Page 56 of Chains of Nightshade

My fingers tingle with magic. "Where do you live?"

"High in the northern mountains, in a sanctuary hidden from the world. No man has ever found it." She waves her hand, and an image appears in the air—a magnificent temple carved into a mountainside, surrounded by mist and magic. "We live apart from the world, dedicated to our craft and each other."

"And what exactly do Purnas do?"

"We maintain balance. Some heal, others destroy. Some command the elements, others see into minds and hearts." Her lips curve. "Your power seems particularly strong in both creation and destruction. Rare, that combination."

I think of how easily I obliterated those dark elves, yet also healed Aurel. "Can you teach me to control it?"

"Yes, but..." She pauses, her expression softening. "You must understand, Vera. The coven accepts no outsiders. No men, no attachments. To join us means leaving everything behind."

"Everything?" My voice cracks. "Even?—"

"Especially him." Her words cut like ice. "The naga cannot follow where we go. Our magic requires complete dedication, complete separation from the outside world."

The weight of her words settles over me like a shroud. To learn who I am, I would have to leave who I've become.

I look down at the cave where Aurel waits, his massive form visible even from this distance. My heart clenches as I watch him pace, his tail lashing with anxiety. He thinks I'm going to leave him.

"Your decision?" Czana asks, her voice gentle but firm.

The image of the temple still shimmers in the air between us, beautiful and mysterious. Everything I've ever wanted to know about myself lies within those walls. But...

"I can't," I whisper, my voice stronger than I expected. "I won't leave him."

"You would choose a naga over your heritage? Over true power?"

I turn to face her fully, squaring my shoulders. "I choose love. He's not perfect - neither am I. But he's mine, and I'm his."

"The coven could teach you things he never could."

"Maybe." My magic pulses beneath my skin, and I think of how Aurel looked when he took that fatal blow for me, how he offered himself as my slave, how he's changed because of our love. "But he taught me the most important thing - that I'm worth loving."

"Sister-"

"I'm not your sister." The words come out firm, final. "I'm his mate. And that means more to me than any sanctuary or power you could offer."

I glance back at the cave, at Aurel, and my heart swells. "He's my home now. That's all I need to know about who I am."

Czana sighs, but there's a hint of respect in her eyes. "Very well. The choice is made."

We make our way back down to the cave, my heart lighter despite Czana's disapproval. Aurel's tail is still lashing anxiously when we approach, his muscles coiled tight with tension.

"You're staying?" The hope in his voice makes my chest ache.

I reach for his hand, twining our fingers together. "Always."

Czana watches our interaction with a mix of resignation and something that might be understanding. "You'll regret this choice, sister. The power within you needs proper guidance."

"Maybe." I squeeze Aurel's hand. "But I'd regret leaving him more."

She steps forward, and I feel her magic brush against mine one last time. "When that day comes, seek the northern mountains. We'll be waiting."

To my surprise, she pulls me into an embrace. Her arms are warm, and for a moment, I feel what could have been—a sisterhood, a belonging I've never known.

"Thank you," I whisper against her shoulder. "For showing me I'm not alone in this world."

She pulls back, her eyes soft. "You never were." Her gaze flicks to Aurel. "Take care of her, naga. She's more precious than you know."

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