Chapter 18

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Kian walked into the room, his nerves strangely tight. Gwen had insisted he go this one alone, the visit with his mother the goddess of destruction. His mate claimed it was best for the two of them to talk about everything that had happened. After all, Netasis had also been a pawn in the game of the gods, the same as Kian.

Surprised was a slight understatement to explain his emotions when he saw the goddess who had raised him sitting on an ottoman, wringing her hands. Her own nervousness was clear as she glanced up at Argathos, who leaned against the large oak desk.

“Mother.” He found the word slipped from his mouth as natural as it always had. She looked at him, the emotions passing through her eyes went from relief to love to fear. Did she worry he would now reject her?

She rose, the red gown pooling around her feet. “I am pleased to see you alive and well.” She took a step toward him, but then stopped. He’d never seen her unsure of herself before, so he moved to her and as he had always done, he kissed each cheek.

“You look well.”

She smiled. “As well as can be expected under the circumstances.”

He looked to Argathos. “Father, I owe you an enormous debt.” Had it not been for the god of vision, Kian wasn’t sure he would have pulled his shit together enough to save his mate.

“You only owe me your happiness.” He moved from the desk. “Netasis… Your mother and I have been talking about you. She has filled me in on your childhood antics.”

He looked between the two. “Are the two of you okay?”

She touched his cheek. “You are my son, no matter if you are not my blood. I carried you in my womb. I kissed your scrapes, and I taught you to fight.” She looked to Argathos. “Your father understands that, and I am sorry for the time he missed.” Her smile warmed him. “I knew your mortal mother and while I did not agree with his choice to marry her, it was not my affair to get involved in. When the war came, I fought on the side of our king for I did not agree with the murder of an innocent mortal.” Her brow jacked up as she looked at Argathos. “I also did not agree with the lot of you running off.”

She pulled in a deep breath and focused on Kian again. “Brianna was a kind soul, and she deserved to raise you as her own.” A tear slipped down her cheek and he had never seen his mother shed one before.

“I am honored I was chosen to take her place. You will forever be my son.”

“What about my mate? She is not who you would have me marry.”

“She may not be a goddess, but I understand she is quite the warrior, and I cannot wait to meet her. Cera has chosen and not even I would dare question the sovereign goddess. A fated mate is a blessing.”

Kian was surprised at his mother’s outlook on this entire situation. Especially when it came to his mate. But then again, as she pointed out, who wanted to question his grandmother, the most powerful goddess to live.

“Even though you and I may not see eye to eye at times, you will always be my mother.”

Her smile went all the way to her eyes as she dipped into a low curtsy and bowed her head. “I am honored that you call me that, Prince Kian.” She rose. “With your permission, I will make proper introductions to your mate.”

He nodded, and Netasis was gone in a flurry of red silk.

“I’ve always been called a prince but today it sounds strange.” He looked at his father and, with everything finally settled, he realized the two of them had lost so much time. “What now?”

“Khedeus is in custody, brought in by Gabriel. The king has questioned him regarding your prison time, and it seems that a tangled web of misunderstandings was behind his little tirade. He thought Netasis had carried another man’s child, and she thought he had left her.” He came to stand in front of Kian. “The two of them have some things to iron out. As far as his punishment, since there was no actual harm done to you or Gwen, his punishment will consist of ninety days in confinement. Unless, of course, you think his punishment should be more severe?”

“No. He really didn’t harm either of us, and I can understand his anger was misguided.”

“Good, now I have something I wish to show you.”

Before Kian could ask, he was whisked away, and he and his father stood at the base of a large monument. The thick, twin stone columns reached skyward and were etched with hieroglyphs. Between the two was an enormous statue of Ra seated on his throne, and in the base were smaller columns that led to an interior that was filled with more colorful glyphs. Kian followed his father to the interior, and that was when he saw the sarcophagus. He had seen a few in his days, but this was the most beautiful and ornate. He watched as his father knelt and offered an ancient prayer before standing again.

“Your mother.” Argathos waved his hand over the ancient depiction of the woman who had given Kian life.

He dropped to his knees and offered a prayer of his own. It was difficult to process the emotions that rolled through him. Anger was the most powerful, yet he had already slain the god who had taken his mother’s life.

“If you had married her, why did she not have immortality?” he whispered.

“I made my vow, and we only had ninety more days to go.”

His father spoke of the vow a god or goddess must make if they took a mortal spouse. The mortal would not be given immortality until 547 days after the marriage had taken place. Once that time had passed, the king would bless the union and immortality would be granted.

“So close. Maybe if she’d not been pregnant with me––”

“Never say that!” His father scolded, then stepped in front of him, his hands a firm grip on his shoulder. “It devastated me to lose your mother and you. Over the years, I have come to terms with my losses, but now I have been given another chance. You have lived among the gods long enough to know we can be cruel, self-centered bastards or we can give the most precious of gifts. You are that gift to me. Second chances are rare, and I intend to cherish every second of this one.” He pulled Kian into a tight embrace and the two of them stood silent in the resting place of a mortal who had given him life, and he swore he felt her love blanket them both.

Gwen was shocked when Netasis knocked on her door, but now that the goddess of destruction stood before her, she tried not to tremble. The goddess was a stunning vision in red silk, ebony hair that flowed to the middle of her back and green eyes that seemed to know all your secrets the moment she laid her gaze on you.

“Gwyneth.” She tipped her head. “I am Netasis.”

She licked her lips. “C-come in, and please call me Gwen.”

The goddess flowed past her with such refined grace it was difficult to imagine her causing war and laying waste. “As you wish.” She didn’t stop until she had seated herself in a chair and folded her hands in her lap. This was so not what Gwen had expected the goddess of destruction to look like. Actually, she wasn’t sure what she had expected, but certainly not the graceful, proper woman who sat in her parlor.

“I’m so glad you came to visit. I take it you have spoken to Kian?” She moved with as much grace as she could muster in her jeans and tee and felt totally out of her element, even though she had spent her entire life around the gods.

Netasis looked her up and down before she replied. “I have spoken with him and his father.”

Gwen nodded. “Good. Can I offer you a refreshment?”

“Thank you. A glass of iced mint tea would be acceptable.”

Offering a smile, she replied, “Excuse me a moment.” Then hurried to the kitchen of the apartment she and Kian were currently occupying in the palace at Edala. Once away from Netasis, she used her mental link to Kian.

Kian, Netasis is here in our apartment.

That is good. She said she was going to pay you a visit.

She scowled. A heads up would have been nice. Your mother wants iced mint tea. Help me out here.

Seconds later, a tray with two tall, cobalt-blue glasses filled with ice and a minty liquid appeared on the counter and Gwen breathed out a sigh of relief.

Exactly how she likes it and in her favorite glass. It will impress her.

You are the best. Gwen broke the connection, as keeping the goddess waiting would be rude. Picking up the tray, she walked back to the parlor and placed it on the table. “Iced mint tea.” Then she took a seat across from Netasis and waved for the goddess to choose her glass.

“Thank you.” She lifted a glass and inspected it. “I do love a good cobalt-blue glass and these are lovely.”

Once again, Gwen let out a breath and was grateful for Kian’s help. She picked up her own glass and took a sip. The cool mint, combined with a hint of sweetness that she was unable to place, was rather to her liking.

“I understand you are what is known as a guardian and have only recently fought a war with Hades’ grandson?”

Setting her glass down, she gave a nod. “Yes. It was devastating to many mortals.”

Netasis surprised her by snorting. “I should have known it would be Hades’ descendants who would create such havoc.” Her green eyes filled with mischief as she leaned forward and, in a whisper, said, “He and I used to get into all kinds of trouble as children.” Her smile widened. “Of course, I was only a small girl and he much older, so I used to blame him.”

“I understand Hades was rather… Boisterous might be a kinder term.” Gwen smiled. She was starting to relax and found Netasis amusing.

“Yes. Yes, that would be a much kinder way to describe Hades. It does my heart good though to see him matured, and Mia is such a delight.”

“She has been good for him.”

“Gwen, I understand you lost your mother at a young age.” She set her glass on a coaster.

“Yes. Both our parents were killed in the Demonic war.”

“I would be honored if you would allow me to assist you with your upcoming mating ceremony.”

Gwen was almost left speechless but was quick to recover. “I would like that very much. Thank you.”

Netasis rose with a smile lighting up her face. “Then I must get to work. We have one week until Ra will bless you and Kian. In Edala, it is customary for the mother to choose her daughter’s gown. I will send for you once we are ready for your fitting.” Then she did the most unexpected thing and stepped into Gwen, giving her a hug. “Do not worry about a thing. It will all be taken care of.” Then she turned and walked away.

“Well, that was a surprise,” she muttered, picking up the tray and carrying it back to the kitchen. Netasis didn’t fit the goddess of destruction image at all. Or, at least, the one Gwen had formed in her head, but then she was smart enough to know the gods had many faces and they wore whichever one was necessary for the occasion. It actually relieved her that someone else was taking on the task of preparing for the upcoming bonding ceremony. Her nerves were already tied up in a ball.