Taryn honed in on Airess. “You can’t possibly be buying this.”
“I’m just keeping an open mind, Taryn. If we have been lied to our entire lives, perhaps there is some truth here.”
Taryn’s jaw tightened. He didn’t want to hear anything further. He didn’t want to know, even if it was the truth. Because if it was… well, he wasn’t ready to confront it yet. It would mean his entire life had not only been a lie, but one he might have had the power to change.
“This is a waste of time,” he told Airess stiffly and strode toward the doorway.
“You don’t believe me, boy?” Ismene called out, voice echoing off the walls of the cavernous sanctuary. “What other connection do you have to dreamwalking, other than drawing from your ownmate’spower?”
Taryn froze mid-step. Her words hit him like a punch to the gut, knocking the air from his lungs. He slowly turned back to face her. “What did you just say to me?”
Ismene laughed bitterly. “Pride. Stubborn pride is the heart of all male’s suffering. Be sure to remember that, dear,” she said, directing the comment more toward Airess than Taryn. Ismene’s beady eyes narrowed in on him.“Shared abilities is the first telltale sign of a mating bond, starting from the very moment you twotouch. Tell me, when did the dreamwalking begin for you?”
Taryn’s mind lurched at the words, his eyes widening as he recalled the mating signs he had learned about as a boy. Shared powers. A signature scent. Irrational protectiveness for one’s mate. He hadn’t thought about those lessons since he was a boy. It wasn’t possible–they weren’t even the same kind ofbeing. Never once had Taryn considered the possibility.
“When did you scent her, a smell so prominent, so addicting, that it stood out from any other? Did you recognize the innate side of you wanting to protect her from anything and anyone? A side of you that perhaps experienced irrational jealousy when other males–”
“Stop,” Taryn’s voice cracked as he broke her gaze and found Airess’s eyes, her expression confused. It was at that moment he felt the undeniable truth of Ismene’s words. It shouldn’t have been possible, itwasn’tpossible, yet all the signs were there.
“It can’t be true,” he practically whispered.
Airess Deyanira was his mate.
Taryn had amate.
Ismene tilted her head, something like sympathy flickering across her expression. “If you would have let me finish teaching you of the prophecy–itshistory–you would find that it is. We have been expecting you both to make your appearance in the world for centuries. We always knew the mating bonds between beings would emerge back into the world, just as it once had. We just didn’t know when or who it would be.
“You play a role in this prophecy, your bond between each other is the first sign that it has already begun.”
Taryn took a step back.
“I’m sorry you had to find out this way, but we don’t have much time to prepare you for what's to come. Please, we have much to discuss.”
Taryn looked to Airess, her eyes wide in realization at the simple truth. He couldn’t breathe.
Perhaps ignorance truly was bliss, for now he beheld a weight on his shoulders that he never knew could exist. Everything between them would change. Would she accept him? Would she finally see how inadequate he was for such a beautiful person like her?
“I can’t.” Taryn forced out hoarsely, beginning to back all the way out of the room.
Airess took a step towards him. “Taryn –” Airess started.
But it was too late. He had already rushed out of the temple.
Chapter 35
‘If the Gods deemed our Bond worthy, who are we to deny it? A bond between Elves and Fae can only bring us more power. I hope one day you will see that. I hope one day you will forgive me.’
— Written correspondence Evyen Deyanira to Tinyrah Kazimyr
Airess
Airess reached for him as he disappeared out of the hall. Her head spun with confusion.
“He will come around,” Ismene said, cutting through the tension. “A mating bond is a serious thing, especially to Fae males. Let him process.”
Airess whirled towards Ismene. “I’m half Human and half Elve, a mating bond isn’t possible. Elves don’t even have mates,much less Humans.”
Ismene clicked her tongue. “Incorrect. Youdo–it only goes by a different name. In Elven history, they call it The Bonded. Only Elves and select Mindborne Humans can have these bonds, though they have been muted in Luciena. Tell me, what does his energy look like to you?”
