Instead of flat-out arguing with me, he brought his free palm to the nape of my neck, helping me to rise until his lips covered my own. The kiss started out soft, making its way deeper and harder. We were one breath, a single soul, in this moment…until I broke free.
“My breath,” I mumbled.
He had the nerve to laugh. “Seriously, that’s what you’re worried about, sweet Tulya?”
I wasn’t even sure why Donovan was still in Rubia, let alone here with me, sitting on the edge of a bed and giggling like a schoolgirl at me.
“Don, don’t mock me.”
This got me a wide smile. “Never.”
“Please.” I pleaded for his serious side. “You heard my mother…the Minister… They all said we are not meant to be. Our powers mixed are bad. Their swirling is yin and yang, or oil and water, gas and a match, yada, yada,” I rambled, afraid to meet his eyes again.
“I don’t care. I spoke with your mother.”
“What?”
He caressed my cheek. “I realized something when the mirage went up in a little poof. You are destined to be more powerful than your mother, and she doesn’t like that. Especially because youwantto be with me. So the vision of us not being together disappeared.”
I felt my head shaking, unable to take in what he just said.
“And Abraham is on our side. He was here,” he countered, smoothing my hair behind my ear.
“He was?”
“He revived you, with a serum. Your mom sent him.”
“She did? Why?” I didn’t know what was wrong with me—all I could formulate were one-word questions.
“It doesn’t matter. Maybe she is worried I will out her. What is important is Abraham showed up and helped, and then he told your mom you have demonstrated incredible control over your powers. More than anyone ever thought was possible. You can hold them back in a way Abraham didn’t know existed. You held Cinder’s anguish, and you didn’t send it all to Val—”
“Look where that got me,” I interrupted, whipping my mangled fingers from under the blanket and waggling them at him.
“You beat that episode back. Abraham didn’t believe you could, and then this latest one showed him you are actually reacting to the anger hanging in the air around you and not the discipline you are using.”
“What?” My head felt hazy and confused. “You and Abraham really got tight,” I added, trying not to sound like an idiot. “And my mom, she just listened to you?”
“Look at me.” His voice sounded hoarse with emotion. I turned my gaze like he requested. “I don’t care what anyone says anymore. Not my mother or yours. I should have listened to Magnum when he said love makes a person stronger. He didn’t get a chance to make it happen with Valerie, and I’m sorry for that. More than you know. But we can make us work. Your mom can’t stand in our way; you have all the power and control. We would do it even if she didn’t know. Abraham agrees we need to do it. He has his reasons and will do what he can. He may not be your uncle, but he does have influence.”
Fresh tears streamed from my eyes. “What are you saying?” I had no clue what reality I was in as the question came out of my mouth. “I almost took Emelee’s pain away for the second time, this go-round against your mother’s wishes. I would have done it for you. Because you asked. I wanted you to get back to your life in Hawaii. Your big dreams.” My voice floated off on the last part when it occurred to me this was how true unconditional love felt. A constant hum of caring for a person living in your veins, but a whisper, maybe a touch above one of their own desires and wants and needs.
Donovan turned my chin for the second time, placing his lips on my forehead and kissing me there for an eternity. He didn’t speak or let go, only let the touch live on forever.
I tried to get his attention. “Donovan, are you listening to me?”
“My sweet Tulya, I asked you to use your ability on Emelee because I want that chapter of my life to be closed. My dream is to be with you. No way I’d have you risk your health so I could run away. Or unless it meant we could start our life together.”
“Why? The whole episode started a feud of epic proportions. Ceci, Ezza, the Minister…for once, they didn’t want me to take someone’s pain away.” Donovan scooched in close to me, wrapping me in his arms. I couldn’t believe what was unfolding. He blanketed me in his comforting silence. “But why? They seemed hell-bent the first time.” I couldn’t help but ask, mumbling my words into his chest.
“It’s not my place to say. I don’t like secrets, but this is something I shouldn’t say other than Emelee isn’t well-suited to be a lifelong partner.”
“Unless the other choice is me?” It hurt to say it, but it was the truth. “Then, your mother is willing to pick Emelee.”
“Yes, my mother wanted anything but this, us. Except this isn’t her choice. It’s mine, and I want you.” His fingers intertwined with mine, his thumb caressing the side of my palm. “Look at me, Tulya. This isn’t Ezza’s pick either,” he added. “She cannot tell you what to do. You are your own woman.”
“The Minister has a say. That’s his role.”
“The Rubian way is strong in you. Years of living under your mother’s thumb makes you think that, and I agree we must play along with it. That’s why I consulted with Abraham. We have him in our corner. He is willing to vouch for us, saying we can couple…” He waggled his eyebrows. “If you get my drift.”
