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I still don’t understand why I’m the only one who can use these powers, but I do understand now that they didn’t come from nowhere. They didn’t force their way into my body to take over my life. They’ve always been there. They’ve always been a part of me.

I was never going to be able to fight them, beg them, or command them because I can’t fight, beg, or command myself.

“I am my mother’s daughter.” The words fall from my lips with intent, and my eyes close again.

The fire and wind reacted to my emotions because we are one and the same. The sconces on the wall flared when I was unhappy and wanted to burn—so I did. The wind held back an entire contingent of Alphas because I wanted to protect Shade—so I did.

And just like the fire and wind, the water will rise from the bowl and float through the air back to the lake in the cavern⁠—

“Fates…” At the sound of Branwen’s voice, I smile. I can feel the water, no longer in the bowl, no longer surrounding my fingers, but flowing through the Chamber and into the cavern.

I listen to Branwen’s hurried steps as she runs after it, and I don’t even need to look because I already know what she’s seeing. A stream of water gliding through the air, heading straight for the lake surrounding the platform. There, it hovers over the water before slowly—as though being poured from a pitcher—it spills back into the lake and becomes one with the very water it came from.

I place my hands in my lap, and when I hear Branwen’s excited breaths as she returns to the Chamber, I finally open my eyes. And smile.

“How?” She stops in front of me, eyes wide with awe and joy.

My smile widens into a grin, elation and satisfaction thrumming through me.

“I remembered where I came from.”

Chapter 38

Soren

Once we got Albertson situated, Caelan and I took Dax and Vae to the location of the cave-in. The entire way back to the castle, no one spoke. The moon had just risen, and the only sounds were the crunch of our boots over foliage, rodents scurrying through the brush, and Shade’s random chuffs as he herded us forward.

The panther had been waiting at the tree line when we’d started our trek, like he’d known we’d be out there and would need his help finding our way back. The vampires might have, but I was a creature of the forest. I could have found my way back blindfolded.

Everything looked the same, but I think we all just needed to go back out and check. That, and Dax and Vae demanded we take them in no uncertain terms.

There’s something different about those two. Something changed after their trip to Idril’s childhood home. Since the night I met him, Vaelenor’s always seemed like he’s in a constant struggle with his emotions, but now it’s worse. He usually never shuts up, but his quips and comments have decreased significantly. I glance over my shoulder where he’s walking slightly behind the rest of us and take in his tired eyes and perpetual frown.

Somehow, Daxen is actually worse, and I don’t know if that’s good or bad. The changes in the male are significant. He’s been enemy number one since pretty much the moment I arrived. Always argumentative, always so fucking sure of himself and unwilling to listen to anyone else.

Now, he looks like he’s been run over by a train. The only time I’ve seen him act even slightly like his cocky, controlled self was in the War Room with Albertson earlier. Otherwise, he looks like a man who’s just been told there’s irrefutable proof the world is flat, and he’s been forced to reconcile all his beliefs.

I don’t feel bad for either of them. I especially don’t feel bad about keeping it a secret that they’re Idril’s Fated Mates. I honestly don’t know how they haven’t sussed it out already, or at the very least suspected it. When I found out Caelan was her Fated Mate, I immediately assumed Dax and Vae were as well. They’ve got to be either lying to themselves or have blocked out the possibility completely.

Part of me can’t wait for the moment they find out and realize just how badly they’ve fucked up. Another part of me hates that this is happening at all, not for myself, but for Idril.

Because while Vae and Dax have no idea, Idril doesn’t have the same luxury. She knows, and she has to live with that knowledge every single day.

They’re fucking idiots if they think their Mate Bond will somehow erase everything that’s happened once they do find out the truth. She can’t hide it forever, and one way or another it’s going to come out. My Mate is strong, though. She won’t bend when the time comes. She’s always known her worth; she’s just never been in a position to demand what she deserves.

They have no idea just how strong she actually is. I don’t know any other Omega who can look her Fated Mates in the eyes as they hurt her over and over and over again without breaking completely.

It’s one reason I know she’ll come back to me and be alright. There’s no other possible outcome. She’s strong. A survivor. A fighter. The perfect Mate.

So while a part of me wants to go feral and start tunneling deep underground in a fruitless bid to rescue her, I know with unshakeable certainty that she doesn’t need me right now. Not for that.

Whatever’s happening, I have faith that she can handle it.

It’d be great if her other Mates could get on board.

I can’t blame Caelan. Not after he nearly died and woke up weeks later just to discover his Pack had committed the ultimate betrayal against him. He’s still a bit shell-shocked. He wants to protect her, and feels like he’s failed her somehow by getting captured and nearly dying, leaving her alone and vulnerable.

There’s still a lot of trauma there that he’s processing, so I don’t blame him for wanting to hover over her like a mother hen. As time goes on and he comes to trust that she won’t be ripped away from him the moment he’s not looking, he’ll loosen up a bit.