“I’ve said something that made you sad.” Although he says this as a statement, I recognize it’s also a question.
“It’s all right,” I reassure him. “Just memories.”
“Of what?”
My bottom lip quivers, and I bite it softly to make it stop before I finally find my voice.
“My mom and sister.”
“Did something happen to them?”
Emotions lodge in my throat, but I somehow manage to speak around them.
“They both died a few years ago. They were the only family I had.” An unbidden tear escapes my lashes, but I quickly brush it away.
“I’m so sorry, Kyra,” he whispers. “My parents died when I was little. It’s awful being alone. I’m sorry you lost them.”
“Thank you. I rarely talk about them. It’s…” My voice hitches.
“Painful,” he finishes my sentence, and I nod. “But I’ve found it helps me a bit to speak of them,” he adds.
I blink back tears as the memories flood my mind.
“I’m sorry about your parents too, Cael,” I whisper as I take his hand, squeezing it gently. “How did you lose them?”
“A car accident when I was six years old.” He sighs. “I don’t have many memories of them, but the ones that I do… I know I was loved.”
“My mom and my sister died the same way. We’d gone to celebrate my little sister’s graduation and… on the way home there was a bad storm. Somehow my mom lost control of the car and we crashed.” My voice quavers softly. “I was the only survivor.”
He sits up and wraps his arms around me, running a hand soothingly up and down my back. “Oh, Kyra. I’m so sorry,” he whispers. “That must have been terrible.”
Unable to speak through my emotions, I nod.
When we finally pull away, he lies down and I do the same. He reaches his hand up and takes mine. With our fingers entwined, we lay there together. The silence between us is neither uncomfortable nor awkward because everything about Cael feels so familiar to me. As if I’ve known him my entire life.
A smile quirks my lips as more memories fill my mind. I remember when we first met in our last life. We were only seventeen. He’d been sent from Earth to train with our best knights so he could become my guard. He was so handsome as he stood before me, pledging his eternal fealty.
After a while, my eyelids blink open and closed as I struggle to stay awake. I look down at Cael once more, and he smiles up at me.
“Goodnight, Kyra.”
“Goodnight, Cael.”
Chapter 15
Cael
She falls asleep, still holding my hand, and despite my discomfort from such an awkward position of holding up my arm, I’m reluctant to let go. I fight the urge to close my eyes, wanting to stay awake as long as possible. Even though I trust Willow and Talina, I haven’t forgotten that Kyra and I are being hunted.
I know I should rest, but it’s hard to still my mind. Myriad images float through my thoughts both of my previous life and of this one. In our old life, Kyra and I were lovers. I’m certain of it. Our relationship was forbidden. I do not know why it was so, I only know that it led to her death somehow. Surely that must be what Talina was trying to warn me about.
Closing my eyes, I vow that I will not make the same mistake again. I cannot deny that I am drawn to Kyra, but I cannot allow myself to fall in love with her. Not in this life. I will not let my feelings put her in danger like they did before.
Closing my eyes, I allow myself to drift away into sleep.
Sunlight filters in through the curtain, casting a soft orange glow through the room. I sit up and find Kyra still asleep in the bed, her blond hair spread out beneath her head like a beautiful halo. Long, blond lashes fan over soft pink cheeks and her lips are partially open in a small o. She is so lovely, she appears ethereal—angelic as she sleeps.
My fingers flex and extend with want to touch her, but I force myself to hold back. I am completely captivated as I stare down at her asleep in the bed.
As if knowing how much I long to study her luminous blue eyes, her eyelids flutter and open, and she gives me a sleepy smile.
“Good morning.”
“Good morning. Are you hungry?”
She nods.
“I’ll go find out what there is to eat. I’ll be back shortly.”
She stretches her arms over her head and rolls onto her side. My gaze travels over her lithe form a moment before I force myself to look away. No matter how much I want her, she cannot be mine. I am her guard and it is my job to protect her. That is all that matters.
When I step out into the living area, Willow and Talina are already awake, and the small table in the kitchen is set with two plates for me and Kyra.
Willow studies me with a piercing gaze as I approach.
“Talina said she sensed something when she took your hand.”
I dart a glance at her daughter and nod. “Yes. We are supposed to find four guards.”
The old woman lifts her upturned palm out to me. “May I read you?”
I don’t see the harm. Besides, I’m desperate for answers or any information that can help us. Cautiously, I take her hand.
She closes her eyes and bows her head. A subtle warmth travels across my palm as light glows softly around our joined hands. After a moment, she lifts her eyes to study mine in concern.
“The God of Creation granted your wish, but not in the way that you think.”
I stare at her in confusion. “What do you mean?”
“The other four guards… they are connected to you. It is… strange…” she finally says, her voice trailing off as she stares at the opposite wall with a faraway look.
“How so?” I ask, anxious
