Page 84 of Plaidypus
“But we didn’tdoanything.”
“But you did. You are not this generation’s Child of God, but you were, for a few moments, a temporary carrier of the portfolio. The portfolio belongs to another. Lucifer already knows who, but the true holder was willing to give it to you in your time of need. In the moment you hit Icy and your brother died, you were willing to do anything needed to make certain your brother survived, including sacrifice your life. Without hesitation, without doubt, without question. You sacrificed. And because you were willing to sacrifice, you became your brother’s salvation. And your guilt over Icy is ultimately what gave her new life, too. But because you held the portfolio, even for but a few moments, during a moment of sacrifice, you have changed the future for the true holder of the portfolio.”
My eyes widened. “Wait. I carriedwhat?”
“The portfolio ofHischild.” Darlene smiled and patted my cheek. “You proved equal to the burden. But you established something thatHehas been waiting for since Ernesto’s death.”
“I’ll bite,” Leonard said. “What hasHebeen waiting for?”
“Sacrifice without death. A sacrifice not of death for life, but of life to prevent death. And because Nadine lived, so mightHisbeloved child, who offered her portfolio to you, so that you might have power behind your sacrifice. And so new futures are opened.Hisbeloved child may not survive, but she might, all because of you. You have taught the portfolio another way can be found, and that not all ultimate sacrifices need to lead in death.”
“Hischild is a daughter?” Leonard asked.
“She is. And now that the portfolio has awakened due to living sacrifice, she will come into her power soon enough. And that is but one of the consequences of your life—and why Lucifer is so determined to make certain the rest of your life is one of joy. You have done what he has not been able to do, for she will be a loved child of both the heavens and the many hells. That much I can tell you.”
“How do you know?”
“You will see soon enough,” Darlene promised. Holding a finger to her mouth, she added, “Carry that secret close to your soul, and know that you have givenHima giftHecan never repay. There have been billions upon billions of people who have walked upon the Earth, but only you could do what you have done. You are the universe’s gift toHim, who has sacrificed over and over, both ofHimselfandHisbeloved but begotten children. All of that has changed because of you. There are other consequences of your choices, but that is the most important one. The day you hit your Icy, the angels of the heavens held their breath. The moment you chose a sacrifice of life rather than death, they sang their joy. And the momentHisfirst son of sacrifice found the peace of redemption,Hewept, not due to tragedy, but from joy. What will the future hold? Not even the angels dare to peek, for the world has been made anew. I look forward to being surprised. Bright days come—and the End of Days may yet become a memory of dark times on a distant horizon. And so the sacrifice of one becomes the salvation of all.”
My mother scoopedme into a hug and spun me around before kissing my cheeks. “I am so taking you to an amusement park as a reward for how good you’ve been.” She released me and went for Leonard. She prowled around him with narrowed eyes, and after a satisfied nod, gave him the same treatment. “You can go to the park, too, if you like parks. And if you don’t, you can spend the day with her father, who will surely sulk if he doesn’t get to go to the park.”
“I like parks, ma’am,” he replied, his tone puzzled. “Which park?”
“I’m thinking we’ll hit all the big ones on the east coast first, and after we’ve recovered, we’ll head west. I never got to take her to many parks growing up, and she loves them. We’ll figure out how to make it so Icy can come, too. I already met her, and she’s so sweet. So, Lucifer tells me you’re my daughter’s man?”
Oh boy. I contemplated running away and leaving my wolf to my parents, but I stood my ground. If I abandoned him, he might abandon me to his parents.
I expected his parents would be far less trusting than mine, if my understanding of Leonard’s past was accurate. Mine might love him to death after my father finished blowing air and prancing around to make it clear he would protect me.
After the danger noodle, I suspected Leonard would take care around the little pony.
Hell, anyone with sense would take care around my father after the danger noodle incident. No, incidents.
“Mate, but man works well too, I suppose. If she’s interested in marriage, then I’ll eventually become her husband. Lycanthropes are satisfied with being mates, as that is more important than marriage to most of us, but marriage has its perks, including presents and tax advantages.”
I giggled. “I like presents, especially if the present comes in hot chocolate format. Will you be wrapped as a present?”
“I’d be wearing a suit. Do you view suits as wrapping?”
Well, I did now. “Yes.”
“Then I will be wrapped up for your enjoyment,” Leonard promised. “And there will be hot chocolate as well. I’m afraid you’ll have to accept some Godiva to commemorate the day we met.”
“Well, I guess I’m getting married, Mom.”
“That was easier than I expected.” She giggled, wrapped her arm around Leonard, and pulled him in the direction of the dining room table, where my father waited. “I’ve been told handsome young wolves need to eat a lot, especially after handling the extensive care of a lovely young platypus-wolf hybrid. So, sit, sit. Come sit with your mate, Nadine. You need to eat, too. Then we need to have a talk about your inappropriate use of geese.”
“It was only a few geese, Mom.”
“A few? The current estimate is there were at least twentymillionangry geese in Australia. Million. Not thousands. Do not make me repeat myself.”
“I’m sorry, but they deserved it.”
“Nadine,” she warned.
“It’s true. They absolutely deserved it.” I sat, pointing at Leonard. “I picked this man because he’s nice and makes good hot chocolate. Those assholes wanted me to pick them over the world’s perfect Canadian. I’m pretty sure he’s a purebred Canadian, too.”
“What is a purebred Canadian?” Leonard asked, sitting beside me.
