ALEXANDRA
We crossedthe short distance between us and wordlessly pulled each other in for a hug. My eyes closed as I squeezed her, trying to convey all of my love for her wordlessly.
“I’ll see you soon,” I whispered, hearing her sniffle ever so softly.
“I know that you have Lucien, Kylo, and Elwin to protect you. And I know that Aunt Zurie and my uncles will protect you as well, but I wish I could be there, too,” she admitted with a deep exhale. “I hate that you’re going somewhere I won’t be able to reach you. I hate even more that I won’t know what’s going on.”
A part of me wanted her there with us for comfort, but the bigger part of me didn’t want her anywhere near us in case the curses came after us in Divinus. My comfort of having her with us in this unknown realm wasn’t worth her safety.
“To end up where we need to be, some paths in life must be traveled without those we love at our side.”
Alora and I separated, turning to look at her mom as she spoke. Her eyes held so much compassion for us as she smiled and it took me by complete surprise at the authenticity and warmth.
“Fate never makes mistakes. A fact I was remiss to believe when I was your age…” she trailed off for a moment, like she was reminiscing on her memories before snapping back to the present. “I know that the future is full of unknowns, and that fact is scary. However, you are both powerful women who are just beginning your own adventures. Do you want to know the best thing about that?”
We both nodded, waiting to see where this was heading. Alora grabbed my hand and squeezed as her mom’s hands came up, one resting over each of our hearts as she leaned in and whispered, “Powerful women can forge their own paths, and that means you will always find your way back to each other if you want it.”
For some reason, her words hit me square in the chest and I had to fight the tears that suddenly sprang to my eyes, misting them up. What was it about these women that just made me feel so loved and at home? I’d never been an emotional person growing up, but around them, emotion just poured out of me.
The answer dawned on me at that exact moment. Until now, I’d never been afraid to lose anything before. But now that I had my mates and Alora, fear seemed a prevalent thorn that was constantly in my mind and heart. The thought of losing them in one way or another—be it of their own accord and walking away from me–or someone hurting them was too intense a thought to contend with.
Removing her hands from us, Queen Ama reached down the front of her tank top and pulled out one of the necklaces that she wore. Two silver, gleaming wings dangled from the chain.
“This necklace has been blessed by someone within Divinus who is very powerful. My best friend Zurie had to go through a lot to get it for me, despite hitting many obstacles along the way. Because this necklace and pendant means that I can travel anywhere within any veil. She fought for this so I could visit her directly in her home without having to go through the extensive measures to access Divinus that everyone else who doesn’t live there faces.”
My face screwed up at the realization. I didn’t know Divinus was that hard to access, but I guess I’d never really been around someone from there. “Can she not come visit you?”
The question left my mouth before I had a chance to think through how I had no right to ask such personal questions about their lives. Zurie visiting Queen Ama just seemed like the obvious choice to make it easier for them to see each other.
Thankfully, Queen Ama didn’t seem to mind my invasive question, shaking her head before responding, “A stipulation of her going to Divinus with her mates was that she could never leave. It broke many laws to have a demon from Hell up there to begin with, but the consensus that their council came to was that she was owed the right to choose to live there with her fated mates. However, that choice came with the stipulation that she cannot come and go, for fear of her being a spy for Hell.”
My mouth opened slightly, shocked by the choice she’d been forced to make. She had to choose to leave her entire life behind for her mates with no guarantee she’d ever see her friends, her family, or her home again.
My heart deflated. No one should ever have to make a choice like that.
Fingers tipped my chin up, and only then did I realize that it had fallen toward the ground to begin with.
“Don’t be sad for her, Alexandra. As corny as it sounds, home will always be where your heart is, and she found a way to be with her mates and still keep me and my family in their lives. The reason I shared this with you is so that you’ll always remember your heart will always find a way to be with those you love, even when things seem dire, okay?”
I had to swallow a lump in my throat before being able to nod my understanding at her words. The story was incredibly moving, and I felt very honored to be allowed to know such an intimate part of their lives.
“Thank you for sharing that with me.”
Removing her hand from my chin, she pulled me into her side while doing the same with Alora. Squeezing our heads toward her, we both giggled as she kissed the tops of our heads one after the other.
“I’ve always wanted another daughter,” Queen Ama admitted wistfully, “but my mates said they couldn’t handle the stress of having to protect another child. I guess they’re in for a rude awakening when they hear we have another now.”
Was she pregnant?! Oh my goodness, this was so exciting.
I pulled back from the embrace, eyes jumping from her stomach and back to her face, but what I saw took my breath away.
Alora and her mom shared a loving smile before turning their affectionate eyes on me pointedly.
“What…” I trailed off as my throat grew thick with emotion once more.
She…she couldn’t mean that she thought ofmeas a daughter. I wouldn’t let my mind go there. It was just a moment of wishful thinking.
Alora sheepishly smiled at me before explaining, “I hope you don’t mind, but I shared the story of your life with my mom, and how if you are from Pandora’s box like we think, that you don’t actually have any blood relatives.”
