Free Origin (Eternal Sacrifice Saga Book 2) by Dylan Quinn Page B

Mother.”
    “Aw.” I pulled him close.
    Cade was amazing. Sweet. Loving. Learning about all the things my head still couldn’t remember was pretty cool.
    “As I’ve said, there are perks to this life, many you’ve yet to discover or recall. In time, your memories will return. When you’re ready.”
    “What do you mean, when I’m ready?”
    “We believe you’re blocking them out. Perhaps even blocking me out for some reason your soul cannot recall.”
    Cade led me down the stone path toward the Chayah Fountain while Journey flew overhead, watching.
    She was always watching.
    “Why would I do that?” I stopped walking and turned to Cade. “That doesn’t make sense.”
    Cade shrugged. “In the meantime, I will protect you and nurture our growing bond as best I can. And when your Origin is ready, your memories will return.”
    I let out a sigh. “So, I was talking to Julian. He kind of reminded me about Phoebe. Is she really going to die?”
    “Damn that boy.” Cade growled. “You have enough to concern yourself with.”
    “Don’t be mad at him, I played the Chayah card.”
    Cade grinned. “Look at you.” He put his arm around my waist and pulled me close as we started walking again.
    “So, Phoebe. She’s going to die, isn’t she?”
    “Please don’t worry. First of all, yes. She is going to die. She’s human, love. They die. If she truly is Remie’s Gemini, once she does pass, you’ll be there to match them.”
    My heart was in my throat. The idea of losing Phoebe sent it sinking into my stomach. I sure hoped I was right about them being matched. I couldn’t imagine losing my best friend.
    “Listen to me.” Cade stopped and pulled me into his arms. “All life is fleeting in the human form. Yours was. You have died many times, but you are still here. Yes?”
    “Huh. Yeah, I guess so.”
    “Don’t concern yourself with things you cannot control. When we died, we moved on to the Eternal realm. For all intents and purposes, we are both dead in human terms. But look at us. We’re very much alive.”
    He had a point.
    “Phoebe’s human life will end, whether she becomes Eternal, reincarnates, or goes on to rest with the Evolved. Every soul transcends. It’s humanity. You’re legacy. All life is Eternal, in one manner or another.”
    Cade always had a way of explaining things so they made perfect sense.
    And made me feel better.
    He pulled me into his arms. “I’m confident when she passes, you’ll be there to match her with Remie, as you’ve done with all Eternals.”
    “I have no memory of how that works. I kind of feel like a failure.”
    “No, Chayah.” He ran his hands over my cheeks. “It’s I who’s failing you. As your Gemini, one with my memories intact, it’s my responsibility to train you. To prepare you for your role, but we’ve had so little time together, I’ve not done my job. I will do better. I promise.”
    He kissed my nose, and I nuzzled into his chest, listening to his heart beat beneath my cheek. It calmed me, hearing it beat. Feeling it sync with mine in my wrist. In my chest.
    “What were you guys talking about when I interrupted today?”
    Cade sighed. “Too much.”
    “It’s getting bad, isn’t it?”
    “Yes. Border breaches are constant, and we don’t have enough forces to continue fighting them off. We must train the Newborns and form a strategy.”
    “Should we really be taking a vacay right now?”
    “Vacay?” He narrowed his eyes, scrunching up his nose.
    Cade made the cutest faces when he didn’t get my lingo, I just wanted to squeeze his cheeks and kiss those sexy lips of his.
    “Vacation. It’s called a honeymoon after humans get married.”
    “Ah, yes. Terminology changes so often.” Cade squeezed my hand.
    “I just don’t understand where we’re supposed to find time for all this. I feel like I’ve failed you. You tried so hard to get me to go away with you, and I kept pushing you off. Now that I want to spend time together,