by I. T. Lucas
Annani shook her head. “Do you intend on inducing him while I am here? If he starts transitioning and is in trouble, I might consider helping out.”
That was progress. But he needed more than that from her.
“I believe it will need to be done in two stages. One injection to heal his cancer, and then another one if he needs help transitioning.”
“I see.” Annani adjusted her cloak, bringing the two halves closer together as if suddenly chilled.
“Did I offend you by asking?”
She looked up and smiled at him. “No, my son. You did not. I am moved by your compassion and your regard for Bridget. I was contemplating how this could be done. It is one thing to inject someone unconscious with no one any the wiser. But it is trickier to do so to someone who is aware. Especially one who possesses a powerful brain that is most likely immune to thralling. I have encountered humans that even I could not thrall.”
“I know. I was also trying to come up with a solution to that problem.”
“Any ideas?”
“The best I came up with was to swear him to secrecy. He is very good at keeping secrets, and he doesn’t need to know what’s in the injection. Except, the guy is too smart for his own good, and I’m afraid he will deduce it. This secret is too big to share with anyone.”
“Yes, it is. As much as I feel for Bridget’s plight, I cannot risk my secret being revealed.”
Kian sighed. “I know, and that is just one part of the problem. Let’s say we find a way to inject him without his knowledge. How do we explain the miraculous healing? And even if that can be explained away, he will need another injection if he indeed transitions. Would you be willing to come again?”
Annani waved a hand. “I can stay for a few days after the wedding. That is not a problem.”
For a few moments, they walked in silence, each trying to figure out a solution to the problem.
“If I could knock him unconscious, that would solve it,” Kian said.
Annani clapped her hands. “That is it. That is what you need to do.”
“What? Just punch him in the face and knock him out?”
“No, silly. You slip something into his drink. It should not be too difficult during the wedding. You just hand him a glass and suggest a toast. He will think nothing of it. And if he passes out, everyone will assume he got drunk.”
“Everyone except Turner. I need him to believe that he passed out naturally. The guy is not only smart but also paranoid. He will suspect something.”
“Then you must make sure that he does not. A human drinking with a group of Scottish immortals who goad him into keeping pace should do it.”
“What about the miraculous healing?”
Annani shrugged. “Schedule the induction ceremony the day after the wedding. This will not give him enough time to figure out something is wrong, or rather right.” She smirked.
Kian was starting to warm to the plan. “What do we do after he passes out?”
“You’ll carry him to your home to recover, and I will be waiting for you there.”
“That requires careful coordination.”
Annani smiled. “I think a goddess and her demigod son can manage.”
“I think you’re right.” He leaned and kissed her cheek. “Did I tell you that you’re the best?”
Annani put on a mock scowl. “Earlier you told me that I am stubborn, impulsive, and irrational.”
“I did. But that’s what makes you so special. Without those traits, you wouldn’t be Annani, the bright light that illuminates our lives.”
36
Jackson
“Are you telling me that all of these people are Bhathian’s coworkers?” Nick’s eyes were peeled wide.
Jackson brushed his long bangs back. “He invited their families as well. Here, have another drink.” He handed the guy another shot glass.
Up until now Operation Nick, which he’d been nominated in charge of, had gone smoothly. The excuse he’d used for picking Nick up was that the reception was being held in a remote location that was not yet programmed into the various navigation systems. A weak excuse, but Nick accepted it without raising a brow.
The next step was to get the guy too drunk to notice Annani’s glow.
Nick was well on his way to getting totally blasted. Hopefully, he’d pass out before the ceremony.
“I still don’t understand why he didn’t ask either of us to be his groomsman. That’s a shitty thing to do.” Nick downed the glass Jackson had given him and accepted the next one.
“I told you. He asked his old buddies from the army to be his groomsmen. They are like his brothers.”
“He could have asked us too. What’re two more, right?”
“Wrong. The guy couldn’t have an army of groomsmen.”
Nick swayed on his feet. “I need to sit down, man.”
“Sure. Let me help you to a chair.” Jackson grabbed the bottle of whiskey he’d been pouring from into Nick’s glass, and took the guy’s elbow.
He led him to the farthest table, one that was set up with benches instead of chairs. Perhaps he’d get lucky, and Nick would take a nap on the bench. That hadn’t been the original plan, but Jackson was sick of babysitting the guy.
Tessa was one of Eva’s bridesmaids, so he wasn’t missing any time with her before the ceremony, but the moment it was over, he wanted his girl back.
If he could only fob the guy off on someone else…
Ruth.
Why hadn’t he thought about it sooner? She could keep an eye on Nick. Come to think of it, now was the perfect opportunity to give Nick a push in the right direction.
Nick slumped on the bench, bracing his elbows on the table. “My head is spinning.”
Taking pity on the guy, Jackson paused with the bottle mid-air and put it back instead of refilling Nick’s glass, then sat on the bench next to him.
“What’s the story with you and Ruth?”
Nick blushed, but then it could have been the alcohol. “She is cute. I like her. Nice body too. That bikini she had on the beach, talk about hot.”
“She likes you too.”
“I know.”
“So why the hell aren’t the two of you all over each other? What are you waiting for? A wedding?”
Nick blushed again. “She's shy. I’m afraid to spook her.”
“Did you kiss her?”
Nick shook his head.
Oh, man. The situation was worse than he’d thought.
“Did you ever kiss any girl?”
Nick waved a hand. “Of course I have. What do you think, that I’m some fucking virgin?”
“Yes.”
Letting out a puff of breath, Nick let his head drop. “What gave me away?”
“Nothing too obvious.” Jackson didn’t want the guy’s ego to crumble. As long as he thought only Jackson suspected, he could hang on to at least some of it.
“So the others don’t know?”
“I don’t think so.”
“What about Ruth?”
Jackson chuckled. “Ruth is too busy being embarrassed by her own shadow to notice anything.”
“That’s a relief.” Nick lifted his glass. “I need more.”
“I think you’ve had enough.” Now that Jackson had a new plan in mind, he didn’t want Nick to pass out. Not just yet.
Nick kept the glass up. “Just one more, please?”
“Okay. Half.”
After pouring, Jackson grabbed the bottle. “Stay here. I’m going to find Ruth.”
“Why?”
“So she can keep an eye on you.”
“Why is she here? Ruth doesn't work with Bhathian.”
Apparently Nick’s brain was still working despite all the alcohol he’d consumed.
“She’s a distant relative.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“Now you do.”
Jackson found Ruth at the appetizer table, rearranging the bite-size servings on the platters.
>
“Hi, Ruth. I didn't know you’d volunteered to help out with the food serving.”
“I didn’t. Not officially. But the trays were messy.”
Right. A good excuse not to mingle.
“I need you to keep an eye on Nick. The ceremony is about to start, and it would be best if he didn’t notice Annani’s otherness.”
“What do you want me to do? I can’t put a blindfold on him. Besides, you’re going to thrall him after the wedding anyway.”
“That’s the plan, but I’m hedging my bets. What if he is too smart to be thralled? Some humans are immune.”
“That’s a possibility. But I still don’t know what I can do to distract him. It’s not like I’m a great storyteller who can keep his attention away from a glowing goddess.”
Jackson smirked. She’d walked right into his trap. “You could distract him with a kiss.”
Ruth blushed and shook her head. “I can’t. I’m not the type who takes the initiative.”
Jackson lifted a brow. “Do you want me to ask another female to do it?”
“No!” Ruth seemed startled by her own vehemence. “I mean, I’ll do it.”
“I thought so. Come on, I’ll show you where he is. I’ve gotten him quite drunk, so your job is going to be easy. I just hope he doesn’t pass out before we get there.”
“If he does, I won’t have to kiss him.”
“That would be a shame. Don’t you think it’s about time one of you took the first step?”
Ruth hung her head, her long hair obscuring her face. “I’d prefer for him to initiate it.”
Jackson took her elbow. “Nick is very young, and he lacks confidence. He needs your help.”
She looked up at him. “You think so? He seems so confident to me.”
“It’s nothing but a lot of bluster. Nick likes to talk a big talk, but on the inside, he is a scared boy who is not sure that you like him as much as he likes you. You’re the older woman, Ruth, the experienced one. It’s up to you to move this forward. If you’re interested, that is.” Not that after her vehement no, there was any doubt.
“I have a daughter, but I’m not as experienced as you might think.”
Jackson had figured as much. “Whatever little experience you have, I’m sure it’s more than Nick has.”
Ruth stopped. “Do you think he is… you know… not at all experienced?”
Jackson shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s not like guys share things like that.”
It was a little white lie, but he wasn’t about to betray Nick’s trust. He’d given Ruth enough hints.
As they got to where he’d left Nick, Jackson was afraid they were too late. The guy had his head on the table.
“Hey, buddy, look who I found!” he said loudly.
Nick lifted his head and smiled. “Hi, Ruthie,” he slurred.
She chuckled. “Hi, Nicki.” To Jackson, she said, “He is quite drunk.”
“Indeed.” He patted her shoulder. “Good luck, Ruthie. Keep him busy.”
37
Bhathian
Bhathian gaped at his bride.
For the opening ceremony, she’d worn one of her long skirts and a loose blouse. When they’d gone home to change, he’d expected her to emerge from the bedroom wearing a traditional bridal dress, white, with a big puffy skirt like the one Nathalie had worn for her wedding.
He hadn’t expected her to borrow the traditional wedding attire of another people with another religion.
Eva looked stunning in a red sari, her dark hair spilling in soft waves around her face and down her shoulders. It had gotten longer in the months they’d been together. She’d grown it out because he liked it like that, and he appreciated her doing so for him.
Eva didn’t compromise on much.
“Say something.” She adjusted the long swathe of fabric over her shoulder.
“You are stunningly beautiful.”
“Do you like it?”
“I love it. Red looks good on you, and so does the gold.”
Eva fondled the long gold earring dangling from her right ear. “Amanda went crazy with the gold. Do you think it’s too much?”
“Nah, you look like a princess.” She had at least ten gold bangles on one wrist, each different, one big cuff on her other forearm, a necklace, and two thin gold chains, each adorning one slim ankle. The strappy sandals were also gold.
He rubbed his clean-shaven jaw. “I wish I’d known you were going with an Indian theme. I would have gotten a sherwani instead of a tux.”
Eva gave him an appreciative onceover. “You look very handsome in the tux, and I doubt I could have found a readymade sherwani in your size. We had the sari and the shoes and all the accessories shipped overnight to the keep, and one of the new Guardians brought everything over here.”
“So that wasn’t what you were supposed to wear?”
Eva shook her head. “With Amanda rushing everything to have this wedding while Annani was here for the opening ceremony, I didn’t have time to stop and think what I really wanted. It hit me last night when I tried the dress on and hated how it looked on me and how uncomfortable I was in it.”
He reached for her hand. “Are you comfortable now?”
“Yes.”
“Are you happy?”
She looked unsure for a moment, making him nervous. Maybe he shouldn't have forced the issue. The ceremony was unnecessary, it was just something he wanted, and Eva had reluctantly agreed to.
“Yes, I am.” She squeezed his hand. “Is it time?”
He glanced at his watch. “Almost. Where are your bridesmaids?”
Eva smirked. “Getting ready at Amanda’s. How about your groomsmen?”
“Getting ready at Andrew’s.”
Amanda had been the last to leave their house, letting them have a few private moments before the ceremony as she rushed to change at her place.
A few moments later there was a knock on the door.
Andrew walked in, looking sharp in his tux. “Let’s go, big guy,” he said, slapping Bhathian’s back. “The bridesmaids are waiting for us to clear the way.”
Outside, Kian, the brothers, Onegus, Arwel, and Yamanu were waiting for him.
“I’ll see you at the altar, my love.” He kissed Eva’s cheek.
“You can still make a run for it.” Andrew snickered.
“Why would I run?”
“Not you. I was talking to Eva.”
She shook her head. “I’m done running.”
His groomsmen separated into two rows, marching him in between them as if he was a prisoner being led to his trial or worse. Bad analogy. Perhaps he should think of it as a prince being led to his coronation?
Yeah, that was better.
From behind the wall of black tuxedos, he heard female giggles and caught a glimpse of color as the bridesmaids filed into the house to get Eva.
In one hour, the village square had been transformed into a beautiful wedding reception, with tables covered in tablecloths and beautifully set up. The podium, which Annani had used for her opening ceremony speech, was still there, but someone had decorated it with flowers and ribbons.
Someone started clapping as their procession approached, which must have been the signal for Annani to take the podium.
The goddess had changed into another one of her long dresses, a red one, and Bhathian wondered if it was done on purpose or a coincidence. Hopefully, Eva wouldn’t mind that Annani had chosen the same color dress as her sari.
He loved the woman to pieces, but she was unpredictable, often reacting the opposite of how he thought she would.
As Bhathian and the men bowed to the goddess and took their places to her left, a new volley of clapping and cheering erupted announcing the arrival of Eva and her entourage, all of them clad in beautiful saris.
Dark blue, light blue, purple, yellow, pink, and green, they were all edged in gold. The ladies looked stunning, but none was as beautiful as his Eva.
Her head held
high, her shoulders square, she sauntered toward him with the grace and the attitude of a queen.
As Eva and her bridesmaids bowed to Annani, Bhathian stepped forward and took Eva’s hand.
The ladies moved to the right, lining up across from the groomsmen.
Bhathian stifled a chuckle. The guys looked like a bunch of crows, while the ladies looked like colorful, exotic birds.
“Welcome!” Annani said in her singsong voice and lifted her arms.
The crowd quieted immediately. This late in the evening even the birds didn’t chirp. Or maybe they too hushed in deference to the goddess.
“Love is in the air,” she started. “Can you feel it? Can you taste it? Can you see it? Because I can. Love stands here before me, surrounding these two lovely people in a golden bubble that tastes sweet and tangy at the same time.” She winked at the audience.
“We cannot have only sweet. Love comes in many flavors and colors, it changes not only over long periods of time but from one hour to the next.”
She looked down at Bhathian and Eva. “When you first met over thirty-two years ago, the love you felt for each other then was not the same as the love you feel for each other now. And yet both kinds of love produced miracles. May your union be blessed with many more.”
It was the best blessing an immortal could hope for. But did Eva think so too? Did she want more children? They never discussed it because it was such a remote possibility. As it was, they were blessed beyond measure.
“Amen,” Eva said, surprising him.
38
Turner
As Turner watched the goddess, he was reminded of Bridget’s stories about her.
Annani looked otherworldly and awe-inspiring. Even her voice was too beautiful to belong to a human. And yet, despite the glow and the inhuman beauty, the tiny female on top of the podium didn’t inspire fear.
She inspired love.
It wasn’t only in the words she spoke, although there was ancient wisdom in them, it was in her entire demeanor. Somehow she was the mother, and the lover, and the angel, and a temptress. Annani was an impossible amalgamation of all female archetypes. Young, and yet ancient, inhuman, and yet more human than most.