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I had barely laced my shoes when the bathroom door opened, and Xander stepped out with only a towel around his waist. My eyes widened as I took in his strong, bare chest. A perfect V dipped into the towel with a few wisps of dark curls, peeking out from the terrycloth. As my eyes moved up his rippling torso, I found myself staring into those blue eyes of his.
“Like what you see, babydoll?” he teased. “Just say the word, and I’m all yours.”
I growled in response and jumped to my feet. I was out of the bedroom door and slamming it behind me before I slowed my movement. Only then did I let out the breath I had not realized I was holding. Only then did I notice how fast my heart was beating.
“A man shouldn’t have this much of an effect on me,” I groaned, making my way to Brady’s bedroom.
As his door swung open, my brother’s dark eyes were sparkling with mischief as he looked back at me.
“What’s wrong? Honeymoon already over?”
“Shut up and let me in,” I said as I pushed him out of my way.
Brady only laughed and stepped aside before closing the door behind us. “What brings you to my bedroom, Lib? Here to boast about all the benefits of finding your mate? Please, leave out all the sordid details.”
“Just shut up and listen,” I said with a roll of my eyes.
Brady sank into the couch at the end of his bed, zipping his lips with his finger and thumb and tossing away an imaginary key. I took a seat in the chair next to him and laced my fingers together in my lap.
“I tried to get a vision last night, but I couldn’t see anything. All I got was a mixture of emotions before it all dissolved into a vision about some other people who have nothing to do with me,” I explained.
“Of course not. You can’t force a vision. The fates tell you what they think you need to know. And they control what you can and can’t say to others. It’s like premonition 101. Why are you surprised by this?”
“I can’t understand why I wouldn’t get a vision about my own mate?” I groaned. “Shouldn’t I be able to know what I’m getting into?”
“No, it doesn’t work like that. I’ve done enough research on that subject to know.” I looked over at my brother, watching him gaze off into space with a thoughtful look.
“Why is that?”
“I used to try to force visions of my mate all the time. I told you, I wanted to be the first at something. After so many times of not getting anything but emotions, like you said you had, I got down on some real research material and found out the truth about fated mates.”
I leaned forward on my knees, interest taking over my body. “What do you mean?”
Brady ran his fingers through his hair with a shrug. “The fates have plans for us all. They give mates to us to help teach us something and earn the strength that comes with the bond. If we get any premonitions about our mate, it will not be clear, and it’s extremely rare for the fates to gift a witch with such visions. Others might get a vision of other’s mates, but you can never be certain who your mate is because, well, the point is to learn a lesson that will strengthen you.”
“And what lesson am I learning from my mate?” I asked with a raised eyebrow at my little brother.
He shrugged his shoulders. “No idea.”
“Can you try and have a vision for me to find out?” I pushed.
Brady frowned. “Why are you so adamant about this? You found your mate. You should be over the moon. Given Mom and Dad as an example, you shouldn’t even be out of your room right now. What’s the issue, Lib?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know. It seems like he’s hiding something from me. I just have a feeling. There is something I have to know, and he’s not telling me anything. He’s being evasive with his answers. Like he’s honed the art of lying without lying.”
Brady let out a sigh, then closed his eyes. I watched with bated breath. His body tensed as his eyes flickered behind closed lids. I could tell when my brother was experiencing a premonition. There’s no way I could count how many times I’d seen it. I often wondered if I looked the same. This was one of many reasons why I did my seeing in the privacy of my shower.
With a sharp gasp, Brady’s eyes flew open. Tears swam in his dark gaze as he shook the vision from his mind.
“What did you see?” I asked, leaning forward.
“It’s not what I’m seeing, but hearing. It’s not easily heard either. I’m carefully unraveling the phrases and words. Lessons to learn, decisions to take, the bonds we form, and the choices we make,” he said, his eyes still glazed with tears.
“What does that mean?” I asked.
Brady shook his head. “It’s all they will let me say to you. Lib, I can’t say anything more. I’m sorry.”
I nodded, my shoulders drooping. Brady, I understand. I turned around and saw his face covered in tears. “Was it bad, though? I’ve never seen you cry through a vision.”
