How Torlinque Became My Lifemate
during my life as the 'Lesia anyway

Part IV

We talked about every day things that had happened to us since we'd last been alone together. I told him about my work in the Temple.

Then I told him that the Goddess had said we were to be together, and that she said we'd understand why in time. I opened my self enough to him in the Send as I said those things so that he knew I was being absolutely honest with him.

I turned to look at him then. The light from the pond bathed him in its soft light. I thought he was the most beautiful creature I'd ever seen (I still do). I waited for him to speak first. For a long time he didn't, he just kept staring into my gaze. I didn't look away.

Finally he whispered to me, "I love you." "I know" I said. "All the Adrastai do. I am the 'Lesia." "This is more than that" he said. "I know that too" I returned, "You love me."
"Yes. If you were the lowliest scullery maid, I would love you just the same as I do now." he said. I smiled. "It is more even than that though" he continued, "I don't know what it is, and I can't explain it. There is a need in my heart that leapt to life the moment I first saw you the day my father made my squad your bodyguards. It has made me do those bold things I would not have done otherwise." He leaned toward me. "You've stolen my soul, Ama'ne (my Love)." he whispered. Then he kissed me, and it was just like that evening under the tree.

When my head cleared, there was his green gaze again. "I love you" I said to him, "And that night when I dropped my book, you stole my soul as well. My heart leaps every time you are near. I have thought of nothing but you since that night." He took me in his arms and kissed me again, deeply, lying us down on the moss on his jacket as he did so.

"I fear that if I have you, that I will bind myself to you," he whispered as he kissed me and stroked my cheek with one fingertip, "that I won't be strong enough to keep it from happening. This thing is stronger than I am, and I am so in love with you. I am yours already though, whether you will have me or not."

"I had the same fear," I said, "until I went to see the Goddess. I swear to you that She assured me that whatever happens is what She Wills." He nodded. "I brought you here tonight, while all the world sleeps, to this most private place because my heart has called to you since I first stared into your gaze. The Goddess said I must show you the truth of me, which I have done. Now you must choose whether or not you would answer this calling."

"You know that I would, but I didn't dare hope..." he trailed off, kissing me, caressing my body. "Do not fear me...I know you are untouched" he said as he untied his red sash and unbuckled his scabbards a few minutes later. "I will not hurt you, I swear it."

He undid his laces and kicked off his boots and pants. Naked himself now, he lay down on top of me, staring down into my gaze and stroking stray hairs out of my face.

"I want to tell you something... something sacred" he said. "You should know who it is that you are with, especially this first time." And I was thunderstruck because I knew then what he was about to tell me.

"I am [Soul name]" he said, givng me himself.

We made Love then, and as we did so, I revealed my Soul name to him as well, but it didn't end there. We were immersed completely in the white fire and stars we had seen only a bit of in our kisses. There we discovered and revealed to one another our Deep Soul names. We knew that usually, that is the level where our People bind to one another, but something in us made us go further. That night, as we made Love in the woods, we merged completely into [Core name]. We didn't understand what had happened exactly at that time, or what it meant for us. But we knew one thing.

We were bound, hearts, souls, minds and bodies, and no one could ever break it.

Over time with the Goddess' help, we learned that we are Twin Flames, originally one being, split into two. This being then split again becoming four, two males and two females. Torlinque and I are exactly opposite in our Configuration of four, we are Twin Flames to each other as the other male and female in our Configuration are to each other also.

Torlinque and I kept our binding a secret for a long time, letting everyone think we were just Lovemates. We only called each other "Amatari'nine", Lifemate, in the Send or when we knew we were completely alone.

I dismissed the night maids who slept in my room once it was publicly known that Torlinque and I were Lovemates and he started sleeping in my bed every night. Kharie'l dispensed with the night Guard as well unless Torlinque was away on a mission. Kharie'l knew Torlinque could handle pretty much anything that might attack in the night. Secretly, I think he was proud of Torlinque and very happy we were together, thinking me a good match for his son. He didn't know the half of it.

Torlinque did not move all his things into my second floor room though. He kept all his things in his room on the first floor. This was logical since we were "only Lovemates", everyone knew it would have to end when I was bound to my clansman, and our rooms were already in the same house anyway.

I would work all day, training the Adrastai, and cleansing those who had killed. I returned to the house in the evenings absolutely exhausted. Torlinque often shooed the maids away and took care of me himself, always knowing exactly what I needed, even though he had put in a full day's work already too. He said it was his pleasure to do it, and truly, I believe it was. He would feed me and bathe me, put me to bed and love me. When I wasn't too tired and he was, I'd take care of him the same way.

We lived a happy life for nearly a century, growing more deeply in love every moment. We knew there was war in far off places, and that it was coming closer, but honestly, during those years, we really didn't care.

And so, Torlinque tes Kesperion became the Lifemate of the 'Lesia, despite rank, position, cultural traditions and my brother.