Marina gave Selina a small smile before looking up into Kurt's handsome face and whispered, "OK."
Liam passed out snacks and water from his bag, then they sat in a comfortable silence and ate.
"So Marina, can you tell us anything else about this place?" Liam asked when he had finished eating.
Marina shrank back into Kurt and shook her head no. Selina was sure that Marina wasn't ready to talk about this, so she changed the topic. "So Marina, how does it feel to find your mate?" she asked.
Marina's eyes opened wide as she looked at Selina. "How, how did you know? We didn't say anything." Marina appeared dumbfounded.
Selina chuckled, "I think it is pretty obvious from how you reacted to one another, also I could sort of feel the bond when it happened. I can't really explain it."
Liam froze, stunned by this revelation, then fell over laughing. "Oh my Goddess, un freaking believable. Kurt, when Selina said we needed to come this way, do you remember what you said?"
Kurt pulled his gaze away from Marina to look at Liam, "No, why?"
"You said it was because you would find your mate, and you did." Liam's laughter died down as he turned to his sister. "My turn. Lead me to my mate next, please dear sister!"
Marina was amused, watching the exchange between them. How she would love to have some friends like his in her life. The amusement was short-lived as she recalled Selina's question.
"It terrifies me," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I should be happy. My father… he has plans for me. Plans that don't include happily ever afters or mates."
Selina studied her, the weight of her own choices heavy on her chest. "So you're going to push him away? Reject him? Just like that? You think that'll keep him safe?"
"I can't risk his life, I'm not worth it." Marina whimpered, her voice breaking. "It's not fair to him. It's not just about us; it's about everything my family represents. If my father finds out—" She broke off, the unspoken horror hanging in the air like a thick fog.
"You deserve to be happy," Selina replied, her tone softening, "To be loved. So does Kurt".
Marina turned away, the tension in her shoulders coiling tighter. The lights continued to flicker, casting eerie shadows across the room. She needed to think, to sort through the chaos swirling in her mind. But deep down, she knew Selina was right.
"I know," she finally murmured, her voice steadier now.
Marina inhaled sharply, the rawness of it all crashing over her. "I wish I could be brave like you," she whispered, more to herself than Selina.
"Bravery is overrated. It's all about survival and fighting for what's important." Selina grinned, but there was a glint of vulnerability in her indigo eyes. "And trust me, when the time comes, you'll find your fire, and you will fight!."
Marina felt the flicker of hope ignite within her. Maybe, just maybe, she could learn to embrace the flames instead of running from them.
Selina paced the room, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. "Okay, so we're taking her,with us" she said, glancing at Kurt and Liam. "She's not a threat."
"How do you know?" Liam shot back, his brow furrowed in suspicion. He would not risk his sister's safety for anything.
"Because I feel it, deep in here," Selina replied, irritation sparking in her indigo eyes as she tapped her chest.
"Just making sure Lina." Liam chuckled. "Now you have to convince her to join us," pointing at Marina.
"She wants to come, she's just afraid to admit it." Selina's voice softened as she glanced at Marina, who sat cuddled up to Kurt, lost in thought.
"Marina," Selina called out as she walked towards Marina and placed her hand on her shoulder, radiating warmth. "Marina, you're coming with us. Right?"
"Y-yeah. Okay," Marina stammered, blinking as if the reality was still sinking in. Safety and love had finally found her. Selina could see a flicker of hope igniting in the depths of Marina's warm eyes.
"Good. Now let's rest up and make sure we're ready to move as soon as this storm calms down." Selina turned to survey her team, or family really. She felt happiness at Kurt finding his mate and began to imagine how things would be once she found hers.
As the hours dragged on, the sound of rain pounding on the metal door became a lullaby. Selina leaned against her brother, exhaustion creeping in like the chill from her still damp clothes. She fought it, but her eyelids grew heavy, and before she knew it, she was drifting away.
She found herself standing in a moonlit grove, the silver light shimmering like diamonds scattered upon the ground. Valentino emerged from the shadows, all confidence and fierce grace. His green eyes glowed, pulling her in with an intensity that set her heart racing.
"Selina," he murmured, his voice a low whisper that sent shivers down her spine. The world around them faded, leaving only the two of them entwined under the vast night sky. It felt intimate, electric, like a promise waiting to be fulfilled.
His arms were wrapped around her, and he held her close. Her heart raced with anticipation and need. "What took you so long? I've been waiting," he asked, as she tilted her face up to his. The air thickened between them, charged with something unspoken, as she watched his luscious lips move.
"I had to find something first," she replied, getting lost within the feel of his arms around her and longing she couldn't understand.
"The only thing you needed to find was me," he replied, raising an eyebrow, "but maybe you're afraid of what might happen once you did."
"Maybe, I wasn't ready," she said breathlessly, her pulse racing in sync with his. There was something raw and undeniable about him that drew her in, making her want more.
"Are you ready now?" he questioned softly, the distance between their lips shrinking until they were just breaths apart.
"Yes…" she replied, her heart pounding with desire.
But then the dream shifted, the grove was consumed by fire. The moment shattered, leaving her grasping for more, yearning for a connection that felt thrilling.
"Selina!" The voice pierced through the fog of sleep, shattering the remnants of the dream. Blinking in confusion, she found herself curled up on the floor with her head held in Liam's lap. "The storm's finished, it's time to go," he said.
She groaned as she shook her head, trying to rid herself of the lingering heat that Valentino had ignited within her and the feeling of loss that the flames ignited in her.