Page 44 of Bound By Destiny

Destiny smiles warmly, and the sight fills me with joy.

“I’m going to miss this when I’m back in Arizona, actually,” she says wistfully. “I’ve had such a wonderful time here.”

My heart drops and my mouth falls open. To my credit, I’m not the only one – all three of us gape at Destiny in wide-eyed horror.

Luciana is the first to regain her composure. She clears her throat, and asks in a casual tone that isn’t so casual at all:

“Oh I didn’t know you were leaving us. When is that?”

Redness creeps up Destiny’s cheeks as she takes in all our expressions.

“Um, tomorrow morning, actually. I have an appointment scheduled back home.”

Metal clatters against porcelain as I let go of my fork. The vibrant euphoria that has colored every day since Destiny came to Australia – gone. For the first time today, I notice the rain drops on the window. Strange. I awoke this morning thinking the sun was more radiant than ever.

Destiny is leaving me.The realization makes my chest squeeze so tightly I can hardly breathe. Somehow, I hadn’t even questioned the fact that Destiny is here with me right now. In my mind, we’re together for good – whether it’s at the ranch or back in Catalina Foothills.

But Destiny didn’t invite me to Arizona. Hell, she didn’t even tell me about her plans.

Just as the old clouds come back and I fear that they’ll never leave after only a few days of sunshine, I cut myself short.No,says the voice in my head.You can’t let her go. This only accelerates things. You’ve got twenty-four hours to convince her to stay.

I shoot to my feet, ready to get a head-start on my mission. Only to remember something dreadful.

“When are the members of the Guild coming by?”

When I left Arizona, I officially confirmed that Destiny was properly initiated as a phoenix. As per custom a meeting with the rest of the members was scheduled, though typically it shouldn’t have happened for another couple of months.

But Palden, also a phoenix and our contact in Asia for creatures born with our powers, e-mailed Warwick to check on the animals after the storm. My brother told him about how Destiny saved them, and then Palden told Yelena, and then Yelena told Aleixo. So Aleixo decided that with three phoenixes already in Australia, the meeting should be held early, at our ranch.

Luciana checks her watch and peers at me with worry. “At two o’clock. That’s one hour from now.”

Her green eyes seem to ask me, ‘will you make it?’ I nod at my sister-in-law, and snatch Destiny’s hand.

“Fancy a walk around the farm?” I blurt the first idea that pops into my mind, anything that will give us much needed privacy for this delicate task.

“Sure,” Destiny says, picking up the plates.

Warwick is quick to yank the dirty dishes out of her hands.

“Go!” He urges with a frantic wave of his arm. “We’ll take care of this.”

Destiny, slightly taken aback, politely protests: “Oh no, I can–”

But before she can finish her sentence, I’ve already dragged her through the front door. The air is humid outside. It’s raining, and drops fall onto Destiny’s curly hair, making her coils even kinkier. Shrugging out of my jacket, I put it above our heads and jog to the barn for shelter.

Most of the animals are there today, lazing around indoors rather than getting wet in the bad weather.

“Oh look!” Destiny exclaims excitedly. “Here comes Sriracha.”

A bundle of orange fur and stripes pads our way, and I can only be grateful that this little heart-stopper decided to make an appearance. If I can’t sway Destiny, maybe a cute red panda will.

“Seems to me like she’s taken quite a shine to you.”

Destiny shakes her head in quiet amazement. “I just can’t believe that other animals can have phoenix powers too,” she comments. “Aren’t you sad when you have to let them go?”

You’re the one I don’t want to let go,I almost say. But it’s too soon.Slow down, Dane. Be smooth.

“It’s kind of heart-wrenching when they’ve grown enough to go out in the world by themselves, yeah,” I admit gruffly. “But what really matters is they’re able to stand on their two own feet.” I frown, realizing my mistake. “On their four own paws. Or wings, I guess. Well, not stand–”

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