Page 32 of Taken By Fury
“Did you give Bethany a choice?”
“Of course not. Then again, I had no competition, but had I, I would have killed them.”
“Are you suggesting I murder my own brother?”
Fang gave him a fierce side-eye. “Don’t be ignorant. Of course, I’m not suggesting you kill Orien. I’m telling you we can take out this human, Jeff.” He lifted his shoulder. “I mean, at least one would be out of the way.”
“I’m not killing anyone.” He went back to studying the wall and tried to ignore Fang.
“Suit yourself, but if you change your mind, I will make certain your hands remain clean of the deed.”
“You are ruthless.”
“I am Daldara. It is in my DNA to be merciless.”
And for that, Zander was grateful. Fang had been the one to insist Greydon flee during the massacre of their family. Fang had also managed his own escape by leading his captors to think he was nothing more than a weak demon, all while he survived on rats’ blood until he could kill his guard and get free. They had all done what was necessary in order to survive, but Zander didn’t like to dwell on, or even share his own horror story, and thankfully no one asked him about it.
“What is this here?”
Fang drew his attention away from his thoughts to where the Daldara was rubbing at a spot on the wall. Under centuries of dirt were more symbols and Zander quickly jumped in and helped clear away the dirt.
“I believe we have uncovered the answer to the question of how to unlock her powers,” Fang said.
Zander rubbed his temple. “Yes, but why did her parents go through all this trouble? Why was Lomara reborn in the first place?”
“I suspect your real concern is which of you are really her soulmate. The rest may get answered later.”
Zander dropped to his knees so he could continue to read the message. Fang was right, however. His heart said she belonged to him, but what if he was wrong? What if Orien won again?
“Come, my prince.” Fang touched Zander’s shoulder. “I am no longer comfortable having you here. We need to return to Oshivana.”
He stood and gave a nod in agreement. “Destroy this, so no other will read it.”
“As you wish.”
Zander created his own portal directly back home while Fang stayed behind to carry out his command. He needed to think about what he had read and maybe even confer with the queen since she had read through so much of their history. There was a chance she might have come across a reason why a lady of the court would be reborn over and over until she was reunited with her soulmate.
* * *
Sheila was still reelingfrom information overload. To hear she was a reincarnation of a lady of the Valarian court who had loved one prince but was betrothed to another was not even comprehendible. What she understood was the information the queen had shared later about Jeff. He was still looking for her and suddenly she wanted to go home more than ever. What would she tell him about her whereabouts?
“Sheila?”
She looked away from the view out the windows of the solarium and at Prince Orien but didn’t speak. He was quick to move closer until he was beside her.
“Look. I understand this is all a lot to take in. Hell, even I am having a difficult time with it.”
She supposed he might. After all, he had learned the woman he was to marry had come back. She could understand that heartache and confusion.
“I don’t even know what to say to you. I don’t know who I am at the moment, but I certainly have no memories of this Lomara.”
He looked straight at her. “Do you wish to go home?”
“I do, but it’s not exactly safe.”
“You are wearing the band Zander gave you. I think you should be safe enough to at least go for a brief time.”
“I don’t think Zander is ready to let me go.”
