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"That’s right It’s ic and life-span And choice Because we are a ment or condemnation Does that help you with your probleuy thing to me, but I still don’t knohat to do about the Heath slash Aurox thing," I said ?"

"Because I have done so it isn’t fair to Aurox or to Stark" I sighed again "Or, I guess, to Heath"

"So you have taken Aurox as your lover, along with Stark?"

"No!" I squeaked, and peeked over Persephone’s shoulder at Lenobia She gazed steadily back at h," I admitted

"And because you’re not like a nor for you Correct?"

"Yeah, correct," I adod, no! He’d totally freak He’s already acting like a possessive jerk whenever Aurox is anywhere near me"

"But he knows you were mated to Heath and that Heath’s soul is within Aurox"

"That’s why he’s acting like a possessive jerk Apparently it’s not okay with Stark for me to see Heath, ur, Aurox And as far as Stark knoe’ve hardly even talked to each other"

"Aurox is drawn to you"

She didn’t phrase it as a question, but I answered "Yeah, he is It’s because Heath’s inside hi Aurox will just be this kid who is kinda cute, but who I’, and then--ba that is so Heath-like that it makes my heart hurt"

"If you weren’t bonded with Stark, would you want to be with Aurox?"

I chewed my lip "I’m not sure I love Heath I’ll always love Heath But Aurox isn’t really my Heath"

"You mean it’s like how Kalona was drawn to you because within you is the nized her presence?"

That coht about it, the ht about that Wow, that actually makes it easier for me Kalona did want me because of A-ya, and I have to admit I could feel a deep pull toward him, too But it wasn’t real I’m not A-ya, and I didn’t choose to love him Aurox isn’t Heath He doesn’t need to choose to love me--remnants of Heath love s for you, but to be fair you need to know that Aurox could love you as well Travis is a reincarnation of my only mate, Martin He does not have Martin’s memories He is actually very dissimilar to my Martin, and yet he is as eternally devoted to me as I am to him" Lenobia’s set to take love with you, and soain"

"Lenobia, I’m super happy for you, but you did just complicate the crap out of this for me," I said

"Zoey, your situation was already complicated Do you want my advice on hoould handle it?"

"Hell yes," I said

"This is going to sound cold, selfish even, but were I in your place, I would decide who I truly wanted to be ithout worrying about what either of those boys wanted The only way you will ever be content with your choice is if you make it for yourself and not for someone else"

I put down the curry brush and stared at her "Is it really as simple as that?"

"If you can be honest with yourself, and then follow through with that honesty, yes, it is," Lenobia said

"You’ve given me a lot to think about, but at least now I have a direction to go," I said

"You have to love and be true to yourself before anyone else can love and be true to you"

The bell that signaled the end of school rang I fisted my hand over my heart and bowed respectfully to her "Thank you, Lenobia"

Lenobia returned the traditional gesture and said, "I wish you always to blessed be, Zoey Redbird"

"Stark, we need to talk" I hated to say those words probably as much as Stark hated to hear theirlfriend or boyfriend, teacher or boss ever started a good conversation with the Theory and, you know, spend soave rin