Chapter 10

CHAPTER TEN

Kian wasn’t certain which disturbed him more. That a god or goddess who was likely related to him was waking or that the god of judgment was once again fucking with him. Of course, there had also been Gwen drinking from him, which left him with more than an erection. It had shaken him to his core. He shouldn’t have had the reaction he did and now he wondered if her words from earlier had merit. Was it possible she was his mate? What was special about her? Because one thing was certain, his mother would never choose someone like Gwen. No, she would be more his own choice rather than his mother’s. The goddess of destruction was all about one’s station in life and her son was to marry for that reason alone. His mother laughed at the very mention of love.

Love has no place in this world unless it’s for your children. Marriage is only for the benefit of the couple. It should bring you both more power and status, otherwise it is a waste of a good contract.

Yep, to his mother, marriage was nothing more than a piece of paper that listed one’s assets, accomplishments, and titles. Goddess Netasis was a stone-willed woman and one with little emotion except when it came to him. He often wondered what had happened in her life that had jaded her so badly, for he struggled to believe she had always been so cold. Then again, what did he really know? He was quickly learning, not much at all.

He stared at a clearing that sat far enough back from the ocean to be safe from a rising tide. It was also out of the way from any falling rocks, but behind it was the thick forest they had walked through to get here. It wasn’t a wise choice to build a camp as it exposed their backs to possible danger. No, he would keep looking. Walking toward the cliff of sheer rock, he sensed Gwen behind him.

“What are you doing?”

“Looking for a safe camp.”

She laughed. “Are you certain there is such a thing here?”

“No, but I’m hoping there might be a cave that is suitable. We need protection from as many sides as possible.” He stopped at the bluff and stared up. Flaring out his senses, he searched for anything that might resemble shelter. The light faded fast, and he had to hurry because who knew if the god of judgment might decide at any second to block all of his power. Several feet above him, he located what he was looking for. While he didn’t detect any life forms there, he still wanted to check it out before he allowed Gwen inside. He turned to her.

“I sense a cave above us. I’m going to check it out, you stay here.”

She gave a nod, even though he could tell she wanted to go with him. He was quick to use his power and flash into the cave entrance. Stepping inside, he discovered it was perfect. It went back several feet and angled slightly to the left, which was enough to block out any weather coming at them from the front. Yet, it wasn’t so big that he couldn’t keep it heated with a fire, providing there was enough ventilation to keep them from getting smoked out. There was no way anything could attack from their back, as the cave had a thick wall of rock behind them. Testing his power, he conjured wood and started a fire, and was pleased to see the smoke rise into an unseen vent above him. Satisfied, he flashed back down to Gwen.

“It looks perfect. I even have a fire going.” He was happy at the look of relief on her face. “I will flash us inside.”

Without a word, she stepped into him and wrapped her arms around his neck. He circled his around her waist and flashed them into the cave. For a moment, they stared at each other. Bodies still touching and friction sizzling the air. Her pupils dilated with desire, and he thought for a moment of kissing her again. He could have her. Would make her his concubine tonight in order to keep her safe from Khedeus, but it didn’t sit well with him. He wanted her, but not like this. He was in a quandary on what to do, so he moved his thoughts to more pressing matters. Testing his power to see what else he could conjure, he managed a couple of blankets for bedding, some bottled water, and a plate full of sandwiches. “Better eat, then get some rest. I’ll take first watch at the entrance.”

“Do you think something can get us way up here?” Gwen sat on a blanket and grabbed a sandwich.

“I’m not willing to risk something won’t fly right in here. We have no idea where we are or what lives here.” He took a couple of sandwiches and positioned himself where he could see both Gwen and the cave opening. It was nearly dark outside, and he sensed creatures stirring. He had a bad feeling about this place.

“Can you use something to block the opening?”

He shook his head. “Already tried to put up a shield and even a bolder to seal us in. Neither worked.” He gave a sigh. “Seems Khedeus is enjoying controlling my powers.” A teeth-chattering screech broke off his last words.

Gwen didn’t fear much, but the screech that filled the sky and echoed into the cave would be something to make her skin crawl, and it did. Setting down her sandwich, she moved closer to Kian and peered into the darkness.

“Can you see anything?” she whispered.

“Nothing.” But he procured a sword and gripped it in his right hand. “Stay behind me. Maybe if we are quiet, it won’t bother us.”

She scowled and wished for him to look at her so he might see the look on her face. “I’m a guardian. I don’t hide.” Her words got him to turn his gaze on her.

“I don’t even know what that means, other than you guard mortals?”

“I’ll tell you once we know for certain we won’t become a meal for some strange beast.”

The screech came again, but this time it had moved further away, which was hopefully a good sign. Both she and Kian relaxed and continued eating in silence. When they’d finished the last sandwich, she finally spoke.

“The guardians were created by your uncle, Zarek, a very long time ago to help protect the mortals. I suppose, he worried their enemies might follow them and try to harm the humans to get to the gods after the war. As far as I know, we’ve only ever fought with demons to keep the mortal world safe.” She stared into the fire. “Though there was a spell where we thought there would be a war with the Draki, but that was caused by Hades’ grandson, who is now a soul in purgatory. Lowan caused a lot of problems for us and the humans.”

“Do you mean the Great War?”

She lifted her head. “Great War?”

He nodded. “There is an empty temple back home that belonged to four brothers. It is forbidden to go there, and their names have never been spoken. Stories say they brought shame upon our world and caused the death of those we cared for. It was those gods who started the Great War of god against god.”

“That would be your family they speak of, and it wasn’t them who started it. It was the murder of your mother.” Suddenly, an idea struck her. “What happened to the mortals in your world?”

He had been staring outside the cave and brought his focus back to her. “The gods that started the war slaughtered them.”

“All of them?”

“Yes.”

“And this is what you are taught as a child?” she asked in disbelief.

“It is. Why?” He went back to studying the darkness outside. Was this conversation making him uncomfortable?

“Your history is wrong. It was your mother who was slain because she was human and loved by a god. That was what caused the war.” She moved until she sat next to him, forcing him to look at her. “It was your family that saved many of the humans by relocating them.” She frowned. “Does it not seem odd that all the mortals that worshipped the gods and goddesses of your world are gone? Who worships you now?”

“No one.” He looked away again, and she knew he was hiding something.

“Kian, what are you not sharing?”

He worked his jaw and inhaled a breath, letting it out slowly. “Ardea, she is a goddess of truth and she told me of my mother and father.” He looked at her, his eyes filled with pain and something else. Something that tore at her. Fear.

“She told me my father was the god of vision and my mother mortal. I was in your world to find him.”

“And that was when dick-head dragged you away. I saw you in a vision. Saw what happened and went to your father to tell him. Your entire family is looking for you and probably me by now.”

“I need to get to him.” He fingered his thick, dark hair until it became a sexy mess. “I had a vision as well. One that I’ve shared with no one as who would believe me?”

“What did you see, Kian? You can trust me.”

He looked as if he might not speak, and then he did. “The destruction of––” His words were cut off by the rock beneath them moving violently. The exact spot where they sat gave way, and they fell. Darkness swallowed them in its gaping mouth and shut out all sound except for Gwen’s scream.

Argathos felt the ground shift beneath him as he stared at his siblings. It was so strong that a nearby bust of their mother fell off its pedestal and smashed into several pieces.

Aidyn raised a brow. “Is that an omen?”

The shaking stopped, and everyone stared at each other for a moment before moving on with their plans. Zarek was the first to step forward.

“I’ve dropped the protections around the temple. They know we are here.”

“And you already have a visitor,” Mia, Hades’ mate, said. “The goddess of truth. Would you like me to show her in?”

Zarek gave a nod. “We will see her in the main hall.” Then he spun and walked away, leaving his brothers to follow. Once they were inside the cathedral-sized room, Zarek and Qadira took to their thrones while Argathos, Hades and Aidyn took their seats next to their brother. Moments later, the wooden double doors were opened and Ardea walked down the deep purple carpet until she stopped several feet away from Zarek. Bowing her head, she dipped to one knee, her snow-white gown pooling on the carpet around her and her warm brunette hair fell forward.

“Majesty. I am honored you receive me and most happy you have returned.” She lifted her head, her blue eyes sparked with truth. “I am happy to see all of you healthy and well.”

“Ardea,” Zarek said. “Your presence is most welcome, as you are one of the few I trust. Tell us, what has been going on since we left.”

She rose and tipped her head. “Much has happened.” She focused her gaze on Argathos. “God of vision, your son lives as the son of Netasis.”

Argathos jumped to his feet, his fingers rolled into fists, and a throb built at his temple. “Explain.”

“I do not know how it came to be, but Netasis bore your son while rumors abound you were all dead. Kian has been raised as her own while she refuses to speak of his father.” Her gaze softened. “But I gave him the truth, and he has set forth to the new mortal realm to seek you out.”

Zarek scratched his jaw. “When did this truth come to you, Ardea?” Everyone knew that the goddess of truth simply knew things. Those things might not come to her for years, but eventually they would come.

“A fortnight ago. I went to Kian the next morning.”

“Tell us all that you know,” Zarek commanded.

“I woke knowing that someone took Kian from his mother right before she was murdered. They were powerful enough to lay a spell on Brianna that made her appear still with child. Truth has not shown me the perpetrator, unfortunately. I cannot tell you if Netasis was involved or simply an innocent vessel to carry the babe. When this truth came to me, I then knew that all of you lived.”

“My son came to the mortal realm, but someone has taken him along with his mate.”

Her brows dipped. “What do you mean, taken?”

“I mean, he was there, then he was gone. Ripped away by an angry force.” Argathos felt his fangs trying to make a pissed-off appearance. “One of our own, I would assume.”

“I am so sorry. Of course, that is why you are here then, to question everyone.”

“It is, and also I have been remiss in my duties and allowed all of you to do whatever you want,” Zarek spoke as he leaned forward. “Things have changed, Ardea, and we have grown more powerful.”

“Then you should know that Netasis now calls herself queen and all here defer to her rule.”

“Is that so?” Hades laughed. “I’m sure I speak for all of us here when I say that we do not fear the goddess of destruction, nor do we defer to her rule.”

Ardea bowed her head. “Of course. I would expect nothing less, especially from you, Hades.” She lifted her gaze and grinned. “Many still whisper your name here.”

Zarek rose and walked toward her. “We appreciate your coming here and any other information you can offer will be seen as an act of loyalty to the crown.”

She gave a deep curtsy. “Of course, your Majesty. I will contact you if I should learn anything else.” Bowing, she backed away until she was at the room’s mid-point, then turned and walked out.

The room rippled with power and a flash of light revealed a warrior who had not been seen in a very long time. Gabriel folded his wings to his back. “Sire, you have need of my services?”