"The soul trapped within Raines mind is the kings mate Rix. My king requests that you get as much information about Driak from Raine so that he may free his mate and in turn free yours."
That's what Caho had said. Those were the words she whispered to me in that cave. He knows that Raine would never help him so he wants me to act as spy against my own mate. How can he ask such a thing of me? Should I just tell her what Caho said? No how can I, it was hard enough to convince her to let me stay by her side. If she believes that I'll do what the king asks then she cast me aside like like some rotten apple. What should I do then? If Rixs soul is really trapped inside Raine then both the king and I will be mated to both souls that reside in one body. Even if there was a way to remove Rix from Raine what then? Rixs body would be long gone by now. Would she just die when released? If that was the case would Vericus be willing to do that? I know it's not exactly the ideal out come but what was the alternative? If she remains inside Raine she one either continues to sit on the side lines of Raines life or she takes over Raines body. If it's the latter what would happen to Raine. It was her body after all would she be content to just let her sister become her?
I know how I'd feel about that, it would be the same as loosing her all over again. I couldn't handle that a second time. Though Vericus would be in the same position if Rix was the to be taken over.
"Malix?"
Snapped out of my reverie I looked up at Raine.
"Sorry what?"
She tilted her head sideways at me.
"I said we should stop for the night it's getting dark."
I looked around sure enough the sun had started going down casting long shadows all around us. I was so deep in my head I hadn't even noticed we had been walking all day.
"Yes sounds good."
I took another look around. I had been here before with my pack. There weren't many parts of North Carolina that the Lycan pack hadn't dwelled in.
"Come on there's a river nearby with fresh water and fish."
She nodded following my lead. Is only took another two hours of walking before sure enough the sounds of the river could be heard. Then another half hour later the waters. Raine immediately rushed to the river dipping her hands in to drink its contents. I watched her as the moon reflected of its surface onto her face making her even more beautiful. She had a wildness about her that called to my very being. She wasn't afraid of anything, well except Driak.
He was there, he was after her. She didn't say it but I saw it in her face as we walked. Only he could put that look of utter despair on her face. That look that made me want to hold her in my arms and help her forget all the horrors he had inflicted on her. Even now as she kneeled next to that river I saw the shadows in her eyes.
Did she really not know about Rix? Or was she part of the reason Raine was so determined? I scowled at the man that had caused her so much pain. I wanted nothing more then to tare his heart out and throw it to the wolves.
Sighing I unhooked my bag and striped to my boxers. Raine looked up her eyes taking in all of me as I passed.
"What are you doing?"
I stepped into the water letting the clear liquid flow around my legs going deeper til I was submerged up to my shoulders. Turning to face her I smiled.
"Im swimming."
She stared at me as I dipped my head under water then back up shaking my head the spray flying in all directions.
"Are you coming?"
Slowly a small smile spread on her lips as she stood. Her eyes never left mine as she began to strip down to her bra and undies. She was all hard toned muscle but in the most feminine way that I could already feel my body responding. Stepping forward she came out to meet me. Her eyes really did look like sapphires under the moonlight. She had even let her hair out that now spread out in the water around her. Her lips curved into a content smile sighing at the feel of the water on her skin.
"God it's been so long since I've had a bath."
I chuckled.
"Yeah I could tell."
She splashed me faking being angry.
"Shut up it's not like I had a choice in the matter."
I frowned remembering why. Considering what she'd been through in just the last week it's a wonder she could still smile and that's not including what she been through in her life.
"Raine I'm sorry for my part in that. I should've tried to get you out the second I arrived."
Her smile turned to a frown, her eyes staring at me. After awhile she shook her head.
"It's fine I get it. It's not like it's the first time I've been caged. Besides it all worked out in the end."
I could tell she was trying to hide just how much it got to her. I thought she would leave it at that but she surprised me.
"I'm sorry too. About Cora I mean I only did it because it was the only way to escape without hurting any of them. Plus i thought her power would come in handy against Driak. Of course it amounted to nothing. Not only did I hurt her and steal her power I then went and lost it to him."
I swam closer grabbing her around the waist pulling her close. She avoided my eyes but didn't push me away. My hand went to her face a gentle touch meant to ease her pain.
"Your not a monster Raine. He can't control you any more. We will take him down together. I promise I'll be with you every step of the way."
I could tell she was still reluctant to give into her feelings for me. She did not trust easily and after I had already let her down once i knew I'd have to earn her trust back.
"I missed this."
Her eyes turned back to me a questioning look in them.
"Being able to talk to you like we did back then. Even though we never really spoke about ourselves I just loved hearing your voice. Seeing your smile. You could shine a room full of darkness with that smile. I wanted so much to take you in my arms just like this."
"Why didn't you? Back then before you knew who I was. Why did you never tell me how you felt?"
I pulled closer til her head rested on my chest the water ripping around us.
"I guess it's because back then I feared the shadows I saw in your eyes. I was scared that if I told you run and I'd never see you again. You hold walls around your heart I saw them even back then as a boy. I knew that if I revealed just how much I loved you you would lock your heart away forever and I couldn't risk that. Couldn't risk loosing you."
Saying it out loud made me realise just how much I meant them. I couldn't risk loosing her, I had to tell her. If she didn't know about Rix she needed to be told.
Slowly I pulled away gently I gripped her chin so that I could kiss her softly on her lips. Just a quick caress just in case she never wanted to speak to me again at least I would always remember the feel of her lips.
"There's something I need to tell you."
She tensed instantly as she stepped back in the water. She was putting distance between us preparing for the worst.
"Caho, when she spoke to me in the cave. She told me something that effects us being together."
Her eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"What are you talking about?"
"She told me that Rixs soul is trapped within your mind."
There I said it and by the look on her face she definitely had no idea. She started to back off more shaking her head.
"What? I...I don't understand. You mean Rix as in my twin? Her soul is inside me? How is that even possible? What does that even mean?"
I didn't approach letting her process while I explained everything Caho had said including what Vericus wanted me to do. I even told her about the phone that was on my bag and that i had planned to feed them false information so that they couldn't find her. She listened to everything without a word her face emotionless. When I'd finished she remained silent. I had no idea what she was thinking or if I'd just ruined everything between us.
"Raine I'm telling you all this because I don't want to give you any reason to not trust me. Everything I do, everything I've done is so that I can be with you. Stay with you, stand beside you as your mate. I don't want to hide anything from you."
I watched her as her arms wrapped around herself like she was trying to protect herself. Whether it was from me or from what I'd just told her. Cautiously I approached. I thought she would move away but to my surprise she let me take her in my arms.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you right away I was still processing it myself. But I think that's it's why You passed out the first time I kissed you. I think it's Rixs will rejecting me. She has the power that no wolf can control she's even able to fight Driaks cage that's trapped her inside your mind."
I had expected her to run to leave me and never look back. Instead with shaking hands she hugged me back burying her head in my chest. She was seeking comfort which I was more then happy to give. We stayed like that for awhile until she stepped away her eyes meeting mine.
"Thank you for telling me Malix I know why you didn't straight away."
I smiled sadly my hand caressing her cheek.
"Your not mad?"
She took a deep breath.
"How can I be mad when there are much more horrifying things that I've not told you. It would be hypercritical of me if I condemned you for any of this. Besides it's not like you put Rixs soul inside me or trapped her with some glowing tentacle thing."
I tilted my head.
"Glowing tentacle?"
She chuckled but there was no humour in it, she waved a hand dismissing my question.
"Never mind I'll tell you about it later. For now where's the phone?"
Why would she ask? What was she planning? Taking her hand I lead her out of the river and fished the phone out of my bag while she tied her hair back into a pony tail. Then stretched out her hand for the phone. I gave it to her without I word. I watched silently as she unlocked the screen and opened contacts stopping at Sloane name. Putting the phone to her ear her gaze met mine a determined look making me hold my breath for whatever she had planned. I could hear Sloane the second he answered.
"Malix! Thank god we've been trying to get a hold of you-"
"Put Vericus on the phone."
My eyes widened as Sloane went silent on the other end.
"Raine? What-"
"Do it now Slo."
"Alright geez don't get your panties in a twist."
Her body tensed the second Vericus's voice sounded through the line.
"What do you want Raine? I'm a little busy at the moment cleaning up your mess."
"I guess that means Driaks gone?"
He didn't answer right away and when he did his voice was dripping with suspicion.
"Yes he was gone before we arrived. Why are you calling me and where's Malix?"
"Malix told me about Rixs soul and as much as I hate to admit it I can't save her without your help. So I propose a truce, I'll tell you everything you want to know about Driak and his abilities. In return you help me get her out of my head. Sound like a deal?"
I could hear a sigh come through the line.
"What makes you think I have any idea how to get Rix out of you? It's not like I can wave a magic wand and poof she's out. Not to mention even if I was able to extract her soul what then? She has no body to go into."
Raine growled in frustration.
"Fine then I'll help you capture Driak. If theres a way way he will know."
"Why now? You've never wanted anything to do with me. Even if you did find out about Rix there must be a reason you've chosen to co operate?"
Her blue eyes delved into mine a light shined in them that I had never seen before.
"Because there's someone I want to be with and if I have to work with someone as detestable as you to do it then I'm willing to make that sacrifice."
My heart soared at hearing those words. It was the first time she had admitted to wanting to be with me. I grinned like a little kid who just been given everything they ever wanted. I rushed to her ignoring that she was still on the phone. She held me back resting her head against my chest.
"Do we have a deal or not?"
"Very well I'll meet you back at the pack house and Raine Don't expect a warm welcome."
She chuckled bitterly.
"I never expect a warm welcome."
She hung up tossing the phone aside. I kissed her then lifted her into the air my heart soaring with her. She laughed when I set her down my hands cupped her face.
"I thought for sure you would reject me after I told you."
Her eyes shadowed.
"To be honest I almost did but I realised just how much a needed that one person I could always rely on to be on my side."
Stepping back she frowned.
"It won't be easy with me. You understand that don't you? It's hard for me to trust others. My life has been one continuous nightmare but I want to try. I want to try being happy with you, even though the very thought scares the shit out of me. I want to be with you and that can't happen with Rix in my head. I know now that the pain I feel every time you kiss me touch me is her fighting me. Fighting my bond with you. I can't explain it but now that I know I understand it and wonder why I didn't noticed it before."
She turned her back to me not wanting me to see the tears that had started to form in her eyes. Stepping up behind her I didn't touch her, I hadn't realised that she had been in pain when I tried to get closer. She had passed out that first time sure but all the others. So she had been holding it in all this time.
"Raine please look at me."
Slowly she turned to face me. I reached to put my hands on her shoulders on instinct but stopped.
"I'm sorry Raine I hadn't realised you were in pain. I thought it was just that one time because we had gone too far. Ill try to keep my distance until we can sort this whole thing out. I never want to cause you any pain."
She shook her head wrapping her hands around my neck.
"No! That's the last thing I want. Sure it hurts, sort of like a pressure in my mind. But I can handle it. Pain is not a new thing to me. If I have to endure a little pain to steal a few kisses here and there then I'm definitely willing to do that. As for the emotional stuff just..just be patient with me. Right now all I can concentrate on is stopping Driak. While he's alive I can never truly be free. Once we help Rix I will make him pay for what he's done."
The fire in her eyes shone with so much hate I couldn't do anything but pull her close. I wanted so much to free her from her hate but I knew the only way to do that was to help her face her tormentor. She was right though even if her plans stemmed from her hatred Driak has been the cause of so much pain to so many and for so long it was time we did something about it. His evil should not be on this earth. No matter what we had to rid the world of his tyranny.