died for it. I should've understood how little saying she had in choosing her mate. It happened to be my brother. So what? I should've understood. Now he's dead."
"Do you think that's a coincidence?" I asked.
"What?" Her attention snapped to me.
"That one always dies."
She shrugged. "How would I know? We have two examples. That's not exactly years of research data."
"I'll come back later," Sofia mouthed next to me. I shook my head, signaling her to stay. My own guilt flared up as Amber continued.
"I think he knew she was lying to him and yet he stayed. If I supported them maybe he'll still be alive, and she wouldn't have turned into this thing that gorges on suffering and death. I was so preoccupied with my own self-pity, I didn't see how hard I was making it for everyone else."
Sofia rubbed her hand over her face. I could sense how uncomfortable she was, so I leaned over to squeeze her hand.
"Sorry you had to hear my rant. It wasn't my intention to ruin your day." Smiling apologetically, Amber walked out the door with Aidan following her. I turned to Sofia slowly, my own apology already lingering on my lips.
"She's gone through a lot," I said.
Sofia nodded. "The bond she described, is that what we have?"
Her question took me by surprise. I dwelled on it for a moment until it occurred to me that, even though I had been born into this world, Sofia was the one with the knowledge. She was the incarnation of a very powerful soul, a soul that might just hold the key to her own destiny and wisdom.
"I can sense you when you're not here," Sofia continued slowly. "I felt your emotions, and I can somehow feel your touch even though we haven't—"
"Me too." Meeting her gaze, I inched closer and wrapped my arms around her. My nostrils picked up her scent: a mixture of lavender, honey and something much sweeter. I inhaled deeply until it reached my very core. When I looked up again, her expression was soft, dreamy. "There's only one way to find out." I pushed my index finger under her chin and lowered my lips onto hers, savoring her taste slowly at first, then with more vigor. She reminded me of gingerbread and sweet wine, of grapes ripened under the Tuscany sun. My hand wandered around her neck to draw her closer to me until I could feel her chest crushed against mine. Her heartbeat raced as fast as mine, they were beating almost in tune. The air crackled around us, charged with electricity. She parted her lips, as though to welcome more. But this was all I wanted to take from her—for now.
With hesitation, I peeled her away from me and pressed my forehead against hers. "I've been wanting to do this ever since I saw you at that club in NY."
Her laughter sounded more like a moan. "You did?"
My finger traced the contour of her chin, down her throat to the collarbone hidden underneath her sweater. "I think we have the answer to your question. Maybe Amber's right and the danger that seemed to come with their connection was just a coincidence, but I'm not taking chances." I lifted her chin until our eyes locked. "From now on, you're staying beside me at all times."
"I'd rather trust your instinct than mine because, as it seems, last time mine let me down big time." Smiling, she raised her lips to mine and I grabbed them in a sweet kiss, more than happy to oblige.
Chapter 14
Soul mates are said to be two souls destined to be together, programmed to recognize each other across time and space. I didn't know whether that was the truth, but I was inclined to believe it. I wasn't naïve to assume just because Thrain and I were attracted to one another, everything would always turn out well, but I would give it a chance in spite of our differences in character and background. Where I came from fate played a more important role than choice. We didn't believe in choice, only in that what's meant for you will reach you in time, and if you embrace it with your arms wide open it might just stay with you forever and bless you with more happiness than you could ever envision.
Thrain was fate. I knew it. I had recognized it during our kiss. When our lips locked, a floating sensation washed over me, like I was diving in sparkling