He blinked. “Why?”
“You have earned it for the service you have given to the valor.”
“Now, you are shackled to Atlantis. You cannot leave,” the former prime said between coughs, a smirk twisting his lips.
“What makes you think that?” Karolus asked “I will still be joining the other zodiacs for their months. We shall exchange information, and this time next year, we will welcome them under the volcano.”
“But the dragons need you.”
“And they shall have me. I’m but a phone call away and will return for two weeks every month. We will update our technology to bring us into the twenty-first century. Those things will allow those here to stay in touch with me when I am doing valor business elsewhere.”
Alazor would do everything in his power to undermine his efforts. He would need strong, loyal people to watch over the retired prime at all times. Something the prime would fight, but most defeated primes were banished from the zodiacs. So, keepers would be a small price to pay.
“We shall see,” Alazor said before closing his eyes.
Together, they entered the great hall and took their places at the high table for the toasts that would follow, and once the meal was served, they took to the floor to assist the betas in the task of servers. Showing by example no job was beneath them. They talked with those seated, eased concerns, and helped to explain how things would work in the future.
After washing the dishes—him washing, her drying—they made their way to her rooms as earlier agreed because her apartment lay far away from Alazor. Until she was with child, they had no need for a suite of rooms. Gregoreo would move into an apartment next to them. And Herico wanted to travel and see Greece before taking his sleep. So Karolus agreed to take him during Leo, as they were on the way to Greece that month anyway. It would allow the man companionship and time to prepare. Someone would escort him back when he was ready.
As they entered their bedroom, Styssi bowed. “My prime.”
“You never bow to me.”
“I bow with respect for the leader. Respect is not below me.”
“I couldn’t have been more honored to have you at my side this evening. It’s going to be a lot of work seeing our vision to fruition.”
“It will be worth it.”
“I do not want to stop you from things you wish to do or try. You tell me when you are ready to start a family, and we will. It shall be your decision. I never want you to feel like it is your duty.”
“How about we let nature take its course.” She eased her dress over her shoulders, allowing it to fall to the floor. “Should the fates bless us so soon, so be it. I can travel into my last month. But, otherwise, I will remain by your side. If it doesn’t happen, we can actively try next year.”
Dragon mothers were pregnant for a full year, so the chances of her getting pregnant this month would be slim. But he was more than open for doing his damned best. “So, I should get my mind right.”
“We should definitely practice now.”
“I think I mentioned before your wish is ever my command.”
He lifted his mate into his arms and carried her to the bed where he laid her down. Her beauty made him ache, and he blessed the fates for the life he had and would create with this woman. For the first time in decades, he had hope, and the walls of Atlantis didn’t close in around him. Like his mate, they welcomed him home.
About Dominique Eastwick
Award winning author Dominique Eastwick currently
calls North Carolina home with her husband, two children,
one crazy lab, and one nuts Norwegian Elk Hound. Dominique spent much of
her early life moving from state to state as a Navy Brat.
Because of that traveling is one of her favorite pastimes.
When she’s not writing, you can find Dominique with her
second love, her camera.
Connect with Dominique
[email protected]
Find Dominique:
www.DominiqueEastwickAuthor.com
Also By Dominique Eastwick
ZODIAC SHIFTERS Zodiac Sanctuary
Her Billionaire Lion
Shot Through the Heart
Through the Blizzard (Christmas Kisses)
Prowling for his Mate
1NIGHT STAND (HOUSE OF LORDS)
The Duke and the Virgin
The Marquis and the Mistress
The Earl and his Virgin Countess
The Viscount and the Heiress
THE WICCAN HAUS:
Shifting Hearts
Siren’s Serenade
Healing his Souls Mate
Breaking the Mating Bond
Fallen Dragons (Healing Harvest)
THE SHERMAN SERIES
Hunting JC
Tony’s Haven - 2012 — Aspen Gold winner for Best Erotic Romance
Kissing the Bridesmaid (A Sherman Cousin short story)
Killing Lucas
Kissing the Tycoon (A Sherman Cousin short story)
Spencer’s Chance
Taming Trent
HEIRS TO THE DUKE
For Love or Revenge
COOKIE CLUB ROMANCE SERIES
Hot Burning Love
BLACK HILLS WOLVES SERIES
Infiltrating her Pack
The Virgin’s Infiltrator
1NIGHT STAND SERIES
Strawberry Kisses
HOT MOON RISING SERIES
Second Chance Desire
SWEET CHRISTMAS KISSES
Kismet and Cocoa
SHIFTERS OF YELLOWSTONE
Bear with Me
Bearing the Hunger
Alpha’s Second Chance
BILLIONAIRES IN LOVE
The Billionaire Trap
Coming Soon
Kissing the FBI Agent (A Sherman Cousin short story)
Loving Sage (The Wiccan Haus)
Seducing Sarka (The Wiccan Haus)
Love at First Kiss (Zodiac Shifters)
Priestess of Truth
A Zodiac Shifters & Forgotten Gods Short Story
Laura Greenwood
Book Description
Priestess, Edrice, never gave too much thought about when she'd find her soulmate. Until she goes to a local fair and meets a tarot reader who reveals she's already met the Leo who'd complete her life. Her thoughts turn to High Priest and lion-shifter, Menefer, but can she give in to them?
Can a matchmaking goddess and a tarot reader convince Edrice to follow her heart?
Chapter 1
Laughter filled the room as we made our way towards the temple doors. We didn't leave often, we didn't need to. The gods provided everything we needed, and so many people lived here that it wasn't possible to be bored.
Today was different. For the first time in my life, I was going to visit a travelling fair. Some of the other priestesses had gone during the week, and all of them had come back filled with joy and tales of the exotic things they'd seen. Which said a lot. We lived within the walls of the Egyptian gods' temple. Miracles and exotic sights were a daily occurrence for us.
I closed my eyes and let the sun warm my face. It was always a relief to be outside. No matter what time of year it was, I just found it so magical.
"Edrice? Are you coming?" Demi called.
"Yes." I snapped my eyes open and rushed to catch up with my friends.
It didn't take long to get there. I wasn't sure if that was because they'd picked a spot near the temple on purpose, or if it was just because there was a lot of open space here. It didn't really matter. All that did was the bright colours and shouting voices. The whole place screamed fun. I couldn't wait to be a part of it.
"I'm going to go and find the coconut shy, want to come?" Demi asked.
I shook my head, my eyes fixed on a tent just a couple of paces away. I wasn't usually one to want to visit a tarot reader, mostly because as one of Ma'at's priestesses, and as a demi-goddess myself, I was always able to tell when
someone was telling me the truth. It made visiting anyone who dealt in semi-truths painful, and while I believed what they said was real, it wasn't quite as clear as I liked things to be. Yet, I couldn't deny that this tent and reader were calling to me.
"I'm going there." I pointed to the tent, still feeling the call to visit far more strongly than I maybe should.
Demi shrugged. "Suit yourself." She didn't understand. I didn't expect her to. This was out of character, even I was capable of seeing that.
I stepped towards the tent, running into the hard chest of the man coming my way. Something clicked inside me, but I ignored it. Magic did strange things at times, especially when it wasn't the wield-able kind. Being unable to choose how to use my magic was one of the drawbacks of working under a goddess who focused on justice and truth.
"I'm sorry," a low voice rumbled, resting his hand on my arm. "Are you okay?"
I nodded, my throat suddenly dry as I looked up at a familiar tanned face. I didn't know this man well, but I'd seen him around the temple. No doubt he'd seen me too. "It was me, I was in the way." I smiled apologetically.
"How about we just admit it was both of us and that we're both sorry?" he suggested, his amber eyes warm and inviting.
"That works for me." I licked my lips, trying not to think about how it would feel if he kissed me. I was losing control, which wasn't like me. At least I knew he'd been telling me the truth when he said he was sorry.
"I'll let you get on your way. I don't want to take up any more of your time," he said amicably.
"Maybe we'll run into each other again," I blurted.
"Maybe we will." He gave another winning smile, which affected me more than it should, before turning to walk away.
I watched him leave, focusing on the ripple of muscles under his shirt and the feline grace with which he moved. Eurgh, I wasn't this kind of woman. I barely ever fell into bed with any of the priests, and not just because it would make our work messy. I'd always been looking for the person I would spend the rest of my abnormally long life with. That was difficult when most of the people at the temple had slept with each other.
Ignoring that somewhat depressing thought, I entered the tent.
"Welcome." The petite redhead in jeans and a t-shirt was a little bit of a surprise. If there'd been more than one person in here, then I'd have thought she was a client.
"Hi." I gave an awkward half-wave, not too sure what I was doing with myself or why.
"Are you here for a reading?" She grinned widely and gestured to the table, almost as if she knew I was going to say yes, even before I did.
"Please." I took the seat and folded my hands together, trying to convince myself I didn't need to fidget.
"You seem nervous, can I get you a drink?" She placed her cards on the table before sitting down.
"No, thank you." My eyes strayed to the cards and the face of the priest I'd run into outside flashed through my mind. I needed to clear my head if this was going to work.
"Very well." She took her cards and began to shuffle. "You seem to be lost in thought. Is it of anything in particular?"
"A man."
"Anyone special?" She didn't take her eyes off me as she shuffled.
"No. Just someone I ran into outside. I barely know him."
She nodded and placed five cards on the table between us. I studied them intently, trying to make sense of what they could mean.
A child riding a white horse beneath the sun.
A man in red robes.
Pentacles above three men.
A cup in a hand with a bird above it.
A rainbow with cups across it and a family beneath.
To me, they meant nothing. But I could feel the truth in them. It was almost strange to feel that way about objects.
"You want to know about your soulmate and when you'll meet," the tarot reader observed.
I opened my mouth to deny it before realising she was right. Instead, I nodded.
"I think you've already met. I see a temple." She pointed to the card with the pentacles and the men. "This tells me there's a holy space you share. I think the temple. You both work there."
Truth sang through her words. A part of me hoped it was just because she'd correctly stated where I worked, but I knew deep down that it was more than that.
Her hand hovered over the card with the child, horse, and sun. "I believe he will have been born under the sign of the lion. A Leo." Her eyes bore into me.
I gulped. I'd seen the man serving with Maahes before, meaning he was probably a lion demigod, able to shift at will. It was almost fitting that he'd been born under Leo, but maybe that was part of why he'd ended up there. In some ways, the same was true of me.
"This man is a strong one. He's confident and a leader. Someone who inspires people..."
Did that mean he was the high priest? It wasn't outside the realms of possibility. But if he was, I doubted he'd have any interest in someone as lowly as I was.
"You're a Libra. You're meant to bring balance to his life, to make him clearly see what's right and what's wrong. With as much responsibility as he has, he needs someone who will offer stability and support..."
This all sounded terribly serious. Maybe I wasn't looking for my soulmate after all. Not if it meant I had to play the part of support.
"But you want to know when the two of you will come together and give in to what's between you." She studied the cards closely once more. "I see your first time together in the Ace of Cups. The water is flowing. It's full of beginnings and emotions. I feel you'll come to accept him in a place surrounded by water. Perhaps even the Nile. The Ace of Cups also speaks of the depth of emotions, the beginning of something beautiful. Your bond will be as eternal as the river. Once you find one another, you'll never let go."
The romantic in me rejoiced at her words. The independent part shirked a little. I should teach it that the gods and goddesses who ran our lives respected men and women equally. They'd never allow ill-treatment between romantic partners, even if that was merely an imbalanced power between the two people.
"If you do not believe happiness will follow your meeting, then you only have to look to the Ten of Cups. This speaks of a joyous relationship with children, family, and a life built together. You see the world in a similar way, and those views will merge to create something unique and harmonious."
While I wanted to refute it, I knew that was only because I was slightly scared about it. Deep down, I knew that she was only saying the truth. I could feel it in my bones, and that wasn't just a saying in my case.
"Thank you," I whispered, somehow knowing she was done.
"You're welcome." She nodded her head in my direction. "But beware, there is no fighting fate. If you try, you'll only cause yourself pain. I hope that helps you know what to do when the time comes."
I gave her a weak smile. I hoped she was right. I didn't want to go through the rest of my life alone. It was a long time to have to go without the company of someone to love.
Though somehow, I doubted it would make following her advice any easier.
Chapter 2
I held myself back from rubbing my eyes. The product of my sleepless night obsessing with the tarot reader's words. For some reason, something about them was terrifying me. Maybe it was the idea that I might end up messing things up. Or perhaps it was simpler than that. Maybe it was to do with it being a big change. No one was ever a big fan of change like this.
"Edrice?" the High Priestess called me.
I turned to see her standing in the doorway, a disapproving look on her face. I ran through a mental list of what my duties were today and came up with nothing I could possibly have messed up.
"Your Eminence." I dipped my head as a sign of respect, though I wasn't sure I felt it was deserved. The High Priestess was a cold woman. She had been for as long as I could remember.
"Ma'at would like to see you."
I sucked in a breath. Ma'at? She never saw anyone but the woman st
anding in front of me. She claimed it was so she didn't have her judgement clouded, but I'd heard whispers that she often left the temple to explore the ever-changing world. It didn't make any sense why she did it in secret, the gods and goddesses had always come and gone as they pleased. Just a month ago, Serket had returned after several hundred years of absence and no one had treated her any differently.
"Now?" I squeaked.
"Yes. Don't keep her waiting." The High Priestess pointed to the huge golden door that led to the goddess' private quarters.
"Thank you." I rose to my feet and made my way towards it, the golden scales mocking me and reminding me yet again of the tarot reader's words. I wasn't ridding myself of her prophecy any time soon then.
Did I knock on the door? Or did I walk straight in? I wasn't sure which of those made more sense. Just that I couldn't keep Ma'at waiting. Deciding that was the lesser of two evils, and that there were plenty of other goddesses I could serve if she chose to dismiss me for this. Though that wasn't something I wanted. I liked serving Ma'at, and my ingrained magic wouldn't suit any other goddess as well.
I stepped into the private rooms, unsurprised to find that they were almost identical to the rest of our space, only a little more spacious.
"Edrice?" Ma'at's voice called.
I turned to the left to see a youthful brunette sat by a pool of water, white linen draped over her in the traditional Egyptian way. She wasn't required to dress that way, none of us were, but a lot still did out of respect for the old ways.
I bowed deeply, my respect for the goddess far outweighing that I held for her High Priestess. "You asked to see me," I whispered.
"I did. Come sit with me."
Not one to refuse a god, I perched myself beside her and looked into the still pool. Nothing in the water moved. But then, I hadn't expected it to.
Crimson Kisses: Valentine’s Day Edition: A Zodiac Shifters Paranormal Romance Anthology Page 12