Page 30 of Cosmic Soul

“But now Kalvoxrencol, the first royal creator soul, has a human mate who is the purest warrior soul ever tested in recorded history? Kalvoxrencol has the gift of light that was said to be the same inner fire of the legendary first Empress of the Drakcol Empire. Of course, they want to speak to you, Seth. You two are special.”

“Not really.” He tugged hard on the zipper, making the elements clack.

“You are. We believe Crystal-bound mates are two halves of the same soul. You are a warrior, and Kalvoxrencol has the empress’s gift of light. You are special. You can always speak to Monqilcolnen if meeting with the Ranks is overwhelming,” Fyn said.

“Why?” I asked at the same time as Seth.

“Monqilcolnen is the purest spiritual soul ever tested in recorded history. His soul is almost pure white. He didn’t join the Ranks as people assumed he would,” Fyn answered. “But he is still connected to them. He stays in the caves when he’s here, not in the palace, though he does have a room.”

“Caves?” Seth asked.

“Beneath the sanctuary is a series of caves for the Ranks. It’s the order’s headquarters.”

“That sounds like fun,” I said as thoughts of exploring the winding caves flitted through my mind. What did they have down there? Bodies? Catacombs always had bodies. I’d almost forgotten about the tunnels in my distraction of Fyn.

“Caleb,” Fyn growled in warning. “No.”

“What?” I asked, giving him my most innocent smile that Nana always said was fake as American cheese. “No one will see me.”

He frowned.

Seth laughed, and I started at the deep rumbly sound. He said, “You’re like Kal. He hates it when I’m away from him too.”

Fyn appeared positively struck; whereas, I beamed. I liked that. Fyn cared if I disappeared from his sight.

“Look at him,” Seth teased, glancing in my general direction. “I fucking shocked him.”

I chuckled, going for a high-five, but Seth didn’t see it. My humor vanished, and I lowered my hand to my lap, fisting it.

After Fyn collected himself, he said, “You don’t have to speak to anyone you don’t wish to, Seth. Kalvoxrencol will protect you, as will the rest of us.”

“Thanks.”

“You’re our brother.”

His eyes turned wet as he cleared his throat. “Thanks.”

I quickly told Fyn, “Talk about something else. I don’t know about Seth, but I hated crying in front of other people. It’s a human male thing.”

Sunshine stood. “Would you like to see my plants?”

“Yes,” Seth said, practically leaping onto the conversation change.

I followed behind them while Fyn talked about his different plants. He even snagged a tablet, showing Seth his copious notes on caring for each and every rare plant and hybrid. Seth and Fyn would become friends—I knew it. This way when I left, Seth wouldn’t be alone. Fyn smiled softly at one of Seth’s questions. Neither would my Sunshine. Neither of them would be alone.

Chapter 14

Time to do my stalking duty.

It had been over a week since I’d come to Tamkolvanloknol, and we had yet to discover my tether. Fyn had asked me all manner of questions from about my family to past relationships to my interests, but there was no lightbulb moment. I had no idea why I was stuck here, but it was fine.

I was less tired than before. Fyn made me feel alive. He talked to me and treated me like everyone else. Fyn and I spent almost every moment of every day together, and I liked it—I more than liked it.

Seth and I would often hang out, chatting in Zoltilvoxfyn’s greenhouse, chilling in his apartment, or with Wyn and NAID. Kal would often leave Seth with Fyn when he was off arguingwith people and probably threatening violence—that was a usual response of his from what I’d witnessed. Apparently, he didn’t trust anyone to keep Seth safe, except his brothers.

Sometimes Kal would join us when we all hung out, which was fun. He treated me like I was alive as well, laughing and joking with me. He found me funny, even when Fyn and Seth didn’t.

Wyn and NAID were trying to find a way to be able to communicate with me without Fyn, but they weren’t optimistic it would be anytime soon. I hadn’t told anyone besides Fyn about NAID wearing Nana’s face either for two reasons. One, she would feel awkward, and two, I liked seeing Nana even if it wasn’t her.

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