Filed to story: The Chosen Saga Novel PDF Free
“You would really do that for her? You would put down a brother for a silly little Chosen?”
“You better fucking believe it. Just because you can’t feel it doesn’t mean I don’t. If you fucking believe that you are more important than the Goddess’s own will then you are not only delusional but turning from the path. She is important, not just to Tal, but to all of us. Rethink your anger. Are you mad because she’s a good fighter? That means she will need less training to be able to become a warrior, making our jobs easier. You wanted her to lose her fight? Why? Is it because I like her?”
“She isn’t special! She’s just another Chosen! We are meant to have someone greater than a regular Chosen for a Bond mate and the fact that you don’t seem to realize that disgusts me.”
“We are meant to bond with whomever the Goddess chooses. You don’t have a say with who I bond with. Anyways you’re fucking jumping to a conclusion that you have no right to jump to. She hasn’t even gone through initiation and you’re already punishing her for a bond with me that hasn’t even formed. Who I bond with has nothing to do with you. You are not my father, or the Goddess is that understood?”
“Fuck you, River. You aren’t better than me.”
“The fact that your only concern is that you assume I am better than you already proves that point. I never assumed I was better than you Zeph, we are supposed to be equal, but you have made it abundantly clear these past years that you are striving to become top dog. You are completely disregarding the fact that all elements are supposed to be equal, as decreed by the Goddess, for a balanced world. I don’t know what is going on in your mind, but you need to realign yourself to the Goddess, and step back onto the correct path before she steps in. Now leave.”
“You can’t tell me I have to leave.”
“No, he cannot, but I can.”
“Amara, I would watch my next step if I were you.” Zeph turned toward her.
“As head Chosen, decreed by the Goddess herself, I have the power to revoke an Enforcer’s permission to enter the Chosen village for the safety of my charges. You have overstepped here Air, and I am asking you to pull back and return to your keep, so that I can continue their training. We are welcoming new Chosen, and they have to base their choices and set their own path before initiation, and I doubt this will tempt them to this path. You are supposed to be a protector yet here you are being a bully.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes. Seriously, Enforcer of Air. You are Goddess blessed to be a leader to all of us, and somehow this young Chosen has offended you by knowing basic combat skills, so yes you have to leave today. I am sworn to protect my charges, even from you.” Amara turned her back on Zephyr. “River, can you bring Araiya to her cabin, Tal will follow; once she is healed enough you can perform the Rite of Ten once she understands.”
River picked up Araiya’s unconscious body and had Tal follow. They made their way to her cabin with Shavon meeting them there.
“I heard what happened. Amara sent me here on her way to you. What can I do?” Tal just shook his head and hugged her close.
“Shavon, can you get Araiya some healing balm and some food? She will need her strength after she wakes up.”
“Of course. Tal?” River placed his hands on Araiya again, slowly healing her broken bones.
“I have to stay here.” Tal had positioned him over by Araiya’s dressing room doorway.
“Why?” Shavon sounded hurt.
“It is part of the Rite of Ten, Shavon. Someone has to bear witness so that the Enforcer delivering the Rite doesn’t lose himself, or his control. The witness is a safety measure for the punished, but also for confirmation that the Rite was performed correctly. Tal doesn’t want to stay here Shavon; it was necessary so that we could protect Araiya from Zephyr.”
“Of course, but what happened? What set him off?” Both Shavon and River turned to Tal.
“I cannot lie and say I know for sure since I am not in his head, but he set her up in a fight with the Chosen Tamara.” River paused and raised an eyebrow; Tal continued. “The new Chosen who tried to flirt with you all while trying to put down Araiya at dinner.” River finally nodded. “Well Tamara has continued to antagonize Araiya. It was likely he knew that Tamara disliked Araiya ahead of time and thought with all the back and forth that Tamara was the stronger of the two. Something you said about Araiya set him against her River.”
“What did you say?” Shavon sank into the chair by the desk.
River rubbed his face and looked over at the two of them. “I told the others that I think Araiya is mine. My bond. I have never felt anything like this with another. Even though it is too early, and she hasn’t even been through initiation, my inner self calls to this woman. To protect, care for, and cherish. I am sure she is mine, and I wanted my brothers to meet her. I didn’t expect this.”
“That makes more sense.” Tal nodded toward Araiya. “Before the fight Zeph ranted about how a regular Chosen would never be worthy of an Enforcer.”
“Of course, he did. Araiya is finally healed and should be coming around any time. Shavon, can you get the healing balm and food? When you come back wait outside, Tal will grab you once the Rite is finished.” Shavon looked a little upset, but she slowly nodded. “I am just trying to make sure Araiya keeps as much dignity during this situation as possible. Nothing to do with you.” River smiled at Shavon who kissed Tal and left.
Araiya awoke in a soft bed and took stock of her injuries before opening her eyes. She shifted softly to feel how bad it was and nothing. She cracked her eyes and, like deja vu, saw Tal and River staring each other down. “Ugh, haven’t we done this before guys?”
“Hey, how are you doing?” Tal moved to sit next to her.
“I’m fine, all healed up again it seems. What happened?”
“Zeph snapped thinking you made him look like a fool because you had some training.”
“I haven’t had any damn training.”
“The way you moved told a different story.” Tal shrugged.
“When you get beat enough, you learn to protect yourself. You learn how people move.” Araiya faced the wall as she answered. “You know what’s frustrating. This was supposed to be a new fucking start, and yet I can’t seem to actually get a new start. I always end up someone else’s punching bag.”
“Araiya I am sorry but there is something else…” Tal trailed off.
“What?”