Cast Aside Without a Mate

Chapter 15: A Menyaka Like Yours

Chapter 15 Desmond's POV

I swallowed and pressed on. "When I speak to my Menyaka, it is as simple as a thought to myself. It does not require mental strength to speak with him. Can you explain what it is like when you speak to KumugWe?" I admired him and was ready to hear what he had to say. Dante had just finished readying himself and turned to look at me. He wore a frown and met my eyes that did not show what he was thinking. "When Kumu speaks to me, it is like thousands of pounds of pressure is pressing inside my body. I break out in a cold sweat and feel dizzy and nauseous when he communicates with me. Kumu's Laugh is like being at a drum concert and being front and center to the loudest bass. I have never asked him why speaking to each other causes me to be overstimulated, yet we rarely talk." Dante looked like he was thinking of something else. "Kumu only speaks to me when he feels extra playful and wants to expose us to others." I was puzzled that KumugWe wanted to expose Dante's lies to everyone instead of being on his side.

Dante's face fell ashen; he closed his eyes, and brows furrowed. "It can be quite painful trying to speak to my Menyaka, and it takes a lot of energy for me." he shuddered like he knew the pain all too well. I frowned and reached out my hand to place it on my brother's shoulders when the images of my nightmares flashed through my mind. I paused and then touched my brother's shoulder, comforting him. I was not just trying to comfort Dante, but also myself. I needed to keep ensuring my brother was there, telling myself he would not disappear. No one will take him from my life.

"Aside from the fact that your Menyaka has a different fur color and pattern than most, do you know what kind of powers he holds?" I asked another question, hoping Dante would fill me in on more secrets. Dante looked at me a bit aloof, then looked at his hands. He was quiet, staring off distantly into his hands like he was holding onto something precious. He looked back at me again, and this time, I saw sincerity in his eyes as he spoke in a low, magnetic voice that drew me in. "KumugWe has two powers, I suppose. He has a beautiful golden glow to him, but..." Dante bit his lower lip and pondered for a moment. When he took a break for a pause, I was also digesting what he was telling me when he spoke again, "I feel like there is something that happened before I even met Kumu. It's like he has some infection or something. He said that he possessed a power no Menyaka was willing to burden themselves with." Dante exhaled a shaky breath. Sorrow seeped upon the surface of Dante's face, and I could see the burden he carried and allowed me to carry with him.

My mouth fell open, and I stared at my twin as he continued to tell me everything. "I do not know what that power is, but Kumu said he knew I would make the most interesting one to carry his power and make a great vessel for his plans. Kumu keeps to himself because he knows that talking with me can cause me to lose consciousness and cause me to become ill." Dante was rubbing his hands together slowly. "He does not tell me anything when I ask. I have to figure it out before he confesses anything to me." Dante shrugged, locking eyes with me. He gave me a small smirk when I blurted out. "Maybe your Menyaka is the one the prophets speak of saving us from the wars ahead." I was shocked, but also happy to hear this news. That means my brother cannot be taken from me if he is the chosen prince to bring us salvation. "This changes everything if Dante is the chosen one!" I felt great relief at the thought that Dante could be the one the prophets spoke of. Dante's chuckle came out low and reverberated off the walls, menacing as it squeezed my heart. "I am not sure if those stories are myths or if there is truth behind co-existing with the Neubetu. If it is true, then we do not have anything to worry about moving toward the future, but if you are wrong -" Dante spoke slowly, his voice dripping with sarcasm. I couldn't listen to any negativity when I finally found a lifeline in the year we have been trying to change our destinies. "Just consider it, Dante! Maybe we can change our destinies. The one the prophets spoke of said you would reunite all kingdoms." My face must have beamed with the brightest light because Dante did not look angry when I interrupted him. He seemed to be thinking things over, and the room fell silent as I tried to convince myself this was the truth. I didn't want to think of anything else.

After a few moments of silence, Dante was the first to speak up. "The ritual went well until I was chanting over my birthstone. I do not know if something went wrong. I want you to know that yours went better than mine." His furrowed brows stopped creasing as he explained to himself. "I was doing the ritual for you just fine, but when it came to my turn, I poured too much of the special bound blood over mine. It was too much, and I am unsure if it will bear consequences later." He shivered and looked at me with concern. "You don't think it will, do you?" I could tell he was worried, and I thought about what he said. If he genuinely were weaker, then it would be fine. It would make us both equal in power and balance us out. I shrugged and looked at my brother, pondering how to smooth over his worries without sounding like I did not care because I did. "I felt like it would be fine. The consequences are just being more powerful than you already planned to be, so what's there to worry about? You will be more powerful than you were meant to be. I do not see any problems with that." I flashed my brother a cheeky smile, hoping to reassure him this was good. After all, I would not complain if I got more power than expected.

Dante stood up and straightened his suit, and I did the same. It was coming close to being time to have the garden lunch. We could finally relax and enjoy the rest of our evening with family and friends in peace now that we had finished preparing for tonight's festivities. It was exciting that we would finally be able to come into our power, and I knew we would not regret this night for the rest of our lives. I was practically boiling with excitement at the great news of our ritual and everything going as planned. Dante began to collect himself. He seemed mentally preparing to face someone as I gave him a puzzled look. Suddenly, a wave of power flooded my veins, my senses going to new heights. I could hear the sounds of footsteps coming up to the third floor. I looked at Dante with a curious gaze, wondering if he sensed the sounds of footsteps before I did. Dante took a deep breath as he faced me and smiled. "I almost forgot there is something I need to talk to you about as soon as possible. As soon as we get a moment to ourselves," Dante spoke calmly.