Page 76 of Gifted Destiny

“You read a lot of books. Don’t characters fall in love quickly all of the time?”

“Yes. It happens far too often – even for fiction. If it isn’t written properly, it feels ridiculous. I have a similar issue with happy-ever-after endings, though. Life isn’t perfect after marriage. People change, which means relationships change.” Ipress my lips together. “If I don’t stop speaking now, I could continue this subject for hours.”

“Fiction requires reality, though, right? It’s an elaboration – not a reinvention. I agree that happily-ever-after endings are a tool. They provide closure for the author and readers.” Bren’s tone is conversational as he unfolds the other chair. He sits facing me with his legs nearly parallel to mine. I like the lack of space between us. “I’m uncertain of your argument, though. Do you think someone can’t fall in love in a couple of days, or do you think that someone can’t fall in love with you in a couple of days?”

Ouch.The question is a pointed attack, but I don’t think Bren wants to hurt me. He’s simply pointing out the fallacy in my thinking. I decide not to answer him directly. “This depends on the definition of love; there are too many to count. Some of my wariness is because I’m still adapting to this new world, though. Before I arrived at the library, mates, destiny, and falling in love within days were fictional concepts.”

“You raise a crucial point regarding the definition of love,” Bren agrees. “Most mothers love their newborn children, but this love is motivated by physical hormones and evolutionary drive. The biological imperative to produce offspring similarly drives most adults. Lust can be a component of romantic love, but many claim that romantic love differs from sexual love.”

Bren pauses, but I don’t think he’s waiting for an answer. This is for the best because I’m too distracted by his beautiful eyes. When he holds my gaze for an extended period, I’m always amazed by their color and intensity. No matter the lighting, they are always the same pale green color – another challenge to my understanding of science and biology. I’m uncertain whether the lust I feel toward my mates is purely biological, but it plays a definitive role in my affections.

“Ultimately, love is just a word; it only carries the power we give it,” Bren continues. His voice is naturally soothing, but I don’t have difficulty focusing because his intellect is fascinating. “Let’s compare a declaration of love to the promises we made to each other when we signed our contracts. Most children are taught that love is a worthy goal to strive toward, and I don’t disagree. What if love isn’t as separate as we think? What if it’s just a side effect of life? The promises and commitments we forge in life require intention and dedication but not always love.”

Bren’s brows draw together. I don’t know how to respond without sounding like an idiot, but he’s not finished yet.

"What I actually mean is that while love is a force to be reckoned with, it’s not necessarily a promise. Turning the confession of love into a promise of commitment often causes heartbreak and misunderstanding. Returning to the contracts – this is why I think they carry more weight than saying you love someone.”

His gaze turns apologetic. “Forgive me if this is rude, little lioness, but I think you’re focused on the wrong thing. Rather than questioning the existence of a chemical and biological reaction with little logical input, ask yourself whether you can respect, trust, and depend on the other person for the foreseeable future.”

I blink. How can I be offended when he makes so much sense? “How are you so wise?”

Bren’s lips tilt into a crooked grin, and the sun’s rays reflect off his raven hair. “I can see the future. I can see that the promises we made hold power equal to love.”

My mind whirls, and I have to clamp my jaw to keep the questions from spilling out. Does he mean that we won’t love each other fifty years from now? Do our promises prevent us from going our separate ways even after the love has faded?Or does the current lust-infused infatuation evolve into another version of the emotion? If we’re happy and secure, does it matter?

While the future might be open to interpretation, Bren’s genius is not. I am honored that his contract accompanies mine in the historical record. My grandmother spoke of an ultimate power, and I doubt Bren needs our help to achieve this – whatever it is. His humility regarding the power he wields is endearing and frightening.

I don’t want to possess him or his power, but I want to stand beside him as he fulfills his potential. An image of the contract I signed, blurry at the time but no longer, flares like a neon billboard. I promised to care for the guardians I selected; I promised to protect and serve them as they serve me. This promise includes offering them everything that I am, regardless of my insecurities surrounding what that entails. I can hold out on myself, but I can’t hold out on them.

Chapter 35

Bren

Iwish I could show Zosia the visions that prove my words. She’s starred as my motivation for as long as I can remember. The promise of her offered a reminder that I wouldn’t always be under my father’s thumb.

Unfortunately, changing my name and tradingFatherforAddingtonhasn’t canceled his power over me. I might have managed to distance myself from his cruelty, but the way he raised me still influences my actions and the threat of him refuses to cease.

While the others may scoff at the idea that we hold any power, I’ve seen the possibilities in my visions. The events we put into motion will send ripples throughout the supernatural community that will continue into the magicless population and spill from our world into the next.

Most people won’t notice anything, but that’s how the future changes. The shifts begin as mild quivers that barely measure on the Richter scale before they become tremors and evolve into earthquakes. Not every monumental event requires a monumental catalyst. Change could start with something insignificant – like a vampire returning an overdue book or a beleaguered older brother chasing his wayward sibling.

Years from now, when the campus feels as safe as the space inside her walls, we will look back on the little things that changed everything. One of those memories is bound to be this moment – a meeting of two mages who haven’t the faintest idea of how to be a mage.

“I want to not be afraid of him anymore. He still controls my actions and my mind in some ways, and I just want to be free.” The words present an abrupt mood and subject change but Zosia follows without difficulty.

“I understand. Even though they’re not physically restraining us, they still have so much power over us. If I allow it, they always will. They made me like this.” She motions toward her legs.

My visions had never revealed the extent of her injuries. This is probably for the best because I can’t help but think about how close she came to dying. I struggle with my desire tofixher – even if she doesn’t need to be fixed. I want to erase her emotional and physical pain. The puzzle-loving aspect of my brain is solution-driven, but I remind myself that problems are required to attain solutions.

“They tried to erase you, to destroy the only sphinx in existence, but they didn’t. That is power. Sometimes, I feel weak when I’m next to you. What good is raw power when it can’t be controlled or summoned? I also feel like a hypocrite. I want independence, but I need rules. Without someone to tell me what to do or offer a set of guidelines, I’d be lost.”

“If you’re a hypocrite, then I am too. Maybe all humans are. Maybe …, it’s a side effect of being human.” Zosia’s full, pink lips curve upward as she repeats the words I murmured earlier. When she smiles, the corners of her eyes crinkle into little folds. The sunlight glazes her with a natural, golden glow. She hadn’t looked this beautiful in my visions. If she had, I wouldn’t be struck dumb every time she looked at me.

Oblivious to my staring, my little lioness continues. “Craving independence doesn’t mean we crave chaos or solitude, especially considering our backgrounds. It’s natural to want to make our own decisions, but we should surround ourselves with people who will give us the freedom to do so and remind us of the reasons why we make those decisions. Does that make sense?”

I nod, but she doesn’t seem to need my answer. “Sometimes, the decisions we make have the same outcome that others want, but that doesn’t mean we are making the decision for them.”

Perhaps I’m reading into it, but I think she’s referring to the bond. Her words serve as a gentle reminder that my circumstances have changed. Addington forcing me into bed with an unknown woman to enhance my magic can’t be compared to the mate-bond. I know Zosia. I love her and desire her. My signature on the contract meansI chose this.

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