AllFreeNovel
Share Us
NATALIE
Ibreathed in through my nose and out through my mouth, finally getting a handle on the emotions I could feel coming from the people in the city.
I’d always been sensitive to what other people were feeling. That was what had made my soul purpose at the S.R.F. so perfect for me. I had no trouble putting myself in someone else’s position and quickly realizing what they might need.
However, all that chaos had turned into divinity once I’d absorbed it, and that much power had an effect I hadn't expected. It wasn't just the infected I could feel now. I could also feel the sorrow of those mourning losses from the attack, those wounded and in pain.
I could feel Rumir’s worry and Lucian’s panic.
I could feel Rehema’s uncertainty and Hydum’s longing.
Not sure what to do now, I simply remained still, taking slow, steady breaths.
It took time for an Enchanted to create a mind-link—minutes on end sometimes—before a bond was formed. Only after I’d done that could I feel the emotions of the one I was connected with. I could see into their minds, unlocking memories that were locked away or dropping in fake ones in their place. I could trap a person in their own mind or even put myself in a person's dreams, if necessary.
Since I wasn't a part of a pack anymore, my skills weren't needed, and some of my Enchanted abilities were probably a little rusty. Although I couldn’t look at someone and hear what they were thinking, my gifts had been a type of telepathy. But now, they’d become so much more.
Rumir’s thoughts were the only ones I’d been able to hear when he’d shifted into his dragon form, and we’d gone flying. But after that experience, I’d hoped I wouldn't start hearing the thoughts of others. Feeling their emotions was quite enough. Especially now.
After Hydum had locked me in this room, I'd tried and failed to single out my own emotions among all the others I felt. So I’d sat in silence, desperately trying to find my center.
For a second, I thought I was going to die.
The pain had been excruciating… and then it had stopped. The chaos burning through my veins simply dulled… and was gone.
Once again, I felt no hunger or fatigue, but I had a feeling I wouldn’t revert to a normal state of fatigue or hunger again.
I was too far gone now, too far away from the person I used to be.
A knock sounded at the door. After the door cracked open, Lucian entered, closing the door gently behind him.
He’d changed out of his suit and now wore a white long sleeve shirt with beige pants.
I'd showered as well, and had also changed into something more comfortable.
He turned to face me, eyeing me up and down swiftly. I, on the other hand, took my time admiring him. I couldn’t imagine him without the scar near his eye or with shorter hair. He was perfect as he was… my mate.
He came further into the room and sat on the bed by my feet. I inhaled his scent, but without meaning to, I picked up on his emotions. I frowned.
Longing?
“How are you feeling?” he asked. “Did you get any sleep?”
I shook my head. “I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep again. Back at Rumir’s, my hunger and fatigue completely vanished initially but eventually returned to their normal levels. This time, though, I think it's permanent."
“Like a god,” he said more to himself than me.
Without saying anything, I shuffled down the bed until I was by his side. Then I straddled him.
He went stiff—shocked, no doubt—but I wrapped my arms around his neck and rested my chin on his shoulder. He hugged me, running his hands up my back, then wrapped his arms around me.
I suddenly realized that since I’d found out Lucian was my true mate, he and I hadn't had a moment alone. I’d been so focused on making sure Rumir was okay. But I'd been wrong to do that.
At the time, I hadn’t wanted to celebrate that Lucian was my true mate because it would have been inconsiderate to Rumir. But Lucian was my true mate, and he’d been here for me since I first arrived in this realm.
And the love I felt for him had only grown every day since.
That day I'd first felt his presence at the Goddess's temple seemed so long ago. Now here we were, facing the end of the God Realm together.
