Twin Flames by Elizabeth Winters Page B

of you.”
    Had he just said what she thought he said?
    Raven stared at him, shocked.
    “Our prince has assured us you are to be trusted. We wish to reward you both for your valor in such a dark time.” He glanced to the man beside him who then rose. In his hand were the two amethyst teardrops that had brought them through the portal. They had conjoined. “Take this and keep it with you. It will keep your thoughts pure.”
    He beckoned for Devlin to join them. When he stopped beside Raven, Devlin dropped to his knees.
    “Fathers, I do not understand.”
    “Ah, my prince, you have a choice to make. If you’re truly two halves of the same soul, it will be a difficult one.”
    Devlin rose to his feet and wrapped his arm around Raven’s waist. “Tell me what I must do.”
    “You have both proven yourself. In light of this, the Council has agreed to bend the rules, allow you to mate.”
    Raven’s heart felt like it was going to explode from her chest. This couldn’t be happening.
    “Or,” the Flame continued, “Raven may return to the world from which she came. The choice lies with you and only you. We will not stand in the way of your decision, but you only have until sunrise to decide.” His speech concluded, he nodded to the other members and they rose as one, disappearing into the shimmering air.
    Raven turned to Devlin, grabbing his arm. “Did you know this was going to happen?”
    He shook his head and she wondered if he was in as much shock as she. “We haven’t much time. Let’s go back to our rooms.”
    She nodded, following him along the corridor. When they were safely inside, the door locked behind them, she turned to him once again. “They would let me go home,” she whispered. “I could see my sister, my world.”
    “Or you could stay here with me.”
    The very thought terrified her. To stay here in this strange land, with its strange customs? “Would you have to return with me?” she asked, already knowing the answer.
    “Yes,” he whispered, “that is why I am being given the decision. To let you go I must give up everything.”
    “What are you going to do?” She had too much love for him to plead her case. No matter the decision, both options required a tremendous amount of sacrifice.
    He cupped her chin in his hands. “I will make the right decision for us. I promise.”
    She nodded. “There is only one thing I want you to know before you decide.”
    He cocked his brow in question.
    “I love you. And I will love you no matter what you decide because I know you will do what you believe to be right.”
    “Damn it, Raven. You’re making this more difficult.”
    She smiled slightly. “I don’t believe they said it would be easy.”

Chapter Thirteen
    Devlin had known it would come to this, but he was unsure if he could go through with it. Raven sat beside him, silent. In her eyes was an unspoken plea. She wanted him, more so than he had ever imagined, but she also wanted her freedom, her world. And since he loved her he had to give her up, forever.
    Twelve men in flowing silk robes marched through the entrance of the chapel, and he knew the time for his decision had come.
    He took Raven’s cold hand to lead her to the dais, but she pulled him back. “Please, don’t make this decision for me. I know it’s the custom—”
    “Shh…” he murmured, secure in the knowledge he was doing the right thing. “Everything will be fine.”
    As they moved forward, the head elder rose to his feet, his white robe flowing behind him. “You have reached a decision, my child?”
    “Yes, Father.” Devlin stood before the Council, Raven tightly pressed to his side. He had no regrets. “Give Raven her freedom.”
    She gave a startled gasp. “Devlin, no!” Ignoring the councilor’s stern gaze, she grabbed his arm and jerked him to face her. “I want to stay here, with you. You would never be happy in my time. You already spent centuries suffering there. Your heritage is here and I’m not