Page 2 of Dark Awakening: New World

To internalize people's plights and offer genuine compassion, it was necessary to give up something meaningful or experience hardships.

Being a spiritual leader was about more than just leading prayers and rituals.

"Perhaps we should wait until you remember your choices," she said, even though it pained her. "I don't want to lead you astray from your beliefs. When you remember more about who you are, you might realize that you loved dedicating your life to the service of others."

"What others?" Ell-rom asked.

Jasmine looked up at him. "Jade and her people might need a spiritual leader."

He looked at her for a long moment, his piercing blue eyes holding hers captive. "I may not remember my past, but I know how I feel right now, and I know that I enjoyed that kiss far too much to give it up." He took her hand and brought it to his lips for a sweet, feathery kiss. "I enjoy you too much to give you up."

It was a relief to hear him say that, but it didn't assuage her guilt. She still felt responsible for leading him away from his faith. "I was hoping that would be your answer. Indeed, I hope it will still be your answer after your memories return. But I don't want to become your regret."

"Never." He pulled her toward him. "But just to be sure I'm making the right decision, I'll need another kiss."

His humor surprised and delighted her. It must be innate because he hadn't had enough life experience since he had woken up to learn and emulate it, and his memory loss meant that he couldn't have remembered it from his past.

Ell-rom's face fell. "I see that you don't want to kiss me again. Was my first attempt so inadequate?"

"Oh, Ell-rom." Jasmine cupped his cheek. "Of course, I want to kiss you again." She leaned in and brushed her lips over his. "It's just that my mind tends to race, even when it's not supposed to."

He frowned. "In which ways was it racing?"

She shrugged. "Just a lot of silly questions that you can't answer."

"Like what?" He leaned into her palm, his eyelids going to half-mast.

"Are you tired?" She brushed her other hand over his nearly bald head.

"Not too tired to hear you talk. I love the sound of your voice."

Jasmine chuckled. "You just want another kiss."

"Yes, that too. But I want to know what's on your mind." He lifted his head and smiled at her. "You seem to have thousands of thoughts swirling around at any given moment, and I want to know all of them."

That made her laugh. "Believe me, you don't want to look inside my crazy, busy head, although you probably can."

He frowned. "What do you mean?"

"The immortals can look into the minds of humans, and since you share ancestors, you should be able to do that as well."

"It doesn't seem right to me." He tapped his temple. "Even though there isn't much anyone can gain from looking into the fragmented pieces of my mind, I wouldn't have wanted anyone invading my thoughts without my permission."

"They can't do that to you. You are one of them."

He looked confused. "Can they only read the minds of humans?"

Jasmine nodded. "But they don't do it unless it's necessary." She looked up at the camera installed near the ceiling and lowered her voice. "But I have to wonder how many do so despite the prohibition. It's not like anyone can find out. And without enforcement, most people will ignore it and do as they please, especially when there is so much to gain and so little to lose."

Ell-rom pursed his lips. "What about honor? If they vow to uphold the law, that should be enough."

"Not all are equally honorable," Jasmine whispered. "I can't speak about the immortals because I haven't been part of their community for long, but since they are part human, and humans are not all honorable, I have to assume that the same is true of the immortals."

Ell-rom's expression darkened. "Did any of them enter your mind?"

Jasmine suspected that one of the gods had bitten her to speed up her recovery after she'd twisted her ankle, and then had made her forget it. But even if she was right, the gods were not part of the immortal community, and therefore not bound by the same rules.

Should she confide her suspicions to Ell-rom?