ROTU: Chapter Forty-Five

The morning before the group was set to leave Asteria, Jalena watched Kaelon sleep from where she sat on the edge of the bed they had come to share in their temporary home.

"I know you are watching me," Kaelon said as he pried one eye open. "It isn't the first time I find your face in my focus when I wake." He turned over to face her fully. "And it is not one that will ever leave my mind."

Jalena's heart jumped as she closed her eyes to savor Gyan's mirrored words—similar to those he had spoken when he woke from his first Shanlo episode. Since they had arrived in Asteria, the number of times that Kaelon's mannerisms reflected Gyan's was increasing daily, so much so that Jalena had to remind herself not to call him Gyan and that he still didn't know who he truly was.

Jalena gave him a small smile and squeezed his hand. After she had learned of Kaelon's true identity, Jalena attempted to extend the moments they shared as long as possible. She wanted to remember everything about him, especially the details of his human face, as Gyan had told her on Elsaria.

"I don't want to be separated from you," Kaelon said.

"I know. I feel the same, but the elders are right," she replied. "Despite the protests of both you and Lyons, I could not focus on the task with you so close to the war." She squeezed his hand. "It is safer that you return home."

"I had a dream about you," he whispered.

"What happened?"

"I asked you to marry me. I had just woken up. For some reason, I was on the floor, and you were leaning over me."

Jalena sat up straighter. "Did you remember where we were?"

He shook his head. "Just your face."

The excitement that had started to build within Jalena lessened.

"Why? What's the matter?" He searched her face. "You don't act like the dream surprises you."

"It doesn't."

He sat up. "What are you not telling me, Jalena?"

"I cannot tell you, Kaelon. It is for you to discover." She stood and sighed. "It's almost time for us to return to the surface, and I would just ask that in between the time we part and the time that I see you again, please try to search your heart for your truth. Ask yourself what your heart is trying to tell you and then believe the answer you receive."

"My truth? What truth?" Kaelon pulled back the sheet over him and stood. "My truth is I love you. Is that what you mean, Jalena? You can't just say something like that and not explain. It doesn't make sense."

She stepped closer and grabbed his hand. "Look me in the eye, Kaelon, and do not look away."

He squinted at her curiously. "Okay?"

She grabbed his other hand. "Hold my gaze as you feel the energy," she demanded when he closed his eyes.

"Sorry, this is making me feel a little anxious," he said quietly as he met her stare again.

"That's because you are feeling my energy interlace with yours. Do not look away."

After seconds of facing each other, the halo in Jalena's eyes began to glow and soft blue-white light filled her gaze.

Kaelon gasped. "I'm feeling hot. What is going—?"

"Hold it," Jalena interrupted. "Breathe deeply," she whispered fiercely as a tear slipped from her eye. Light emerged from her hands as she tightened her grip on him.

Kaelon's breath deepened as his eyes widened. "I hear…a heartbeat?"

Relief filled Jalena, but she kept her eyes locked on him and increased the amount of energy between them.

"Sorry, Jalena," Kaelon whispered as his eyes closed. "I feel…really dizzy."

Jalena reached out to steady him as Kaelon fell unconscious against the bed.

The light in her eyes dimmed as she pushed him fully onto the bed. She sat next to him, pondering what was to come of all they had experienced as she stared out the bedroom window.

She knew that she had stirred something within him by recreating the first energetic connection she had with Gyan when practicing the Damsé Esprimiente on Elsaria. It wasn't enough, but she was out of time. She could only hope that whatever had occurred within him would help trigger the rest of his breakthrough.

It was more than just her desire to have Gyan back that motivated her to pressure him. His power and skill were needed by his team to fulfill the end of what she knew would be the most challenging task they had ever faced together.

"It is time, Jalena," Shamira said as she arrived in the doorway of their hut. "The others are gathering at the temple for a meeting before we depart. Tau said that Kaelon and Lyons will be transported to Kaelon's home through one of the portals in a few hours." She glanced at Kaelon and raised an eyebrow. "What did you do to him?"

"I recreated the moment of shared energy we experienced when we first partnered in the Damsé."

Shamira smirked. "How long did he last?"

"Almost three minutes."

Shamira raised her eyebrows. "Not bad for human Gyan."

Jalena sighed. "He will not like that he could not say goodbye."

"Well, if he wants to say it bad enough, he can come find you."

Jalena chuckled. "Good point."

She bent to kiss Kaelon's mouth. "Now I'm the one waiting for you," she whispered close to his lips.

She lightly brushed the hair lingering across his forehead with her fingers and followed Shamira out of the hut.

***