Page 55 of Oracle
She cares for you, Kira. I do not think she would do something cruel just for the sake of it.
Despite her words, I could sense Lux blocking me from her thoughts and it made my stomach churn with dread. Was she being honest with me or was she just telling me what would keep me calm right now?
Taking a deep breath, hoping that she was right about Selene, I walked towards the Goddess, realizing that I was wearing a soft dress as well now. The black silk material swished around my legs and bare feet with each step. There must have been a slight train on it, for I felt it tugging behind me as I went.
Glancing down, the neckline plunged to just above my belly button, showing a sensual, yet tasteful amount of cleavage in the halter style top, not that I had a whole lot to flaunt, regardless.
Reaching the edge, I gently lowered myself to the ground, pulling the material of my dress up enough to dip my legs in the warm water up to my mid-calf. Taking deep breaths, I tried to calm down and not jump to the worst conclusion, but honestly, with my previous interactions with Selene, I was never told anything that ruled in my favor.
We sat in silence with each other for a few moments until she asked curiously, “Do you know about this soul residing within you?”
I meant to stay calm and collected at her question, rationally explaining who Lux was and all she had done for us in hopes that she wouldn’t send her away. But, word vomit took over, and I spewed my thoughts out in a rush as I turned and grabbed her hands resting in her lap. “Selene, please don’t take her from me!” I cried, “She’s all I have left in this life now. I love her and can’t bear the thought of losing the last person I care about. I need her. Please.”
Her gaze softened as she frowned slightly, taking one of her hands from my grasp and reaching out to stroke my cheek. “But does she want to stay here with you? Have you asked her that?”
Her questions hit me hard, leaving me spiraling within seconds. She was right, I hadn’t thought to ask Lux that. I had only thought of myself and my wants, selfishly. Dropping my gaze to my lap, I mustered the courage to ask.
Lux?
I would like to stay here.
Her answer thrilled me, but yet it still felt like she was guarding something from me, preventing me from fully being relieved. Hesitantly, I relayed her answer to Selene, hope swelling in my chest that she would allow it.
As she nodded her head in acceptance, a small smile crept onto her face as she asked, “Would she like to have her own body back for her duration here?”
My jaw dropped to the damn floor at that question. That was an option?
Flustered by her question, I stumbled over my words, “You’ll do….what….how…”
Her signature tinkling laugh rang out as she leaned close and pulled me into a hug. “Oh, Kira. You have so much to learn. Your innocence is refreshing. Sometimes I forget you weren’t raised with the typical knowledge wolves possess, but I suppose the knowledge of souls goes even beyond that.”
My face was still in shock as she pulled away and explained, “Her soul has journeyed to my plane with you. This means that she is pure of heart as well. If she wishes, I will allow her to stay here with you. I will have a friend come to assist with separating your souls.”
Do it. I wish to be me again.
At first, I was joyous at the thought of having her here as a solid being with me. But a question was pulling at my mind, keeping me from being completely thrilled in this moment.
"Selene, how did you not feel her here with me the last time I was here?”
She had told me she felt my wolf there, clear as day when I was panicked over not feeling Lux within my mind.
After the Goddess removed her feet from the water and stood, she held a hand out for me to do the same. “I am hoping that my friend can explain that to me as well. Let’s go wait for them in my temple. I have sent out the call.”
Lux, this is amazing, but I have so many questions.
It truly is a gift. It will be strange being parted from you, but it will be invigorating to be my own person once more.
I agreed with her sentiments. My mind would feel too quiet without her in it, but she didn’t deserve to be trapped within me. She had already done so much for me and the shifters, in two lives.
As we walked up the steps to her temple, the large blue vats of fire burning brightly as always, I realized this meant I would lose my wolf. Was I even a shifter to begin with, or was that only because of Lux?
On one of the luxurious couches sat another beautiful woman, whom I could only assume was also a Goddess, due to the aura she gave off, similar to Selene.
The two women quickly embraced as Selene squealed, “Psyche, it’s been too long, my friend.”
Psyche was petite and slender, beautiful auburn hair that shone so brightly it was almost on the tip of my tongue to ask what products she used, but as soon as her striking blue eyes fell on me, my heart lodged itself in my throat.
They looked identical to Jameson’s.
