Page 22 of Dark Awakening: Hidden Currents

"That's true."

Julian had indeed helped him a lot, explaining intimate subjects in a nonjudgmental, matter-of-fact way.

"It's about overcoming aversions."

"Like your aversion to animal products?"

Ell-rom nodded. "Yes. Let's say I need to eat a piece of meat to hide who I am, and it's very important that I do so, but I can't bring myself to even put it in my mouth."

It was a good example that was close to his real problem and might even be connected to it. Perhaps he couldn't stomach animal products because of his aversion to blood.

Julian leaned back in his chair. "Overcoming aversions is a complex process. It might involve a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, and sometimes medication. The key is to gradually expose yourself to the source of the aversion in a controlled, safe environment while learning coping mechanisms to manage your anxiety or discomfort." He paused, studying Ell-rom's face. "But I have a feeling you're not asking about your aversion to meat. Being a vegetarian or a vegan is perfectly acceptable in human societies, and no one will force you to eat meat if you don't want to."

Ell-rom felt his heart rate quicken. This was the moment of truth. "I have a strong aversion to blood," he admitted. "The sight, the smell, even the thought of it makes me ill. I'm sure you understand why that's a huge problem. I must overcome it, and I don't know how."

Understanding dawned in Julian's eyes. "You can't bite Jasmine."

Ell-rom nodded miserably. "I can't bite anyone. I can't bite to bring my mate pleasure, and I can't use my fangs to protect her either. How can I be what I am and be repulsed by even a drop of blood?"

Julian leaned forward. "Aversions can develop for all sorts of reasons. Regrettably, you don't have your memories, so you don't know what caused it, but it must have been something traumatic."

"It was." Ell-rom winced. "That's one of the few memories that has resurfaced. There was some sort of function in the temple, and I had to pretend to drink blood from a goblet because I was supposed to be Kra-ell. The head priestess had told me and Morelle to only put our lips on the rim and not actually drink it because neither of us could tolerate it, but I accidentally took a small sip and had to run to my room to throw up. I got a serious scolding later because my slip-up endangered Morelle's and my life. Our survival depended on everyone believing we were normal Kra-ell kids or as normal as fraternal twins could be. I think we were the only such twins born in thousands of years."

Julian appeared thoughtful for a long moment. "That sounds like a pretty traumatic event to me, especially since you were still a kid when it happened. I think it might be helpful for you to speak with our clan's psychologist, Vanessa."

Ell-rom felt a surge of panic. "I don't want more people to know about this. It was difficult enough to come to you for advice."

"I understand," Julian said. "But you should know that Vanessa is bound by strict confidentiality. Nothing you discuss with her will ever be shared without your explicit permission. You don't even have to meet her in person. I can arrange a video call. But don't expect a quick fix. Psychological issues take time to resolve, and it would probably take a few sessions with her before you see any improvement."

Ell-rom nodded. "I'll speak with her, but I don't want Jasmine to know. Can you cover for me and invent some kind of testing that you need to perform from time to time?"

Julian regarded him for a long moment. "Honesty is always the best option, especially when it comes to your mate. You can tell Jasmine that you are talking to the therapist, but you don't need to tell her what you are talking about. You can say that you are not ready to share what is troubling you with her yet, and that will be the truth. She might get her feelings hurt a little because you are keeping things from her, but she will be hurt much worse if she discovers that you have deliberately deceived her."

Ell-rom winced. "When you put it like that, it sounds terrible. I'll follow your advice." He rose to his feet. "Thank you. I mean it. You are more than a medic to me. You are a good friend."

Julian smiled. "I'm honored to be your friend, Ell-rom."

16

JASMINE

As Jasmine stepped out of the elevator on the clinic level, her heart was heavy with what was about to happen to Rob the next day. While Ell-rom would be embracing his family, Rob would be facing his fiancée's betrayal.

He obviously loved Lynda, and they were to be married in less than a week. Seeing her with her ex would be like a stab to the heart.

Poor guy.

As she made her way down the corridor, her footsteps echoing in the quiet hallway, the heaviness gave way to anticipation. It was ridiculous how much her heart fluttered every time she was about to see Ell-rom, even after the shortest separation. It was like he was her sun, and when he wasn't near her, everything around her dimmed.

Was that love?

It must be, because she had never felt this way toward anyone else.

She paused outside Morelle's room, expecting to find Ell-rom there, but the room was empty save for the comatose princess and the equipment surrounding her.

Frowning, Jasmine turned and headed towards the doctor's office, but as she raised her hand to knock, the door opened, and Julian stepped out, quickly pulling the door closed behind him.

"Hi, Jasmine." He greeted her with a bright smile. "Ell-rom isn't ready yet."