Echo Book 2

19. The Dragon Is Awake

I see red, and I black out as my dragon takes over.

I stretch my arms up and yawn. Then I lean back and look at the people standing on the floor in front of me.

The girl smiles. "You took a nap. I'm Thora."

"Long nap. Give me a minute."

"Of course."

I remember why we're here. Unite the galaxy. Push evolution for everyone. Me and my 3 sisters. "How many mates does Nadine have?"

"8. Leo's a God."

"10?"

"Maryella didn't like girls."

"I could have her sent back as a boy."

"Still doesn't mean she'd like girls. That could be even worse."

"True."

"Kehlani?"

"1 mate. Alden."

"Altheena?"

"Who?"

"Altheena May-Eve Sage?"

"Haven't met her."

"She was sent before I was."

Thora smiles. "Probably confused or busy."

"Yea, stuck on a werewolf planet with your mates will do that to you."

"They are sexy."

I nod. "And not immortal. We need to find her."

A man gets closer. "You know the plan?"

"Yes. Unite the galaxy. Push evolution forward as 1. Step 1: Find Altheena."

A man beside me nods. "We're working on it."

"Wonderful. I need to search for more memories." I close my eyes. "Can someone find my doctor? I think I'm human. I'm also leaking."

"Leaking?" Thora tilts her head.

Tim jumps. "It's fine. I'm taking you to the doctor in the morning."

"Wonderful." I close my eyes again.

"Tye is requesting to board the ship with Alden and Kane."

Malax answers, "It's fine."

"I'm having a hard time waking up."

"Well, that was like a 20-year nap." Thora brushes hair out of my face. "Do you remember anything about where Altheena was sent?" The new boys come in.

"Werewolf planet. Somewhere. Kane, my planet was invaded. Your assistance would have been wonderful."

He tilts his head.

"None of you know anything?" I motion him towards me.

Kane stands in front of me and I take his hand. I show him the throne. I'm on top. He's the protector of my throne.

He falls to his knees. "How did I go with Nadine?"

"We didn't know Kehlani's brother would do that. Once we got her out of the room, we decided the majority of the throne would go with Nadine. She went in 380 years before me and Altheena. We wanted her to have help. We couldn't leave her like Kehlani had been left. Nadine should have everyone on the throne. Doctor, protector, guardian, teacher, messenger, all of them. The guardian I sent in personally when she was a small girl. Tre assumed the role of teacher while she was young. He was sent in shortly after we pulled Kehlani out. Dipak was her protector and mate. He went very early to pave the way for Nadine and Tre. Make sure they were safe. Tim was sent to protect Kehlani. Ax was for me. It was a last minute decision to put you with Nadine. You were already on the planet and all I had to do was grow up on mine."

Kane nods and hugs me.

"Why was Tim sent for Kehlani? And what do you mean she was pulled out?"

"Alden?"

"Yes."

"You were in a previous life. Her brother attacked her and hid her. We were confused. So, we got her out of that room. We didn't know what to do about that. You couldn't be born on the planet until you died on the last one. Then you had to grow up. We couldn't leave her in that room for that long. She was with me and Altheena. We watched over everyone. Make sure the rest of you weren't dying. Then you were ready to go in. I was waiting for you to find her. I wanted to see that. But I had to go in. You were about 12 years old. Altheena went in about a year before me. Kehlani was waiting for you to grow up and find her when I came into this life. She was still watching over you."

He hits his knees.

Tim stares at me. "Zarina?"

I wink at him. "I couldn't stay. And I was like everyone else. I didn't know the plan. I didn't know I couldn't stay. I wanted to stay."

He drops. "How?"

"You were getting a little too friendly with my sister, asshole."

"Sorry, baby."

"Yea, me too. The plan was: I was going to spend 400 or so years with you. You were only supposed to be her protector. We figured you would die when the mate bond snapped, you were going to be born again on Corix. You would go in at the same time as Ax. But you didn't die. You lived. You still had the original mission of being Kehlani's protector. So, naturally, you sought her out again."

"How did Kennian know where you were?"

"I told him. I took over a body at the moment of death. I did not know the whole plan. Only that you were my mate and where to find you. I walked right into the castle. Right into his office. I told him who I was. It was a bullshit story we plugged into my brain. He sent me to his friend's castle. He told me to wait a couple of days and he would send you. He was trying to think of a way to break it to you and Kehlani. You came exactly when he said you would. Just like he promised. You weren't supposed to move out of their castle. I wanted you to stay as her protector. It didn't matter if I died. But we left. Why did we leave?"

"I thought Kennian hid you from me."

"Only for 2 days."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't know. All I knew was that I was swimming in a river with my little brothers. Momma was so happy when I got home. She knew I was upset about something. I don't even know what that was. I knew I had to go to that castle. I knew you were there. I couldn't figure out how I knew. I wanted my mate. I wanted forever with you. I didn't know I wouldn't be there that long. To me, it was a normal life. It was supposed to last longer. We did not grasp how horrible Fane would become."

"The baby?"

"The soul isn't sent until the moment of birth."

He drops his head and cries. I walk over and put my hand on his head. I show him images of the 2 of us in previous lives. Happy. In love. Lots of children. I kiss his head. "This is only 1 life, love. We've had a hundred." I show him more images of our children. "They will be with us again in this life. When they're ready and we're ready."

"Your children will come back to you?" Thora scratches her head.

"Some of their souls are ready and waiting now. We've lived lives together and enjoyed them. We're a family. Others are currently in other lives. Once those lives end, they can be sent at the moment of birth for my children here. Families and friends don't shift a whole lot. We will plan our lives with the same souls we get along with. The more lives you live with someone, the closer you become. Whether it's a sister, mother, father, or close friend. You'll seek out those souls when you plan for your new life. You'll want them to be a part of it. You already know you get along."

"What does it mean that I'm Nadine's soul sister?"

"You 2 have gotten into so much shit." They laugh. "You are best friends. There is no coming between the 2 of you. A soul sister is someone that has been your sister in several lives. You have lived a lot of lives together." I help Tim stand up and rub his back. "Even though you don't have the same parents in this life, you still hold the title of soul sister. You even challenged each other to be boys for a few lives. That was interesting."

She laughs. "Why?"

"Why not? We're all souls trying to evolve. Trying to learn everything we can. I'm sure the 2 of you learned stuff. I'm not sure what the hell it was though. None of your mates were willing to participate in those lives. You were kind of on your own." I sit on the throne again. "We didn't worry. You had each other. They weren't particularly long lives either."

Dipak turns to me. "Do you have knowledge of the lives I lived with Nadine?"

"Some. If I checked on her while she was in a life with you, I would gain some knowledge of it."

"Why would you check on her?"

"She's my sister and I can. Also, some of the lives we live are very long. We may miss the person and check on them. Make sure they're ok." I remember a time I checked on Nadine, and they were in a field having a picnic. A few kids were running around them. I grab his wrist and show him. "That's 1 of the lives you lived with her. A peek into it. Someday you'll know about all of your lives. I don't have knowledge of all of anyone else's lives. That would be private to you."

He blinks tears away.

Another boy asks, "How do you have God-level knowledge?"

"Honestly, I think Thora woke me up early. I'm not supposed to have this."

She smiles. "You're welcome, everyone."

"You were always smart. But, I was supposed to have the plan for this life. Also, Zarina's memories and some information related to that, so I could help Tim. I am currently remembering everything though. I doubt it'll stay like this. This is entirely too much information for 1 brain. I'm having a hard time sorting through it. For the life of me, I can't remember my name. Other than Zarina."

"Echo."

"Thank you. I remember now. Sanya, Casdy, Rune, Jayda, and Braxtin Kinnik. I'm slowly waking up and remembering her life. I might be losing knowledge as I gain knowledge of Echo's life."

"What does the throne look like with you and your sisters?"

"United."

Kane nods. "It's her throne, Tre. We work for her. I am the protector of her throne. She assigned me to Nadine."

"Damn."

I sit back and cross my legs. Then I motion Dipak. "Any new information about Altheena?"

"Still working on it."

I nod. "Let me know immediately if that changes."

"Of course."

Tre shakes his head. "What are we supposed to do?"

"What you're doing is perfect. Gather planets that submit to the throne. Rights and laws. Trade. Bringing everyone together. Finding more intelligent life. You're doing amazing things. I'm wondering if Kehlani gave herself extra knowledge when she entered her life again. She is working very hard. I don't know why. She's made twice the progress you have and there are 9 of you."

Dipak rubs his face. "Explain the throne."

"I did."

"No you didn't."

Kane stands up. "She's on top with Ax and Tim. Altheena, Nadine, and Kehlani are right under her with their mates. Then it goes like it did before. Alkawn, Kennian, Tobias, all Alden's people still work for him. They are under him. Your people are still under you."

"So the girls are high queens?"

"No. They are Queen of Queens. They are very much a pain in the ass to negotiate with. They all wanted that title, so I let them have it. It wasn't worth arguing over. And honestly, they are queens of a bunch of queens. So, it works."

"And we are?"

"High Kings. You didn't care so much about your titles. You didn't want King of Kings. That's Ax and Tim. You wanted to be different. If you want the King of Kings title, tell them. I don't care. I don't know if they care either."

Ax shakes his head. "I don't care."

Dipak nods. "We'll keep the High King."

Thora looks like she's about to cry. "Am I still a queen?"

"No. I'm titling you and you alone, High Queen Thora Nicole Frode. I don't want anybody else trying to claim that title. With my sisters holding the Queen of Queens title, it means nobody would have the High Queen title. It's now yours. It comes with nothing special, I simply need someone to hold the title, so the entire tier below my sisters doesn't try to claim it."

"Yea, that would be confusing. A bunch of High Queens and High Kings that aren't even together."

"Exactly. You'll do fine with the title. Kane, you are released from being Nadine's protector. I'm going to move you to me for a while. This is a lot changing for Zarina, and she really only has Tim and Ax with her. I'm also concerned about the invaders coming back."

"Echo."

"I meant Echo."

"Of course."

"You can have one of Alden's king ships. I know your friends and family are with Nadine. Feel free to go back and forth as you feel safe."

"My mate is Nadine's guardian."

I nod. "Guardian of my throne. She is released from Nadine and placed with me. I knew you would like her. She's a badass who takes no shit."

"Thank you." He smiles.

"My pleasure. She can travel with you as you like. No restrictions."

"You can't give away my king ships." Alden crosses his arms.

I wink at him. Then I command, "Kneel." He drops to his knees. "Sir, I have had your submission for thousands of years. You have run off with my sister in so many lives to have fun. In this life, I need your ass to work for me. You have done great so far. Don't piss me off now. Rise."

"Sorry." He stands up all wobbly.

"Why in the hell are you working so hard? You have got so much done."

Thora smiles. "Kehlani works like that. Constantly and without a break."

"Why?"

"No idea."

I lean back and close my eyes. Everything was fine when I left Kehlani. I push more into Echo's memories. She's having a hard time with Tim. Very confused about Zarina. Her being another mate to Tim. Add in the fact that she has multiple mates. I can ease her thoughts about that slowly. Then I remember the conversation she overheard. Catching Kehlani in Tims' arms. The child she had. I look at Thora. "I'm ready to go down now."

"Of course."