Yes, their world was dying, and that would cause anyone to despair. Yet, this felt deeper and more painful…
A couple strolled past, snagging her attention, then another…
Oh, shit. She spun to him, grasping his arm. “Aerén? Where are the children?”
His mouth tightened. “There are no children, Leya,” his voice lowered. “There haven’t been any born for over two thousand years.”
“What?” She gaped at him. “What do you mean?” And it struck her like a blow to the belly. “This has to do with the Stone’s disappearance?”
“Yes and no. As immortals, we don’t have young easily. Only those who are destined mates do.”
“Wait, wait, what do you mean,destinedmates?”
His gaze trailed over her face. “It means the Fates select a mate for you even before you’re born. Your soul’s mate.”
“Well, that’s not fair.”
“No, for us, it isn’t.” His expression turned grim. “But it is what it is. We can’t have a young with just anyone, only with a destined mate. And we haven’t had such a mating in eons, long before the artifact went missing. My people, those who fall in love and want a life together and a family, journey to where the seven Stones of Light reside in the Mountains of Syrosii, to seek its blessing. Once granted, they are bathed with the Lights, blessing the union, which can lead to a couple having a child. But it isn’t always guaranteed.”
Leya studied his rigid countenance as he watched the sailboats glide across the river.
“But after two millennia, there is hope again.”
“You mean those girls. The Chosen?”
He inclined his head. “It seems the artifact going missing has awakened the destined mate bond once more. All three of the found Chosen mated with my fellow Empyreans. And were fated mates.”
“Yes, Brenna mentioned it.”
“Now, one of them is with child.”
“Oh, that is good then, right?”
“It gives us hope, yes, but we needallthe magic back in Empyrea, which reminds me, I must send Drav’n and Thiorr back to Earth to continue tracking for the Chosen. Not everyone will find destined mates, Leya, and my people deserve a chance at having a family—we need all the magic back.”
She nodded, then said, “We humans fall in love, then live together, or marry. And children are born every hour. Some don’t appreciate what they have.”
“I’m aware. I’ve lived in your world for a while.”
Yes, he would know. “I’m sorry for what you face.”
“It’s not your fault but ours.” His voice hardened. “With our senseless wars. So many innocents were caught in the fray, and many lives were lost. Our numbers continue to decline.”
“Is that how your sister died?” she asked quietly. “Because of the war?”
The pain in his eyes tore through her. Leya instantly regretted asking. “It’s all right, you don’t have to talk about it.”
“No.” His throat worked. But the torment in his dull stare nearly gutted her. “My…my brother killed her.”
CHAPTER20
My brother killed her.
The words reverberated through Leya’s head, so sure she must have heard Aerén wrong. His usually calm visage morphed to a harsh one, and she knew she hadn’t. “What happened?”
“It occurred eons ago before the Stone of Light vanished. It was an accident. Someone left the gates to the fight arena open, and she ran in…” He shook his head. “It all happened so fast. Aethan’s sword slipped from his hand and flew through the air…”
Oh, God.Leya put her arms around him, hugging him, his agony hers. She more than understood the loss of a loved one.
