Page 27 of Vampire's Promise
Aidyn was next to stand on the other side of Argathos. “I bear the only weapon that can kill a god. What is mine is now yours to wield.”
“Well, Prince Kian. Looks like you are off to a good start. Gwen, what else did you learn?” Zarek asked.
“Once Kian is trained, he and I will need to bend time and go back to when Apep is in his prison and at his weakest. Ra has given me the information needed to do this.”
“Bend time? This is even possible?” Zarek looked shocked.
She nodded. “Yes, but only one creature has the ability to do this.”
Everyone looked at each other when finally, a strong female voice brought their whispers to a hush.
“My dragon holds this power.” Leria spoke, and all eyes focused on her. “As the queen of the Draki, my dragon can bend time. It’s not something that is shared and I’m sure you can understand why.”
“Even to your mate?” Aidyn stared at her, brows hiked up over swirling brown eyes.
“Yes, even to my mate. My people don’t even know this. Only…” Her words trailed off.
“Only I know this,” Qadira spoke. “Two beings in the entire universe ever knew. Myself, and the royal Draki who hold the power. Now this room knows, and I beg it never goes beyond these walls.”
No words needed to be spoken. Everyone bowed their head to the queen, indicating they would die with this secret.
“Very well then. Leria’s dragon will take you where you need to go when the time comes.” Qadira took her seat again, a sign for the conversation to move on.
“Is that it?” Zarek asked.
Gwen nodded. “That pretty much covers it.” Other than the fact she was going to have to die. Ra had warned her that her death would be the only way to bring Kian’s darkness out in full force. When she hadn’t balked, the god smiled and spoke.
“You honor your mate.”
“While I’m sad that our time together will be short, I would give my life so he may save himself and the others.”Hadn’t meant she was thrilled about it.
Zarek clapped his hands together, pulling her from her thoughts. “We shall adjourn this meeting then and at sunrise, Hades will take Kian and Gwen to Hell while the rest of us sort out the mess here.”
Everyone moved, and Argathos approached. “You will both stay here. The entire west wing is empty and private.” He grinned. “I suggest the two of you go there and get better acquainted. I will make certain dinner is prepared and brought to you.” Then he walked away.
“Are you okay? I know my head is spinning from all this and I can only imagine what you must be thinking.” She tried tomentally reach for him, but his emotions were buried behind a block of stone. After drinking his blood, her connection to him should be stronger, but he was shutting her out. As they walked through the quiet west wing, she wondered if he would ever grow to trust her.
“There is a lot to take in. My life went from boring to out of my control in a matter of seconds.” They stopped at the door to one of many bedrooms and he turned to face her. “I must admit, I am relieved to learn it was Cera who chose you and that you are not some kind of deception.”
She smiled at his words, for they were a relief to her as well. “Does that mean you feel the connection between us?”
His eyes darkened as he stepped into her, bent until his mouth was inches from her own, and whispered, “I feel many things when I am near you, Gwyneth.” His hand snaked around the back of her head and his mouth claimed hers. With every swipe of his tongue, fire burned in her soul, and it was all she could do to keep her fangs out of the way. She recalled the taste of him, and it matched how he made her feel at this very moment. Protected, comforted and desired. As she drifted away on her own cloud of need, he pulled back, nipping her bottom lip.
“My chosen.” His voice had turned low and husky. “I wish to explore this thing between us further, but first I will take time to clean up. I will meet you for dinner.” Then he disappeared behind the door, leaving her in the passage, wishing she could move time ahead.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Kian stoodon the other side of his chamber door, the heat and desire of the female fated to be his still very much present in the air. His own arousal threatened to have him jerking open the door and pulling her inside so he could carry her to his bed. But he needed a moment to let everything sink in. Right now, he had information overload. A new family, a fated mate, and apparently, he was tasked with taking out Apep. The fact it was his destiny to do so didn’t bother him. It was the thought of Gwen also being involved that left him with a feeling he didn’t much care for.
Pushing away from the door, he explored his room and headed for the shower. If Gwen was also fated to go on this mission with him, then there was nothing he could do about it. When the gods decided something, there was no changing their minds. The best he could do was protect her and be thankful she was a trained warrior.
As he stepped into the shower, he noted a change in his body. Nothing physical, but he felt different and if he had to describe it to anyone, he would say he felt like he had gained a new power but had yet to discover what it was. He’d noticed it after he entered the palace and had to wonder if it was simplythe other gods––his family––that caused it. After all, the place was filled with the king and queen, along with a royal Draki and three princes. That was a lot of powerful beings under one roof. No wonder it was quiet in Edala. He imagined most of the gods and goddesses were holed up in their temples waiting for ramifications of whatever naughty things they might have done to bring their king back. He couldn’t help but smile as he padded naked across the chamber floor.
“You always did have a lovely backside.”
Kian turned to face Diara, hardly worried about his unclothed body, but more so about her own lack of clothing. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to find out what was going on. To make certain you were still well.”
