Page 46 of Bound By Destiny

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a smile more perfectly regular.

Was Dane jealous?I can’t help but wonder.Already, all the way back then?

But Aleixo pulls me away from my considerations. “Thyra had quite a tragic existence,” he points out. “I’m glad to see there’s a good outcome to her story.”

I cock my head, mildly curious. “What happened to her?”

“She was shunned by her family because it seemed she would never shift,” he informs me in that oddly tranquil, smooth voice of his. “It turns out it was extreme stress that hindered her powers, because she became a phoenix shortly after she was banished from Oþala.”

I nod, remembering what Dane told me about psychological reasons sometimes affecting one’s transformation. I guess that I, much like my ancestor, was too hung up on the past and guilt to manifest my nature at an earlier age.

“Unfortunately, her life in exile wasn’t a happy one either,” Aleixo continues. “She met her mate, who was a terrible, sanguinary wolf shifter. Every time she tried to run away Fate only brought her back to him, until she simply gave up.” He shakes his head. “Her mate was attacked during a raid by the Hunters, and she died trying to save him, even if she never loved him. It was her instincts that pushed her to take the poisoned dagger for him.”

My mouth drops open, shocked at the horror of what I just heard. Dane peers at me worriedly, most likely wondering if I’m about to run out the door screaming after hearing Thyra’s tale.

“That’s an awful story,” I comment weakly.

Aleixo grimaces sadly. “Fate causes many tragedies. Although rare, matehood does not always present with love.” He says the last part like a physician describing a diagnosis. Shadows creep into his eyes, turning them midnight blue. “Which is why I have an announcement for you all, before we proceed with Destiny’s initiation process.”

The chattering dies down and Aleixo walks forward. He retrieves from his pocket a small vial, containing a liquid black as death itself.

“It was centuries in the making, but I’ve finally finished my antidote to matehood.”

There’s a general murmur of surprise. Dane shuffles closer and looms over me, as if blocking any possible escape.

One man raises his hand.

“Will it make me forget Corinna?”

My heart breaks at the raw pain in the man’s voice. He’s the only phoenix who doesn’t look healthy with his emaciated, pallid frame.

Aleixo eyes him with pity. “I think so Duran. I’ve tested it on myself, and my memories of Evren are nothing but a blur now... I don’t feel like half of me is missing anymore.”

For an instant I imagine the agony of losing Dane – and even if we’ve known each other for a relatively short time, I realize how empty the world would be without him. Dane has already found his way into each of my thoughts, left me with his mark everywhere, body and soul. Irrational it may be, but I know that if he were to disappear, I’d die as well.

And yet, as heavily as Fate weighs upon my shoulders, I wouldn’t take that antidote. Not if my life depended on it.

“However I can only confirm my results,” Aleixo continues solemnly, “if I can verify the antidote on an objective subject. So that’s why I want to ask today if anyone would be interested in being my test patient.”

Silence resounds across the room. The man named Duran steps back, shaking his head. It seems even he came to the same conclusion I have: it’s not worth giving up your mate, even if it means living a more carefree life.

Aleixo looks around. “No-one? I can guarantee the antidote contains no substances that can cause us harm.”

But still nobody volunteers.

With a sigh, Aleixo turns towards the man behind me. “Dane?” He asks gravely. “You were always complaining about the injustice of Fate. I thought you especially may be interested.”

I freeze.

Aleixo is right.I decided that nothing, not even a force above, had the right to choose my life for me.Dane had the courage to defy Fate when he was young, and then he spent centuries resenting the higher instances that took his freewill away. When he met me, even if he knew we were destined for each other, he did his best to push me away.

Eventually he gave in.

But why?

He’s been nothing but caring and passionate since I arrived in Australia. Yet sometimes, late at night, I can’t help but wonder… What if Dane simply settled for me because it was too hard to fight the pull?

And what if, now that he has this opportunity to free himself from our bond, he decides to take it?

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