Page 42 of Taken By Fury
“Did the scrolls tell you who Lysandra was?” Sheila asked.
“Not really. Her name came up as a female of great power. A protector, but not once did it mention who she really was or even what happened to her. She was a mystery,” Aimee said.
“Then let me begin. It is a long story.” She moved back a strand of hair that fell into her eyes. That was when Zander noticed the blue in her eyes now held silver flecks.
“Oshivana was a thriving city and a jewel of the sea. Many flocked to her shores for trade and some to even live. There were many years of peace and wealth for both Valarians and the mortals. Thundohn, who was Uuna’s father, was proud of what he had created and on Uuna’s one hundredth birthday, he gave Oshivana to her as a gift. It was soon after that he foresaw his death and Uuna’s suffering, but he could not see from where it came.”
“That must have been awful for him,” Aimee whispered.
“It was, and that was why he put a plan into place. Thundohn chose a lower-class woman by the name of Sofia––she is the woman in the painting––and he impregnated her with a daughter. No one knew when the baby was born she was a demigoddess. As the child grew, her father would visit in secret and teach her everything he knew. She became a powerful demigoddess with one mission. Protect the future queen.”
She reached out and took Aimee’s hand. “You are that queen, and I am that baby. I am Lysandra, daughter of Thundohn.”
The room fell silent, and Zander sucked in a breath. “But if you are Lysandra, then how are you Lomara and Sheila?”
“Simple. While Father did not know where the danger would come from, he knew there would be a queen far in the future who would help end it all. He also knew that Uuna would give of herself in order to save Oshivana and its people. So, he devised a plan that I would live as one of the Valarians. I was to die and be reborn, never knowing who I was until it was my time to protect the queen.”
She touched Zander on the cheek. “Father knew there would be three males. One would be the king whose mate would be the liberator. He also was aware of the Daldara prophecy that when the new king rose, his protector would mate with a human who would also become Daldara and the queen’s protector. The two princes were then destined to mate with Thundohn’s daughters, thus completing the trident of power.”
The queen gasped. “Oh, my god! The trident Zolar stole from us isn’t the actual power. The trident is the queen and the two princesses!”
“Exactly,” she replied. “The piece Zolar has holds little power.”
“But Lomara. How did she fit into all of this?” Orien, who had been quietly standing in the corner finally spoke up.
“Lomara was just another life of Lysandra and since it wasn’t time yet for Greydon to take this throne, she simply lived her life. Lomara’s life ended, but Lysandra was born again several times until she was born as Sheila to a mortal teen who gave her up for adoption. There was a reason Sheila, myself, was placed with the parents I had. For every life I led, I had a purpose. For the DNA specialist, it was my purpose to make certain Zolar failed in his attempts to create a child.”
Sheila, or Lysandra as she wanted to be called, pulled herself free and walked to where Orien stood listening to the conversation. When she took his hand, Zander let out a low growl, but Greydon cast him a glance that said he was going to kick some ass if Zander didn’t dial it down.
“Orien, my sister is still out in the world somewhere and has no idea who she really is. She is your destiny, and you must try to find her.”
“Sister? I understand there was another girl in the painting, is she my mate?”
She shook her head. “No. Thundohn fathered her with another female. He wanted us to remain separated. I never knew her, only of her.”
So many memories now brewed inside her, and it was difficult to push them aside and remember who she really was. Was she Sheila, the scientist? Yes. She was also Lomara, and many more, but behind them all, she was Lysandra. A demigoddess who was meant to help bring a grand city back to life. This was now the last life she would live, and it would be spent with the male chosen for her.
Everything made sense now.
“How am I supposed to find my mate if she doesn’t know who she is?” Orien snapped her back to the present.
“I may be able to assist with at least a place to start.” She turned and looked at everyone in the room. “Time is drawing near when the war must be taken to Zolar’s doorstep. My sister will be found and so will the last artifact.” She then walked to Aimee and held out her hand, helping the queen to her feet.
“Do you feel the connection?”
Aimee’s eyes widened. “I do!” She then extended her arm and manifested all the artifacts to the table. “But if I have you and your sister, then why these? Why the last artifact?”
Everyone looked at the table.
“Good question,” the king said.
“The silver band which allows you to visit Uuna was the only way to communicate with her. The opal bracelet that protects you from harm was meant to keep you safe, as was the ruby fire crystal that gives the power of fire. There was no way to know what artifacts would be found first, so these were meant to help protect you.”
“Then does that mean I don’t need them now that you’re here?”
“We are not three, yet. The trident is not complete, so while you are stronger because of me, you should still make use of this until we locate my sister.”
Greydon moved next to his mate. “Then if we locate her before the last artifact, does that mean we won’t need it?”
