Page 24 of Black Wing and Shadows
“Come on out with it?” I said.
“Oh, I don’t know if it’s my place.” She reminded me how quiet and reserved she was.
“You saved my life, we are friends.”
“You and… Zane… What is the deal?”
“Oh,” I swallowed, taking in a deep breath, “I am not sure, honestly. He believes we are… Anam Cara?”
“Mates?”
“Yeah, I guess other places have different names for it.”
“Hmm, what do you think?”
“I think he is an exceedingly good-looking male, and when I first locked eyes with him, it felt like lightning shot through my whole body. I didn’t grow up being told about this.”
“As a family of Healers, we learned early on that true mates are meant for only one person to complete their soul. Most people never find theirs,but that doesn’t mean they can’t love others. When two souls are destined to be together, both feel it the moment their eyes meet.”
“What if one of us doesn’t want it? We don’t accept it.”
“You will always be drawn to each other, even if you’re not physically together. You'll feel and sense each other. Some people have rejected the bond of a mate, and it takes a part of their soul.”
“Why do people reject the bond?”
“I only know what I was told, but my grandma mentioned that sometimes people find their soulmate after they're already married with children. In a few cases, it happens because they couldn’t get along or because one partner wasn’t a good person.”
“What do you think?”
“When I saw you both in the infirmary hall, I knew by the way your eyes lit up for each other. I also think it’s better for fewer people to know. A mating bond can be used against one of you. The stronger the bond, the more vulnerable you are.”
“Oh… what should I do?”
“OH, I can’t help you there. You have to figure out the path you’re on. I can only walk alongside you.”
“My mom was a Healer, though she never discussed it. When I arrived here, I wasn't eager to pursue a relationship, as I tend to fall deeply for people too fast.”
“You don’t have to, if you don’t want to.”
“When he's around, it feels like home. I want him, but a part of me is screaming we don’t really know each other.”
“Maybe, just take it day by day, see where it goes.”
“Yeah… Thanks for this.”
We entered the bustling dining facility, grabbed our food eagerly, and found seats with the rest of our squad. A chill ran down my spine as I looked behind me. There he was, standing against the back wall, watching me intently. He wasn’t supposed to be here. All other cadets ate in Dining Facility Two. I raised my eyebrows in surprise, and he winked at me.
Did he just fucking wink at me? I was sure I was about to fall hard for him. I felt it deep in my bones. He turned and left the dining hall, glancing back over his shoulder.
I pushed to my feet, gave my squad a nod, and hurried to put my tray away. My calf burned with every step, a sharp reminder I wasn’t fully healed. I slipped through the exit door—and a hand caught me, yanking me aside.
Lightning tore through my arm, racing straight into my chest. He pulled me in, and I dragged a breath deep into my lungs, forcing my eyes down. Lavender and pine clung to him, sharp and clean, and the scent tangled in my head. My heart hammered double-time, rattling my ribs.
His fingers hooked under my chin, tilting my face up. My gaze collided with his—ashen blue, unyielding. Another jolt ripped through me, my skin sparking. His hand slid to the back of my neck, steady, insistent, drawing me closer. Our mouths hovered less than an inch apart, breath brushing breath.
Everything inside me urged me to kiss him, to taste him, to feel his lips against mine. He took a deep breath and growled softly. Oh gods, this would wreck me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and moved my lips to his. I only lived once.
He kissed me slowly and passionately. He pulled back slightly and sucked on my bottom lip, then pressed his tongue into my mouth, caressing my tongue with tender intensity.
