I hug her. “That makes me very happy. I can’t tell you how much. But Shawn is worried that he can never be a match for you. He’s scared of your father’s opinion.”
“My father will almost assuredly have doubts, and Shawn will have to ask him for permission to court me, but I believe my father has my happiness at heart, and would rather see me happily mated than mated to someone of high standing. I’ve spoken to my mother, and she is of the opinion, that, considering his circumstances, there should be no complications.”
I know that there is a long story behind that statement, but I have some time to learn what she means. “You should let Shawn know. If he asks your father for permission, then he can be your escort, but he’ll need to let his parents know he’s going to France, and they’ll want to meet you.”
“I hadn’t thought of that. Let us get through all of these new revelations first, then I can tackle that situation.”
I have a sudden idea. “Shawn will be at my Bonding, maybe he can speak to your father then.”
She nods. “Yes, my father would certainly be in a good mood, and would never make a scene before the Goddess Nyx.”
“Maybe one day Shawn will be my brother-in-law?”
Selene blushes bright red. “It is too soon to tell, but that is an appealing prospect. We have been here for a while. I believe we should get back.”
“Yeah, I’m sure a certain person is eager to spend some time with you.” I giggle, and Selene answers me with a grin.
***
Shawn and Damien are waiting for us at the door to the house. Damien seems pleased to see us getting along so well. “Elysabeth, Hilda would like to see you for a final fitting, Selene can help you again. And Shawn, I’m certain Elysabeth would like you to see her dress.” We all nod and follow Selene to Hilda’s room.
“Ah, Lys, there you are. The dress is ready for you. Selene, too, marvelous. Let us try on the dress, then we can show your friend.” They help me into the nearly complete dress then join me as I show it to Shawn. Hilda has raised the neckline a bit, making me feel more comfortable while still showing plenty of cleavage. Only the beading and embroidery remain unfinished.
“What do you think, Shawnie?”
Shawn’s gazing at me with obvious brotherly admiration. “It’s gorgeous, Lys. You look amazing. Damien will be blown away.” As he speaks, he sneaks glances at Selene.
“Thanks, I’m glad you like it. Now I can say it’s the right dress. Hilda, Shawn will be walking me down the aisle at the ceremony. Do you have anything he can wear that would fit?”
“Oh, yes, of course, this way, Shawn. Selene, come help me decide.”
Hilda bustles off, all business, and returns a few minutes later with Selene. “While your friend changes, we will help you change.”
When we come back out, Shawn is standing in a tux that fits him surprisingly well. Only a few small alterations will need to be made.
I circle him and waggle my eyebrows. “You clean up well, Shawnie. I told you they would have something perfect.”
“You do look dashing, Shawn,” Selene offers quietly.
“Thanks, Selene.”
“You are the same size as Sebastian. It makes the fitting easy,” proclaims Hilda while she marks the adjustments. “There, now go change.”
When he comes back out, he hands her the tuxedo. “I really think I should be getting home. I need to finish my projects.”
“I do too,” I answer. “And the one for modern design is driving me crazy.”
We come across Alyssa as we’re looking for Damien to let him know we’re heading home.
“Hi, Alyssa.”
“Hello, Elysabeth.”
“You’re welcome to call me Lys as well, Alyssa. You’ll be my sister soon, too.”
She smiles widely. “Thank you, Lys, and you may call me Aly.”
“Okay, Aly, I’ll see you tomorrow, then. I have to go home and do homework.”
“Very well, have a good night, Lys.”
“You too, Aly.” She’s grinning as we leave her, which I figure is a good thing. I realize that I’ve been unintentionally leaving her out of things as I bond with Selene over her attraction to Shawn, and make a mental note to correct that.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, too, Selene.” Damien shows up as I give her a hug.
“You know, Damien, Shawn can easily take me home. I’m sure you have fittings and homework to get through as well.”
“Are you certain, Chérie?”
“I wouldn’t want you to have to come all the way to the house just to turn around and come back. It seems kind of silly. Especially since Shawn’s heading over anyway.”
He nods, conceding the point. “Very well, Chérie. I will see you tomorrow.”
“Okay, good night, Damien.” He gives me a kiss and walks us out to hold the car door open for me. He and Selene wave as Shawn pulls out of the driveway.
***
I manage to get two of my final projects started before I decide it’s time to go to sleep. As I lay in bed, the day’s events run through my mind. Shawn and Selene are embarking on a relationship. My relationship with Damien will be cemented in three days at our Bonding. And most amazing, I’m a descendant of Nyx, Goddess of Night. I can’t wait until Mr. Delanciennes returns so I can further question him on his findings. He confirmed that I am her direct descendant, but I want to know what that means for me
Then there’s school. I can’t let everything that’s going on cost me my 4.0 GPA. I’ve been letting my work pile up, and that’s not acceptable. I only have this semester left. I can’t screw things up now.
And I need to figure out what to do about my parents. I can’t tell them about Damien and his family being vampires, which means I can’t tell them about our Bonding. I’m not good at keeping things from my mom, so I’ve been keeping our conversations brief. So far I’ve avoided having dinner with them by blaming school, but I only have a couple of weeks left to use that excuse. I don’t know what I’ll do then.
My thoughts keep me up late, but, eventually, I can’t stay awake any longer and I succumb to the dreamland of sleep and more information from Nyx.
CHAPTER 21
“Sister, you have been troubled. What worries you?” I turn to look at my sister, Diasta. Unsure how she will react to my news, I have been avoiding her for almost three weeks.
“Sister, the Fates gave me some troubling information.”
“Is it about Enlil’s Bonding?” She asks, looking worried.
“No, Sister.” I try to put her mind at ease. “The ceremony they are planning seems wonderful.”
“Then, what troubles you?”
“This information was of a . . . personal nature.”
“The Fates gave you information about your own destiny?” My sister asks excitedly.
“In a way. I suppose I must start with a discovery I made some time past.” Diasta merely gazes at me questioningly. “You recall when we spoke with Ditanu?”
“Of course, Sister. Poor boy. It is clear to me now he must love a goddess, but I have no . . . idea . . . ” She trails off as she makes the connection. “Oh, Sister, no.” I can see the unshed tears pooling in her eyes.
I sigh. “Yes, Sister.”
“Do you care for him?” She eyes me speculatively.
I shrug. “Honestly, Sister, I do not know. He holds a special place in my heart as a son of our first creation. His looks rival the gods, and he is intelligent, but he is so young.” I sigh again, confused about my feelings. “It does sadden me to see him so unhappy.”
“But what does this have to do with the Fates?” she asks me. “Did they tell you it cannot be?”
I shake my head. “On the contrary sister. They told me to give in and acknowledge my destiny. Present mentioned that doing so would give me great gifts. But I was also warned that it would happen, whether by my own desire, or by their will to see my destiny fulfilled.”
Her eyes wide, she replies, “this pairing mu
st be important then. You cannot anger the Fates, Sister. Gods have been ruined for such actions.”
“Yes, I know. But what will Father say? Not only is Ditanu a vampire, a young species, but he is a young vampire. We, Sister, are so much older than our creations!”
Her romantic side comes forth with her answer. “Oh, what does that matter with love? Besides, you cannot anger the Fates. I am sure Father will understand.”
“You underestimate our father, Diasta,” I say sternly. “Besides, I can never offer Ditanu a proper relationship. I have my duties as Goddess of Night, and I cannot make him a god.”
“Speak with him, then. See what happens. Go now, it is morning. You must leave the sky. Speak to him today.” That said, she practically pushes me out of the sky. I finish my descent and appear on Earth where I last saw Ditanu. He has taken to staying on his own in a small house well away from his family, and only visits on special occasions. It pains me to see him so.
“Perhaps I can remedy this situation,” I think as I approach his dwelling. I make no sound, wanting to see how he is currently occupied. What I see breaks my heart. He is painting a massive mural of myself sitting in the sky as the moon with him sitting beneath looking up longingly. I can stay silent no longer.
“Ditanu,” I say softly He spins around to face me, terrified. He glances behind himself at the mural, as though seeking some way to cover it.
“Goddess! I—you—forgive me!” He drops to his knees with his head down.
“Rise, Ditanu,” I say evenly, trying to assuage him. “There is nothing to forgive, but I must speak with you of this matter.” He stands, eyes full of despair. I feel an odd desire to embrace him to bring joy back to his eyes. “Come, Ditanu, walk with me.” He nods, and we leave his dwelling.
We walk in silence for a while, before Ditanu speaks. “Goddess, please forgive me. You were never to know . . . I have nothing . . . I know I am not worthy.”
“Ditanu, calm yourself. I am not here to admonish you. I am here to speak with you of your desires. You are correct. I am a goddess; you are a vampire, and a young one at that. My age would be incomprehensible to you. My father would frown upon the match, and I have responsibilities as the Goddess of Night that would preclude me from ever offering you a full relationship.”
His face falls, and I feel a strong sense of despair. I must care for him after all. “I understand, Goddess,” he answers, staring at the ground. “This is why I never revealed—”
“Ditanu,” I interrupt him, tilting his chin to meet his eyes. “These things are all true. However, what is also true is that the Fates have decreed you to be my destiny.”
“The Fates?” He asks, with a glimmer of hope which dies with his next words. “But surely, a goddess may do as she chooses.”
I shake my head. “Not even the gods dare anger the Fates. However, I do not wish to hurt you. I can avoid the scorn of the gods as the Fates have decreed that this will happen. But you,” I reach out to touch his cheek. “You will never have a true mate. I would be gone half of every day, perhaps more. We would have no way of knowing what any children would be like, what traits they would inherit, what abilities they would have. You will one day age and pass on, I will not. Do you want this? Have you considered what it will mean for us both?”
Ditanu gazes at me with such raw emotion I can’t help but be touched. “Is that all that troubles you, Goddess? My feelings? I would sacrifice everything for one kind word from you. My heart, my body, my soul even are yours for the taking. I will follow you to the ends of the Earth if need be. Fear not on my account. But Goddess, do you desire this? Surely I can speak with the Fates, so you are not forced into a match beneath you.”
I am surprised at the depth of his feelings. “You would challenge the Fates, for me?” I ask.
“I would challenge the God of gods himself for you, Goddess,” he replies bravely.
“Nyx,” I say, suddenly certain of my decision. “I am Nyx.”
His smile is brighter than my sister’s shine. “Of course, Nyx.”
I take his hand and lead him back to his dwelling. “Come, Ditanu. I have limited time.” He picks me up as we reach the door and carries me inside to his bedroom, understanding my intentions. I gain a feeling of completeness from coupling with him, one that I did not expect and have never felt before.
As we lay in bed, well satisfied, I feel the pull to ascend to the sky. “Ditanu, I must go.”
“Will you return tomorrow, my dearest Goddess?” he asks hopefully.
I grin at his eagerness. “I will try, Vampire.”
He smiles and kisses me. “Go then, radiant Goddess. I thank you for making me the happiest of men.”
“Flatterer. Have a good night.” I dress quickly and rise into the night sky. My sister’s glow is barely visible along the horizon; I am late today.
***
When the call comes, I am not surprised. “NYX!” My Father’s voice booms across my conscious. The mortals on earth cower at the overly loud clap of thunder. My Father’s anger makes him careless. I sigh, knowing this confrontation is inevitable. I had hoped he would speak with Diasta, so she could explain things to him.
“I will be there soon, Father. I must complete my descent.” There is no reply, but I am not expecting one. My sister offers me a commiserating look as we pass each other in the sky. The moment I finish my descent and my duty is done, I transport myself to my Father’s abode.
“Nyx!” He booms when he sees me. “Enlighten me as to why my eldest daughter has bedded a mere vampire.” The whispers of the assembled gods are grating. I wish my father had at least granted me a private audience.
But not for nothing am I his eldest child. I square my shoulders, secure in the knowledge that I would not change my decision for anything. “The Fates commanded it, Father. I was warned that it could happen at my desire or at their will. It was intimated that I would not like their mode of choosing.”
“The Fates?” my father chokes out. Even as the most powerful god, he knows the dangers of angering the Fates. As separate entities from the gods, my father has no power over them. They sprang into being to balance the limitless power the gods had seized for themselves, and have never let us forget it.
I nod. “Yes, Father.”
“When did you learn of this?” he asks more quietly.
“Some weeks past.”
His eyes narrow. “And yet you told me nothing!”
“No, Father. Forgive me, but what could you do?” The meeting is going better than I expected.
He beckons me closer, and leans forward as I approach his throne. “Do you intend to bond with this creature?”
I try to keep my face blank. I don’t want to give him anything he could use against me. “I do not know, Father. I am sure the Fates will guide me in my decisions.”
He doesn’t like my answer. “Have you considered the ramifications of this decision? What will my grandchildren be like?”
“I have considered this carefully since I learned of my destiny,” I answer honestly. “As to grandchildren, the Fates only know. They did not tell me; I dare not ask.”
The hall is deadly silent for several long minutes. I stand, dreading my father’s final ruling. How can I possibly defy the God of gods? But how can I defy the Fates?
His brow furrows, and I know his decision has been made. “GO!” my father thunders. “Go be with your vampire! GO NOW!” I am suddenly uncertain if I will ever be welcomed back to my childhood home. I glance around the room, absorbing every small detail as I leave, for fear that I will never return. But I keep my back straight, and head high. I will not give anyone the satisfaction of seeing my heartbreak.
***
I immediately transport myself to the waiting arms of my vampire. For the first time in millennia, I cry. I know not what to expect from the future. Ditanu offers to confront my father, but I cannot allow that. He is insignificant compared to the God of gods; he would be obliterated instantly.
Instead, I accept his offered comfort. We spend the day in bed, enjoying the closeness. It becomes our favored way of spending time together. When I descend from the sky, he is waiting for me, fully bare upon the bed. When I leave, he promises to be there again. He takes care of his needs at night when I am bound to the sky. I soon learn that I am with child.
“Ditanu, dearest,” I turn in his arms so I may look him in the eyes.
“Yes, my Goddess?” he asks lovingly.
“We must be bonded.”
His joy is palpable. “Can we? I did not think it was possible.”
“I will make it possible. Our child will not be born out of wedlock.”
“Our . . . our child?” he asks incredulously, gaze dropping to my belly.
“Yes, love, our child. The precious being which grows within me. We will ask your parents to plan the ceremony; I will not be able to. But it must be on the night of the new moon as I want my sister present, and I am not needed in the sky on that night.”
He squeezes me gently. “Of course, dearest, as you wish. But you must come with me and speak with them. They do not know of us. I was afraid they would think I took leave of my mind.”
“Very well, let us go now before I must resume my duties.”
***
I wake suddenly, cursing my alarm. I smack the snooze button and try desperately to get back to sleep to know what happened next.
***
“Inanna, Sinnashi, it is good to see you again.” I greet my future in laws kindly.
They fall to their knees. “Goddess! You honor us greatly, what occasions your visit?”
I gesture to Ditanu and smile. “You have another bonding ceremony to plan.”
Inanna’s glee is clear. “Ditanu! You have found a mate? Why did you not tell us? When shall we meet her?”
He smiles. “You already have, Mother.” Inanna’s confusion is mirrored on her husband’s face.
“But, who, son?” Ditanu says nothing, merely draping his arm around my shoulder. Inanna stares at the two of us, incredulous, before falling over in a faint.
The Most Special Chosen (Exalted Bloodlines Book 1) Page 30