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The group parted, and Tiber and Luisca made their way to the front of the group.

“You’re fighting too?” I asked. Tiber wasn’t as much of a surprise as Luisca.

“Seems I’ve got some learning to do as well, especially with what’s been happening. We’re realizing that it’s not just me,” Luisca said, and then looked around the group.

More than a few heads were nodding.

“I’ve been feeling surges too,” one man said.

“Me as well,” a woman said.

There were more nods, and it seemed as if all of us were in awe of just how much might be changing.

“Okay, well, let’s not waste time,” Kaden said. “Let’s break off into twos. Whoever is stronger, grab a partner that’s either weaker or has newer powers surging.”

Everyone started pairing off as I watched, wondering where I fit in.

“Don’t worry, I’ll partner with you,” Tiber said, coming to my side. “I think they’re a little worried about how strong you are, but they’ll get over it.”

Luisca smiled at Kaden. “So I guess you’re practicing with me.”

Before we could break off into our pairs, Tiber said, “It’s hard not to think it’s… Well, that it feels like it’s finally happening.” There was so much hope glowing in his eyes.

“Feels like what is finally happening?” I asked. I had no idea what he was talking about, but the excitement he was exuding felt contagious.

“All Kradix grow up hearing the history of our kind, how there has been a cycle of power where we dwindle and then surge. Each surge begins with ‘the mating of the two’ that rebirths our people. That is the beginning. It awakens slumbering powers and renews the race.”

“The two?”

Kaden shot me a look that clearly said,Aren’t you glad you asked?

Tiber was looking at me a little too meaningfully. “Yes. Sun and night, dark and light. Considering what’s happening, a lot of us think you and Kaden are the two.”

“Oh.” Suddenly the joy I’d sensed with Tiber and Luisca when we first met was making more sense. This was a heavy trip, and I wasn’t ready for it. I was trying to just get by, day by day.

I clapped my hands together. “So, let’s get started!” I walked to the side, waving at Tiber, ready to see what he had to show. And ready to not discuss how the future might hinge on a fraud I was helping to perpetuate.

Chapter Twenty-Two

There was a knock at the open bedroom door, and Luisca popped her head in, a dress draped over her arm.

“I brought you something to wear tonight. I wasn’t sure you had much for the occasion.”

I was kneeling in front of the bottom drawer in the room, looking at the slim pickings, when she walked in. I shouldn’t have cared what I looked like, but tonight was my first party since I’d taken a beating in front of everyone, and since Kaden had left the morning after our esposmata. I could’ve shown up in rough-hewn work clothes, but I still had a shred of pride left.

I stood, taking the dress.“It’s beautiful. Are you sure?” I would’ve been happy for anything. I ran a hand over the fine blue silk.

“Yes. That color will look great with your hair.” Luisca patted my shoulder and turned toward the door. “I’ll see you at the party.”

I made my way down a few minutes later, feeling slightly off in the blue, Grecian-style dress. I wasn’t used to wearing anything that showed so much cleavage or accentuated much of anything anymore. My typical day was usually linen pants with a simple shirt and boots speckled with mud.

Kaden watched me enter. His eyes ran my length, lingering long enough that I got distracted and bumped my hip into the corner of the couch. He didn’t seem to notice as he walked over and offered me his arm.

“Tiber and Luisca had to help out with some of the festivities, so they went outside already.”

It was as if we were truly going on a date. I stared at his arm for long enough to make it awkward.

“We do want to make the correct entrance,” he said, smiling.