Page 40 of Black Wing and Shadows
“Look, I don’t want to hash us out. You know we were toxic for each other, as a couple, so I don’t know why you are trying to push us.” I gave her a slight smile.
“Sorry. I have always struggled with loving you two but also hating it.”
“So… there’s more to Zane and me.” The words slipped out low, barely above a whisper, my throat tightening as I said them.
“As in, it’s more than a fling,” she said, raising one eyebrow at me.
“As in, we are mates.”
She blinked her eyes at me for what felt like forever. “Fucking, excuse me?”
“Yeah…”
“Like, metaphorically, right?”
“No, like destined to be together. Like when our eyes meet, electricity shoots through us.”
“Oh… Wow. I don’t know exactly what to say to that,” she scratched her head.
“Did you know about mates? Or Anam Cara? That’s what he calls it.”
“I didn’t, until I came here. It’s briefly discussed in lectures. I didn’t take much stock in it. I guess I do now.”
“We aren’t telling people that we are mated, simply a couple.”
“I’ll always keep your secrets.” She stepped up to me and pulled me into a hug.
“My dad gave you a present for me?” I asked, giving her a look of confusion.
“Oh yeah… He was in the courtyard, looking for you, but he found me instead. I told him you went to bed. He asked if I could pass this to you and tell you it was from your mom.”
“My… Mom?” I raised my eyebrows.
“He didn’t look like he wanted to give details, therefore I didn’t ask.”
“That’s weird… don’t you think?”
“I was caught off guard as well.”
“She’s been gone for six years, and he gives me something from her now.”
“You know I am always here for you, and now that you’re here I am even closer. There are fucked up cadets here, but there are also some amazing ones. Don’t push away the good ones, we need each other.”
“Thank you. I am going to head back up to my room and check it out.” This time, I pulled her into a hug, holding her tight.
I returned to my room. Thora remained on her bed, absorbed in a book, while Sadie lay nearby in her own bed. I approached my bed and stared at the bag for a moment, uncertain whether I wanted to open it. My mom had been gone for years, and he had dropped off the bag, claiming it was from her, but he had not waited to hand it to me in person. I unzipped the bag and looked inside. It was filled with medical supplies. I slowly removed everything and laid it across the bed. Most of it consisted of equipment to triage someone during a crisis: gauze, a sturdy belt, elastic wraps, soothing salves, various bandages, a fire starter, and medicinal medications in clearly labeled bottles.
At the bottom of the bag, I found an envelope with my name on it. Maybe it was a letter from my dad. I opened it, then dropped it on the floor, gasping. Sadie and Thora looked at me, puzzled. I silently picked the letter up again.
My Dearest Auriella,
If you are reading this, it means I am not there for your first day in the Rider’s branch, assuming you stayed in that course. Either way, I packed this bag for you regardless of which path you chose. I am sorry I am not there for you, my dearest baby. I want you to know that I love you more than the moon, stars, and galaxies. I hope that when you look at the stars, you remember our nights lying under them. Your father and I spent years trying for you, and gods, I wanted you so badly—you are everything I dreamed of. You are courageous, intelligent, and beautiful. Please don’t let anyone make you feel otherwise. I need to share some essential things that I never had the chance to teach you. When you were born, we took you to be blessed by a priestess, as is the custom for most families. The priestess told me that when she touched you, she saw a vision that you had a fated mate, one who was a year older than you and born of nobility. I don’t know who it is, of course, but over the years, I’ve learned as much as I could about mates to prepare you.
When you meet him, you will feel something inside you that you’ve never felt when looking at someone. It’s believed that if you accept the bond and it is consummated, the two of you will have a direct line of communication—the more prolonged and more intense the bond, the more distance it allows. Make sure it’s a bond you want before you consummate it. That really seals the mating bond. It’s believed that if you and your mate are separated for a long time, your magical abilities will start to diminish until you’re reunited. Your father is considered one of the most powerful Riders, which means you will also be a powerful Rider when you are allowed to channel and bond with a flier. If you find him before you’re bonded and haven’t learned how to shield your mind, you will need to learn how to do so.
The emotions of your mate and a dragon can become overwhelming. You have always felt deeper than most. Once you find him, don’t fight it or run away. And no, it’s not Alexander. Hopefully, you find each other before it’stoo late, like some others. Some secrets aren’t mine to share, and I hope, my dear, they won’t crush you when you learn them. Another thing, and this is the most important part. Don’t trust anyone, not even your father. Things are happening in the military that aren’t as they should be. Magic is being twisted in unnatural ways. Experiments are occurring that shouldn’t be. Don’t dig too deep and get yourself into trouble. Stay to yourself, but don’t join any elite squads doing special missions. Please, my sweet girl, don’t be the hero. I love you so very much. I am so sorry I can’t be there to tell you everything you need to know.
Love,
