CHAPTER 276: ABOUT MY DESTINY

Meredith.

Valmora’s reply was sharp as steel. "Then you must stand your ground and insist on waiting. Tell him it’s not time, that right now your training and growth are all that matter. If he loves you, he will understand."

I swallowed, unsure. "You once told me it was important that Draven marks me. But... what if I get pregnant before or after that happens—during our private moments? What would happen then?"

Valmora hummed thoughtfully. "I doubt it will happen now. But if it does, then it is left to fate. Still, remember this, Meredith—your mind is powerful. If you let yourself dwell too much on wanting something, you may just draw it to yourself. Be careful with your desires."

Her warning struck deep, stirring both fear and wonder inside me. My fingers brushed absently over my stomach as my steps slowed. ’Be careful with my desires...’

I drew in a steadying breath and grabbed Xamira’s hand as she turned to smile back at me. I smiled too, but inside, my heart was restless.

And just when I thought my conversation with Valmora was over, she stirred up again after a few moments.

"Meredith," her voice pressed firmly into my mind, "Draven is back now, you need to stop hesitating. You must make him mark you."

I exhaled slowly, my steps faltering. "I know... I’m still thinking about how to bring it up with him."

Valmora’s sigh echoed with disappointment. "Thinking? What more are you waiting for? Can’t you see? He’s ready. His soul is calling for it. And don’t tell me you didn’t sense it from the way he wanted you last night, despite the long journey."

Heat pricked my cheeks as my mind darted back to our closeness in his chambers—the way his touch had lingered, the intensity of his gaze, the way my own words had slipped free before I could stop them.

I remembered how many rounds of sex we had before I finally begged him to stop.

Draven had surprised me with his vitality and his ability to satisfy me as if he didn’t need a good deep night rest.

Regardless of those intimate memories, I still wondered how Draven’s affection last night was related to him marking me. "What are you talking about, Valmora?"

Her voice grew quieter, like a whisper curling into my ear. "Draven’s hunger for you last night is enough proof that he is ready to mark you."

’Really?’ As I wondered to myself, Valmora spoke again.

"And it was me, Meredith. I stirred the air, pushed your heart forward, broke down that wall of fear inside you. That’s why you confessed your love to him."

I froze. My legs went stiff, and the gravel path crunched to a halt beneath my shoes. My breath caught in my throat. "You... what?"

I had thought it strange in that moment, the way the words ’I love you’ had slipped past my lips so suddenly, so fiercely.

I had briefly wondered why I had said it, why I hadn’t been able to hold it back. Now I knew it hadn’t been entirely me.

Shock thundered in my chest, and my heart beat so loud I was sure Xamira could hear it.

"My lady?" Xamira tugged on my hand, tilting her little head up with concern. "Is something wrong?"

I blinked, forcing myself to shake my head quickly. "No, sweetheart. Nothing’s wrong. Let’s sit for a while, hmm? We should rest our feet."

She nodded happily, tugging me toward a stone bench shaded by an arch of climbing roses. I followed, but inside, my mind was spinning.

I needed to sit, to think and press Valmora for answers. Because if she had pushed me to confess, what else could she be planning to push me into?

Xamira skipped ahead to the bench first, plopping down and swinging her little legs while humming softly to herself.

I followed more slowly, lowering myself beside her, though my focus wasn’t on her—it was on the storm raging in my mind.

"Valmora,"

I whispered inwardly, my voice sharp. "Why would you do that without telling me? You can’t just take control of my emotions like that!"

Her tone was calm, but firm. "I didn’t take control, Meredith. I nudged you. I opened the gate you kept locked. The love was already there—it was your fear that kept it hidden. And you needed that moment. He needed that moment."

I clenched my hands in my lap, trying to steady the trembling in my fingers. "That doesn’t make it right."

Valmora’s sigh was heavy, almost maternal.

"I know you feel betrayed, but trust me—your hesitation is dangerous. If Draven marks you, his strength will blend with yours. Our power will awaken faster, sharper. You will need that if you truly want to stand beside him... and protect what you both hold dear."

I imagined what I truly wanted and envisioned ruling beside Draven, but Valmora was a bit impatience with my silent that she directly cut in.

"And besides, the mating bond is different. It will not hinder you—it will only strengthen you. It is the bridge between your souls. And whether you’re ready to admit it or not, Draven is ready. His heart already knows. The only one doubting... is you."

I glanced at Xamira, who had pulled a flower from the nearby bush and was carefully trying to tuck it behind her ear. She looked so carefree, so innocent.

And yet inside me, everything was chaos. I swallowed hard.

Valmora’s voice came again like a low growl, disappointed but insistent. "Meredith, if you delay too long, fate will make the choice for you."

I let out a slow breath, staring down at my hands as her words pressed heavy in my chest, echoing with every heartbeat.

She wasn’t wrong—not about Draven, not about me, not about the danger of waiting too long.

Still, my mind flicked back to Wanda, to the storm that had erupted this morning. I couldn’t bring something so delicate and so important, into this chaos.

"Fine," I whispered inwardly, making the promise as much to myself as to Valmora. "I will find a way to bring it up with him after Wanda leaves tomorrow and everything calms."

There was a pause, then Valmora gave a soft, approving hum. "Good. At least you’ve decided. Just don’t let fear creep in again, Meredith. When the moment comes, take it. I will also help you."

I nodded faintly, more to myself than anyone. The decision steadied me, even if it scared me at the same time.

Xamira came back to my side and leaned into me happily, the flower still crooked behind her ear.

I forced a gentle smile and I wrapped an arm around her tiny shoulders.

But my mind was elsewhere, knowing the choice I had just made would change something important about my destiny.