Touched by Allegra Skye Page B

but Keira suddenly realized that ultimately, she was stronger than all of them. That thought shocked and excited her. All of the Torches clung to each other, obeyed each other, did what was expected all the time. But Keira could come and go, she didn’t need to live in hiding, surrounded by a group for support. She had a different source of strength, and it allowed her to live freely anywhere in and the wonderful world.
    “We do not want you to think we are not grateful for all you’ve done for Cooper,” Ilyana spoke eloquently, interrupting her thoughts. She spoke as though she were addressing a formal meeting of foreign ambassadors. “We are grateful. And we would like to give you a gift for your services.”
    The only gift Keira wanted was Cooper. Ilyana had nothing else she desired.
    “We plan to give you a pouch full of currency that humans use.”
    That meant money, Keira understood.
    “It will ease your way, wherever you go. Besides that, you can stay for a day or two more as you desire, to rest up. Then we will give you a guide, who will show you the way back.”
    Keira didn’t want any guide they could offer. “All I want is to stay with Cooper,” she said.
    Ilyana forcibly shuddered and shook her head strongly. “I’m sorry,” she uttered, “it’s out of the question.”
    “He belongs with me,” Keira exclaimed.
    Ilyana’s eyes opened wide, taken back by the intensity of Keira’s response.
    “The two of you?” she stopped a moment, in horror, and shuddered. “You two haven’t mated, have you?” It was as if she couldn’t imagine anything more dreadful.
    “No, we haven’t,” Keira said quickly. “We haven’t mated, but we have loved.”
    Ilyana smiled. “Torches are only permitted to love one another. Only then can they know the true fullness of love. What the two of you felt was not love, it was attraction. Believe me, there is a huge difference between them.”
    Ilyana spoke so quickly and heatedly that Keira could not think or respond. “You are not destined for Cooper. He is not destined for you. If he ever mated with you, it would be a disaster. He would forever be barred then from his true home. And from his true love as well.”
    Keira stood up. She didn’t want to believe this. She wanted to fight for Cooper.
    “Wait a moment,” said Ilyana. “I’ve called someone here to talk to you. Before you run and complain to Cooper, there’s something you need to know.”
    That took Keira by surprise. She stood her ground, curious.
    Ilyana ran a little bell, a few minutes passed, then the door opened and the beautiful, young woman she’d seen Cooper with walked in.
    Tua walked in and curtseyed to Ilyana. Ilyana curtseyed back.
    “Keira this is Tua,” Ilyana said.
    “How do you do,” said Tua, staring at Keira deeply. “I understand that you were Cooper’s companion.”
    “I am Cooper’s companion,” Keira protested.
    Tua’s skin glistened and her features were even more perfect close up, as though they’d been carved in ice. When she spoke her eyes focused strongly.
    “But Cooper is completely in love with me now,” Tua said matter of factly.
    “I don’t believe you,” Keira said, her insides shaking.
    “He told me so last night,” Tua continued, “it happened in a flash, as soon as he saw me.
    “It happened too fast.” Keira was struggling not to believe her. “He’s under a spell.”
    “We recognized each other immediately,” Tua was unshakeable. “It happens that way among the Torches when they meet their soul mate.” Tua’s beautiful eyes were now glistening. “And I am completely in love with him as well. We spent the night together.”
    Keira gasped audibly. “You spent the night together?” It was more than she could bear.
    Keira turned to Ilyana, who stood impassively by. “Is it true? Did Cooper and Tua spend the night together?” She had to ask out loud to make sure she heard right.
    “Their union was destined,” Ilyana responded. “I