Page 4 of Called By Fate

What else has she been preparing me for?

The Goddess nods. “She is a seer, after all.”

“Right. What’s the deal with her, anyway? She’s apparently been with me my whole life, even if I didn’t know it, but she seems so hot and cold.”

The Goddess shakes her head. “That’s a conversation you should have with her, but you should know she’s always had your best interests at heart. Knowing the future and how things will play out is not an easy task, I’m afraid.”

That sounds ominous as fuck but sensing I’m not going to get a better answer than that, I drop it. For now. We don’t have all the time in the world, and I’m itching to get to Vin.

A heaviness settles over us as we draw closer to the spirit realm portal, and something starts to tug on my chest in the same spot I feel the rest of my mate bonds. We reach the top of a hill that overlooks a meadow with every color of flower under the sun, or, in this case, the moon. In the middle, about fifty yards away, is a swirling blue and black portal with a fearsome looking wolf standing next to it, guarding the entrance.

The Goddess tenses. “Something urgent has happened that requires my attention, so this is where I must leave you, child. Talk to Keros, the portal guardian. Tell him you have my blessing to enter the portal and he should let you through without issue." She turns and places a hand on my shoulder, a certain fondness in her eyes. "Please, be careful and don't dawdle too long. Do you understand what needs to be done?"

"Yes." The Goddess leans down and places a kiss upon my cheek that feels the way my shadows do when they surround me, and then she turns to walk away. "And Goddess? Thank you for allowing me to do this."

"Certainly, my dear. Now go get him." In the blink of an eye, she and the God of Light disappear into thin air.

Kaos clears his throat and I turn to him, gazing into his soft, blue eyes. I turn my attention to the rest of them as they surround me. My heart squeezes at the sight of my mates looking so unearthly and badass. Not to mention super fucking hot. I’ll have dreams of them in their outfits for years to come. "Are you all upset with me?" I ask when the silence drags on.

"Oh, Sadie. You think we'd be mad at you for this? Vin may be a shifter, but he’s a great guy and we respect him. For Goddess’ sake, the man took a blow for you and almost died.” He winces. “Then actually died. Dude is definitely mate worthy material.”

“If you want to rescue the shifter from death, we’ll be with you the whole way, Love. You can always count on us,” Reed adds.

Dante nods his agreement. “We’d follow you anywhere, Angel. Even death.”

Tears spring to my eyes again and I let them fall. Tears are for the weak? No, tears are for those who have been so strong for so long and need an outlet to let it all out. Fuck those who think they’re a weakness, and fuck my uncle for ever putting that notion in my head.

“Besides,” Kaos continues, “don't you know that each of us would do anything to keep you happy, including following you to the Goddess’ realm to protect you?"

"Or, you know, in this case, the door to the afterlife," Dante quips with a nonchalant shoulder shrug, being the comedic relief that he always is. “Not to mention, I need more of that man's cooking. How else am I going to get fat and lazy without him around?”

I crack a small smile and launch myself at him. Dante catches me with an oomph and a chuckle. He runs his hand down the back of my hair, digging his fingers in before bringing my head to his chest. His very bare chest. Goddess, give me strength. I inhale his smokey scent, loving how comforting he always is.

Sudden warmth at my back clues me in to Kaos joining in on our hug. He plants a kiss on the spot where my neck meets my shoulder, sending a tingle down my spine. So much skin touching. Everywhere. My body is buzzing, singing in their presence.

Not to be left out, Reed joins the circle, spinning me toward him so he can give me a hug next. While I'm close to his ear, I whisper, "You and I are completing our bond when we get back to our realm." I pull back so I can look into his eyes. He looks slightly pained, which is not at all what I expected.

"I don't want to tell you to hurry back because you need to take your time with the shifter... but fuck, hurry back to me, Love," he responds, pulling me in for a passionate kiss, telling me with every brush of his lips exactly how he feels about completing the bond with me. I’m completely breathless and panting when he pulls away. Yeah, definitely completing the bond. These men are mine and it’s about damn time I claim them.

Elian clears his throat, and I reluctantly pull away from Reed, but not before planting a kiss on his cheek.

"Could I have a word with you before you go?" Elian asks as I approach him cautiously, like one would approach a feral cat who has been known to claw you before.

"Sure, what's up, Elian?"

He looks away from me, but not before I see the pain flash in his eyes. He runs a hand over the small scars on his arms and, with his new attire, all his tattoos are on display. He looks glorious, yet so vulnerable. I hold my breath, waiting for whatever he’s going to say.

"If you see my mother and sister on the other side... would you tell them I'm sorry I failed them? I—” He pauses to take a deep breath and gather himself. "I need them to know I'm so fucking sorry, and that I finally killed him for them. All those years pretending to be his protégé nearly fucking ruined me, but I did it."

He breaks off and returns his gaze to mine. It doesn't take a genius to know he's talking about his father, Elron. "And I'm sorry to you too, Sadie, but I don't regret killing him. Even if you’re not much safer than you were before, at least you are a little with him gone."

I take a moment to ponder everything he’s telling me because I can tell this is hard for him to say, let alone admit. I’m not sure how to feel about it. It’s a side I’ve never really seen in Elian, but I’m glad he wants me to do this for him. I choose my next words carefully, hoping not to spook him. "Are they why you did it, why you killed your father?"

He nods. “I saw an opportunity and took it. I’m sorry it was at your expense.”

"I forgive you, Elian. Thank you for getting all of us out of there safely." I place my hand on his cheek and he wraps his around my wrist. All I see is a broken, lost man played by the machinations of a cruel father. "And yes, if I see your mother and your sister, I'll tell them all about the man you're becoming."

Elian grips me by the back of the neck with his other hand and slams my mouth to his. His kiss sears me from the inside out, setting every nerve ending in me ablaze with passion. We’re two souls intertwined in that moment, and I feel a part of myself heal inside with his mouth on mine. We could understand each other more than anyone if only he’d let me in. Hopefully, this is the start of that.

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