Page 173 of Rebirth Of Order
Gazing into her eyes, I fight the urge to smile. The way her brows are frowning out of fear and lifted in shock has them in a cute half arch.
“Then I won’t say it.”
“Ughhhh.”She has to stop pouting, or there’ll be more things for her to be upset about. It’s too damn appealing.“No, uh-uh. Forget it. Whatever you remember, no you don’t. And we will never–never speak about it. Understood?”
“Under…stood.” I snort.
“This isn’t funny. I’m mad at you.” Raising my hands in a surrendering fashion, I see her gaze dance in an exaggerated circle. “Have you tried speaking to me with your mind?”
“It’s not possible. At least right now. I’ve tried, but neither my siblings, nor myself, have figured out a way. We’re still learning the depths of this magic.”
“Do the three of you share the same ability?”
Shaking my head, I answer, “My sister, yes, Kahlan, no. Another small dissimilarity we have since his come in the form of pictures. Thoughts, memories of conversations, and anything else verbal, he receives it as a photo. An example being, if you’re thinking, ‘why is ithot out,’ a picture of you sweating beneath the sun’s rays will transmute to his mind.” Her lips pull to the side in a pondering fashion, and I chuckle.
“What?”
“Nothing. I see you pondering a lot.”
“You mean you can hear me.” Her brow arches.
“No. Trust me, after your display of magic, my mind is shivering in the shadows. I have so many walls in place it’s hard hearing my own thoughts.”
She huffs. “Again, sorry about hurting you. I think the stress of everything hit me all at once.” She nibbles on her bottom lip.
“If you apologize one more time…I’m fine, we’re fine–” I pause mid-sentence. “If you deem it so, that is. I won’t rush you to forgive me. But please know, I’ll do more in my power to keep from invading your thoughts. And everything I’ve heard, or will hear, shall never be spoken. Hence, our little game so you can gain my secrets as well.”
Kyra peers down, glancing into her hands, and I find myself wanting to hold her. But instead, I refrain from creating an uncomfortable environment. There have been plenty of nights with me waking to screams of her immense terror. Her voice calling out to a name–Rosie.
Though during such moments, I endured the wrenching heartache bestowed upon me. Refusing sleep, I knew this was a fight she couldn’t escape. And as Nyx’s moon rotated past the horizon, I took the full brunt of her burden, hoping one day she would allow my help.
Tonight is not planned for this moment.
“I’m bothered, yes, upset, no. And I forgive you. You need to prove I can trust you though. Besides, out of all the secrets I’ve come into, you’re the first to prove you have no control over it.”
“Correction, My sweet, I have control. It’syouwhom I have nocontrolover. As for the others who infiltrate my thoughts, some follow the same holeyouressence creates.”
Speaking of holes, I’m reminded Alex has plans to discuss thisHaven’s Hole debacle before we leave for the mission, despite me contesting the ungodly timing of it all. Standing and straightening my jogging pants, I check my phone, noting we have a little over an hour to meet.
“Apologies for cutting this short, but we’ll be meeting in the Missing Room for our mission’s brief. Heads-up, Alex plans on bringing up theBook of Bonds. I know, I know, not the most appropriate time, but what can we do?” Shrugging off the deepened sigh, I continue, “Meet us in the Black Wing. Its entrance is right near the center.”
Kyra tries standing, and I reach out to assist when her body goes rigid.
Six, maybe seven, seconds transpire before her own thoughts return, but not before I hear another voice asking the same question.
“I’m sorry, I got a bit lightheaded. You were saying meet in the Black Wing. Got it. Go ahead, get ready, and I’ll see you there.” She folds her arms in a defensive stance.
My cheeks lift, putting on a false persona. She is unaware of an intruder having access to her thoughts, caused by theBook of Bonds, and the beast within me jolts at the idea.No. We donotaccept this. She belongs to us!
I play it off, twisting the ring on my finger and materializing an archway and door out of lavender energy. Kyra gawks at its shimmering glow, passing a look between it and me. “By the way, my ability counts as a secret to our game.” Seeing her smile return, I back up, shrouded by my magic’s essence and disappear.
Returning to my room, I find I’m not alone.
Chapter 41
Are we ready yet
KYRA
