Page 25 of Eternal Mate

Our easy banter dwindled off as everyone else started waking up. Atlan and Zuzanna were the first to make their way outside, obviously heading out to patrol the small community we called home now. Auren was staring so intently, I didn’t know how they couldn’t feel it.

“I’m sure they’d be thrilled if you talked to them,” I prodded. “I’m not the only one who’s been worrying over you.”

Auren sighed, his gaze fixed on Atlan and Zuzanna’s retreating figures. “I know, I just... I don’t want them to see me like this, weak and broken. I’m supposed to be their leader, their pillar of strength.”

“They understand, Auren,” I reassured gently. “They’ve seen you at your best, and they’ve seen you at your worst. They know that grief takes time to heal, and they’ll be there for you every step of the way—if you’ll let them.”

He remained silent for a second, his thoughts weighing heavily on his mind.

“I know you’re right,” he trailed off, the silent ‘but’ lingering in the air between us as his two friends broke off to go their separate ways. I tried not to let him see my disappointment.

“Atlan is hurting too,” I said as he continued to stare, and he let out a sharp breath.

We were all hurting in our own ways. Nobody had managed to escape losses, but at least Atlan and Auren could say that they’d lost both of their loved ones in the same fight. That had to give them some sort of connection, right?

“I haven’t told him I’m sorry about Kiran yet,” Auren murmured, sounding guilty. “I don’t know that ‘sorry’ will ever be enough.”

“It won’t.” I ignored his flinch. “But it’s a start. You can’t blame yourself for all of our losses—every single person who fights with us knows exactly what we’re getting into, Auren. Atlan doesn’t blame you for Kiran’s death, just like nobody blames you for Kiyomasa’s. That blame rests solely on our father and his insane agenda.”

Auren’s expression softened, gratitude shining through when he looked at me again. “Thank you, Sariel. I’m lucky to have you as my brother.”

The sun had fully risen now, casting a warm glow over the surrounding landscape. We stayed there for a while longer, sharing stories and laughter, allowing the healing power of the morning to seep into our souls.

As we eventually made our way back to the apartment, the weight on my shoulders felt a little lighter.

10

DEMON DANCE

ARIA

I was making my way to the dining hall, thoughts racing with wordless dread, when I spotted a wolf trotting down the street in my direction. It was long-legged and thin, black with silver feathering.

It took me a minute to remember this was Ashe. He seemed to be alone—no Elias or Auren.

I debated on whether to call to him or not when he was about to pass, since the way he was running and focused on the road ahead made it seem like he was too busy to talk. He spotted me before I could come to a decision, though.

“Hey there, Aria,” he said, while… still in wolf form? What?

My mouth hung open and eyes widened out of shock.

He grinned at my reaction, revealing all of his sharp fangs. “You seem surprised,” he said coyly. “Never seen a talking dog before?”

Of course I hadn’t. I shook my head. “You can do that?”

“I can talk in any form I take. Demon hybrid privileges, I’m guessing. Are you jealous?”

“A little.”

His grin grew.

I had to say, it was really, really weird to see a wolf attempt human expressions. I wasn’t sure if I liked it, but it was pretty fascinating.

A desire to ask him for details—and therefore distract myself from my growing panic—suddenly arose within me. “Was that portal a demon hybrid privilege, too?”

He paused for a second, cocking his head to the side in thought. “I guess so. It was news to me that I could even make those before I panicked, and I’m still not great at them.”

“Really? You’ve never made them before.”

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