Page 18 of Dark Destiny: The Fates' Bargain

Navuh mastered himself and reached for reason, for his strategist's tone. "It is not suitable work for her. Areana is not built for that kind of labor. Give me a Guardian. A strong male who will not think twice about such tasks. That is the sensible arrangement. Areana is..." He stopped because he did not have a way to finish the sentence without exposing more than he wished.

"Areana is your mate," Kian said, "and she loves you, though the Fates alone know why, and she will do this for you because people who love one another do not shy away from difficult tasks when their loved one requires them." Kian was plainly enjoying this, and he did not trouble to hide it. "You will not have a Guardian. You will have her. The transfer happens today."

Navuh didn't respond because nothing he said would change the verdict.

"I'll send Hildegard in to prepare you." Kian signaled to the blond, stoic Guardian to open the door.

Annani and Kian turned to go, the goddess with her hidden fear, taking the splinter with her wedged deep as he'd intended, and the son with his petty triumph and his open contempt.

The door closed behind them.

A moment later Hildegard came back in.

"Well," she said. "It seems this is goodbye. They're moving you this afternoon, and I'm going home, so you'll not be seeing me again. Are you going to miss me?"

He grimaced. "Terribly."

9

ANNANI

Annani did not give Navuh the satisfaction of a backward glance. She walked out of the clinic with her spine straight and her face composed, and she did not let the mask slip even though he had managed to rattle her.

Kian fell into step with her. "You know he is full of shit, right?"

"I do, but I would appreciate it if you did not use that kind of language with me."

"Oh, Mother. I'm allowed from time to time, especially when it is so apt."

She could not stifle the smile. "It is apt, I have to admit. He was bluffing. He has no idea what state Khiann was in, but that does not change the fact that neither do we, and I am worried. I just want him to arrive at the village and for Bridget to open his case and confirm that he is alive. That all of them are."

She would not know which of the chests contained Khiann until the resurrection was well underway.

At least she had gotten to enjoy the satisfaction of watching Navuh's face when Kian had told him that from now on Areana was going to take care of him. The truth was that it surprised Annani that Navuh had taken this tidbit harder than the news confirming the loss of his leverage and the serious blows the clan had dealt to his island.

He was such a selfish and prideful male.

He could not stomach his mate tending to his private needs and sharing in all the indignities his broken body demanded.

If it were anyone other than Navuh, Annani would have been moved. She would have understood and tried to find a more dignified solution, but this was the least of what he deserved, and Areana would not mind once she felt confident in her new duties.

There should be no shame between truelove mates, not about basic things like bodily functions.

If it were Khiann, and Annani had been entrusted with his care, she would have done it with love no matter how undignified he thought it was.

"You seem pleased," Kian said. "Was the gloating satisfying?"

"It was," Annani admitted. "It is beneath me, but I am pleased nonetheless. He is a vile male who has inflicted unimaginable suffering on countless people, not just on me, so I am entitled to feel gratification at seeing him squirm."

"Indeed. Are we going back to Areana?"

"Of course."

"We don't have to. The Guardians can take care of everything."

They reached the elevator, and as Magnus summoned it, the doors opened immediately. It seemed that no one had called it during the time they were in the clinic.

"I want to speak with Areana again," Annani said as she entered the cabin. "She seemed a little flabbergasted when we left her. I may savor Navuh's reaction, but I do not want my sister to feel as if we are throwing her to the wolves."