James walked in silence for nearly a minute before asking, "what were my parents like?"

Priest hummed in thought. "Your mother was a fine princess. Your father was from a distant line of the royalty. They were, like many of young couples, smitten with each other from the moment they met. He was slightly older than her, but that didn't stop your mother from taking charge."

Smiling, James could picture it. He wanted to believe his parents were soulmates, looking out for one another to their final days. If The Pact was truly after them, then they likely didn't make it.

"I could tell you stories about the times your mother climbed onto the castle's roofs, hiding from your grandmother."

Snorting a laugh, James said, "please. I wouldn't mind hearing how much trouble she was."

"Trouble was mildly putting it," Priest teased. "Even in her teen years, she found the roofs to be her comfort spot when she needed to think. Despite having a study and advisors waiting on her, she always escaped. The only one that could calm her was your father. Much like Luna was to you."

"Still is," he whispered. Touching his chest, he envisioned Luna in her ghostly white form, holding him tight as they shared lingering kisses.

"I'll need you to bond me soon."

Letting himself go, James slowed to a stop. "How does that work? How do I create more Priests."

Priest stopped with him. "You'll need to connect your soul to mine. A link that will bind us. You'll be able to refill my energy at any time, and I'll be a fighter on the front lines, or a guardian as you need me."

James had one question that was bothering him about the whole thing. "What's the difference between you and my family members?"

"Disciples," Priest corrected. "They start from level zero and work their way up, just like you did. Although their growth is increased through their bond to you. I will not grow, nor can I absorb energy from my kills. What I do have is vastly increased physical abilities and skills that will outshine your disciples."

Brows rising, James found that to be enticing. If he had bonded with Priest before Venice, then his family would still be alive. "How do we do this?"

"Touch my soul and you will see the difference in structure. Don't just glance at it in passing as that eye of yours can do."

Nodding, James reached inside Priest and touched his soul. The white, flickering flame was severely dulled, but it also felt hollow. There was a piece missing, and he could sense that it would be easy to link to it. It also became easier to understand the difference between a soul like Amber's and Priest's. Amber's was full bodied and her own. A living force that thrummed for growth. Priests was a glass that was nearly empty and had to be refilled.

With a small flicker of power, James linked to the man and watched a tendril of his soul touch Priest's. A rapid change took place as the man collapsed and his soul exploded in power. Priest didn't scream, but he started panting as James watched the soul turn from white to gold, mimicking more of his power. The glass that made up his soul grew larger and stronger, able to hold much more energy.

Minutes passed before it was over and Priest was able to stand again. By that time, Amber and Zenaria had caught up to them and were watching with crossed arms.

"Is it done?" Amber asked.

"It is," James confirmed. "It's time to go. We have plenty of ground to cover before we settle for the night."

Turning on his heels, James walked back to Mother. The dragon was already ushering the other dragons and animals to start walking southwest. Shadow Paw walked with his mate in the lead, her slightly swollen belly not slowing her in the slightest. James would need to keep an eye on her in case she needed a break.

"I will lead the way," Priest offered.

"Go," James ordered. "I need to talk with the girls."

Running off, Priest didn't look back as he hurried to Mother's side to learn what he needed. Left alone with Amber and Zenaria, James slowed their pace.

"The demi-humans?" he questioned.

"Staying behind," Zenaria stated. "They have enough meat and food for several seasons, and will continue to recover. They also don't speak our language and wouldn't be able to integrate with society."

Frowning, James ignored most of what was said and focused on one particular detail. "Their language?"

Amber took over. "Yes. I was curious about that too. How can we understand the Underworld denizens and the demi-humans from before the language changed. Thinking it over, I realized our souls were helping."

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"Imagine that…"

Zenaria put her pen and book back in her ring before skipping forward and taking his arm. "I'm ready to grow stronger. I'm want a gold soul."

"You'll look amazing with golden tails," he stated. Reaching behind the kitsune, he touched the white tail that glowed with power. "So soft…"

Amber rolled her eyes and took his hand. "My tail is soft too, you know. Besides, we need to fight before one another and learn strengths and weaknesses. If we are doing this together, we cannot become separated."

James wholeheartedly agreed. Falling in behind the dragons and animals, James grabbed a stone from the ground. Using his soul, he molded it into a cube. Amber prodded it with her soul, focusing on understanding his magic.

He wanted to work with one element at a time or at least planned to. At night, he needed to be able to make housing for the animals. He also knew Amber would feel much more comfortable under a roof, rather than out in the elements with the wind blowing all around her.

Turning the cube into a small house took focus. Sweat dotted his brow as he carved out the interior and punched out windows and the door. He didn't dare create furniture at his level, but he was growing stronger. He felt that he was close to leveling the skill. That would make it that much easier.

***

Amber kept James's hand in hers as they walked. For the first hour, he played with his stone, carving out sections of a house and making a peaked roof. Tiny shingles appeared in detail and bricks became the sides. Sweat dripped from his nose and she could tell he was pushing a large amount of energy and concentration into the creation.

After the second hour, Zenaria stepped up to her side. "How long do you think he'll continue?"

"I don't know," Amber admitted. "We all need something to focus on right now, and for James, that means magic."

"What about you?" Zenaria asked.

"Hmm?"

"Amber…"

Smiling softly, Amber shook her head. "My only focus is James. I'll continue to brush my soul against his, reminding him that I'm here for him and that we belong together. I'll be the comfort he needs when he struggles."

"Isn't it a little soon?" Zenaria questioned.

"To go all the way, yes, yes it is." Amber blew out a slow breath. Leaning in, she rested her should against James. "He needs love. As his soulmate, I'm going to be here for however he needs me. I won't push or pull, but hold him. When he's ready, he'll be ready."

"I feel like we are stepping over Luna…"

Amber's smile faded. "I don't think that's true. She admitted to him that she wanted him to be with me. That we were true soulmates, but I have a feeling she knows more than she is letting on. She was awfully quick to push us together."

James came out of his focus and dropped the stone onto the ground. Dusting his hand off on his shirt, he smiled at her.

"Welcome back," Amber said softly.

"How long has it been?"

Zenaria chimed in. "A couple of hours." Retrieving the stone house, she added it to her ring.

"I could have made you a better one," James argued.

"I want the first."

Amber rolled her eyes at the two of them. "It'll be a long walk today. We could pick up our pace, but I fear with Shadow Paw's mate being pregnant we should go at her speed."

"That's fine," James stated. "We could use more days to calm our minds and souls."

All three of them agreed. The wounds were still raw, and they needed time and comfort. Hopefully when they settled for the night, Priest could tell them stories of James's people.

***

Luna walked around the central table, her fingers tracing the white marble with gold and violet flecks. Humming a pleasant tune, she felt the temple respond to her, the aura it put out, grow in levity. It wasn't long until Jamie stepped into the central room, her brows raised.

"Is that you?" Jamie asked.

Luna smirked. "Of course. His soul is my soul." Holding out her hand, she marveled at the violet coloration just below her surface. "I'll be visiting him again soon. I'm going to remind him just what he is missing until he brings me back."

Whistling, Jamie moved to one of the marble chairs and sat down. "You're going to have sex with him in his dreams?"

"Yes." Beaming, Luna went back to humming. The atmosphere growing light.

"This is odd," Jamie muttered.

"What is?" Luna turned her full attention to the human.

"Just the fact that you are pushing James towards Amber, who is supposed to be his soulmate. What exactly are you to him?"

With a wink, Luna turned away and left the central room. She wasn't about to spill her secrets to anyone that could communicate with her mate. She would be the one to tell him just what exactly her place was with him. She wasn't his soulmate, but something far stronger.

Luna's steps echoed over the tiled floor as she roamed the halls of the temple. The library was filled with tomes and books that she didn't think James even knew he had knowledge of. Scriptures on his people and memories that were ingrained into his very being were available to them. In fact, she found Mender cataloguing all of it as she peeked her head through the door.

"Learn anything good?" she asked.

"Somewhat," he announced. Frowning, he turned to her. "Why does it feel so light in here?"

Humming, Luna shrugged.

Narrowing his eyes, he felt the air change slightly. Shaking his head, Mender didn't comment and she quickly left.

The hall led in a large circle. Everything came back to the central room. Only Luna had the ability to enter the hidden chambers in the upper levels of the temple. The room reserved for James, when it came time for him to retire in his soul. He didn't know it yet, but he could come here if he needed a break, but he wasn't ready.

Trailing her fingers along the wall, Luna continued to hum, changing her song a few times as she touched the glass windows that opened the view to a misty forest. Tall trees, reminiscent of the forests she lived in most of her life stretched around the entire temple. She couldn't leave, but she could still enjoy the view.

"Coin for your thoughts?" Linda asked.

Glancing to the side, Luna shrugged. "Just thinking about James."

"With how happy the temple is, I can only imagine what kind of thoughts you have," she teased.

Giggling, Luna covered her mouth. "Linda! So improper!"

"I bet you think of him all night long." Winking, Linda started to walk away.

Luna could feel the heat in her cheeks as she watched the elf retreat. It was true that she had been spending plenty of her nights with her fingers and thoughts of James. If Linda knew, then they all likely knew.

Sighing, she started walking again. Moving to the hidden stairs that the others couldn't see, she ascended to the Master's room. The sprawling space had plants, a massive bed, bathroom with shower and tub, and many other small amenities. It was beautiful in white, gold, and violet.

Turning on the tub, she began to fill it. Linda having talked about her pleasures, she found herself in the mood once again. Soon she would share a proper dream with her mate. One that she knew he would enjoy all night and into the early morning.

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