MIYAs POV...
"Miya.."
Through the tenebrous haze that surrounds my shell-shocked body, I vaguely hear my name being called.
"Miya, don't fall asleep."
I exhale harshly, feeling like I've been hit by a freight truck as I struggle to keep my eyes open.
"Listen to the sound of my voice, sister in-mate."
I turn my head to the side, fluttering my eyes open long enough to get a glimpse of Nova. She is on her knees, hands shackled above her head as purple, blue and black bruises tarnish her beautiful features. I turn my head to look the other way, the sight of her being held against her will hits a soft spot in my heart that causes my blood to ignite with resentment.
Every inch of my body tingles from my head to my toes, my eyes burn with unshed tears and my soul feels like it is trying to flee my body.
Is this what it feels like just before you cross over to the other side?
Will my
Ugh! I surprised myself with this chapter. Haha. Who knew Miya was a soul shifter? Because I didn't until I was in the middle of writing this chapter!!!
ZIONs POV... EARLIER... As I watch Tyber working his magic on the Scourages ship entry, manipulating the code to their security system with his mind. I steel my nerves, twirling my wide-bladed daggers between my fingers. I look over my shoulder, my eyes drinking in the faces of my warriors who have joined me in my battle to recover Nova, Miya, and our females. Their bravery, honour and courage will not go unnoticed. Some of these noble and fearless warriors will return, walking, back on the craft with me. The rest, unfortunately, will be returning in body bags and it strikes a chord in my twin hearts knowing that this will be their last dance. Their last crusade. A battle to the death. It is only right, that I face these spirited warriors and say something encouraging. I turn, tapping my blades together and in response my warriors do the same with their weapons, creating a glorious beat for me to speak
MIYAs POV... Zion... The way his name rolled off the tip of my tongue felt completely natural. As I continue to foolishly stare into his captivating eyes, the deeper I fall into a chasm of emotional awe. A fever of curiosity licks my skin. "Don't you dare kiss him, Miya, that male is my brother..." Nova growls. Bringing me back to the harsh reality I dream to leave behind. Heavy footsteps, hammering with intent, erupt unexpectedly throughout the chamber. I look up and realise it is Sylvan who blesses us with his presence. His eyes are jet black, and they make him look like a mean son of a bitch. His angry looking face is splattered with blood and he has a shit scared, looking Maddox in his grasp. Maddox is a spitting image of Zion and instantly my blood runs cold. The fever of curiosity is quickly replaced with a vicious chill. "Maddox is the imposter, remember, mate of my brother?" Nov
ZIONs POV... I shake my head, clearing the blinding spots prancing in my vision. Maddox is a slimy fighter, and I should have known better than to align myself with him. He is attempting to buy himself extra time to heal. Seeing him in my skin makes me furious, and it tastes hellish bitter to look at him donning my face. Especially when he has my special gift, sizzling through his loins. I will make him pay for everything. The trauma he has bestowed upon me and my siblings. The suffering and misery he has etched into the roots of my peoples' twin hearts. "NO...!!" Nova screams at the top of her lungs which has my head snapping up. Sylvan rushes towards us, throwing his body in front of me. My twin hearts cease, "Sylvan, NO!!" I roar, lurching forward to catch him as he lets out a grunt, swaying side to side with his hand resting on the dagger. I collapse alongside him,
MIYAs POV The fever brought on by the star Maddox intended to infect Nova with. Runs through my veins like a wildfire out of control, annihilating all it touches. And all I can do is wait patiently for Zion to find me a cure before I succumb to the darkness. Do I regret jumping in front of Nova? Yes. Would I do it again? Yes, I believe I would. A selfless act comes from a pure heart. After everything, I have gone through since stumbling upon the Kindreds headquarters back on earth. I desperately need to believe that I am good. That I am worthy, and not an ounce of darkness consumes me. As I stand in the garden of wisdom on Zion's home planet, I have so many questions. And I can see why he is fighting to keep his species alive. Mahji is a magical place and I can't help but feel like I've been here before. My soul feels like it knows this place. This garden. But that's impossible.
ZIONs POV... "It's finally good to see that the Alpha King has returned home safely and with the other half of his soul in tow." The light oracle sings as we walk through the garden of wisdom. "It is a victorious day, a day that will be remembered for many eras to come." I bite my tongue, unwilling to inform her that our mission's success came at a high cost. We lost at least two dozen warriors, and a grandiose burial does not do justice to the contributions and sacrifices they made for our people. Nothing will ever be adequate. The war is over, but the heartache and sorrow will live on for eternity in those they have left behind. "It does feel good to be back, to be able to return home with our promise to the people fulfilled," I reply with my hands behind my back. "I feel like I can breathe properly too. I also hope the females will find some peace on Mahji after everything they have been through with the Scourage." "You'
MIYAs POV... Thanks to the all mighty-mother, the burning sensation in my veins has been greatly reduced. I raise my hands and observe them as they continue to shake, rubbing them as I wrap them around one another. A pang of concern coats my heart. The anxiety of not comprehending or knowing what is going to happen to me is the thing that makes me the most uncomfortable. If I'm part oracle, how come my ass couldn't see all of this happening beforehand? The faint sound of someone knocking on the door to Zion's room compels me to turn around as I use the bed to hold my weakened body upright. "Miya! Oh my gosh.." Sofia's frantic, relieved voice screams through the room as she runs towards me, flinging herself at me. "I was so worried." She cries against my shoulder. "I'm okay, babe." I hum as I breathe in a ragged breath. "But if you dont release me, soon, I might just curl over and die." I tease, patting her on the back. "A
ZIONs POV... Walking across the bridge that leads to the underground cell of the grand arena. I nod my head at the two guards standing on each side of the threshold leading inside the cell. They cross their arm over their chests and bow their heads as they get down on one knee. "Your respect has been gained," I say emphatically as I come to a standstill in front of them. "When there is no one else around, you are no longer compelled to bend the knee. Ascend and proceed to protect the arena with your life." The guards stand tall, their maces slamming against the hard ground. "The rite of passage to the afterlife comes to an end here." They vocalize triumphantly in unison. A chant that has been said for many earla years as you enter the arena's cell. Nodding my head, I proceed to enter the cell where Thake and Thane are being imprisoned. "Well well well... If it isn't the alpha king himself." Thane chides
MIYAs POV... With my limbs wrapped around Zion's body, I rub the side of my face against the crook of his neck, absorbing the heat emanating from his pyrexia skin. Inhaling his mouth-watering scent, I focus on the sound of his twin hearts beating which also happens to match the rhythm of my breathing. It's erratic, yet it has a hypnotic effect on me. Before we left the Liberty, he had encouraged me to cling to him from the front rather than the back so that his arms can wrap around my body and prevent me from slipping off. As he trudges through the thick snow, the twin suns begin to descend, casting beautiful hues of green and brown across the skyline. "Almost there, bonetta [fated one]." He says in a ragged breath. "Mmmhmm," I hum, squeezing my eyes shut as I slowly feel myself drifting off to sleep. "Don't you fall asleep," He grunts with a growl, quickening his pace. "I'm tired, Zion. Just a wee nap till