Chapter 67

(Snowe's POV)

After they talked for a few more minutes, Zai told me to join them in person since he got the vibe that Tana was no threat to me. I used his element to rush over, and I was shocked when I entered the room and saw her. She seemed more like a mystical being than just a person. It was as if she constantly emitted warmth—like sitting in sunlight. I'm not sure how Zai could have ever told me she was ugly.

She wore a short yellow wrap-around dress, with a white ribbon tied around her neck like a choker and a matching ribbon on her left ankle. She was barefoot, but both her fingernails and toenails were painted a pale pink.

Zai jumped from his seat to embrace me and said proudly,"This is my wife!"...So I guess I don't need to worry about him having feelings for her—even if she looks like that.

There were also two other unfamiliar women in the room. One looked human, maybe in her mid-30s. The other was a very pretty, tall, and slender woman with silver eyes and lashes that looked like they were dusted with glitter. She must be a Metal worker. Her skin was two shades darker than mine, and unlike me and Tana, her long black hair was bone-straight. She wore a form-fitting silver gown, and her nails were painted like Tana's. It's hard to tell if she's Infaniyan or Afarian—but at this point, it shouldn't matter.

"It's lovely to meet you! You're so gorgeous! I'm happy you found someone, Zaikel," Tana said, her voice oozing sincerity and joy. It was almost hard to accept a compliment from someone so stunning, but nothing in her tone or mannerisms made me think she didn't mean it.

A man sat next to her with his arm draped over her shoulder. He had two long cornrows tied together with a thin black rope at the base of his neck. The braids, which reached his hips, faded from light pink to lavender and ended in dark purple. His lashes and brows matched that same deep purple, and his eyes were sky blue.

He did not disappoint on the attractiveness scale—almost off the charts—and he was shirtless, wearing only a necklace that matched Tana's, and black hakama-style pants with brown leather sandals. He bore his Chosen tattoo boldly. He had to be Insinz—the one who bonded with Tana.

His eyes met mine briefly, then turned away disinterestedly as he refocused on Tana.

"I don't expect to leave immediately, but the sooner the better. I know you all have affairs to get in order. Just meet me back here when you're ready," she said, holding Insinz's hand.

I want to get to know Zai's family more... Maybe they could attend our wedding—if this all ends well. No, focus. Now isn't the time to think about that.

"You can stay here... of course. You rescued Aluma, protected her all these years... and helped Innocence. I owe you," RJ offered.

Tana smiled and nodded."Thank you for that. I truly appreciate it."

The way she speaks is so proper, almost old-fashioned—and her voice is so mesmerizing, it makes me feel safe. It's how I wish my mother sounded when she spoke to me.

"Oh! It's nice to meet you too!" I finally blurted out after processing all this.

She giggled softly and gave me a dazzling smile."I like you. You're adorable."

I blushed deeply, and she gave Zai a thumbs-up."You found a good one."

Zai grinned proudly."I know. That's why I'll never let her go."

That only worsened my shyness, so I rushed to take a seat. Zai kept a firm hold on me as I sat on his lap. I'm not sure exactly how I won her over, but I won't complain.

"Hey, Snowe. Welcome to the chaos," Valin greeted.

Zai pulled me closer and then turned toward the group.

"Okay, since everyone's here now... we should go over strategies," Insinz said, pulling a scroll out of thin air.

Every viable strategy was recorded on it, and a visual projection appeared, showing movie-like simulations of each one's pros and cons.

"That's so cool," I mumbled. I'm still getting used to modern Earth tech, and now Afaria has real-time visualizations of strategy thoughts?

Insinz cracked a smile."Moving on."

He started assigning partners. Zai insisted that I stay with him until he faces the King. Insinz and RJ were paired together since their powers complement each other. Valin was placed with Cera. I've never gotten close to Cera... maybe that can change after the battle.

"Yeah... I think that'll work. Even Vetro wouldn't survive that," Insinz said, smiling as he tucked the scroll back into the void.

"I want to be there... when this all ends," Tana suddenly chimed in.

She'd been quietly listening until then, smiling softly. Insinz cupped her chin and leaned in as if to kiss her, but stopped short and sighed.

"That... I'll need to train you in my element first. We also need to discover your affinity."

Tana's eyes widened."I never chose one."

Insinz looked down sadly."You just don't remember. Vetro wanted to keep you weak—he was draining your energy, the same way we're taught to do to humans. That's how he got so strong. He found a way to repress the memory of the day you chose your element so you couldn't use it or pick another one."

Her mouth hung open, and her eyes glistened with tears.

"I think that's all for now. Let's meet again once you're ready," she said, trying to sound upbeat—but her voice cracked.

We said our goodbyes. Only Valin, Zai, and I were leaving. The others went to their rooms in the mansion.

(Tana's POV)

Raijian showed me to a guest room. It was overly girly—pastel pink and white furniture everywhere. Extremely odd for a house made just for the princes. I thought I understood them fairly well, but clearly, there's still more to learn...

Insinz manifested from my necklace once we were alone and flopped dramatically onto the bed."It's so bright in here, it hurts my eyes."

I laughed."I'm so sorry you must suffer to be with me."

I sat beside him as he rolled over and hugged my waist."I was prepared to suffer. It was in the contract when I signed up to be with you."

I scoffed."You want to ask me more about your curse, don't you?"

I stayed quiet, so he sat up and kissed my forehead before continuing.

"Originally, someone named Larina placed it on you. She's long dead, but I could hear echoes of her name when I tried to lift it. Normally, curses end after the caster dies, but Vetro added layers. One kept you from leaving him. Another made you forget your element. And the last repressed feelings that might make you discontent."

"I still ended up discontent, though," I noted.

He nodded."That's because your strong will broke part of that layer yourself. It just took a long time. Most people would've reached that point thousands of years earlier."

I took a breath."So... when you cured me, you saw some of my past."

"Your face couldn't be healed until he released all the layers. When you almost died and he couldn't strengthen his curse through sex anymore, I was finally able to heal you."

"I'm... so grateful to you. At first, I wished I'd really died, but now... I have hope, because I'm with you."

He laughed and nuzzled his nose against mine."Don't worry. I won't kiss you. I want to, though. I can't wait to see you in person again."

I blushed, placed my hand on his, and intertwined our fingers."I feel the same. I miss being able to touch you however I want."

The clone's cheeks turned red, and he looked away.

"Also, I have another confession..."I leaned in.

"Hyzi... I have all of his memories. The Chosen are always incarnates of each other, but I think this is different. I remember an entire life with you. I loved you before I even met you. I knew your favorite things... how beautiful you are. That's probably why you warmed up to me."

My breath caught."Why didn't you tell me sooner?" I whispered.

"...It was dangerous in the palace. The King would ignore a fling, but once he realized I meant something to you, he became enraged. If I admitted my past life and he found out, he would've killed me. I kept quiet to stay alive. I wanted to tell you, but I thought it would only stress you out more."

I hugged him.

"I truly cared for Hyzi... and I was starting to fall for him. But even with his memories, you feel different. You're the one who made my heart flutter before it even made logical sense. I love you—the Insinz-Hyzi hybrid you are now. And I'm not disappointed you hid it. I understand."I kissed the tip of his nose."I love you."

He looked like he was fighting back tears, then kissed my cheek and backed away to meet my eyes again.

"I love you too. And now you have proof that—no matter what happens after this war—I'll always find you and come back to you."

I flicked his forehead."Ow!"

"Don't talk like you're going to die, dummy."

He rolled his eyes, then nuzzled his cheek against mine and laid with me until I fell asleep.