Seducing Destiny (22 page)

Chapter Thirty-One

Ryder had called all of the Elite Guard to the war room to finalize the logistics of getting that many Fae to the Tree and a tentative outline of what we could potentially face. Ristan had reluctantly joined us; he still wasn’t quite himself and Ryder had confided to me that Ristan had taken both his mother and Olivia somewhere and refused to discuss any of the details with anyone. Not even his King.

“Zahruk,” Ryder said as the last of the guard walked in. “Floor is yours,” he finished, sitting beside me and reaching for my hand.

I looked at where our fingers were combined. As his thumb rubbed tenderly in the palm of my hand, I felt his love, and it gutted me to know I felt empty inside instead of whole. I loved him, but the idea of losing our daughter and sons was all I could think about. I had to save the Tree, and I needed to concentrate on it and it alone.

I rested my head against his shoulder as Zahruk went over the final details, and I felt the pain as if it was my own. I knew it wasn’t, and I’d begun to think this eviscerating pain wasn’t only mine. I was a part of Faery, and Danu’s words kept playing in my head.

She’d created me as the Goddess of Faery, and if so, what did it include? Was my pain tied to a dying world? If it died, did it mean I would also die? Or would I cease to be the Goddess of anything and just continue on? I’d tried calling for her again after Adam had gone to inform the Dark King and Queen of the situation, but nothing had happened.

“Synthia,” Zahruk said softly.

I lifted my eyes to his, and nodded in agreement, of what I wasn’t sure of. I’d agree to pretty much anything if it got me to that Tree.

“She wasn’t listening,” Ryder said as he pulled me out of my chair and onto his lap. “Zahruk is going to go scout the area in beast form. When they’ve cleared the area and are sure no Mages are near, we will go to the Tree.”

“Sounds good,” I replied.

I could feel another God or Goddess close to us, as if they were hovering. I watched as all but Ryder and Ristan cleared from the room, and then spoke slowly, clearly, and deadly.

“Show yourself or I’ll kill you,” I seethed as I felt myself growing angry. I hated being spied on, but this one had been privy to our entire plan. I wanted to know who they were and why they were here. A Goddess shimmered in and stood less than three feet away from me. I’d felt her power skimming over me. I’d felt it before with Danu, and yet somehow I’d known it wasn’t Danu doing it this time.

“You never speak to another Goddess in such a crass way, child,” she said gently as she came into focus. She was beautiful, and yet she had certain coldness to her. “Newborns have died for less—and how did you know I was here?”

“Who the hell are you?” I asked carefully.

“I am the Goddess of Destiny,” she said softly as she watched me.

“Bitch,” I growled.

“I could kill you,” she warned.

“You can’t kill me,” I whispered as I watched her. “You’ve put me through hell. You’ve brought me to my knees and have enjoyed my pain. You’re sick and twisted. I wondered who would be pulling the strings, since Danu is only powerful enough to set destiny on its path; someone else had to be pushing for it. That would be you, and I’d like to know why.”

“And you didn’t want your children, or the beast you so love and cherish? Or maybe you’d like to rewind and try it again?” she asked, but her coldness had been replaced with curiosity. “Pain is often needed to obtain the place one needs to be. Had you not been through it, Faery would die.”

“No, I don’t mind that part. It’s the other things that are bothering me,” I said. “I’m wondering why you’ve been interfering and why you’re here now. Haven’t I been through enough? If it’s your intention to break me, fine. You win. You can have me, but not my daughter. She hasn’t done anything yet. She deserves a fighting chance.”

“You think I’ve put you through this just to watch you fail?” she asked and then exhaled. “Danu needed help, but she’s about as stubborn as they come. She refused to ask for help even though she desperately needed it. I knew about you from the moment of your birth, even though she did her best to hide you from us. I watched you grow into a fighter, and I guessed at her plans for you. I am not an idiot, and I can foresee the future in a different way than your mother does. I saw that you’d love him,” she said glancing at Ryder. “I knew that without a few pushes, you’d never get to him. I also knew the apple wouldn’t have fallen far from the Tree, and that you’d be a lot like your mother, stubborn as hell, so to say. So I pushed the Humans to send you to him, and then I pushed more. I also know the rules of my people, and you didn’t. I pushed the beast that day, the one when you became pregnant. The facts were pretty simple. If you were still Fae when you’d conceived children with him, then upon your rebirth, you could live here, with him. Our people don’t allow us to remain with mortals, or…” She looked at Ryder for a moment. “…Whatever he is. You’d have had to leave your babies and him behind and you’d have gone into a century of silence. That’s what we do in rebirth, but I made sure you’d be spared from that. I can’t change your destiny, but I can alter it so that it’s worth it. As Danu is tied against physically intervening, I am tied against telling you the future of your destiny, Synthia.”

“You did this,” I whispered. “You made it so I could stay with him, and yet I could lose the children you ensured I was pregnant with. Haven’t I done enough? I’ve done everything you asked of me and I’ve accepted everything you’ve thrown in my face. I won’t lose my daughter, so if you have any helpful pushes, push me,” I demanded.

“You’ve been shown all you need to know; it’s up to you now. Your children will have their own destiny, but I wasn’t actually here for yours. I’m here for someone else.”

“Who?” I asked, as I felt another wave of pain.

“I won’t tell you that, but what I will tell you; is that your time of pain is almost over. You’ve secured your destiny, and you’ve almost made it. You’re a fierce warrior, one I am glad to call my niece, as I am Danu’s half-sister. I’ve blessed your children, and bought you a little extra time as well. Be well, and Synthia, be humble in the presence of the Tree, for everything in Faery depends on it.”

I turned around to find both Ristan and Ryder watching me closely. “What the hell was that?” Ryder asked.

“What did you see?” I asked and watched as Ryder turned to Ristan and looked back at me.

“Blinding light, and you talking to the chair,” he admitted as he rubbed his neck.

“I just met Destiny, and she’s my aunt,” I admitted. “Someone in this room is about to go through utter hell, or so I think,” I said. “She wasn’t here for us; she’s been helping Danu. I guess I passed destiny’s test, but it’s not over yet.”

“I need to go,” Ristan said.

“You’ll accompany us to the Tree,” Ryder said, and it wasn’t a question.

“I planned to,” Ristan said as he shoved his hands in his pockets and looked at me. “I owe you both an apology.”

“No you don’t,” I said as I watched him carefully. “You went through hell and we were too busy with our problems to notice you were gone. We should have been there sooner, and done better by you. You deserved better friends than I was.”

“Synthia, your child is sick and could die. I knew when I left that something was off, and yet I chose to go. I said I owed you an apology, and I do. I’m sorry I yelled at you both, and I’m sorry, Flower, that I took some of my anger out on you. You didn’t deserve it.”

“Is Olivia alive?” I asked, noting his defenses were down.

“She’s alive, and that’s all you need to know,” he replied harshly, as if he thought I’d ask for her immediate release.

“That’s all I wanted,” I admitted.

“Good,” he said as he lowered his eyes and smiled. “So, the Goddess of Destiny was here, in this room?”

“Yeah,” I said and then looked at Ryder as her words filled me. “Take me to my babies.”

We sifted into the nursery and Darynda looked up at us with a beautiful smile on her lips. “She’s awake,” she whispered and handed me Kahleena.

Ristan and Ryder both watched as my golden-eyed beauty looked right at me as if she was aware of everything going on around her, and smiled. I smiled back at her. “I love you sweet girl,” I whispered brokenly as I stared into her eyes, so like her fathers. “I’m going to fix the Tree, and you’re going to live forever.”

“Can I hold her?” Ristan asked. “I promise not to be long,” he whispered as he traced a finger down her cheek. “I miss those beautiful eyes.”

I handed her to Ristan even though I wanted to snatch her back and enjoy the moments of her being awake since they were few and far between. Unlike her brothers, she slept more than anything. They watched us and made noises, but she barely made any sounds.

I watched as a smile covered her tiny mouth as she watched Ristan’s eyes. Silver and black patterns swirled, beautiful against his complexion, but to her, they drew her eyes and held her mesmerized. She was his calm, and he was her protector, as he’d said.

“My turn,” Ryder said, as he reached out for Kahleena. She turned her tiny little head and gave him a toothless smile, and I watched as his heart melted for the little minx. “Kahleena,” he whispered as he kissed her forehead, and totally melted my heart. “Fight for me,” he said barely above a whisper. “Be my brave little fighter, just a little longer for me, please.”

Chapter Thirty-Two

“What did you find?” I asked as Savlian walked into the nursery.

“Nothing, just the Tree,” he said as he turned to Ryder. “We scouted the surrounding area as well. I fear they know the power of killing that Tree, and what it will do to us. I think they figured with no way to break the spell, they had no reason to stand around and watch it.”

“That’s good,” I whispered as I rocked with Cade on my arm, burping him. Darynda was a gem, and had known how to handle babies; Madisyn had joined me this morning and was holding Zander, who she couldn’t get enough of.

She lifted her eyes and met mine with a soft smile on her lips. “Your father has called the Blood warriors to arms, and Kier, he has brought the Shadow warriors here to assist the Elite Guards, for the blessing. It’s time; your daughter cannot wait much longer,” she said sadly as she kissed Zander’s soft forehead.

“Ryder, dress the children for the blessing, please,” I whispered as my heart thudded against my ribs.

“As you wish,” he said and I watched as Kahleena was dressed in a white dress of pure cotton, and then the boys changed into little robes that matched their sister’s dress.

“Just remember one thing today, Synthia. If the world doesn’t accept your little angel, you still need to become the leader to our people, one they would follow even if you lack a title. This world will still need you, just as Ryder and these boys do. Anyone can lead a garrison of warriors into battle, but only a few can lead them to be victorious, and the two of you, you can be the ones to lead this world to victory, but only if you gain the respect of the people.”

I looked at Madisyn and had to admit her speech was moving. “I want to be what this world needs, but how can I fight for a world that won’t accept my child?”

“You’re a warrior, Synthia. It’s in your blood, and you will have to fight and stand up for what is right. You’ll survive it, you may not want to, but you will,” she said softly; Darynda agreed.

“You’ll need to, for the lads. They need their mother, and, Goddess be willing, their sister. You came in here strong and you’ve only grown stronger. I know you can do this, and your mother is right. You may not want to, but you will, because you are stronger than you think,” Darynda said softly. “I don’t have very many friends, but you are among those I consider as such. I’d like to think it gone both ways.”

“It does, Darynda. I just can’t stomach the idea of losing something so precious.”

“We won’t lose her,” Ryder said.

I turned to ask Madisyn if she would assist us in carrying the babes to the Tree, but she was frozen in place, as was Darynda. I looked up to find Danu watching us.

“We’re out of time,” I said as I stood.

“I know, I felt her,” she said as she walked over to Ryder and caressed her granddaughter’s cheek. “She’s growing weak, even with the jumpstart from Destiny. There is something you both should know. Destiny was here for a reason. She’s a sly one. She didn’t make you an offer, did she?”

“No,” I said as I narrowed my eyes on Danu, who looked healthier than she had in a while. “She said my pain was almost over.”

“She knew I didn’t want her help, and yet she still somehow managed to learn about you,” she whispered as she bent down and kissed Kahleena. “Has the Demon been feeding her?”

“Why would Ristan feed a Goddess?” I asked, and watched as a guilty flush stole across her cheeks.

“I meant your daughter. Ristan has different power than average Fae,” she whispered. “Kahleena has been given strength.”

I remembered Ristan’s kiss, and I also remembered the raw power that I received from it. Then it hit me. “Uh, please tell me he didn’t kiss my daughter like that!”

Ryder lifted a brow and smiled. “I asked him to give her a little jolt—and no, Synthia, he only kissed you like that because he wanted a taste. His nose healed nicely considering how hard I hit it for overstepping. Hence why his lips haven’t touched you since,” Ryder said with a knowing grin in his eyes.

“How exactly did he manage to feed her?”

“His touch; when he holds her. He’s been helping to keep her alive long enough to get her to the Tree,” he said.

“It was the least I could do after what I’d done to bring her into this world,” Ristan said softly from the door, but his eyes weren’t on me or my child; they were on Danu with something dangerous in them. “I just came to see how she was doing. I’ll come back when it’s less crowded.”

I handed Zander to Danu and walked over to Ristan. I didn’t know what was going on between him and my mother, and I seriously doubted that I wanted to know. I wrapped my arms around him and held him, but I felt his body tense uncomfortably, and I wondered at it. Either he didn’t want to be touched, or something else was going on with him.

“Thank you, Demon,” I whispered and lifted on my tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “You’re her protector, and I’m glad it’s you. Cailean said you’d been staying in the room more lately, and I’d wondered if it was because you needed her, or she needed you. But, it seems it’s both. Carry my daughter to the Tree, please.”

“Flower,” he started to argue but I shut it down.

“No, she needs it. She’ll need all the help she can get right now and if you feeding her can make her stronger, do it. Please,” I whispered as I watched the indecision play in his eyes.

“Fine, it would be my honor,” he said softly as he kissed my cheek back. “It’s hard to resist her anyway; she’s as beautiful as her mother. She’s also as smart as her mother, and is already showing some sass.”

“Is she now?” I asked, but my eyes were on Danu, who was watching Ristan uneasily.

Okay, something was not right here, and I needed to know it. Problem with knowing it was I couldn’t
un-
know it afterwards if it was what I thought it was. I fought a battle, inside my head on whether I should ask, or just stay out of their damn business. I lost. But, on the bright side, I didn’t need to know it all, just one thing.

One simple thing.

“I don’t want details, but I need to know if whatever the hell is going on with you two, is going to cause a problem,” I held up my hand and shook my head. “Don’t tell me it’s nothing. I’m not a blooming idiot!” I shouted as I eyed them both seriously. “All I want from you both is an honest answer about whatever it is that you two have going on—will it affect you today, since Danu, you kinda need to be on point and you can’t mess this up. My daughter’s life depends on it. And, Ristan, I need you. So, is whatever the hell’s going on here going to end up at the Tree, or can you both forget it until we save the Tree, and the lives of my children?”

I waited and watched as Ristan murderously glared at Danu, who smiled seductively back at him.

“I’m here for you and the children, Synthia. I’ve fed, and made sure I was in fighting form,” Ristan said as he tore his eyes from hers to mine.

“I am also here for
my
daughter, and hers,” Danu said softly. “I need to do something first, so I’ll meet you at the Tree. Call for me when it’s been thawed out. Good luck,” she said before she left, and the women started talking again.

This had to work, and we all knew it.