Selena
“If you are done, let me take your plate for you, Selena,” Auro offered, reaching for my dirty dishes.
Nodding my head, I passed them over. “Thank you.”
“Not a problem.” A wide smile spread his lips. “It’s been an honor since we haven’t had guests over since we relocated here.”
“Does either of you need a refill while I’m up?” Luwyn asked, scrolling through the options on the drink dispenser. “Dessert is also available if you are craving something sweet.”
“Can I have tea, please?”
Tabbing back to the main menu, he peered over his shoulder. “Any preferences?”
“One of your favorites.” I shot him a smile. “You choose.”
Nodding, he selected a pair of drinks and collected them.
“I got the perfect blend for you,” he beamed, offering one mug to me. “You will love it.”
Wrapping my hands around the black cup, the green steam assaulted my nose with an herbal scent.
Instantly, memories of my mates and their obsession with providing me my favoriteosso teaflooded me. A sob escaped me as tears began to fall from my eyes. I felt like another rock had been added to the bottom of my stomach, adding to the guilt and worry already weighing me down.
“Luwyn,” Tori hissed. “What did you do?”
“I didn’t do a thing!”
Tori scooted closer and wrapped an arm around me. “What’s wrong?”
“This tea reminded me of my mates.”
“I’m sorry, Selena.” She reached for the cup and frowned. “Let me get something different for you.”
“No, it’s fine!” I pulled the cup back. Somehow, the heat radiating off the tea comforted me as I pressed the mug against my chest. “I don’t want anything else.”
She hesitated, keeping her hand outstretched as her gaze flicked warily to Celyze. “Are you sure?”
“I’m positive. This is fine.” Glancing at Luwyn, I found him watching me with concern and nodded. “Thank you. I appreciate it. I know it may seem odd, but I want to be reminded of my mates. They are the reason why I am free… well, as free as I can be here. Without them, I wouldn’t have become the person I am or experienced the things I have.”
“I wasn’t going to offer you this because I didn’t know if you would trust me enough to open yourself to me,” Celyze hedged, placing his empty glass on the table. “But if you want, I can try to help you communicate with one of your mates.”
“You can do that?” I wiped my eyes as I took a sip of my tea, the burning liquid reminding me that there was still hope. “How? What do I need to do?”
“First, you need to put down that scalding hot drink before you injure yourself.” He grabbed the cup from my hands and I had to stop myself from pulling back again. He placed the mug on the table. “Then you have to offer yourself to me, allowing me to find your past connections—the minds most familiar to you. With your guidance, I will reach out to them.”
“Really?” I asked, studying him. “It sounds too good to be true.”
“I’ve done it before,” he reassured me as his eyes softened. “If you need some time to consider, there’s no rush. I wanted to offer you my services to help you find some reassurance.”
“Thank you,” I muttered, closing my eyes as I leaned back. “Let me think for a moment.”
“Take your time.”
“Vowels?”I called out to my companion.“What do you think?”
“He speaks the truth,”he replied.“At least, what he believes is true. He is nervous, but only because he fears disappointing you. I don’t sense any ill intent from him or anyone in this room. They are genuinely concerned about you—and by extension, your mates.”
“Would he sense you?”
