Page 37 of Vampire's Promise
“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 themost 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 shockedwhen 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.
