Chosen One

by Scarlett Dawn

  “And how might the awakening have happened naturally?”

  “Extreme emotion.” His head cocked. “It almost happened in here that day I spied on you, didn’t it?” His gaze was watchful. “I felt the stirring inside you. It pulled at me.”

  “If you’re talking about,” I rubbed at my chest again, the feeling odd, “the fury and the tiger bit, that would a yes.” My own gaze was watchful. “When did you…awaken? Because you’ve done the tiger thing before.”

  His lips twitched. “The night we were in the kitchen.”

  I thought that through, realizing he was saying it had happened for him when he was turned on. “Then awakening and,” I fluttered a hand, “the connecting, or whatever that just was, are two separate occurrences?”

  “They can be, but it’s only ever triggered by the One to the Chosen, or vice versa. Once the second individual awakens, the connection between the two is instantaneous. I imagine the reason why there wasn’t sound erupting from you when you did awaken is because of the comatose state you were in.”

  I nodded once, agreeing with this since I had felt it. “While I was trapped inside my own body, you said I’m your other half. Exactly what does that mean? And what is the Chosen?”

  “Other half, means exactly that. We fit. Perfectly. Your strengths and weakness offset my strengths and weaknesses. And mine offset yours. Body and mind and heart and soul, we are one when we are together.” His head tilted at the others in the room. “As for what being the Chosen means, I cannot explain it with others listening.”

  Spirit secrets.

  I moved on for now. “We’re bound. I can feel that. How closely related to mates is that to what we are?”

  “We run parallel. Not on the same line, but very similar. The simple point being, you are mine, and I am yours by the magic gifted to us, just like mates, but,” his smile was small, “as where spirit Elementals are always concerned, it is a choice in the end.”

  I blinked slowly. “We don’t have to accept this binding?”

  He shook his head. “The binding is irreversible. You are the Chosen by birth, just as I am the One by birth. Our fates are always meant to be as one. We will forever be bound because we belong together, but whether we are…is our choice.”

  I was pretty sure I heard King Collins quiet exhalation as he squeezed my shoulder, but I kept my expression blank, exalted I had a damn choice in this matter, the still effective arousal making sense, but I still needed more information. “If you had the Primal Diamond for so long, then why didn’t you try to use it periodically to find the Chosen…me?” If I mattered that damn much, then why hadn’t he tried to find me sooner?

  He actually chuckled quietly, the tone a quiet timbre. “I actually did and failed many times, even knowing the Chosen is not revealed until,” his head teetered in thought, “well, the Chosen is revealed through Tristan.” White brows lifted a bit. “And not soon after he apparently did this, my Primal Diamond was stolen.”

  “My diamond,” I mumbled, now understanding the magic that is Tristan, the One’s Lance, not unlike a Vizoac, had found me…just as he had revealed the One many years ago. I cleared my throat. “So Tristan’s mine, just as much as he’s yours?”

  Leric choked on a chuckle, eyeing me with amusement. “Is Isolde also mine?”

  “Not the same.” I sniffed down my nose at him, daring him to argue with me, and wisely, he stayed silent, but his silver eyes continued to sparkle with mirth. “Does this mean I get one of those fancy diamond thrones?”

  Not able to contain himself, his head fell back, a throaty laugh echoed throughout the room, his shoulders shaking merrily.

  “Shut up.” I covered my feet that had come untucked, trying to ignore the fact his laughter was really nice. “I am a woman. And a spirit Elemental. The two go hand-in-hand for diamonds.”

  Still chuckling, silver eyes dipped back to mine, and he stated quietly, “Yes, you are definitely those two things.” And…there was enough heat in his gaze and his words to melt the damn diamond throne I was imagining for myself.

  My tiny finger waggled out of the blanket. “Enough of that,”

  “For now.”

  I cleared my throat pointedly. “Anyway…” I blinked, remembering how most of the spirits had eyed me inside the Temple, and my lips curved a bit cruelly. “Actually, I do want that diamond throne, but mixed with black onyx and pink sapphires.”

  Again, his lips trembled, and he rested his arms behind him, sitting easily as he drawled lazily, “I can imagine their faces now.”

  I snickered, and it sounded damn evil. “The Upper Families will faint dead.”

  Deadpanned. “And that would be a terrible shame.”

  We both chuckled a bit at that, but when King Collins cleared his throat quietly, a gentle reminder to stay on task, I quickly steered back from the realm of retribution, and asked, “Will being the Chosen take time away from my current, and soon to be, duties?”

  His brows lifted the barest bit. “If I had to be the King Elemental, would it take time from my duties as the One?”

  That was code talk, but it was easy enough to decipher. “How much time are we talking?”

  He shrugged one shoulder. “You chose this life. The protection you wear gave you access to your current position. And your birthright made you the Chosen.” One brow lifted. “It’s safe to assume, you are going to be a very busy individual doing both.”

  I rubbed my forehead at that, already feeling the drain. “Wonderful.” I flicked my finger between the two of us, dreading this question even worse. “Will I be doing what you do?”

  Careful, quiet words as he watched me intently. “We’ll be working side-by-side.”

  I felt the blood drain from my face, feeling instantly faint.

  “That’s not a good thing, I take it?” King Collins asked, peering down at me, then to Leric.

  Leric sighed heavily, not taking his gaze from mine. “It’s the reason she hates using her powers in the first place.”

  Yep…I was going to throw up. “Trashcan…need a trashcan.” It must have really showed, because a few of them dove for the small thing, King Zeller getting to it fastest, handing it me…just so I could stare down into its depths and tremble fiercely, trying to keep it down.

  Instantly, I felt a shove of cooling tranquility transfuse my body, and I sucked in a harsh breath as my body relaxed instantly, my gaze flying to Leric’s.

  He shrugged a shoulder where he sat lazy on the floor, stating casually—I could tell trying not to scare me, “The bond’s not all bad. It has its perks.”

  I licked my lips, and nodded once, but stated, “Don’t do that too often. Emotions are there for a reason.” Like telling you when you’re in over your head. I set the trashcan aside. “I need to get used to this someway.”

  His head cocked slightly, still sending his own subtle peace down the bond. “You want me to take it away?”

  Um…no. “I’d rather puke in private.”

  “Alright.” He stretched his legs out in front of him, and didn’t relent with his peace. “What other questions do you have that I’m able to answer in front of the others?”

  “Your speed,” I stated factually. “Do I have that now that I’m the Chosen?”

  His lips curved. “You’ve always been the Chosen. And, yes. You will. In time.”

  I stared pointedly.

  “You’re still young.”

  Ah. Okay, so…”Will I get one of those,” I waved a pointed finger around my head, “in time, also?”

  “A halo?”

  “Leric.”

  He chuckled, and nodded. “Yes. In time. Just a bit more feminine.”

  I blinked, and then automatically raised a hand from the blanket toward my King, not even glancing in his direction.

  He instantly high fived me.

  That fucking rocked, no matter what else was going on. That crown was intimidation without anyone even knowing what the hell it actually meant. The big, ba
d all in a crown.

  Leric chuckled, shaking his head. “And with it…”

  A roll of my eyes. “…comes a lifetime of great duty.” I waved my hand before tucking it back under the blanket because, apparently, being the Chosen was correlated to the One, which was a forever duty, until death. “Whatever. I still get a…halo.”

  “Yes, you do.” White arched brow lifted a bit. “And a duty that would not have been gifted to you if you couldn’t handle it.”

  I swallowed hard, thanking the fact he was still gifting me with his peace. “When does that start? My duty for being the Chosen?”

  “Now that we’re bound, you’ve feel the,” his nose crinkled, glancing at the others, “pull…whenever I do.”

  Wonderful. “How often is that?”

  “A few times a week. Sometimes less. Sometimes more.” His eyes narrowed a bit on the others now. “Depending on how the world turns.”

  Ah. “Maybe it’s a good thing I’m going to be Queen.” Keep the damn peace as much as I could.

  His head cocked, and he instantly stared off to the side.

  Immediately following this…I felt a vibration…on the tether connecting us. “What is that?” I shivered at the odd sensation. Stalled. My eyes flew wide, and I damn near started hyperventilating. “It’s not happening now, is it?” My voice was piercing. “No, no, no, no. I haven’t even had time,” my hands were shooting out the blanket, fluttering about, “to process any of this! It cannot be happening-”

  “Shh. Calm down,” Leric murmured in my mind. “It’s just my mom. She’s talking to me.”

  “Oh.” I cleared my throat, my cheeks flushing a bit as most everyone in the room stared at my overtly faint-hearted reaction to something unseen, or felt, by them. “Right.” I nodded once. “Tell her I said hi. And the next time I’m at the Temple we have a date for French silk pie.”

  Leric’s lips trembled a bit, even as he stared off at nothing, then he breathed a puff of air, stars twinkling, then instantly disappearing, his gaze coming back to me. “She’ll hold you to that.”

  My stomach growled. “I hope so. That’s the best damn pie I ever had.”

  King Collins appeared a bit wide-eyed, but he cleared his throat again.

  I blinked…and couldn’t think of a damn thing to ask after that. “I think that’s all I’ve got for now, but the others,” a waved hand at the room, “may have questions, if you’re able to answer.”

  As one…every single person started speaking over each other.

  They shut up, all at once, glaring at one another silently.

  Bless Leric, his lips didn’t even tremble, just continued sitting easily on the ground, watching me.

  I cleared my throat pointedly. “How about we go in turns. King Collins?” My King took a deep breath in, expression banking on fascinated…and I interrupted, stating clearly, “One question at a time, then we’ll swing it to the next person.”

  His eyes narrowed the barest bit. He paused in apparent thought, probably, coming up with his most desired question. Bounced his leg a bit, then blurted on a rush, “Does the Chosen mean she can choose to allow certain Mysticals of other factions into the Temple?”

  My lips couldn’t help but tremble in amusement, even as Leric only answered solemnly in code, “That would be a bad assumption, King Collins.” His head cocked, eyes flicking to me, and I saw a bit of mischievousness in them before they turned to my King. “But…the One and the Chosen have the right of entry for any Lajak to the Temple in concerns of protection for themselves.”

  Even I stared. “Really?”

  His lips curved a bit cruelly. “Again, in regards to protection for themselves.” White brows lifted simply. “After all, our protection is monumental to all.”

  Ohhh. “God, I could have so much fun with this.”

  “My turn,” Queen Ruckler interjected, uncharacteristically bouncing a bit on her seat. “So, to clarify,” hands fluttered, “if Ms. Jules felt the need for a guard,” brows puckered, “a Lajak, I believe you said…she could pick…say,” a quick finger point to herself, “me, and then, I could go to the Temple?”

  I placed a quick fist in front of my mouth, trying not to laugh my ass off, watching the normally staid Queen Bitch avidly giving begging and pleading eyes to Leric.

  Leric answered her evenly somehow. “Yes, after she gave you,” his head teetered, “a breath of air, which I believe a few in this room already have.” Ah, my protection. “But, there are restrictions. She can only have eight Lajaks. They have to enter with her or die instantly at the entrance. They will be bound to never communicate of what they encounter because our secrecy is not bound inside the Temple, our sanctuary for free living and speech. It is a lifetime obligation, only taken away by the One or the Chosen, if they feel the Lajak is unfit. The rest of our guard, as you know, are named Guardians, therefore, spirit Elementals.”

  Damn…there was practically a shuddering in the air of barely contained challenge as they eyed one another.

  I lifted a little finger. “You do realize…you would be under my direct command at the Temple? No King or Queen or Elder to my Prodigy hierarchy. I would be your sole responsibility to keep alive?” A point at my chest. “Me, the boss.” Finger flicked to them. “You, the guards.”

  And…boom.

  Roles reversed.

  Leric grinned, chuckling quietly in my mind. “Yes, my Chosen, I do believe you could have fun with this.” Brows lifted knowledgably. “But, remember, once you’re back here it all changes to their favor.”

  “Hush,” I mumbled through our connection. “Let me have a little fun with this before reality crashes it.”

  “Shit,” Queen Ruckler muttered, apparently not caring about me being the boss, nibbling on her nails. “There are really only seven positions up for the taking, not eight.”

  Elder Jacobs instantly pointed a finger to Leric. “He said there were eight. How the hell are you coming up with seven?” His eyes narrowed. “You don’t think you automatically get a place as a Lajak, do you?” His finger jammed in my direction, still glaring at her. “She doesn’t even like you.”

  “Hey now,” I mumbled quickly. “I never said that. I actually admire the bitch she is.” My eyes flared wide in shock, realizing what I had just said, gaze darting to her. “That was meant respectfully, of course.” I flicked a finger between the two of us as she glared a bit. “I actually think we have a lot in common.”

  She snorted, then went back to nibbling on her nail. “How will you decide?”

  “Without outside interference,” I stated honestly and with steel behind my tone. “But, you were right. There are only seven positions available.”

  Yellow eyebrows snapped together, and Elder Jacobs asked, “Why seven?”

  Elder Merrick grunted, resituating himself on the couch, and I firmly tried to keep my gaze off him as he ran a hand through his curls, the movement jerky, his tone growly irritated. “Have you not been paying any damn attention?” Another grunt. “Sin…Sin takes the first spot.”

  My lips curved a bit. Of course, he did. It was always Sin.

  “Speaking of Sin…” King Zeller murmured, his head cocking oddly.

  Silver eyes pierced mine, grabbing my attention, speaking in my mind. “If he’s allowed access to the Temple…”

  Ah…the reason I had forsaken the Temple in the first place. I pushed through our connection. “This is my home, Leric.”

  His lips lifted a bit sadly. “I had to try.”

  “I know.”

  Another irked growl from Elder Merrick. “Most consider it rude for two mates to use their mate gift while in the middle of a conversation with others.” His wolf huffed quietly, and then he growled, “It’s considered poor etiquette, especially, done as obviously as you two are.”

  I blinked slowly, even as I watched silver eyes slowly travel to Elder Merrick, and Leric lifted his brows a bit, stating idly, “I guess it’s a good thing I could care less about etiquette where
my Chosen is concerned.”

  “I do so hate to interrupt,” King Zeller stated on a drawl as they eyed each other. “But,” a head tilt toward the door with a small smile, “I believe Sin is…” He stopped, his lips trembling fiercely. “Never mind.”

  The door banged open, and Sin rushed inside, muttering a curse under his breath, appearing frantic and extremely pissed…while he wiped blood off his knuckles onto his black cargos, his emerald green eyes glowing fiercely. “Caro?”

  I was instantly on my feet, blanket left behind, moving toward him. “What’s wrong?”

  His eyes were directly scanning me from head to toe, and then he breathed out heavily, slamming the door closed behind him…just as I saw the hallway littered with an unconscious Frost and Farley. “I heard you were hurt.” His chest heaved again, glaring fiercely over my shoulder. “Badly.”

  I instantly touched his chest, running my hands up and down over his rigid muscles in a soothing gesture, even as he trembled the barest bit, talking to him gently. “I’m fine. I’m fine.” He grabbed my hips, pulling me against his hard body, trapping me against him, and I murmured against his chest. “Leric healed me. It was no one’s fault, but my own lack of knowledge.” I could practically feel his mind churning with Elder Merrick’s death. “Really, Sin. No one’s at fault and I’m okay.” I felt his hand slide from my hip, and I instantly grabbed it, his power he tried so hard to keep leashed, hidden, starting to leak. “Don’t even think about it.”

  He growled quietly and stopped reaching for his gun, instead, reaching up to thread his strong fingers into my hair, tipping my head back. Instantly, he dipped his head…and his lips were on mine. I froze inside his hold when he didn’t just press his lips softly, his normal caress.

  No…not normal…not as his wide, soft lips crushed mine.

  Stroked possessively.

  His other hand glided across my hip to the small of my back, pressing me against his hard, warm strength, even as his hand tightened in my hair, holding my face close.