AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Selene nodded. "He's destined to become your fated mate, Emma. The bond between you is ancient and powerful, forged in the very fabric of this universe."
Emma's mind reeled, the weight of destiny settling heavily upon her shoulders. She had barely come to terms with her own magical abilities, and now she was faced with the prospect of a soul-deep connection with a man she had just met… no just laid her eyes on. It was overwhelming, to say the least.
As the training session continued, Emma found herself unable to keep herself focused and away from Gabriel. He moved with a grace and fluidity that spoke of centuries of experience, his every motion captivating and hypnotic. It was as though he was made for magic, a natural extension of the world around him.
But beneath his charismatic exterior, a shadow lurked in Gabriel's eyes. Emma sensed a deep well of anguish and torment hidden behind the walls he had erected. She wondered what secrets he held, what battles he fought in the depths of his soul. And more than anything, she longed to unravel the enigma that was Gabriel.
Selene took her by the arms and righted her. “The bond between you both will grow stronger with each passing moment. The more you train together, the more your magic will intertwine.”
Selene also explained the darkness that was coming, this ancient evil. “It’s a darkness that transcends time and space, born from the depths of the cosmos. It thrives on chaos, malice, and the suffering of all living things. The name given to it is the Shadow Eater.”
Emma's eyes widen with a mixture of fascination and apprehension. “How can one entity possess such unfathomable power?”
Selene's gaze turns distant. “Legend says that the Shadow Eater is not a singular entity but a manifestation of the darkest energies that exist in our world. It draws strength from the despair, fear, and anger that permeate the hearts of mortals. If there is darkness in the hearts of men, it will continue to grow.”
“Can it be destroyed,” Emma asked.
“That is the crux of our struggle, my dear. The Shadow Eater cannot be destroyed with mere spells or incantations. It is as old as time itself, and its power is immeasurable. Yet there is hope. Legends speak of a prophecy, a chosen one who possesses the power to stand against this ancient evil, to bring balance and harmony back to our world.”
Emma shifts in her stance for a moment. “And I’m the chosen one.” It was a statement, not a question.
“Your spirit is strong, Emma,” Selene started. “But remember, the path you choose is fraught with peril. The Shadow Eater will stop at nothing to extinguish the light within you. Only by harnessing your inner strength and seeking allies will you stand a chance against the encroaching darkness.”
* * *
That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon and painted the sky in shades of fiery red, Emma found herself alone in the tranquil gardens. That was until Gabriel entered the space with her and managed to suck all the air until Emma couldn’t breathe.
Not literally, but he held presence, and that captivated her.
The air crackled with tension; the weight of their unspoken desires hung heavy between them.
"I feel it too, Emma," Gabriel whispered, his voice a mere breath against her skin. He stood just behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. "The pull of destiny, the yearning for something more.”
Emma's heart quickened, and her breath caught in her throat. She turned to face Gabriel; her eyes searched his face for answers that were as elusive as the wind. "What does it all mean, Gabriel? Our connection... this bond we share. It's so intense, yet so complicated."
A pained expression flickered across Gabriel's features, and he reached out, gently cupping Emma's face in his hands. "There are forces at play, Emma, forces beyond our understanding. Fate has a way of entwining lives, even when we least expect it. But with this bond comes great danger."
Emma's brows furrowed with confusion. "Danger? What do you mean?"
Gabriel lowered his gaze, his voice tinged with regret. "To be fated mates means we are destined to face trials and tribulations together. Our union holds a power that can tip the scales of this world, but it also makes us targets for those who seek to harness that power for their own dark purposes."
Emma's heart sank, and with it, a heavyweight that settled in the pit of her stomach. She had hoped for a moment of solace, a respite from the constant battles that consumed her newfound life. But it seemed fate had a different plan.
“Then what do we do,” she asked, her voice filled with both desperation and determination. "Do we fight against it? Ignore the bond we share?"
Gabriel lifted his gaze to hers once more, and it burned with intensity. "No, Emma. We embrace it. We face the challenges head-on, together. Our bond is our strength, our salvation. We must learn to trust in it, trust in each other."
Emma nodded and a flicker of resolve ignited within her. She understood now that their connection was not a burden to bear, but a gift to cherish. They were two halves of a whole, destined to navigate the treacherous path ahead hand in hand.
As the moon rose high in the night sky, casting a soft glow upon them, she felt lost in Gabriel’s soft-as-silk gaze. The moment he leaned in, her heart sped immensely, and she prayed he didn’t hear it pound against her chest.
Emma closed her eyes, and his lips brushed against hers in a tender caress. Until today, this second in time, she had only been going through the motions of life. It felt as if this kiss brought her out from the darkness and into the light to live. All doubt and uncertainty melted away, replaced by a fiery determination to protect what they had found in each other.
Their kiss held a promise, an unspoken vow to face the darkness together, to defy fate and carve their own destiny. And as their lips parted, and his hands returned to his sides, Emma knew that their journey was only just beginning, that the challenges that awaited them would test their bond in ways they could not yet fathom.
There was something else as well, something that had been dormant in her body. Maybe it was a beacon, maybe it was a part of her sorcery. Whatever it was, Emma felt drawing her closer to Gabriel.
She slid her hands up his chest and relished how his upper body felt, even under clothing. “I know this may sound crazy, but everything inside me is screaming this is right,” she started.
