Prophecy Fulfilled: Prime Prophecy Series Book 3

by Tamar Sloan

  “Ahem.”

  I jolt back, instantly on alert. In part because I didn’t hear the person approach, but mostly because I don’t recognize the voice. I glance at the dogs, who surely should have heard this whilst I was busy, but Stash and Caesar are both sitting, tails thumping in the grass.

  We stand, and all the tension must be getting to me because I find myself slightly in front of my mate before I realize it. Eden steps around as I register that we’ve met this guy.

  I grasp her hand and squeeze it in apology. I’m thinking Eden being pregnant may not be so good for my protective tendencies. The brief look Eden graces me with tells me she gets it…but it doesn’t mean she’s okay with it. I smile, wishing I could kiss her.

  Eden turns to our visitor, smiling. “Hello, River.”

  It’s one of the Fae Elders who was at the crowning ceremony. Probably a little younger than my parents, he bows his head ever so slightly, his long braid slipping over his shoulder. “My queen, the Fae Elders send their congratulations and welcome.”

  Eden’s blush is subtle but there nonetheless. “Please, call me Eden. And thank you, River.”

  I glance behind him, wondering why there’s only one. Are the others unhappy with Avery’s choice? River must notice, because he straightens. “Fae do not come together very often. Our shared features would raise too many questions. The others have returned to their homes. I was sent as a delegate.”

  I respect that they didn’t send Orin. We know he’s been glad to see his sister, but neither of us is sure how the other Fae Elders feel about Eden’s newfound monarch status.

  Eden nods. “I’m honored that Avery chose me.”

  And still totally floored by it.

  “Avery was a man of great wisdom and foresight. He spoke of you often, of how much you’d taught him.”

  “He did?”

  River nods. “He said you showed him it was time to do things differently.” He angles his head. “He said things were changing. That new answers were needed.”

  Eden frowns as she takes this all in. “And what was his solution?”

  River smiles that Fae smile. “I think it was you.”

  Eden falls silent. This is like the pressure and the expectations of the Prime Alpha all over again. I stay steady beside her, holding her hand, letting her know I’m here for her. I have a sense that River is here to find out what the new Fae masterplan is.

  “We wanted to check, is there anything you wanted us to convey to the Fae?”

  Yep, it seems so.

  Eden blinks, and I can feel her surprise morph to anxiety. But I stay where I am, knowing that River is about to get a taste of the awesomeness of this girl. Her fears stopped holding her back a long time ago.

  I watch as Eden’s hand comes up to stroke her bottom lip. I doubt she even realizes she’s doing it, but my chest almost bursts with pride. This girl is just as much a Phelan as she is Fae.

  “Do you have a child, River?”

  River looks away, then back. “I do. A daughter.” He seems to swallow painfully. “We named her Hazel.”

  You’ve got to be kidding me. “Hazel?”

  I glance at Eden. I told her the story of the sick little girl we met in Bowerman. After seeing what being in cities did to Avery, she was saddened, but not surprised, to hear about Hazel’s frailty. Visiting Hazel is first on our to-do list once we’re on the other side of Alexis’ ceremony…whatever that looks like.

  River notices our glance but doesn’t comment on it. “Yes. We remain for the birth and the naming, and then we must leave.”

  Except Avery. He loitered in the background, unable to completely sever the ties with his daughter.

  “Did you want to leave?”

  River can’t seem to hold Eden’s gaze. He stares at the grass. “I understood the need for it.”

  That would be a no.

  I can feel something building in Eden as she asks the next question. “Is it possible for the Fae to remain connected to their Changeling children and still maintain their secret?”

  It’s River’s turn to blink. He grabs the tip of his braid and flicks it over his shoulder, pauses, then grabs it and brings it back around. I’m guessing that’s some kind of Fae nervous tick. “We would have to keep our Fae abilities secret.”

  Eden nods. “Yes, you would.”

  I think of what it would mean if Hazel had a father, one that understood her. “But you could guide your children, help them harness the power of their abilities.”

  River looks at the two of us like we just suggested he should cut his hair. His eyes are wide and he seems to have been left speechless.

  Eden smiles. “So many lines have been blurred since the Prime Prophecy began. I think it’s trying to tell us something.”

  River twiddles the end of his braid. “It is risky.”

  I squeeze Eden’s hand again. “We’ve discovered that. But like you said, Avery realized it was time to do things differently.”

  Which is one of the reasons he made his Changeling daughter Queen. We thought it was the fact that Eden blurred the lines that was the spanner in this Prophecy. When it’s actually what the Prophecy has always been about.

  We wait as River mulls over our words. He’s right—it is risky. Weres know of Fae. There is now a human who knows of Weres. Things are definitely changing. And we’re doing this all based on three vague words…united we conquer.

  River’s smile is nothing like the usual Fae smile. It grows and blooms bigger than you’d think was physically possible. It lights up his whole face, his green eyes practically becoming luminescent. “I will tell the others.”

  Eden nods, and I feel the relief flood her tense frame.

  River turns away, looking eager to start sharing. “Thank you, my quee—I mean, Eden.”

  Eden steps forward. “River. How do I keep in touch with you and the others?”

  River says nothing, simply looking at Eden.

  Eden pauses. “Oh.”

  I realize that River just sent Eden some sort of message, like we do when I’m a wolf.

  “Or you can send a courier.”

  There’s another pause before Eden says that one word again. “Oh.”

  Interesting. It seems Fae have ways to keep in touch without the need for things like phones. That’s certainly handy.

  River is almost around the side of the house before Eden calls out to him again. He turns, looking at her in question.

  Eden smiles. “I’d stop off in Bowerman on the way to seeing the others if I were you.”

  River’s returning smile is so broad it tells us that’s exactly what he was intending on doing.

  I turn to Eden once we’re alone again, pulling her into my arms. “Looks like Hazel will be growing up with a dad.”

  Eden’s arms slide around my waist as she smiles up at me. “My guess is, she’s about to get a whole lot better.”

  “I’m glad. She’s a good kid.”

  Eden’s head sinks into my chest. “I just don’t get it, Noah. It seems to be one step forward, two steps back with this Prophecy.”

  I sigh, hands coming to squeeze her shoulders. “I know. It’s like we’ve figured some things out…”

  “And yet we’ve got something irrevocably wrong.”

  I rest my cheek on her hair, breathing in her wildflower scent. We’ve achieved so much, and yet lost even more.

  And we both know that tomorrow is the day we discover exactly how right, or how wrong, we’ve been.

  Eden pulls back as something dawns across her face. Her forest green eyes grab me and don’t let go as she looks like the queen who got the cream. “Noah, I’m the Queen of the Fae now.”

  I raise a brow. “I noticed.”

  Eden is shaking her head in a ‘I can’t believe we didn’t think of this sooner’ way. “I could control Kurt and the others now.” She swallows. “If I had to.”

  My mouth opens, then shuts. She’s the Queen of the Fae, she can control any animal she
wants. She can control as many animals as she wants.

  Holy crap, in trying to kill her, Kurt has inadvertently created something far more powerful than he could have imagined. And even though Eden is pregnant, there is no one else powerful enough to contain the Weres that will be baying for blood.

  She swallows, eyes pleading. “I have to be there.”

  Eden has already sensed my agreement before I say it. I’m glad I don’t have to voice that it’s underscored by the fear of what could happen to her…and the hope that this is what will tip the scales.

  Part VII

  Eden

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Arriving at what once was a beautiful, revered space and seeing what Alexis has done to it hurts like a wound that has been torn open again. I thought I’d come to accept it, but seeing the damage bares the pain all over again.

  We arrive to find several cars are already parked on what used to be forest. We pull up next to them and pile out. Mitch and Tara came with us, while Adam and Beth drove in the other truck. Everyone is serious and grim as we survey what’s ahead of us.

  Alexis and James have two stands of bleachers along with a podium set up. I grit my teeth when I see the local news station has set up a camera. Recording what is going to happen here is the most dangerous thing of all.

  The Precept Rock stands like a dignified sentinel to the right of the clearing, what used to be the head of this sacred area. The opening to the highway feels like it’s bled out any magic this place once held.

  A massive dozer is now the centerpiece. Hunkered down beside the podium, it’s bigger than the one that was here two days ago. The turning of the first clod usually involves a shovel, but Alexis and James are obviously looking to make a statement.

  Seth and Emily pull up, climbing out of their car and coming together almost instantly. They fit into each other like they don’t plan on letting go.

  Seth looks pale as he approaches us. Emily is tucked under his arm as they lean into each other. He nods at us before taking himself and Emily to the side. My hand tightens around Noah’s, knowing there’s nothing I can say that will make today okay.

  More cars arrive, and I watch as Weres from all over the state park climb out. The Bardolfs, the Lyalls, some of the others from further afield. And finally, the Tates.

  Maria rushes to my side, eyes already liquid before this has even started. Her hand presses over my now rounded belly. “How are you?”

  “I’m well.” Maria knows there’s no way I can say I’m good. “You? How have things been?”

  Maria looks down, face crumpling even more. “Daniel wouldn’t listen to reason. He’s basically under house arrest. “

  Noah nods. “We will deal with that after all this is over. You did everything you could, Maria.”

  Maria’s smile is tremulous but grateful. John wraps his arm around her shoulder and they head to the bleachers. Like all the Weres already there, they don’t take a seat. They settle beside the metal stands, bodies taut with tension.

  I’m not surprised when the Fae Elders arrive.

  Orin inclines his head my way as they approach. “I spoke to River.”

  I glance at River, but it seems he’s in Elder mode, because his face doesn’t give anything away. I’d swallow if my mouth wasn’t so dry. If Orin thought things were changing too fast before, what does he think of the changes I’ve already made? “And?”

  His smile is small but there. “It will be a new direction for us.”

  I nod, not knowing what to say. Changelings will now know their parents—Fae will touch humans far deeper than they ever have.

  Orin clasps me in a hug. “Avery knew what he was doing. We are now more intertwined than ever before.”

  I hug him back, letting his belief infuse me. “Thank you.”

  Orin releases me and the Fae head to the bleachers. Despite everything he said, they still look like they’re heading to a funeral.

  I glance around. It looks like Alexis and James are hoping to make an entrance once everyone is here.

  Noah leans down to me. “Are they here?”

  I close my eyes for a moment, connecting with my newfound powers. I can feel the Weres who are growing in numbers, all uneasy, many angry. The anger tightens the ball of anxiety that is lodged in my gut. I know they aren’t okay with what’s happening here, but their animosity makes me nervous.

  Next, I register my fellow Fae. They’re all hurting, taking comfort in each other.

  The humans are the only ones who have some level of anticipation. How many would change their minds if they knew how important this place is? Or would they be like Alexis—too money hungry to care?

  Then I feel them. They’re further away, their burning determination scattered amongst the trees. I frown. “Four of them.” My gaze flies to Noah. “One of them is Daniel.”

  “Looks like house arrest didn’t work so well, huh?” He rubs his bottom lip. “There’s less of them than we thought, seems this isn’t such a popular idea.”

  “They’re in the forest, not too far away.”

  Noah nods, then waits. There’s one more Were that we need to locate.

  But Kurt isn’t with his little posse, and I’m not sure what that means. Why would he split up from them?

  When I locate him I don’t know how I didn’t sense him first. His hot fury practically singes my consciousness. I slowly look up, not wanting to see him, but needing to know.

  Kurt is up on the ledge, a russet red wolf stalking the edge one way then the other. Pacing from side to side, Kurt has chosen the place where he first attacked us to watch the ceremony unfold.

  Noah follows my line of sight and his frown is ferocious when he sees him. “Bloody hell.”

  Kurt sees us looking, but it’s me that he sets his canine gaze on. His loathing is a palpable force that spans the distance, but I’m relieved to find I’m not scared. Kurt is about to discover what his hatred is up against.

  I look away, I don’t want anyone else looking in the same direction I am. As long as the people here keep their eyes at ground level they won’t see the unnaturally large wolf halfway up the cliff face. We need to ensure that the handful of humans here are never aware of Weres’ existence.

  Beth and Tara head for the bleachers, their job is to be interested humans. Adam and Mitch approach, ready to play their role in our plan.

  Noah glances up at Kurt again. “So the others are in the forest?”

  I nod. “To the east.”

  Noah’s breath out is resolute. “We’ll be back.”

  For the first time, a shot of fear spears down my back. I know he’s the Prime Alpha with the ultimate power that any Were would be terrified of. He’s stronger and faster than any of them. But he’s also my mate. The boy I fell in love with, the one who I can’t live without. I place my hand on his chest, over the mark that holds both Were and Fae. “Be careful.”

  Noah’s smile is gentle, but also a little cocky. It’s just what I needed to see. “I’ll try not to trip on them.”

  I watch them walk away, three Alphas in their own right. Their broad backs and long strides say pride and strength, their thoughts say they are willing to fight for what is right. When I sense another presence I close my eyes for a moment, sending out a message. No harm in having a little backup.

  I glance up at Kurt and find he’s watching them too. Will he race down to meet them? Instigate the fight that is inevitable? For some reason I doubt it. Kurt is a coward, and facing the Prime Alpha when one drop of blood will mean he becomes human would be too great a risk. I shift my weight, my hand fluttering to my stomach then dropping. Realizing that he’s probably going to stay up there intensifies the nervousness that keeps bubbling up. It means we haven’t figured out what Kurt is planning to do here.

  When I see Alexis approach, I turn away. On this day, as she puts into motion what will destroy so much, she needs to see that I meant what I said. Whatever semblance of family we had has been decaying for a lon
g time. Now it’s buried deeper than a coffin.

  I don’t wait to see what she thinks of it. Instead, I move to the second bleacher. Although it’s not with Tara and Beth, I have a better view of the ledge. I need to see if Kurt is going to head down to meet Noah.

  It means I don’t see James walking toward me until he’s before me. His smile feels wrong, and it reinforces just how clueless he is.

  “We’re delighted to see you here.”

  I realize he probably thinks this is some sort of tick of approval. “I’m not here to celebrate, James.”

  He glances around, acting like I didn’t reply. If he wasn’t spearheading such a terrible crusade, I’d almost admire his tenacity. “You didn’t bring Noah?”

  Noah is off trying to save your lives. I glance over at Alexis to find her staring at me, but not at my face. Alexis is taking in the swelling of my stomach that I can no longer hide. Her shocked eyes rise up to meet mine.

  I look away before the shock can shift to whatever comes next. I don’t ever want to see disappointment or disgust when it comes to the baby growing inside me. Although we never considered children, this child couldn’t be more special or wanted.

  I look back at James. “He’s coming. He just had to look after something.”

  James smiles again. “Wonderful. This is going to be quite the show.”

  You’ve got to be kidding me. I turn away, wishing the distaste I feel wasn’t there. “I really wish you’d listened, James.”

  For once, James doesn’t have a reply. Instead he turns and heads back to Alexis. I don’t bother to see what they have to say to each other. I have more important things to worry about.

  Kurt is still pacing above, and I can feel that Noah is closing in on his prey. Although I know this all started long before this moment, I can feel it gaining momentum. Dominoes are being tripped as fate is propelled into motion.

  Like he realizes it too, James steps up to the podium. “Thank you to everyone here, it’s wonderful to celebrate this milestone with you all.”

  James’ smooth English accent, his smile, feel like I’m at a supporters’ rally. I would imagine most politicians would open with that line.