” The two girls looked up at Mac. “If I look at you with Araiya’s element, your soul is a bright star in the inky blackness of the realm. You shine.” Mac turned to Araiya. “I have something to give back, Firebug.” Mac reached a hand down and waited for Araiya to place her hand in his, and he pulled her into his arms. Mac leaned in and whispered on her lips, “This kiss, is just about the power transfer. After I would like my real first kiss Firebug, dream walking is nice and all, but I want the real deal. If you want that as well, that is.”
Once the words had left Mac’s mouth, she could see the vulnerability he was trying to hide. He really wasn’t sure that she would allow him to kiss her. That maybe, just maybe, she allowed it in the dream walk because she was dying, but now that she was alive-alive and free-that she was still mad at him.
He didn’t realize that everything in the dream walk was as real to her.
“You never have to ask to kiss me Mac, I would never turn you away. Not now. You’re in my soul.” She leaned in and kissed him softly, tentatively. “Have your kiss first. Then we can worry over power.” She closed her eyes and kissed him softly again. Once, twice, and on the third, he groaned and snatched her around her waist and plundered her mouth.
She opened her lips to give him access, and he took free reign over her mouth. He pulled away after someone cleared their throat and whispered against her lips. “You taste like ash and embers, and something immensely sweet. I cannot rid myself of your taste. It has driven me wild since the first time, I crave it daily.”
“Really?” Araiya’s breathy question had him pulling away to look down at her bedroom eyes, and the flush on her face.
“Always, Firebug, I don’t think I will ever go a day without craving your kiss.” He leaned in and kissed her again.
“For fucks sakes.” Talon’s snarky comment had the two pulling away from each other again.
“For someone who is supposed to be her mate, you seem to be very cruel.” Korine lifted her eyebrow as she stood in front of Araiya, ever her shield.
“I am not her mate!” Talon’s growl ripped at Araiya’s soul. The disgust was plain in his tone.
“What have I done to you Talon, to deserve your disgust?” Araiya shifted, trying her best to push down the hurt. Trying to pick up the piece of her soul that had just broke with his tone. “Why do you hate me, when I have been missing all these months? When I was taken by someone working with your leader, and your mate. Why do I disgust you?”
Talon jolted and grew slack when he processed her words. “I am just not yours, Araiya.” His voice had quieted.
“Were you not my protector? Did we not share one of the most sacred of bonds?”
“Yes, I was, I am.” Talon scrambled. “We do.”
“Is that why you shut me out?” she whispered, looking at the ground in front of her.
“What?” Talon took a step.
“Did you think I wouldn’t realize? I was too stupid to feel it? Or were you betting on me dying?” Talon stumbled back at the hatred in her eyes when she looked up.