Oh, thank God! Leya wiped her sweaty palms down her jeans.
“Very well. Eve and I will talk this over,” Reynner said.
The big angel didn’t say anything for a second, then he inclined his head.
“And those who don’t want a mate?” Hana piped up, pulling Leya out of her thoughts.
The elyon glanced at Hana, then Leya, and his stare lingered. Aerén drew her to him, keeping a possessive hand on her waist, and the elyon eyed them contemplatively.
“The new Chosen?” he asked.
“We haven’t started the test yet.” Aerén didn’t correct his brother or explain about the previous test results. “This is Leyathi. Leya, my brother, Elyon Anedaén.”
“Hello.” Leya tried to recall Eve’s curtsy and followed suit.
But the elyon held up a large hand, stopping her from embarrassing herself. “No need. For what you will do for Empyrea, and to those Chosen who are already giving hope to my people, we should bow to you.”
Leya didn’t expect this, and her heart tripped at the lie. But this was Aerén’s call.
“And this is Hana, Leya’s sister,” Aerén said.
Anedaén gave Hana a half bow, then told her, “Luc will answer your question.”
Lucan stepped away from the coffee table. “Those who don’t want a mate can live on Empyrea in peace.”
“And what about our home back on Earth?” Hana demanded. “We have families.”
“You can visit.” His glowing turquoise eyes shifted between Hana and Leya. “You aren’t prisoners. But you will need to learn to harness or shield your powers, especially if it’s kinetic,” Lucan added. “Usually, it lays dormant until you meet your mate. He can help you to wield it, to aid you in any situation. Every world has its dangers.”
Hana scrunched her nose. “Wow. Now I’m not sure I want to go, but lucky for you, my father taught Leya and me how to fight.”
When they were teens, yes, but with the passing years and not much practice, they were likely as rusty as a bucket of forgotten bolts. But Hana was right, they’d have to take it up again.
“That’s good to hear. Let’s get started,” Lucan said. “Leyathi?”
Inhaling deeply, she joined her sister, and they both knelt at the tree-trunk coffee table. Hana pushed the capped tube to Leya.
Since she knew what to do, Leya removed the scroll, the ancient parchment crinkling as she carefully unrolled and spread it out on the wooden surface. A light tingle coursed through her, warming the chill within.
Aerén hunkered at her side, dagger in his hand.
“Whoa, why the blade?” Hana demanded, eyes narrowing.
“It’s just a tiny cut,” Leya said quickly.
Hana scrunched her face. “I guess one more wouldn’t make a difference with all the other jabs I’ve had.” She reached past Leya and took the dagger Aerén held out. And quickly made a little slice on her palm. “Shit!” she grumbled. “Still hurts like crap!”
Man, if Hana could tolerate it, Leya had to show these immortals she, too, wasn’t a wuss.
Leya took the dagger from her sister, but Aerén was faster. “Let me.” He held her palm, his gaze on her, and she drowned in his tender stare. The absolute conviction that she wasn’t justfallingbut was already in love with him, settled in her like a warm embrace.
“Leyathi, you go first,” Lucan said.
“Go on. Drop the blood on the scroll.” Aerén nodded to her hand, and she found a seeping cut on the pad beneath her thumb.
Her pounding heart lodged in her throat, Leya let her plasma splash onto the aged parchment. It spread but remained on the paper just like before. A tingle swept through her, warming her blood, and she gulped. She closed her fingers, pressing against the oozing wound.
“Hana, now you,” Lucan said.
