Chapter 13

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Kian stood on the other side of his chamber door, the heat and desire of the female fated to be his still very much present in the air. His own arousal threatened to have him jerking open the door and pulling her inside so he could carry her to his bed. But he needed a moment to let everything sink in. Right now, he had information overload. A new family, a fated mate, and apparently, he was tasked with taking out Apep. The fact it was his destiny to do so didn’t bother him. It was the thought of Gwen also being involved that left him with a feeling he didn’t much care for.

Pushing away from the door, he explored his room and headed for the shower. If Gwen was also fated to go on this mission with him, then there was nothing he could do about it. When the gods decided something, there was no changing their minds. The best he could do was protect her and be thankful she was a trained warrior.

As he stepped into the shower, he noted a change in his body. Nothing physical, but he felt different and if he had to describe it to anyone, he would say he felt like he had gained a new power but had yet to discover what it was. He’d noticed it after he entered the palace and had to wonder if it was simply the other gods––his family––that caused it. After all, the place was filled with the king and queen, along with a royal Draki and three princes. That was a lot of powerful beings under one roof. No wonder it was quiet in Edala. He imagined most of the gods and goddesses were holed up in their temples waiting for ramifications of whatever naughty things they might have done to bring their king back. He couldn’t help but smile as he padded naked across the chamber floor.

“You always did have a lovely backside.”

Kian turned to face Diara, hardly worried about his unclothed body, but more so about her own lack of clothing. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to find out what was going on. To make certain you were still well.”

“As you can see, I am fine.” He flashed himself clothed in a shendyt of soft linen.

“I don’t understand why this Argathos is telling you he is your father. Your mother should arrive shortly, and she will put everything in order. You and I can be together.”

“There are things you do not know, Diara.” Of course, he could assume this entire thing was a lie as well, but to what end? Deep inside, he knew, and he thought he had always known he didn’t belong in the life he was living. His skin had never felt right, but now it did. Knowing he was a demigod, the son of the god of vision and a mortal female made him proud. Besides, Gwen had been correct. You only had to look at Argathos and him next to each other to see they were father and son.

“Then why don’t you tell me? You made a vow to marry me, Kian.” She threw herself at him, and her desperation made her look weak. “Make love to me. I have missed you.”

“I made no such vow,” he stated as he gripped her arms to pry her off him. “I told you, I promised nothing.” It was then he sensed Gwen enter the room. Looking over Diara’s shoulder, his breath caught. She had donned a pale yellow gown that melted itself to every curve. Her breasts were unbound and perky nipples pressed against the thin fabric. She had piled her hair atop her head except for a few stray curls that ran along her neck. His fangs punched down, but he forced them back into place. Diara turned her head, and he noticed the cruel grin she flashed as Gwen approached. The goddess even pressed herself further into him.

“Diara.” Gwen tipped her head in acknowledgment of the goddess and Diara relaxed, thinking she had won this fight. Somehow Kian didn’t think that was going to be the case.

Gwen walked toward them with the grace of a cat. A feral cat that was ready to reach out and rip her eyes out. When she was standing next to Diara, it shocked him to see that she had pressed a dagger to the goddess’s neck. Either she had hidden it in the folds of her gown or flashed it to her at the last second. Either way, he was both impressed and fearful for her safety.

“Apparently, I didn’t make myself clear during our last encounter.” She pressed the blade harder and felt Diara flare out her power.

“I wouldn’t if I were you. You’ve heard of the dagger of Embara, no doubt?” The goddess flashed a hate-filled glare at her, but Gwen didn’t flinch. There were hundreds of others who had given her the same lethal glare in her lifetime and right now, seeing the goddess pressing her naked body into her mate caused a fury she had never known before.

“You don’t frighten me, peasant .” She spat out the last word.

Gwen had just about enough of this arrogant bitch. Goddess or not, she was going to make her point clear one last time. Pressing the blade’s edge into creamy flesh enough to draw blood, she caused Diara to hiss.

“Don’t worry, it will only leave a visible scar. In case you need a reminder, the dagger of Embara is a god killer and I have no qualms in shoving it into your deceptive heart.”

Diara’s gaze locked onto the long bone handle and that was when the realization must have hit. Fear danced in her blue eyes, which filled Gwen with bone-deep satisfaction. “Flash yourself away and know that Kian does not belong to you. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever. Try to seduce him again, and I will shove this blade so deep into your heart it will come out the other side.”

Power danced across Gwen’s skin as the goddess gave her a death glare. “You and I are not finished,” she snarled before flashing away.

“You tempt fate by making an enemy of her.” Kian’s words snapped her back to reality.

“Do you want her? Be truthful.” She hadn’t thought he held any feelings for the goddess, but maybe she had been wrong. Gods knew her own emotions were a jumbled mess. The mating pull was so strong, yet she wasn’t certain he even felt it.

“No, but I worry about you. Even with such a powerful blade.” His gaze fell to the dagger she still held in her grip. After a moment of them both staring at it, she flashed it back into its secret location for safekeeping. Aidyn had given her permission to call it to her in case it was needed to defend her or Kian. Things in the realm of Edala were hot right now, with the royal family showing back up after being gone for so long. Well, to her it was a long time. To the gods here, it was the blink of an eye.

“I am a warrior, Kian. I fight for what is just in the world and I protect what is mine.”

His brow hiked up. “You keep saying I am yours, yet belonging to me is looking like it might be life threatening for you.”

“I don’t care. I have waited so long for you I’d given up. All of my brethren have found their mates and life was becoming a lonely existence for me. War is all I have known most of my years and now there is peace. Or, there was until today. I have been a bouncer at a bar. It is not the life I wish to have.”

“You wish for war?”

She shook her head. “No. I wish for a man to love and who loves me back. I wish for a home filled with the laughter of our children. While I wish for peace in this crazy world, I just don’t know how to adjust or where I fit into it.” She sucked in a breath and swallowed the lump in her throat. “Do you feel anything for me? Any connection at all?”

He stared at her for so long she feared he would not answer. “I was pulled to you when I first saw you in the mortal realm. I would have spoken with you then, but Khedeus took me. When you showed up in my prison, I was certain you were planted there for a reason. Ra warned me of a female who would seek to destroy me.”

“You think I am that female?” Hurt filled her heart.

“I wondered, but he also spoke of a female who would be my savior, and I now believe you to be her. I trust the words Ra spoke to you and I now trust my own feelings.” He reached out and brushed his thumb down her cheek and might have kissed her except for the interruption. Three females came in with trays laden with food, and they were being directed by Argathos.

“Place them on the table by the window.” He indicated with a wave of his hand, then smiled at her and Kian. As soon as the trays were placed and the females had left the room, he approached.

“The two of you have a lot to discuss about the journey ahead of you. Hades will take you to the Hell realm tomorrow but let me offer this advice. Don’t waste a precious second of what fate has given you because it can be gone in the blink of an eye.” Argathos laid a hand on Kian’s shoulder. “Your mother and I may not have been fated, but I loved her with all my heart and soul. I failed her and in turn I failed you and for that I am deeply sorry.”

“Do you know who killed her?”

“I never knew, only figured it was any one of the gods who were angry that I actually married a mortal. Some thought it below their prince’s station.” He glanced at Gwen. “After the story Gwen brought back, I went to Ra myself to demand a name to accompany my wife’s murder.”

Gwen held her breath.

“It was Apep. Somehow, he must have known you were destined to end him, and he sought to take you out first. Thankfully, Ra stepped in.”

“There has been so much lost time between the two of you, you should spend this time together,” Gwen said, her heart aching for both men as they tried to find solid ground under their feet in this new relationship.

Argathos held up his hand. “I have time. I will come visit you in Hell.” A twinkle danced in his eyes. “I’ve never seen how my brother has cleaned up the place. I would much rather the two of you nurture the bond you have, for you will need it in the coming days.”

He placed his hand on Kian’s shoulder. “My son. The brightest star in his mother’s eyes. I have seen your pain in the days ahead but keep your faith and you will make the right choices.” He then moved to Gwen and kissed her on the cheek. “It will honor me to call you my daughter in the true sense.”

He slipped into her mind. I have seen what you must sacrifice. The two of you need to start the bond so you are both at your strongest.

I will try.

He stepped back with a grin on his mouth. “You two enjoy your evening.” Then he vanished.

“You have had to adjust to a lot of change. How are you holding up?”

He smiled at her. “Actually, fairly well. I’ve always sensed I didn’t belong in the world I lived in. Now, things are clicking into place, but let us not discuss this. I agree with my father. Tonight, we need to explore us.”

“Shall we dine then?” Holding his hand, she led Kian to the table, where she plucked a grape from the tray and fed him. His mouth sucked the tip of her finger and her breath caught as she stared at his mouth. She knew his kiss and wanted to feel those soft lips and hot tongue on her body.

His pupils dilated, and their desire filled the room. He slid his hands along her cheeks and fingered her hair. Pulling her to him, he bent and brought his mouth so close to her own that his breath caressed her. Heated her.

“I have desired you from the moment I saw you. Even on the Skeletal Moon, I wanted you.” His lips touched hers in a gentle tease before he pulled back. “I wish to taste every inch of your body. Make love to you until the sun greets us in the morning.” His mouth found hers again, but this time he deepened the kiss. It was as if he was already staking his claim on her, and she didn’t mind one bit. When he pulled back this time, he tugged her bottom lip.

“Do I have your permission to take you to my bed?”

“I thought you’d never ask.”