The Most Special Chosen (Exalted Bloodlines Book 1)

by Rachel De La Fuente

  “Dear me, I had not expected that reaction. Whatever will she say when I tell her I am with child?”

  “Good, Goddess! You . . . you are with child? By our son?” exclaims Sinnashi.

  I nod, becoming amused when he, too, faints. “Dear me, Vampire, this is hardly an auspicious beginning with your family.”

  ***

  The alarm wakes me once more. I groan. “Nooo, I need to know more.” I glance at the clock. I can, technically, get away with hitting snooze twice more if I don’t eat a full breakfast. The decision is easy. I lie back down and clear my mind.

  ***

  I stand with my beloved, waiting to be joined forever by the bonding ceremony of the gods. My father refused to be present, forbidding my mother from attending as well, and my sister stands at my side, so my brother, the next eldest of us, officiates.

  “We shall witness the bonding of these two beings for the entirety of their existence. They desire to be joined such that they may never again be parted. As the God of the Earth, I bless their union and request that the Earth and the heavens watch over them.”

  Present suddenly appears, shocking everyone. “I am gratified you listened to us, Nyx. This path was much easier than the other. Now, as the Fate of Present Day, I bless this union and request that the Earth and the heavens keep watch over them.” She turns to Ditanu. “Love and honor your mate. Respect her and cherish her. Protect her from harm, and do your best to see her happy.”

  My brother continues the ceremony. “Love and honor your mate. Respect him and cherish him. Help him and do your best to see him happy.”

  “May the gods and goddesses always honor your bond,” says Present. “Go forth and be merry.” I kiss my bond-mate, maneuvering carefully around my growing belly. I eagerly await our child’s arrival. Despite the blow of my father refusing to be present, it is by far the happiest day of my existence.

  “Ditanu, you are truly a blessing.”

  “No, My Goddess, it is you who are my blessing.” As it is the night of the new moon, we have all night and all day to enjoy each other’s company. We share a wonderful dinner with our families, before heading out to relax in the beauty of the night.

  “Ditanu, come here love.”

  He is at my side in an instant. “My dearest, what do you need?”

  “I need nothing, Ditanu, I wish to give you something. A wedding gift.”

  He looks suddenly guilty. “But I have nothing for you.”

  “You already gave me my gift,” I say, holding my growing belly.

  He beams, placing his hand over mine. “Very well.”

  I raise my wrist before him in an obvious invitation. “Drink.”

  “Is it safe? Our child, will this hurt it?”

  “It will hurt neither of us, just don’t take too much.” He leans down and takes a drink. I groan at the unexpected pleasure. My entire body is on fire as he takes his first drink. I am pushed over the brink by his second. He pulls away from me, panting.

  “My Goddess! Your blood is exquisite. It carries such power!” He groans. “And the taste!”

  ***

  The buzz of my alarm once again awakens me. I take a moment to decide if I want to try to go back to sleep. Will I dream again the following night? Sighing, I roll back over. It takes even longer to get back to sleep this time.

  ***

  “My Goddess, it will be over soon, push a bit more.” Inanna attempts to calm me as I give birth. The pain is excruciating. As I bear down on the child I am birthing, I scream. I’ve never known such pain exists for gods.

  “Mother!” I hear Ditanu come into the room.

  “Not now, Ditanu.”

  “No, Mother, I have an idea.”

  “Ditanu!” I call. “What is your ideaAAAAAAHHHHH!” My question becomes a scream. Ditanu springs forward and takes hold of my wrist. Before I have a moment to think, he’s bitten me and is slowly taking sips.

  It works marvelously, and the pleasure soon overtakes the pain. Although the rest of the birth is rather easy, I shed some tears as I hear my child cry.

  “A girl! A girl, My Goddess, we have a girl!” I am pleased Ditanu manages to be so happy. I know every man wants a boy.

  “We shall name her Melammu,” I say, exhausted.

  ***

  My alarm buzzes once more, and I can’t ignore it this time. Groaning, I pull myself out of bed and shut off the alarm. I have to hurry; I only have fifteen minutes to get ready. I pull on a simple sundress before brushing my teeth and hair. I race down the stairs and grab a granola bar.

  “Shawn?” No answer. “SHAWN?” I sigh as I spot the note on the table. He left without me. Great. I run outside and hop in my car. I know the parking lot will be a nightmare.

  Nyx must be looking out for me because there is one spot left right in front.

  Thank you!

  I race to class, just making it in before the instructor. This is my second-to-last class for this course, and I’m almost late. I shake my head. That’s not acceptable. It’s a good thing I only have a week left after this, because I’m getting worse at juggling school and Damien rather than better. Granted, it’s become a lot more than just Damien, lately.

  When class lets out, I quickly hop in my car and drive home. I can’t wait to hear what else Mr. Delanciennes has discovered. Damien’s car is already parked in our driveway when I pull up.

  I walk into the kitchen and find Damien sitting at the table with Shawn, laughing. The sight fills me with joy. Shawn has finally truly accepted Damien. I need to thank Selene, as it’s at least partially thanks to her. Or perhaps her mother, as she gave birth to them both.

  Once again, I briefly wonder if things will get serious between Shawn and Selene. If they do, Selene would surely change Shawn, and I’d get to keep someone from my current life. I doubt that my parents would want to make the change even if I find some way to tell them the truth and they accept it. And it’s unlikely I’ll ever be able to tell my other friends. I shake my head. Their relationship will develop as it will. Damien looks up and smiles before standing to give me a hug.

  “How are you, Chérie?”

  “I’m good, Damien, thanks. I had another dream last night. It answers some of the questions raised yesterday.”

  “While I am eager to know what it was about, I think we should wait until we are with my family, so everyone can hear.” Shawn agrees with him, and I can’t fault the logic, but it doesn’t make it any easier to keep the information to myself. I can, however, suggest that we head out immediately.

  ***

  When we arrive at Damien’s house, I greet Mr. Delanciennes warmly. I’m glad to see him back, as it means Damien and I are that much closer to our Bonding. Shawn is, of course, completely preoccupied with Selene.

  “I think we should convene in the library for this meeting,” says Mr. Delanciennes.

  I fall into step with him. “Sir, how was your trip?”

  “It was enlightening. I have some exciting information for you.”

  “I have some information for the family as well, Sir. I had another dream last night.”

  “Indeed? We must hear of this dream. Come, sit.” He waits while everyone makes their way inside and takes seats before speaking again. “I have uncovered more information. Our Goddess Nyx’s and Ditanu’s daughter was named Melammu. This daughter had great powers, but, over the generations, this power was lost, as she, and her descendants, fell in love with, and married, mortals. Each generation has only birthed a single daughter.”

  “Mr. Delanciennes, if I may . . . ”

  “Of course, Miss Vance.”

  “If you insist upon calling me Miss Vance, Sir, then I can no longer refer to you so casually. I cannot take such liberties if you will not, your Majesty.”

  I’m worried I’ve gone too far, but Mr. Delanciennes is grinning. “Point taken, Lys.”

  “Thank you, Sir. As I mentioned, I had another dream last night. I know why Nyx mated with Ditanu.” I summari
ze my dream for them all.

  Damien breaks the stunned silence. “If the Fates arrange matches between Chosen and Destined, and they considered the match between our Goddess Nyx and Ditanu to be so important, the only conclusion I can come to is that there is something extremely important about our match.”

  Mr. Delanciennes nods. “I agree, Son. Lys, is there anything else you can think of?”

  “No, Sir.”

  “This new information may explain why you have been receiving dreams and information from our Goddess Nyx. When did the dreams start?”

  I blush. “Well, after Damien and I . . . I mean . . . the night after . . . ”

  He saves me some embarrassment. “I understand. After the Bond was initiated. The Bond provides some small changes to a human, such as protection of your mind. These changes may explain why your abilities began to manifest. This would point to the abilities becoming dormant over the years, rather than being lost. Have you noticed anything else?”

  “I’m getting stronger.”

  “That’s an understatement,” mutters Shawn.

  I choose to ignore him, instead focusing my attention on Damien’s father. “If, as you say, I’m reviving dormant abilities, then, um . . . what . . . exactly am I? Am I still . . . human?”

  When you have Bonded, your status will be that of a demigoddess.

  It doesn’t even occur to me to answer her mentally. “I . . . what? Nyx, no, that’s not possible.” The family is eyeing me oddly.

  Yes, Elysabeth, embrace it. You always wanted to be different, did you not?

  She has a point, but this is not what I envisioned. “You’re positive?”

  I am. You will have need of this new status in the future.

  I stare blankly at the wall, processing what she’s told me.

  “Lys? Lys?” I turn to face Shawn, who’s peering at me with a grin. “There you are. Welcome back. Your intuition. It’s actually Nyx, isn’t it?”

  “Yeah.” I shake my head. “Amazingly, yeah.”

  “What did she say, Chérie?”

  “What did who say?” asks Mr. Delanciennes.

  “Nyx, Sir. Throughout my life, I’ve had a small voice that spoke to me, advised me. Over the years I’ve thought of it as my intuition. It’s now inescapably obvious that the voice is that of Nyx herself. She just informed me that once Damien and I are Bonded, I’ll be a . . . a demigoddess.”

  “A demigoddess?” His eyes narrow. “Are you quite certain you understood correctly, Elysabeth?”

  I don’t like his tone, but I answer honestly. “Yeah. I confirmed it. I can’t really believe it, but it’s true.”

  “To learn you are a descendant of our Goddess was surprising enough. But this . . . ” He waves his hand around and starts muttering. “This is incomprehensible. A demigoddess as our future queen? Certainly not. No, this is absurd.” Mr. Delanciennes is either being incredibly rude, or is unaware he is speaking aloud. Either way, he needs to stop.

  I stand. “Do you doubt me? Or do you find it absurd that a demigoddess would be destined for such a menial task? If the former, I assure you, it’s the truth. If the latter, I rather agree with you, but, it is what it is.”

  He shares a skeptical look with his wife. “Really, Miss Vance.” Oh, I’m not going to like this. “It is rather much. Just because you are related to our Goddess, you are not necessarily a demigoddess.”

  But you are also a Chosen and will be a vampire.

  “You’re right. But I’m also a Chosen and will be a vampire. It’s all of that combined that will make me a demigoddess.”

  “How do you know this, Miss Vance?” asks Mrs. Delanciennes, with one perfectly arched eyebrow raised.

  “Because Nyx told me.”

  “Miss Vance! We have discussed this—”

  “Mrs. Delanciennes, if Nyx had a problem with my calling her by name, she would certainly not hesitate to correct me.”

  Quite right, dear.

  Mr. Delanciennes is looking at me with something akin to pity. “You are so certain she speaks to you.”

  How rude! I have half a mind to visit and put him in his place!

  “Of course I am, Sir. Who else would it be? And I ought to mention she is not best pleased with your current behavior.” He shares another dubious look with his wife. I can see I’ll have to pull out the big guns. “Fine, what would prove it to you?”

  “Does the Goddess Nyx knows our birth dates and bonding date?”

  Nyx?

  Yes, of course, dear. Donovan was born on May 12, 1439. Selini was born on April 5, 1603. They were bonded June 8, 1750.

  I repeat the information to the obvious shock of those in the room.

  “Damien,” Mr. Delanciennes speaks sternly. “You have not shared this information with Miss Vance.”

  “No, Father, I swear it.”

  “None of you have?” He eyes his children as they answer in the negative.

  “Donovan, we must acknowledge that the evidence all points in one direction. Our Goddess speaks to Elysabeth, and has told her she will be a demigoddess.” Oh, we’re back to Elysabeth, huh?

  Mr. Delanciennes sits with a huff. “You are right, Selini, mon amour. This does not bode well for our future. This must mean we will be facing great trials in the future, for one so special to join our family. Or perhaps current events will be coming to a head.

  “Nevertheless,” he meets my gaze. “Miss Vance, I offer you my humble apologies for doubting you. If you have no objections, I would prefer we focus on the positive aspects of this revelation and forget this unpleasantness.”

  Although I’d like to give it to him good, I know it’s a bad idea to argue over stupid things. He’s admitted his error and apologized, that’s enough.

  “Nothing would please me more, Sir.” Shawn’s smirk tells me I didn’t succeed in the light, good-natured tone I was going for. But hey, at least I tried.

  There’s an awkward silence as we all stare at each other.

  “Donovan, you had best speak with the Scribe. With Lys’ dreams and information from our Goddess, we will need to re-write portions of history.”

  “Excellent idea, Selini. I will speak with her after the Bonding. We have plenty of time to re-write our histories.”

  This peaks my interest. “There’s a scribe?” I ask.

  “Yes, Lys. There are many scribes, actually. Every noble family is in charge of keeping their own history. The Court Scribe is in charge of our family’s history. We will, of course, secure an oath of secrecy from her until we are ready to release this information to our public.”

  “You know, I’m surprised that, as the royal family, you don’t have to work very hard to maintain your privacy.”

  “Living in relative anonymity has helped,” answers Mrs. Delanciennes. “Although there are those who know where we are, it is a small portion of our population. Therefore, we do not have to deal with the press. However, when we return to France, we will lose much of our privacy. It will be a different world for you, Lys, and we will need to prepare you for it.”

  Press? They really have their own world.

  “I am certain that can wait until after our Bonding, Mother. Elysabeth, you have received some amazing news. Let me get you home, I think you could do with a chance to relax.”

  I nod. While I don’t really feel the need to work through anything, I do need to get homework done, and I’d like some time away from his parents. “Good idea, Damien. Shawn, are you coming?”

  “Actually, Shawn,” Selene interjects, “as Lys is leaving, would you be willing to tell me your thoughts on my dress for the Bonding ceremony? I know she values your opinion.”

  I grin at Shawn, who’s blushing. “Um, sure, Selene, I’m happy to help.”

  “I’ll see you later then, Shawn.” He nods, grinning like a maniac. “Until Wednesday, everyone.” I follow Damien out and we ride to my house.

  He declines my offer to stay for a while. “I should go, Elysabeth. I do not trust my
self-control with only the two of us here.”

  “Just come inside for a minute. Before you go, there’s one piece of my dream I didn’t tell your family.”

  “Really? And what is that?” he asks as he follows me inside.

  “Ditanu told Nyx her blood was very strong as well. After what you’ve explained to me, I figured I probably shouldn’t tell you in front of everyone.”

  “Thank you. So, you think the taste may be hereditary?”

  “That’s my guess.”

  “Hmm, it is an interesting thought. Perhaps I should have a taste for research.” His wicked grin makes me blush.

  “If you think that will help,” I respond with equal mirth.

  Damien doesn’t wait a moment. He pulls me close and drinks deep, pushing me straight over the edge. He licks the wound and pulls back to rest his forehead against mine. “I think your theory is valid, but I still need to leave, especially now.”

  My eyes dart down to the obvious bulge in his pants. “Okay. I won’t see you tomorrow. I have classes all day.”

  “Oh, yes, I forgot. Then I will see you for our Bonding, Chérie.”

  “I look forward to it.”

  “As do I.” He kisses me lightly. “I love you, Elysabeth.”

  “And I love you, Damien.” Once he’s gone, I go up to my room to get my homework done. I’m determined to finish at least one project tonight, since the next few days will be busy.

  I accomplish my goal by ten, and fall asleep soon after.

  ***

  I wake up without much enthusiasm. It’s the day before my Bonding, but I won’t see Damien at all. Three classes in one day is a grueling schedule, especially when two of those classes are four hours long.

  I eat lunch and dinner at the school cafeteria between classes. The food isn’t great, but I’m hungry. I send Damien some texts as I eat to make time go faster. Part of me hopes he’ll come by just to see me, but I know he’s busy as well. Damien mentioned needing to have his Bonding outfit made and finalize the purchase of our house.

  By the time I get home, I’m exhausted, but eagerly anticipating the next day. I’ll have to get through an afternoon class first, though.