by Tigris Eden
As Asia and her father walked out, Draven turned to his parents. Antony seemed happy with the idea of Rory coming as if that would change his mind about him completing the bonding ceremony with Jes. His mother on the other hand, worried her hands on her dress looking guilty. Hurt even.
“Don’t look so grim mother, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. You could have two grandbabies.”
“Draven, I didn’t know about this or what your father was trying to do, but pack comes first.”
“All I know is that you and father had better see to it that my daughter has the happiest day of her life tomorrow. If any of this leaks onto Faith and ruins her day, you’ll both be very sorry.”
“Don’t threaten us.” His father growled.
“Don’t test me and I won’t have to.”
Royce and Cyrian followed him out of the room as he made his way towards the stairs. The three of them silent with their own thoughts.
“I love a good family argument, gets me excited.” Royce said grinning from ear to ear.
“Draven I need to talk to you and Jesminda later on this evening if at all possible.”
“I’ll see what I can do. Just let me go and check on my family first. I know Faith can feel the tension and I need her relaxed for tomorrow.”
“I’m going to go see if I can get in on the action my brother is getting into as we speak.”
Draven threw a ‘what the hell’ look Royce’s way, he did not need to hear that.
“TMI.” Cyrian growled and headed in the direction of his room.
“Night man.” Royce said heading for the front door. “See you in the morning.”
Draven walked up the stairs to his door and peeked inside. Faith was sprawled out on the bed next to Jes. His mate stroking their daughter’s hair and singing softly to her. His woman had a beautiful voice.
# # #
Jes looked up into the tired eyes of her mate and tried to smile, but failed. There was nothing to be happy about. It was possible Faith could have an older brother, and because of that, she’d be treated differently by Draven’s pack. All her maternal instincts were on red alert, she was ready to protect her child with everything she had.
“Now what?” She had to ask the question because his answer would tell her what direction they were headed in. Her neck and shoulders hurt from all the stress. The last couple of days living in crazy town was beginning to take its toll.
“We wait, and regardless of the outcome, it won’t change my feelings for you or our daughter. I’m not going anywhere Jes, you’re stuck with me. Forever.”
She was more than okay with that.
“Come to bed.”
Draven took off his clothes and put on a pair of grey pajama bottoms. Bare chested he climbed into bed scooting closer to Faith and reaching an arm across their little girl so that he could touch Jes. Their legs tangled below their daughter, and she was reminded why she didn’t need a blanket. Her man radiated enough heat for them all. Faith smiled in her sleep and stretched a small hand out searching for Jesminda’s hair. She loved to tangle her fingers in her hair while she slept, and it seemed now she had to do the same with her father. Her other hand reached out and tangled in Draven’s.
“This is our life baby.”
“The best life.” Jes said yawning.
“Gonna work to make it even better baby. I love you. Goodnight.”
“Love you more.”
Jes waited until Draven drifted off to sleep. She thought about what her grandmother had claimed. How the stories of the Elder Angels were true. She was a descendant, and she was now, an Elder Angel. That explained all her abilities, how her powers had lain dormant and because of her traumatic experience her powers had been unlocked. Elder Angels were Earth bound which is why they were able to blend in so well with humans. They didn’t have wings, but they did possess an unlimited amount of powers, which she had yet to receive in full. Odessa, her great-grandmother five generations removed was an Elder and sat on the Elder Council with her own grandmother, Nandi. There were repercussions for what was now her life. Her grandmother wouldn’t elaborate, instead, she’d closed her eyes, whispered a prayer in her native tongue, and told Jes everything happened for a reason.
Jes looked over at her sleeping family and smiled. They were worth any punishment anyone tried to hand down. She wasn’t going to think about what her grandmother had said. If what her grandmother said was true, Cyrian would take care of the fallout. Somehow. He owed her that much for withholding pertinent information.
Chapter 10
Belinda rolled over into a warm chest she knew to be Ronin’s. She smiled and bit his nipple lightly.
“Why’d you do that? Huh?” She loved his morning voice. It was rough and rumbled in his chest when he spoke.
“Cuz I can. Get up, its Faith’s birthday and you know the little monster will be here soon to wake the dead.”
“No, I don’t know that. I never had to worry about anyone’s birthday.”
“You do now.”
Royce was already out of bed sitting in a chair just watching her. He did that a lot now. It was as if he was trying to figure some puzzle out he couldn’t solve.
“You good?” She asked him.
“Hmm. Trying to find a way out of this mess with Draven and his family. There is no way the kid is his. I don’t believe it for a second.”
Nobody did, well except for Draven’s parents. Right on cue, there was a small knock on the door and Belinda pushed Ronin out of the bed and told him to quickly dress. She pulled on a dress Royce was thoughtful enough to toss her way and waited for the ball of energy on the other side of the door.
“Alright, you can come in.” Bells yelled.
In burst Faith, dressed in a black and pink tutu with a pink shirt that said she was a princess.
“It’s my birthday!” She sang as she hoped up on the bed, throwing herself into Belinda’s arms.
“It is, precious.”
Royce and Ronin sat on either side of her and both pulled on Faith’s hair. Her beautiful black curls cascaded down her back in soft ringlets.
“So what do you want to do first?” Ronin asked.
“Well, nana Inara said we should run naked in the forest, but daddy said that was out of the question. I think we should eat some breakfast. Nana Mara made a big country breakfast. That’s what she calls it.”
“Sounds delish, where is your grandpa Joseph and Antony?” Royce asked next.
“They’re outside having words or that’s what papa Joseph said. Can we have some big country breakfast, I’m famished.”
“Famished huh? Where did you learn that word?”
“I heard Uncle Royce say one time he was famished and wanted to eat you, although him wanting to eat you is strange.” Bells tried to hold back her laughter while glaring at Royce.
“Well, your Uncle Royce eats everything that’s why.”
“Come on brat, let’s go and get you some country breakfast.”
“YAY!” Faith hopped down from the bed, running out of the door. The muggy morning air seeped in, and Bells almost didn’t want to get out of bed.
“You two need to watch what you say around Faith, she can hear and remember everything.”
Ronin didn’t acknowledge her at all, but Royce did. She wasn’t as worried about Ronin as she was where his brother was concerned. Royce didn’t have a filter. Which at times was highly inappropriate in front of the wrong people.
She watched as her men followed after Faith. She didn’t want to worry them so she quietly got up from the bed and went inside the bathroom where she let go of what little food she had been able to hold down up until that point. She was hoping it was nerves, but she knew it was no use denying it any longer. Her breasts were sore all the time, and most of the day if she wasn’t sleeping or having sex she felt like crap. She was pregnant and there was nothing she could do about it, not that she knew she wanted to. There was no reason to alarm the brothers though,
since there was a chance the pregnancy wouldn’t make it past the first trimester. It was hard for her kind to conceive and stay pregnant. She didn’t want to share the good news only to give them bad news later. The best thing to do was wait it out. After washing her face, she slowly made her way out of the bathroom when her phone lit up with a message.
Gabe: There is a way out of Draven marrying Asia.
Bells: Well, what is it?
Gabe: He has to give up his right to alpha. It’s the only way.
Bells: Do you think he knows that?
Gabe: Maybe.
Bells: Okay, thanks for the info. Lata.
Damn.
Would that even be an option Draven would consider?
# # #
Hours later, Faith’s party was well underway. Even Jes’ mother seemed to be having a good time. They’d set up next to the lake in Bossier. Jes had worried that it would look strange that there were no children, but it turned out there were children. All from Draven’s pack and they’d all been very welcoming to their daughter. Faith laughed and ran, while the other children chased her. Asia was nowhere in sight and to Jes that was a good thing. Everyone seemed happy and no one, not even Jesminda’s mother, brought up what happened the previous night.
“He really makes you happy doesn’t he baby girl.”
“Yeah, daddy he does.” Her father Joseph came to stand next to her as they both watched Draven chase Faith and other kids around a group of trees.
“I’m sorry about your mother’s behavior yesterday. She really does love you Jes, she only wants what is best.”
“I know dad, she just has a shitty way of showing it.”
“Watch your mouth.”
“Yes sir.”
Her father was taller than her by a foot and as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder Jes tried not to cry. This would be the last time she’d get to be with her father like this. Royce had been right; her family didn’t belong in her world. It wasn’t safe. Asia had also been right; it wasn’t fair to Draven or his family to have to pretend to be something they were not. Moreover, they weren’t human.
“I love you dad.”
“I love you too baby girl.” Her father kissed the top of her head and squeezed her into his side before releasing her and going to stand next to her mother, who was talking to Mara.
“Jesminda.”
“Yes Cyrian.” She’d felt him standing there watching her most of the day, and she’d hoped it would stay that way. After their talk in the hall and her grandmother’s confession that she was an Elder Angel, Jes just needed time to digest all of the information.
“The story you told at the dinner table last night, wasn’t entirely true.”
She turned to face him, the sun momentarily blinding her throwing him into the shadows.
“I talked to grandmother. She explained.”
“I’m sorry Jes.”
“You’re an Angel?”
“Not anymore, I’m a broker.”
“A broker?”
“Yes, a demon who ensures that all deals are properly carried out.”
Cyrian grabbed her by the shoulders and held her attention.
“You’re not listening Jesminda. I was there; I am the one who brokered the deal between your families. Your mother did marry your father because of it, but not because she believes it. She did it to ensure she gets the finer things in life. Your grandmother knows, made sure Enola married your father, but they only had you.”
Something she knew made her mother angry. Her mother hadn’t wanted to ruin her figure by giving birth to a baby but her father had convinced her otherwise.
“What are you trying to tell me Cyrian?”
“Because your mother only had you, you were supposed to marry the next land owner, only there aren’t any others. Your father is an only child as well. In the deal it is said that should that happen, then you were to be given over to the broker in exchange for a blood payment.”
Holy shit! She was supposed to belong to Cyrian. Her grandmother had left that part out.
“Impossible!”
“I’m sorry Jesminda, it’s true, why do you think I showed up in your life all of sudden. Your grandmother kept tabs on you for me and when you would come home to visit and I would follow you, making sure no one laid a finger on you.”
“So what? You want a medal or something. I don’t belong to you.”
“You do Jes, but not in the way you think.”
“Well in what way?”
“We’re connected. You should have died in that warehouse, but you didn’t. Those powers you have, they are not because of a mad man, but because you’re an Elder Angel. For some reason I thought you weren’t gifted with angel’s blood, but when you were tortured, it unlocked your dormant powers. That’s why no one can give you a straight answer as to what you really are.”
These were all things she knew.
This was all too much for her, now she belonged to a broker demon, who still didn’t explain the his true intent. She needed to sit down. Her legs were going to give way at any moment. How could her family just barter their lives like that? People would do anything for their freedom. She thought seconds later.
“Jes, you okay?” Royce came bounding over with a Frisbee in his hand. Looking like he just stepped out of an American Eagle catalogue.
“Nope, and here I thought I was going to make it through today with no hiccups.”
Cyrian offered his arm and surprisingly she took it. Allowing him to lead her over to a picnic table that was empty save for the food.
“I’m sorry. I assumed you’d be okay with what I had to tell you.”
“Well, you thought wrong. I’m not okay knowing that I somehow belong to you because of some stupid deal my ancestors made way back in the day.”
“Jes you have nothing to worry about.” Royce said placing a hand on her shoulder. “Smile big and have a terrific time with your daughter. Cyrian isn’t going to claim you in any way. It’s simply information that will come in handy at a later date and time. Isn’t that right, my fallen angel friend?”
“He’s not an angel, he’s a broker demon.”
“Fallen angel turned broker demon.” Royce corrected.
“We can talk about it later Jes.” Cyrian told her.
“No need. I got this Cy, you just stand back and let her buddy Royce take care of it.”
“Take care of what?” Draven said. Having showed up at the tail end of the conversation.
“Nothing, just a case of mistaken identity.” Royce said eyeing Cyrian.
“Jes lets worry about your ancestry after your daughter’s birthday, and the bonding ceremony. Too much drama in one day isn’t good for your complexion.” Royce mentally told her. He was right. They could tackle this new piece of information later. One thing at a time. That was what Ann had told her.
“It’s time for Faith to blow out her candles and open her presents.” Draven said, reaching for Jes’ hand.
Jes nodded and pasted the best smile she could muster onto her face and joined the others at her daughter’s side around the cake table. She watched in a daze as everyone gathered around the table to sing happy birthday to her little girl. She tried to participate and somehow managed to do so on autopilot. Her brain, however, was going a thousand thoughts per minute. Draven could possibly have a son name Rory, his parents wanted to see him with Asia, the conniving home-wrecker. This was the last time she would see her family face to face, and now Cyrian somehow had some hold on her. Being an immortal was too damn dramatic for her own taste. What happened to having a normal relationship, a husband, some kids, and hell even a dog. Hybrid wolf dog? Whatever! She didn’t care. She just wanted things to be normal, human normal.
# # #
The next morning, everyone said their good-byes. Jes’ for the last time. Although her family didn’t realize it, she would never see them again. Phone calls home and letters only. But that was as far as the communication could go. Draven ass
ured her it was for the best. The only person that wasn’t leaving was Cyrian. The bastard volunteered to take her parents and grandmother to the airport, saying there was other business in the states he’d need to tend to. Great, just great. She was officially joined at his hip. She hadn’t mentioned their conversation to Draven, as Royce had assured her he would handle everything.
Jes wanted it handled in a way where her visits with Cyrian were limited. Her grandmother pulled her into a hug whispering softly. “You’ve got a special child with a special gift. You and daughter are two in the same. Don’t be angry my tifi with Cyrian. He has only the best of intentions for you and your family. Remember what I told you when you were little? Trust yourself, know your heart and follow it to the end. It will never lead you astray gyal. I love you, and I ain’t mad about your new life, I’m happy for you.”
“Thank you nana.”
“You take care of that wolf of yours. Tell him he and his family can’t pull a fast one on Inara, I’ve had the glasses removed a long time ago child.”
Jesminda smiled warmly at her grandmother and helped her into the SUV. As they drove off she stood and watched them leave, waving until they were out of site.
“It’s going to be okay Petal.” Draven said down to her.
“I know, my grandmother knows about you and your family and she’s not mad I won’t be able to see them anymore. She understands. My father on the other hand won’t. Don’t be surprised if he shows up because we’re too busy to come down.”
“We’ll handle it baby. When the time comes, we’ll take care of it.”
“Okay.”
Draven turned her face up to look at him and he smiled, kissing her lightly on the lips.
“I talked to my mom, and she’s going to have you help get Faith ready for her spirit walk. She’ll be more comfortable, and I think by you helping it will ease your fears as well.”
Jes’ shoulders sagged in relief.
“Thank you.”
Chapter 11
Draven knew Jesminda was nervous as hell. He tried everything he could think to calm her down. This was supposed to be a time of joy. Faith’s journey into the spirit world would make his child and wolf one. He’d explained to Jes over a dozen times, that their daughter would not be drugged. This was just a rite of passage for all wolves.