“No. I’m good.”
Relief rushed through Eve to see him happy. Tomorrow, they’d be back to searching for the Stone. She still had to find that witch goddess and eliminate her from their lives. How, she had no idea. And just like that her moment of happiness dimmed, despair seeping into her.
Reynner stroked her back. “Don’t think of tomorrow,” he said softly. “It will be here soon enough. Just enjoy this free time we have.”
She exhaled a shaky breath. He was right.
“Reyn?” Aethan’s voice from the other end of the kitchen broke them apart. “There’s someone you should meet.”
Reynner looked up. Eve turned as the kitchen door opened. Echo walked in, her mismatched eyes sparkling, followed by the most breathtaking woman Eve had ever seen. And she’d thought the goddess exquisite. This woman far surpassed that.
She appeared far younger. Tall. Lean. Her white-blond hair fastened in a high, braided ponytail brushed her lower back. Low-riding black jeans hugged her long legs, and she’d teamed it with a gray tank top.
It was then she became aware of Reynner motionless beside her.
“Aethan, you wanted to see me?” the vision said. “I've a training session scheduled with Týr in a few minutes.”
Aethan smiled and nodded to them.
She glanced at them. Eyes the color of new pennies widened. Her creamy skin rapidly lost its color, Eve thought she’d faint.
And Reynner, he looked like someone had sucker-punched him. Shock, disbelief, and pain filled his gorgeous face as he stared at the woman. Unease took hold of Eve. “Reynner?”
But she doubted he heard her. He put her aside and strode across the vast kitchen, straight to the blonde, who rushed to him. The next moment they were in each other’s arms. The woman cried, deep, gut-wrenching sobs as she clung to him, her face buried in his neck. Reynner’s eyes closed in anguish.
Eve’s chest tightened. Before she could settle on the emotions crawling through her, at another woman in Reynner’s arms, one he obviously had deep feelings for, Echo appeared beside her. “That’s his sister,” she said softly.
The thread of uneasiness gave way to disbelief. Eve's head snapped to Echo. “Hiswhat?”
He’d never spoken of his family, she realized. Then she saw the similarities. They had the same color hair, pale as moonbeams, and the same breathtaking features.
“Sister,” Echo said from beside her. “She left Empyrea unable to stay there any longer. She wanted her own life, she came here. What we didn’t know then until recently was that she’d been searching for Reynner—”
“Eve?” Reynner approached with his sister in tow. Despite the red-rimmed eyes and face blotchy from tears, up close she was even more stunning. Damp eyes gleaming like polished bronze studied Eve in curiosity. Then her gaze shifted back to her brother. “Is she…?”
Reynner drew Eve to him and nodded. “My mate, yes. Ely, this is Eve. Eve, my sister, Elytani, who, apparently, is now a Guardian—I'm gonna kick Michael’s ass for dragging you into this life.”
Elytani brushed away her tears. A watery smile lit her face. “Still trying to protect me, huh?”
“That will never change.Urias—” He shook his head again. “I can't get used to the changes in you—you being here.”
“You disappeared, and it was never the same again. I left to look for you and ended up here. I like this life I have now.” Elytani turned to Eve, her eyes bright with gratitude. “You have no idea how grateful I am my brother found his mate.”
Then she grabbed Eve.
“Elydon’t!”
But Reynner’s words came too late. Elytani hugged her so tightly, Eve wondered if she’d suffered rib damage as she stepped back. It made her aware, too, of just how puny her strength truly was.
“She is like you,” Eve hurriedly reassured him. “I can't read anything off her. I'm fine, Reynner.”
A low growl left him. “My heart isn’t.”
“What—what?” Elytani’s gaze flashed to Reynner in alarm.
Reynner explained to his sister why Eve couldn’t touch anyone. “It hurts Eve to absorbs another’s thoughts, and at times, she loses consciousness.”
Elytani turned to Eve, eyes bright with compassion. “I'm so sorry. But don’t worry, you’ll be safe around us. We immortals are a tough lot, have thick skins.”
