Page 44 of Urn My Love

“I don’t even know you, so there is no way we’re working on anything together.” Lying back down, I closed my eyes and waited for the dream to change.

Belle chuckled. “You can’t get rid of me that way. But I do have somewhere to be, so listen up, buttercup.”

“Fine. Let’s do this.” Opening my eyes, I motioned for her to start talking.

“There is a gemstone store in Colorado where you need to be this coming weekend. It has to be this weekend. Capeesh?”

“In case you didn’t know, I drained my energy to non-existent levels. It will take me weeks to recover.” I laughed bitterly, frustrated that I’d gained my strength back only to have it yanked away two days later.

“Wrong. You need to finish marking the gryphon. That man has been a thorn in my side with all his talon dragging, but he has a lot of bottled-up passion and he’s close to erupting. That’s going to do amazing things for your magic reserves.”

She disappeared and reappeared a second later on the edge of the bed beside me. “And your paranormal black beauty is going to wake up more powerful than he’s been in centuries.”

“How could you possibly know that?” I narrowed my eyes, scrutinizing her face for signs of deception.

Belle shrugged. “I’m a Watcher. It’s my job to know stuff.”

“So why will he be stronger?” I asked.

“Something to do with old curses, an assassination attempt gone wrong, and dragon blood…” She waved her hand dismissively.

“He’ll explain all that at some point. The long and short of it is your fire has been burning through him since you healed him and again when you claimed each other. That fire has been burning through his body and cleansing it. Last night, you pretty much turned him into a tiki torch, and literally sweat lodged what was left of the dark magic that was binding the bulk of his power.”

My jaw dropped. “The bulk of it? You mean he’s not been at full strength?”

She grinned. “Honey, you are so good with phoenixes, but have so much to learn about other species. That man has practically been walking around with both his hands metaphorically tied behind his back.”

No wonder Xerxes had sounded scared.

“Now you just need to go get your third mate. He’s going to seem a bit boring compared to August and Jazriel, but give him time. And you aren’t going to feel the bond in the same way you do with shifters.”

“How will I know where to go or who he is?” I asked, my mind spinning with all the information she was dumping on me.

“I’ve left the directions on a sheet of paper in your backpack. And his name is Orland Claiborne.”

“I have to deal with Azurea. Going on a trip to a rock shop isn’t really something I have time for.”

Belle chewed her lip. “Listen, I can’t tell you more than I already have. But I need you to trust me. You need to make this your top priority.”

She could have been steering me wrong, but I didn’t think so. It was because of her that I’d been where I needed to be to find Jazriel. I might be an idiot, but I was going to trust her.

I wasn’t sure what the guys would think, but I nodded my agreement. “Okay. I’ll find a way to get to the rock store by this weekend.”

A brilliant smile lit up her face. “Good! You won’t regret it.”

“I’ve got to get moving, but I’ll see you again soon.” She hopped to her feet and stretched. “Two last things. Remember that not everything is as it seems, so trust your instincts. And next time you talk to Amaryllis, tell her Arabelle says hi.”

“You’ve met Ryls?” I sat up.

Belle, or Arabelle, twisted her lips in a wry smile. “Once. I was checking in on her, but ended up in a tight spot. She helped me out.”

Before I could pry for more information, she wiggled her fingers, and the vision went dark.

Ipaced the bedroom, staring at the motionless bodies of my mate and the man I envied more than any other being on earth because she loved him.

There was something different about the Jazriel I’d known yesterday and the one currently sleeping like a baby. He’d always been powerful, but even in his sleep, alpha energy rolled off him with each rise and fall of his chest.

I shouldn’t have been affected by it, but I was. Although I’d never admit it to the arrogant stallion.

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