Page 30 of Inheritance
"It is, isn't it?" I responded, thinking about why that was. "Perhaps the familiarity of a nickname wasn't something I was ready for. I had an image of what you would be like as my mate, and I equated it with your full name."
Cocking her head at me in confusion, I explained, "It may just be a nickname, but it's also so much more than that. You're Ama the friend. Ama the daughter. Ama the princess."
Her eyes pooled with sorrow at the reminder of her loved ones, and I breathed out, "You're Ama...the beautiful and enrapturing woman who is loved by multiple men. Calling you Amare kept that formality that helped me forget you had outside attachments—those who love you and have the closeness to refer to you as Ama."
Leaning forward, I rested my elbows on my knees. "I need you to answer my next two questions honestly," I stated and waited for her nod of understanding.
"If something happened to any of them....your mates....like what you claimed happened earlier," I tacked on, my tongue hating the words rolling off it, "How would you feel?"
Her face hardened, and she looked ready for battle, "It felt like a piece of me was dying."
I couldn't hold back the flinch at her words.
"And how would you feel if I was injured or killed?"
Her mouth parted slightly, and she stuttered, "I....I don't know."
Those were the only answers I needed.
Understanding dawned on her face as I bit my bottom lip hard, preparing myself for what I was about to say. It wasn't often, if ever, that I admitted I was wrong.
"I'm sorry, Ama. You were right when you said I'm a selfish man and that I put my wants and needs before everyone else," I admitted. "It's clear that my ideas about what we could have been are deluded at this point. I accept that I don't have a place in your heart. I accept that you don't think of me as your mate."
Perhaps it was just wishful thinking, but I thought she looked crestfallen at my words. Though I knew that wasn't possible after the way I had treated her.
So, I'd be the decent man she was so adamant was somewhere within me for just one moment as I made this final decision. I would go back to sleep and let Ama and her mates have their moment.
With a snap of my fingers, I lifted the lock on her power and called forth a portal to the Kingdom of Pura, easily locating her mates. The black, swirling vortex glimmered, symbolizing the end of this journey for her and me.
Unable to hold back the tears stinging my eyes—a sensation I hadn't felt in eons, since I’d realized for the first time that my family had cast me out and I was alone in this realm—I let the few tears fall down my face. Letting her see that I did feel sorrow and regret for all of this.
"Luce..." she breathed out as she stood and took a few steps towards me.
Holding my hand up for her to stop, I said my goodbye. "Go live the life you deserve to have with those who treat you properly. Become the queen I know you will be."
Before she had a chance to respond, and before I could change my mind, I flung the portal at her and watched as every inch of her was swallowed up by it.
She was gone, and it was time for me to go back to sleep.
Perhaps all I would ever be was the shadow in the lives of all the people around me.
Perhaps it was better if I wasn't here. I'd never be worthy of my family or my mate.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Ama
Ihadn’t thought it was possible to feel any more heartbreak than I already had... but fuck, was I wrong. Luce’s words and the broken expression on his face would be imprinted on my subconscious forever. My eyes stung with tears as I covered my mouth, a sob escaping me, only to be lost in the portal that wrapped around me. I had no idea where I was going to land, but I knew that when I opened my eyes, everything would be different, and I would need to adapt quickly.
When the light hit my eyes, the first thing I experienced was the sound of battle. Metal clashed against metal. The scent of blood saturated the earth. The spark of elemental magic filled the air. I curled in on myself automatically as I hit the ground, and I felt all the heartbreak from my exchange with Luce turn to anger as I realized the fucker had literally portaled me into the center of chaos. I had no idea what type of chaos, but I could hear shouting all around me, along with the savage growls of Hellhounds.
Did he not care for my safety like he claimed?Asshole.
“Ama?!” A hoarse voice had me snapping my head up as I squinted, sinking into the blood-soaked earth beneath me. I felt so disoriented, and I knew I needed to get focused because I wasn’t safe, but a wave of nausea had me nearly puking. Oh man, Luce might have released my powers, but I could now feel very acutely how drained and weak I was after trying to break through the walls this morning for hours.
Two strong arms wrapped around me tightly as Jace’s scent filled my nostrils and had me immediately letting out a small sob of relief. I was back with my mates.
I buried myself against his chest as I heard him shout something. The air that had been heavy with tension and violence was suddenly replaced by cool shadows. I closed my eyes and only opened them again when my back hit soft grass. He must have used his Wraith side to transport us with the shadows.
