Page 56 of Dark Awakening: Hidden Currents

Ell-rom's expression softened, but there was still a hint of hurt in his eyes. "I know you mean well, but I need to learn to navigate this world on my own terms. I'm not an impulsive person, and I know what I can handle and what I need help with."

"You're absolutely right. I'll do my best to keep in check my overprotective instincts."

A moment of silence stretched between them, not uncomfortable but charged with unspoken emotions. Finally, Ell-rom broke it. "How's Rob?"

Grateful for the change of subject, Jasmine launched into an explanation of Rob's situation, and as she spoke she watched Ell-rom's face, seeing the empathy and understanding dawning in his eyes.

When she finished, he shook his head. "Poor Rob. To have someone you love turn on you like that must be devastating."

Jasmine nodded. "It is, but I believe that it's for the best. Lynda clearly wasn't right for him, and now Rob's world is about to change dramatically for the better, but it will take him time to realize that."

"Does Rob know about the spying device Margo put on his mate?" Ell-rom asked.

"No. But I imagine it will come out soon. All the secrets are about to be revealed."

A soft chuckle escaped Ell-rom. "I was in Rob's situation not too long ago."

"You didn't have a cheating fiancée," she teased, trying to lighten the mood.

"No," Ell-rom agreed. "But I didn't know who and what I was. It was pretty profound to find out, and there is still a lot to learn."

The weight of his words hung in the air between them. Jasmine thought back to those first few days after Ell-rom had awakened, the confusion and fear in his eyes as he grappled with his new reality. She had been so focused on protecting him, on helping him adjust, that she hadn't fully appreciated the magnitude of what he was going through.

"I can't even imagine." She reached for his hand. "How are you really doing with all of this?"

Ell-rom was quiet for a long moment, his thumb tracing circles on the back of her hand. "It's overwhelming. There are moments when I feel like I'm drowning in all the new information, all the things I need to learn and remember, but then there are moments like this. Moments with you, where everything feels right. Where I feel anchored."

The honesty of his words brought tears to Jasmine's eyes. She leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. "I'm glad I can be your anchor," she whispered.

40

ROB

At the sound of the front door opening, Rob winced.

The last thing he wanted was to smile and be civil to Mia and her rich fiancé, but he was curious to learn about the earth-shattering news Tom was about to impart.

It would have been better if they had waited at least one day to visit so he could gather the broken pieces of his heart and pretend to be whole, but they were here, and he had to deal with them as best he could.

With a sigh, he looked up and was surprised to see Mia enter, walking on what he assumed were her prosthetic legs. She must have gotten a new and advanced model because her gait looked completely natural. He had known Mia for most of her life, and since losing her legs, she had never walked so well.

Still, that wasn't as jarring as the guy walking in next to her.

He'd heard Margo talk about Mia's fiancé being movie-star handsome and richer than the devil himself, but he'd thought that his sister had exaggerated. As it turned out, she'd downplayed the guy's god-like appearance.

Why had Tom chosen Mia when he could have any woman on earth?

The pair made no sense.

Mia was a lovely young woman, pretty, sweet, and talented, but she was not in the same league as her guy. According to Margo, Tom had taken her to Switzerland to see a world-renowned expert for her heart condition. The treatment she'd gotten there and the protocol they had prescribed had restored her health, and evidently, he'd also gotten her much better prosthetics.

Rob rose to his feet and approached the couple. "Mia, it is so good to see you." He leaned down and kissed her cheek. "You look amazing." He turned to the fiancé and offered him his hand. "I assume you are the man responsible for Mia's good health."

"You could say that." The man shook his hand. "I'm Tom, or Toven to my close friends."

After that introduction, Rob wasn't sure what he should call the guy. Margo had always referred to him as Tom, so maybe that was what he should use.

"I think I'll stick with Tom for now. I'm Rob. Thank you for helping Mia and for coming here on such short notice."

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