Page 24 of Vampire's Promise
“Excuse me?” Diara took a step closer. “Did you just threaten me?”
Gwen rolled her eyes. “Yes. Do you need me to spell it out for you?”
“Why you little snit.” The goddess raised her hand to no doubt launch a power blast when Kian stepped between them.
“Enough,” he shouted. “I have more important matters to attend to than the two of you causing a ruckus.”
“You are seriously going to allow her to insult me?” If a goddess could blow smoke from her ears, Gwen was certain this one was about as close as anyone she had ever seen.
Ignoring her question, he posed one of his own. “Has Netasis come home yet?”
Diara glared at him, and Gwen felt the goddess power up.
“Careful, Diara. You strike out at me, and you will regret the day.” The words had barely passed his lips when she raised her hand and prepared to strike.
“I would heed his words, were I you. Strike my son or his mate, and I will burn you where you stand.”
Gwen let out a sigh of relief at the sound of Argathos’s voice. She turned and smiled. “Am I happy to see you.” Glancing atKian, who was still on edge, she said, “Kian, this is your father, Argathos.”
“Father? These people lie to you, Kian. He is not your father, he is an outcast. A washed up has-been.”
It was Kian’s turn to glare at the goddess. “And I am to believe the goddess of deception? You lie at every given opportunity.” He looked at his father. “We have much to talk about.”
Argathos gave a nod. “Let us go back to the palace. Your uncles wish to lay eyes on both of you.” In a flash of light, they were gone and standing in an open room that led to the outside gardens, where Gwen spotted two dragons she knew very well. Leria and her warrior Jax, and she couldn’t help but grin. She took a moment to step outside while they introduced Kian to his family. She sensed he was both relieved and overwhelmed. It had to be difficult to learn you were ripped from your murdered mother and raised as someone else’s son. She sensed Zarek coming up behind her.
“Tell me what happened.”
“Some god named Khedeus first took Kian, and then me, to a place called the Skeletal Moon. After that, we kept bouncing from world to world until we ended up in Hell, where I finally got my powers back and took us to Vandeldor. Kian brought us here.” She looked back out into the lush gardens. “He told Kian that his crime was being born and mine was a fight with a valkyrie.”
“Bogus bullshit from a prick of a god. He somehow knew that you two were fated. What I have learned since I’ve been back here is that the goddess that birthed Kian is Netasis, goddess of destruction. She and Khedeus were lovers once.”
“Then she is the one who took Kian?”
He shook his head. “We don’t know that for certain. Word is that she would never speak of Kian’s father. She and Khedeushad a falling out right before the war and there is a possibility that she believed Kian was his child.”
Gwen had to keep her jaw from dropping. “Are you saying that Netasis had no involvement in any of this?”
“I’m saying it is possible that she was used, but I do not know this for certain. I have sent word that she is to return, so while I wait, I am questioning everyone.”
She looked away again. “Kian doesn’t believe we are mates. How can I be worthy of a demigod?”
He laid his hand on her shoulder. “Daughter, you are a guardian. You may have been born of guardian parents, but you are still a child of a god and I’m not just any god.” He pointed to something in the distance. “See that temple over there?”
She looked at the ornate golden spire and nodded.
“That is the temple belonging to Ra, my grandfather.”
She tried not to gasp. “I had no idea.”
He offered her a soft smile. “Yes. Not only were you created by the grandson of Ra, but your mate is his great-grandson. The goddess of deception has nothing on you. Kian will come around.” He smiled. “I sense he has already started by the way he keeps glancing other to check on you.”
“I’m sure you’re right. I know he has a lot to deal with right now. Do you think I could visit Ra’s temple?” They had taught guardians as children that Ra was a very special god to them, and now she understood why his likeness had always been in the throne room at Vandeldor.
“Of course. You can flash yourself there and I promise none shall bother you. You are under the king’s protection as well as the rest of us.” He jerked his head toward the sky. “Not to mention a couple of bad-ass dragons.”
She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”
“Anytime.” He turned and walked back inside, and she decided this was the perfect time to visit the temple.
