She motions to the grass. I take a seat and she follows suit, her legs to her side. “So, I am sure you have questions, but let me speak first. I didn’t mess up. Something is messing with my work.” She pauses. I think she is going to start again, but she doesn’t.
“I’m sorry goddess I don’t understand.”
“Your mate bond. It has been tampered with.”
She is talking like I should totally understand, but I don’t. “So then who am I supposed to be mated with?”
“Darius.”
She utters one word that stops my world. That’s why she blessed us with a baby, not one but two. He is my fated mate. “But then why don’t I feel for him? Why do I feel the mate bond around Markus?”
She shakes her head. “Markus has affected the mate bond. I am sure he will tell you the story at some point. But the point is, he used magic to change fate. He used a witch. Sasha was his mate, not Darius’s. He switched the bonds. That is why you all are so confused. I can’t tell you why Markus did it. It’s like there is something dark inside him that blocks me. He is beyond my influence.”
“That’s why when I was at your sacred area I felt the bond to Darius. Nothing can affect your influence there.”
“Correct. You were finally feeling what is real. I am sure that the tumor is Markus as well. He resents his brother for some reason. I don’t know why. Again I just can’t get a read on him. I even tried to let you know, by blessing you with children. I know it’s all confusing when you can’t just ask me directly. Thank me that you thought of asking me.” She seems a little smug.
“So Darius is my true mate. What am I supposed to do about Markus?”
“Markus has something dark. He is evil. He is going to need to be dealt with. Unfortunately, I think you are the only one that can do it.”
“Me? But I’m not strong or powerful. How am I supposed to deal with Markus?” I can feel panic rising inside me.
“You are the only one that has any influence over him. You are the only one that can push that darkness out. Sasha is another story. Unfortunately she isn’t going to get better. I meant for Markus to reject her. He was going to mate with another whose mate died. Apparently that wasn’t good enough for him. He had to have you. That is what leads me to believe that you are the only one that can reach him.”
“So I am on my own there. At least I know who I am supposed to be with. That’s why it hurt me when Darius cheated and Sasha doesn’t feel it at all.”
“Yes, I am going to block his magic from affecting you anymore. You shouldn’t be affected again, if you do feel the effects, go to my pool and swim. A few minutes should wash away the effects. Don’t go any other time. I don’t want people just using my pools on a whim. I am sure you can handle it.”
“So I will only feel the mate bond with Darius?”
“Yes. I suggest you don’t let anyone know just yet. Until you figure out how to deal with Markus.”
“I understand.”
“Well, I will send you back now. I am so glad that we were able to work this out. Good luck in your endeavors.” Like taking care of Markus is like taking out the trash. I think it is going to be a bit more complicated than that.
“Thank you.” I barely get it out before I feel my body pulled away. Or rather my soul is being pulled back to my body. I land back in my body with a thud. At least that is what it feels like. I can hear a lot of yelling. Darius, Markus and mom are all yelling on the other side of the door.
“Why the hell did you let her do this? She could die mom?” Darius.
“She shouldn’t be doing this. It’s dangerous. Pull her out of there.” Markus.
“It will be more dangerous if you pull her out now. She needs to finish.” Mom.
I sit up and look around. Kevin is at my side. “I was starting to worry about you kid. You were out for four hours. That must have been quite the conversation.”
“Well, it was very enlightening. I can’t talk about it just yet though.” I can’t believe it was four hours. It seemed like fifteen minutes.
“I am sure the men would like to know you made it through.”
“Sounds like it.” I hop off the bed, I feel just the same as when I laid down. Except with a clearer mind.
I open the door and see the shocked faces staring back at me. Markus pulls me into his arms first. “I am so glad that you are ok. You never should have done that, you could have died.”
“Well, there was no worry. She didn’t think I was worthy. She refused to see me. It was complicated though.”
I was getting ready to push him back, when Darius did it for me. “Baby, you lied to me.” He pulls me closer. “Don’t you ever do anything so foolish again. I could have lost you.” He wraps me up in his arms.
“I am fine. The babies are fine. It’s all good.” I try to give him a reassuring smile.
Markus keeps watching me. I am not sure if he believes my lie. Mom sure the hell doesn’t. I can tell by the look on her face. She knows I lied through my teeth, but she can’t ask now. I am sure she will corner me later.
“Hey, I need a little rest after that. I am going to go back to the room. Can you order up some breakfast mom?”
“Of course dear. Get some rest.”
Darius picks me up and carries me to the room. I want to tell him the truth. But I know he will act differently. I can’t have Markus any wiser. I still don’t know what I am going to do. Right now, I can feel the difference. I have no connection to Markus. I remember the kindness he showed me and I am grateful, but I no longer love him. Everything is for Darius. The goddess did her part. Now I have to do mine.