Chapter 12

CHAPTER TWELVE

Kian was overwhelmed and at a loss for words. Before him stood four fierce gods, all of whom were his family, and one was his father. There was no way to deny it, as the man was almost his twin.

“I can scarcely believe my eyes,” Argathos said as he pulled Kian into an embrace. “You have your mother’s eyes.” There was no missing that the words caught in his throat. He pulled back and stared. “We have a lot of catching up to do, but right now the rest of your family would like to meet you.”

Introductions were made to Hades and his mate, Mia. Aidyn and Leria and finally to their king. Zarek stepped forward and took him by the shoulders.

“Welcome to the family, Prince Kian. I am pleased that you are here.” A round bellied, redhead, stepped in next to him with a bright smile on her mouth. Zarek also smiled, and his body relaxed. “This is my mate, Qadira, the goddess of fire.”

She lifted her hand from her very pregnant belly and touched his cheek. “Kian, I am so pleased you are here. I have some things tucked away that belonged to your mother that I know she would want you to have. She was one of the kindest souls I have ever met.”

The mention of his mortal mother sent a pang of grief through him. “Thank you.” He bowed his head, then met her gaze again. “You are the creator of dragons. Stories of you have been whispered among the children.”

Her smile grew wider. “I am pleased with that news. I hope it didn’t frighten you as a child?”

“Not at all. My friends and I were all in awe of such creatures and the goddess who had created them.”

“That is wonderful to hear.” She looked at her mate. “Perhaps the children are not lost to us.”

“No one is lost to us.” Zarek put his focus back on Kian. “Now, tell me everything that has happened to you.”

After they all took a seat and a spread of fruits, meats, bread and cheese were laid out on the table, and their cups were full, Kian retold his journey to the Skeletal Moon and the god of judgment. As he recounted the journey he and Gwen had shared, he watched the faces of his newfound family turn from smiles to icy rage.

“That asshole dare fuck with my family?” Zarek growled.

“There is more,” Kian broke in. “I had a vision that the gods here started to disappear. I think it has already begun as there have been a few that have gone missing, and no one has heard from them.”

“What would cause this?” Hades asked.

It was Argathos who replied. “There is no one to worship them.” He looked at Kian with pride. “I should have seen this myself, but I am proud that my son has.”

“How do we fix this?” Hades asked. “Do we simply bring mortals back to this plane?”

“It’s more complicated than that.” Everyone turned to look at Gwen.

She moved into the room with the grace of a warrior and one who was relaxed among the gods. “I have been at the temple of Ra, the god has spoken to me.” She looked at Zarek. “You look so much like your grandfather.”

Zarek blinked. “You saw him? In human form?”

She nodded. “Yes, and he had quite the story to tell.” She took a seat next to Kian. “I have answers to some of our questions.”

“Please, tell us all you have learned,” Argathos begged.

“Apep is trying to free himself of his prison and seeks to destroy all of you, then force the others to submit so he can rule in chaos.” She looked at Kian. “It was Ra that took you from your mother and placed you in the womb of Netasis. He chose the goddess of destruction, thinking she would be an excellent teacher of war.”

She then focused on Argathos, her gaze softened. “He did not intend to deceive you, but he saw the vision of his great-grandson in a fight with Apep and knew the child had to be saved as well as kept secret.”

Argathos gave a nod. “War is the way of the gods. We are victims of our own egos.” His gaze focused on Kian. “It doesn’t mean that all the lost years are not painful.”

She offered a tight smile. “He also told me it was Cera who fated Kian and I to be mates. Ra assumed she must have seen the same vision as he had and woke enough to perform the task.”

Kian studied her. Would she tell a falsehood about her being his fated? Ra had warned him of the two females. One who would be his savior, while the other would seek to destroy him, but which was Gwen? Everything in his soul said she was his other half. There certainly was no denying the attraction he felt. It was a pull greater than any other he’d had before and to know that his grandmother had chosen gave him a sense of relief. Perhaps it was time to get better acquainted with the female after he learned more about this battle with Apep. He was also pleased and relieved to learn that the goddess who had raised him was as innocent as he was in this plot of the gods.

“Did he tell you any more about the fight between myself and Apep?”

Gwen had learned many things from Ra. The god had been a wealth of information, but some things she was going to have to keep to herself for now.

“Yes. Ra explained that Thedos’s power…” She looked around the room to gauge the reaction of the gods to their dead father’s name. It was clear the long-dead god still affected them as their posture stiffened and Hades’ eyes darkened. Looking back at Kian, she continued.

“Thedos was the god of death and pain, and your grandfather. His darkness carries to each generation.” She gave a quick glance at the god of the Underworld. “Hades carries his father’s desire for death and pain, and it seems you do as well.”

Kian’s brow dipped. “I have no such desires.”

“It’s likely they simply have not surfaced yet.” Just then, the ground shook and Gwen dug her fingers into the arm of the seat. Fear gripped her that she might be pulled into another world, but the shaking stopped, and everyone was still where they had been before.

She looked at Zarek. “Ra says that is Apep and he is trying to disguise himself as Cera.” Touching Kian on the arm, she continued. “You must go to the Underworld with Hades and train. He can teach you how to harness your dark side and keep it in check. I will come with you.” She swallowed, wondering how he would take her next words. “As your mate, I can help you stay balanced.”

He shook his head. “This is a lot to take in. First, I discover I am not who I thought, and neither is my family. Then, I’m fated with a mate and now I must fight a god? Me, a mere demigod.”

It was then Argathos stood, his brown eyes lit with determination and love. “You are not a mere anything! You are my son. The grandson of Cera, sovereign goddess, and Thedos, god of death and pain. You are the great-grandson of Ra. You are a prince of gods and…” He took a breath. “And your mother was no mere mortal. She had more kindness than any other. Her heart was pure. Your mother shone brighter than any god or goddess ever could.”

Hades rose and stood next to his brother. “I am honored to train my nephew. I have had centuries to hone my dark skills. And what Gwen says is true.” He looked down at Mia and smiled. “Mates balance us and bless us with love even when we are certain we are beyond such an emotion.”

Aidyn was next to stand on the other side of Argathos. “I bear the only weapon that can kill a god. What is mine is now yours to wield.”

“Well, Prince Kian. Looks like you are off to a good start. Gwen, what else did you learn?” Zarek asked.

“Once Kian is trained, he and I will need to bend time and go back to when Apep is in his prison and at his weakest. Ra has given me the information needed to do this.”

“Bend time? This is even possible?” Zarek looked shocked.

She nodded. “Yes, but only one creature has the ability to do this.”

Everyone looked at each other when finally, a strong female voice brought their whispers to a hush.

“My dragon holds this power.” Leria spoke, and all eyes focused on her. “As the queen of the Draki, my dragon can bend time. It’s not something that is shared and I’m sure you can understand why.”

“Even to your mate?” Aidyn stared at her, brows hiked up over swirling brown eyes.

“Yes, even to my mate. My people don’t even know this. Only…” Her words trailed off.

“Only I know this,” Qadira spoke. “Two beings in the entire universe ever knew. Myself, and the royal Draki who hold the power. Now this room knows, and I beg it never goes beyond these walls.”

No words needed to be spoken. Everyone bowed their head to the queen, indicating they would die with this secret.

“Very well then. Leria’s dragon will take you where you need to go when the time comes.” Qadira took her seat again, a sign for the conversation to move on.

“Is that it?” Zarek asked.

Gwen nodded. “That pretty much covers it.” Other than the fact she was going to have to die. Ra had warned her that her death would be the only way to bring Kian’s darkness out in full force. When she hadn’t balked, the god smiled and spoke.

“You honor your mate.”

“While I’m sad that our time together will be short, I would give my life so he may save himself and the others.” Hadn’t meant she was thrilled about it.

Zarek clapped his hands together, pulling her from her thoughts. “We shall adjourn this meeting then and at sunrise, Hades will take Kian and Gwen to Hell while the rest of us sort out the mess here.”

Everyone moved, and Argathos approached. “You will both stay here. The entire west wing is empty and private.” He grinned. “I suggest the two of you go there and get better acquainted. I will make certain dinner is prepared and brought to you.” Then he walked away.

“Are you okay? I know my head is spinning from all this and I can only imagine what you must be thinking.” She tried to mentally reach for him, but his emotions were buried behind a block of stone. After drinking his blood, her connection to him should be stronger, but he was shutting her out. As they walked through the quiet west wing, she wondered if he would ever grow to trust her.

“There is a lot to take in. My life went from boring to out of my control in a matter of seconds.” They stopped at the door to one of many bedrooms and he turned to face her. “I must admit, I am relieved to learn it was Cera who chose you and that you are not some kind of deception.”

She smiled at his words, for they were a relief to her as well. “Does that mean you feel the connection between us?”

His eyes darkened as he stepped into her, bent until his mouth was inches from her own, and whispered, “I feel many things when I am near you, Gwyneth.” His hand snaked around the back of her head and his mouth claimed hers. With every swipe of his tongue, fire burned in her soul, and it was all she could do to keep her fangs out of the way. She recalled the taste of him, and it matched how he made her feel at this very moment. Protected, comforted and desired. As she drifted away on her own cloud of need, he pulled back, nipping her bottom lip.

“My chosen.” His voice had turned low and husky. “I wish to explore this thing between us further, but first I will take time to clean up. I will meet you for dinner.” Then he disappeared behind the door, leaving her in the passage, wishing she could move time ahead.