Worlds Collide: Chapter 30 Solution

The next day at breakfast, Juan and I eat alone, enjoying the peace before I’m pulled away to training. We are laughing happily when the high priestess storms in.
“I have a solution for you, a way for you to go home” She announces proudly.
I jump up in excitement. “Thats great, thank you! When can I go?” I ask.
Before she can reply, Juan gets up and leaves and a pang of guilt hits me for not considering him.
“He really cares for you” Esme says thoughtfully.
“I.. I think so. I should go after him and make sure he is ok” I say
“You might want to hear my proposal first.” She says, making me halt.
“Proposal?” I question.
“I know you do not wish to be high priestess and your aunt Zia has made it very clear to me that she will not give up her position without a fight. So I will offer you the same position I bestowed upon your mother. I did not want you to feel pushed out as I know she did, but I do think the role would suit you well. I would like you to be our informant on the outside world.” She explains.
“You want me to be a spy?” I ask shocked
“Yes, all you would have to do is report on major developments. We have missed much over past few decades. The only condition is that you must keep our existence a secret.” She says.
“I don’t know, it seems like that is betraying my friends, my people” I say.
“We are not at war, the only use of the information you provide is to aid the development of our people and to protect our hidden kingdoms.” She explains.
“I don’t know if I could lie to Lily like that. She will notice me sneaking around, she has probably already noticed my absence and I will need to explain it.” I say.
“Perhaps we can agree a way for you to tell her, without telling her anything that might make us vulnerable.” Esme muses.
“If that is the case then I accept the position. It will mean I can travel freely across the boundary, right?” I ask excitedly.
“Yes, there are still certain access points that you will have to travel through, but you will be able to use these whenever you like. I just need a strand of your hair to brew the potion. As it is a more complex ritual to preform, it will take me most of the day, so perhaps we could meet again tomorrow morning to discuss the terms of your new position” She says.
I sigh in relief, glad that I don’t have to choose between Juan and Lily and split my heart. “Of course, does this mean that I don’t have to go to my spell lessons today?” I ask hopefully.
“On the contrary, they will be even more necessary now. I will put together a timetable for you to continue your education when you begin work.” She says “However, I think it would be acceptable for you to be a little late today if you want to share the news with your.. friend” She adds.
I smile and walk to the door, but I stop in the doorway. “Grandmother, how do you know when you find your mate?” I ask.
She smiles “Different species have different ways of telling, with your mixed blood it is hard to say how you would experience it. Witches feel a pull to their mate, like intuition, we don’t mark each other like wolves do, but we do a tying ceremony when we find a mate. An invisible rope that links our consciousness. I can still feel your grandfather even though he lives outside of the palace.” She explains.
“Is there like a spell you can do to test if it is your true mate?” I ask
“No, it will just feel right. The tying ceremony only works on true mates though, so I suppose that is a test of sorts.” She says.
“Hmm ok, thank you. I would like to meet my grandfather too before I leave if possible.” I say before I leave, happy to be expanding my family.

As I walk down the corridor to our room, I get a funny feeling in my stomach, one I’d normally associate with nerves, but I don’t feel nervous, just excited to tell Juan the good news.
I open the door to find Juan pacing back and forth. He stops and faces me, looking far less composed than normal.
“I’m going with you” He blurts out.
“What do you mean?” I ask confused
“I won’t lose you, if you insist on going home, then I’m going with you. I will need some time to arrange someone to take over my responsibilities, but please don’t leave without me.” He begs
“You’d give up your whole life here for me? We only just met, why risk everything you have here just for me?” I ask, baffled at his willingness to sacrifice everything to give us a chance.
“I will. Shifters don’t have fated mates like others, we don’t get a mark or a magic pull, but for the first time I’m not jealous of that certainty. I don’t need any of that to know how I feel about you, you have made me happier in the short time we have spent together than I have ever felt. Fate be damned, I choose you!… if you will have me?” He declares clasping my face and searching my eyes for an answer.
I laugh, unable to contain my happiness “I suppose I wouldn’t mind you sticking around, I mean I would be nice to use you as a pillow when I feedback my intel to Esme. I’m sure I could pull a few strings to get you permission to visit the palace, you might need to be shirtless though.” I tease.
“Huh?” He asks confused.
“The high priestess offered me my mothers spying job. With it comes the ability to pass through the barrier as I wish. Which means that I can go gossip with my best girl by day and after I report any developments, I’m all yours for the night.” I explain.
Juan smiles widely and scoops me up, twirling me around the room while we laugh.
“I do have a few ideas on how we could spend the night.” He says seductively
“Oh really, care to demonstrate?” I ask.
He kisses me passionately and pushes me towards the bed. Unfortunately before we can go any further, the door swings open and my spell tutor barges into the room. Her face quickly changing from scornful to embarrassed.
“Later” I say, kissing him quickly before hopping up and making my way to the lesson room.