Divine Destiny- the Divine Chronicles Book 2

by JoAnna Grace

  She spun around. “Dante. I didn’t hear you come in.”

  “I apologize.” He stood at a respectable distance.

  “Stop apologizing to me. You saved my life today.” She walked over to him and motioned for him to sit. “Pretty sure I should be thanking you or baking you a cake or something.”

  “Samuel, uh, Yankee was right. Your accent is charming.” Dante averted his eyes. It was amazing that a hulking man of Dante’s size could blush after paying a lady a compliment.

  It was also hard for her to believe that Yankee would say such a thing. “Yankee said my accent was charming?” Dante opened his mouth and then shut, thinking twice about what he wanted to say. Avery shook her head and sighed. “What did he really say?”

  “He said your accent was hot.”

  Avery laughed out loud at the adjective that was much more like Yankee. “Yeah, that sounds ’bout right.”

  “You don’t mind that he speaks of you with such familiarity? So intimately?” Dante questioned.

  “I grew up in a small town. I’m pretty used to people being too familiar with me.” She smiled at the seemingly shy Thracian. She shrugged. “Besides, I trust the Elites. No hesitation.” It was a borderline lie; they scared her shitless. But Avery knew in a life or death situation any of them would give their lives for her.

  “I saw Brenden hug you today. Is that normal?”

  Avery shrugged her shoulders. “Probably not. I don’t know all the stinkin’ rules. Ryse is weird about things. Hayden is the only person he doesn’t scowl at when he hugs me. But Brenden is special to me and he—well, we have a common pain.”

  “I see.” Dante twisted his hands around each other.

  “What’s up, Dante?” Avery put her hand on top of the knot of his fingers. “You can speak openly to me. Don’t be worried about the rules ’cause I don’t know most of them.”

  Her light laugh seemed to relax him and he looked up at her, eye to eye, for the first time. “I wish to be one of your guardians. But you should know some things first.” She nodded expectantly. “You know that I haven’t finished the program yet. But also,” he said, dropping his eyes, “my father is in the service of Prince Ashton.”

  “Um…I’m lost.”

  His head popped up, shock on his face. “Prince Ashton is against Master Ryse exercising his rights as a Deity.” He continued to stare at her with chagrin. She continued to stare at him like a deer in the headlights. “He believes that Ryse being a Thracian is a sign of Queen Dyna’s infidelity, that Prince Hayden is the true heir and Ryse is not a Deity of pure blood. Therefore, he will not recognize you as anything more than the mate of a Thracian soldier. My father is Ashton’s faithful follower.”

  She understood now. “Ah. And what do you think, Dante?”

  “I believe in the Master’s joint heritage with my very soul. He is honorable and following the path of the gods. While I cannot pretend to know the gods’ plans for Prince Hayden, I do not question his legitimacy or that he too shall be a reigning Deity somehow.”

  “And what about me?”

  Dante looked at her for a long second. He took a deep breath. “I believe you are a Grace. Even with your aura bound, I can feel it with my abilities. Master Ryse is a one of a kind Deity; of course he would be gifted with a one of a kind Grace. Anyone can see the growing bond between you. That is truly divine, given his nature.”

  Avery huffed. “He’s not always easy to deal with.” They shared a smile and she noticed his dimples. “Will your father be angry with you?”

  “Yes,” he said, losing the dimples. That pained Avery. There was sweetness to this warrior. The gentle giant touched her heart.

  “I don’t want to cause you family problems.” She put her hand on top of his knee. “My parents were taken from me and I would never wish that separation on anyone. I think having you as a guard would be sweet as honey. I hope you know that no matter what, I’ll always have a place for you in my heart because of what you’ve done for me.”

  His light sandy eyes found hers for another long moment. Avery wondered what he saw that made him look at her with such concentration. “And that, my Princess, is why I choose to devote myself to you and the god’s will for your life.” Dante took her hand and kissed the back of it. “You honor me.”

  “Right back atcha.” She smiled. “I have a sneaking feeling you’ll be needed.”

  Dante stood and headed to the door. “Princess,” he said, looking back. “Those things that Salina was trying to make you believe, none of them are true.”

  “I know.” Avery tried to brush it off, shrugging and waving it away, forcing a smile.

  “And I know that she used fears that already existed in your mind and twisted them.”

  It was Avery’s turn to bury her head in shame, except she didn’t. It was one thing to have fears and a whole other thing to let the fears rule you. “That she did.”

  “If I may say so, though my Master may have my head for it later, you are more naturally beautiful, inside and out, than she could ever be with all the makeup and magic in the world. The Master adores you. It’s written all over his face every time he looks at you.”

  Dante left her sitting there, wrapped in a towel and completely dumbfounded.

  EVERY NERVE IN Ryse’s body was like a live wire. Never in his long life had he been so nervous. His father had talked to him about what would happen if Avery agreed to do a blood oath. It would be different than a physical union but just as legal.

  Troy made a declaration, “We will have a morning gathering, tomorrow in the grand dining hall.” He spoke to one of the servants that attended him. “Every guest of this house will be in attendance, including Princess Salina. Send her a personal invitation on my behalf.” Troy turned to him. “Let Salina see the way the gods favor your mate.” They both hesitated and smiled.

  Ryse had no doubt that Troy was thinking about Avery’s sentiments on the word as he used. Mate. It was comical the way she shied from it. His delightful little farm girl, who had her own interesting southern vernacular, still judged his. “Your union will put aside all questions. When your mother and I first joined together it was also in a blood bond. Your mother’s blood mixed with mine was a potent combination. Everyone in the room was wrapped in the magic it created. I have no doubt that it will be the same with you and Avery.”

  So now Ryse was on his way to their shared suite and make this proposal to his woman. Their option of taking it slow was now off the table.

  “Brother!” Hayden ran up to him with a file in his hands and a crazy look upon his face. “You need to see this.”

  Ryse took the pages and began reading. “What exactly am I looking at? You know I’m not made for science.”

  “These are Avery’s test results.”

  “These checked boxes are confirmed?” Ryse said, his eyes bouncing between the file and Hayden’s face.

  “They are all the powers she could have.”

  “Could?”

  “Avery’s base Olympian gift is fire. You’ve seen that. But there is so much more. Ryse, she has the power to absorb others’ gifts through blood.” Hayden was practically dancing.

  “That’s impossible.”

  “So was a Deity-Thracian until you. Pot. Kettle. Now listen.” Hayden explained how he and another scientist began breaking down her blood, testing against control samples of Olympians with various gifts. Ryse’s head was already spinning and Hayden’s scientific babble was flying right over him.

  “Christophe accidently mixed a drop of Avery’s blood with a control on a slide. There was a spark and when he examined it, Avery’s blood was different. It was a mixture—even the DNA had shifted and changed patterns. It’s incredible! We’ve been playing with her blood all morning.”

  “That sounds terribly disturbing.” Ryse scowled. “Are you telling me that Avery could have anyone’s powers or she could have none at all?”

  “I am telling you that your sassy Texan could have any
power she can use that sexy little accent to get. I don’t know how long she keeps those powers. They might wear off over time, but I’m pretty sure one blood exchange will do it.”

  Ryse had to take a seat. “Do you know what this means?”

  “It means my sister-in-law is one badass mother fu—”

  “Watch it. That’s my woman you are talking about,” Ryse snapped before he smirked. Hayden could always lighten his moods. Gods, but he loved that boy.

  Hayden’s grin widened. “It’s no surprise that she gravitated to Dante. Their powers are similar. The gods bless her yet again.”

  There were two very different possibilities that were going through his mind. One, Avery would never have a real power of her own besides fire and that gift terrified her. Two, those big green eyes could convince every race of Olympian to donate blood and she’d be the most dangerous woman on this planet. It would be an endless consumption of powers.

  And what would happen when they took their blood oath as a mated pair?

  “Have you showed this to anyone?” Ryse snapped into action.

  “Only I and Christophe, the genealogist, have seen it. When I realized what it was, I made him swear on his life that he would take it to his grave unless you instructed him otherwise. He took a blood oath.” The magic of such an oath guaranteed his silence.

  “Show this only to mother and father, privately. Have mother put these results in the vault.” Ryse was on his feet and moving.

  “Ryse, you have to tell her. This could be dangerous.” Hayden grabbed him, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Think about what will happen when she is blood bound to you, and what about Brenden.” Hayden looked straight into Ryse’s eyes.

  Taking Hayden’s shoulder in his hand he said, “I will not let anything hurt her. Not even her own blood.”

  Ryse told Hayden his plan and asked him to do some things while he went for reinforcements.

  Before he turned to leave Hayden snagged his shirt. “Hey, can I ask you a question?” Ryse nodded. “Before you met Avery, did you, ah, have dreams about her? Intimate dreams?”

  Ryse blanched. “Hayden, you are my brother and I love you. But I’m not going to talk about your erotic dreams right now.”

  Hayden blushed and chuckled. “No jackass, not those kind of dreams. What I mean is, did you feel like she was trying to make contact with you through your dreams.”

  Ryse rocked back on his heels and studied his little brother. No one knew why the gods had given their parents two sons, but Ryse has always suspected Hayden had a grand destiny ahead of him. Now he was dreaming about a woman? “I’m afraid I never had the pleasure. The first time I walked into Avery’s café was the first time I’d had any clue as to who she was. Why do you ask?”

  Hayden took a deep breath and sat back down on a bench. Ryse joined him. These dreams were disturbing his brother. “For the last few months I’ve dreamed of this woman.” Hayden looked around to ensure their conversation wouldn’t be overheard. “They feel so real, Ryse. When I touch her, I can feel the textures of her skin, the softness of her hair. Her lips.” He grinned. “She’s out there. I can feel it in my soul. But it’s as if the gods keep her hidden. I’ve tried to ask her questions. Where are you? What’s your name? How can I find you?” He shook his head, his face pinched together. “She says she can’t answer. Not that she doesn’t want to, but that she physically cannot form the words to give me clues.”

  “But you speak of other things?” Ryse assumed.

  “Yes. She has a sister. They move a lot. She constantly feels in danger.” Hayden met his brother’s eyes. “She needs me, Ryse and I have no way to help her.” He ran his hands through his long black hair. “Hell, I don’t even know if she’s real.” He let out a breath and laughed bitterly. “Probably just me being a horny bastard, huh?”

  Ryse smiled, knowing the frustration Hayden felt. “I wouldn’t put it past you.” He teased. “But I suggest you pray. Listen vigilantly to the gods and see if it is their will that you and your Lady be united. If it is your purpose to find her, the gods will make a way. They will guide you to her as they guided me to my Avery.” Ryse slapped his back in camaraderie.

  “Thank you, brother.” Hayden grinned. “Don’t worry with me any longer. Go to your Grace.”

  Outside Avery’s suite, Brenden stood a vigilant guard with his new sidekick, Dante. They seemed to be getting along fabulously. But that meant that he was going to have to deal with Brenden and the things he had said to him this morning. Some of them had been below the belt.

  When he walked up they both nodded. Brenden, always able to read the physical responses of people with those highly trained senses, eyed him suspiciously.

  “Dante, I have spoken to General Falcon and a couple of your instructors. We all agree that should you choose to stay in the service of my Princess, you will go straight into the internship of the Elites. We will train you from now on. You will not return to the general population of Thracian students.”

  The boy, with only decades of life compared to Ryse’s centuries, smiled. “Then I am most pleased that the Princess has accepted me on board. I filed the proper paperwork with General Falcon already. All we are waiting for is—things will be finalized soon, I am sure.”

  “Yes.” Ryse let out a breath hoping the warrior was correct. “Good.”

  “Hey, Dante,” Bren said, putting a hand on his shoulder. “Will you go track down Avery’s dogs? You might check with the stable master to see where his little boys are playing. I have a feeling they will be with them.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Once Dante was out of sight, Brenden squinted at his Master. “What’s up? I can smell sweat on your palms.” Brenden crossed his arms over his chest.

  “My father has decided that I should convince Avery to bond to me tonight.”

  “It would be best.” Brenden nodded.

  Ryse straightened his shoulders and lifted his chin to deliver his apology with honor and respect. If there is one thing his kingly father taught him, it’s that admittance to fault is a part of being a good leader. “I shouldn’t have brought up Meg. I apologize.”

  Brenden raised a brow and pursed his lips. “Guess I’m sorry for all the names I called you, too.” He held out his hand and Ryse grabbed his forearm in a Thracian-style shake.

  “I wasn’t going to mention that. But damn, son, do you kiss Nikki with that potty mouth?” Ryse grinned, knowing all was forgiven with him and his Elite.

  “Watch it, brother. I will fight for the honor of your woman and mine.” Brenden threw a couple fast play punches to his stomach, making sure to not actually touch him.

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Ryse got down to business. “Right now you and Hayden must help me do something I have no creative capacity for.” Ryse took a deep breath and Brenden made a face of inquiry. “You have to help me propose the bond to Avery romantically.”

  Brenden’s eyes went round as saucers. “Oh damn. Master Prince Ryse Castille, the romantic.” His laughter both warmed Ryse’s heart and aggravated him. Brenden looked at his watch. “Well, it’s almost lunch time; Avery wants to go piss Valarie off in the kitchen again. Then she’s off to meet with the Queen. I guess that should give us time to work something up.”

  “Any ideas?” Ryse said. The two men, both bred for fighting and death, stared at each other with blank looks on their faces.

  “We need Nikki,” they said in unison.

  THE PHONE CALL came in on Salina’s private line. Her brother’s voice was harsh and unyielding on the other end. “Have you lost your goddamned mind, Salina? Using your powers on her—in public?”

  “Nothing happened, Ashton. I don’t believe she even knew what was going on. She is a half-breed after all. Her humanly ignorance is making her weak. No one will know that I slipped her a couple harmless thoughts,” Salina lied easily. Ashton might be her accomplice in all this, but he was still out for himself, as was she. Quite proud of her brilliance, she smirked to herse
lf and checked her lip-gloss in the mirror.

  “Listen to me you stupid, vain little girl,” her brother started, his harsh words slapping the confidence right out of her. “You are going to drive her straight into his arms. Is that what you want?”

  “No! I want him!” she whined.

  Ashton yelled, “They are not foolish, Salina! I have no doubt they have already figured out your game and are two steps ahead of you.” He blew out a breath and took a moment to gather his thoughts. “Get out.”

  “What? Why? You said I could have my shot at Ryse again.” Her stubbornness returned along with her will to get what she had already claimed as hers.

  “And now you have blown it. Get out of there. Make something up. You’re a talented liar.”

  Salina set her jaw. “I can’t. The King is holding a brunch and I’ve been asked to attend.”

  “Then you had best not fuck this up. I will not continue to clean up your messes just because you have this mindless obsession with the bastard Prince.”

  “I know what I’m doing.” Ashton would eat his words. She had a plan and it would get rid of that pathetic farm girl one way or another.

  “OKAY, MY DARLING. I want you to focus on something that makes you very happy.”

  Dyna’s words made Avery picture her childhood home: the cozy house, the wraparound porch where she would sit in the cool morning air, the feel of Ryse’s lips on her neck, acres of rolling hills and forestlands, kissing Ryse, the open Texas skies, waking up to see Ryse—

  “Avery.” Dyna stared at her with a raised brow and her lips tugging up at the corners. “Pick one.”

  “That’s easier said than done.” Avery blushed. “There are a lot of things that made me happy at one time, but it seems all of them are eclipsed by what I feel for Ryse.”

  A very understanding Grace laid her hands on Avery’s shoulder. “That makes his mother very pleased. But you need to focus on one thing, and not Ryse. We don’t need your aura that wild. There is a reason for the isolation.”

  Dyna had ordered everyone away from the area around the tower they were in, except for Dante. He would act as a guide for when Dyna began teaching Avery to shield herself.