Page 115 of Secrets & Curses of Fate

Haden

Della hadn’t been back in ten days. I was starting to get worried. I had called for her. I had begged for her to come back, but she had not returned to me. I refused to leave and take the void with me. This was just complicating everything when I needed to focus on my purpose for being here.

Ardella, the Goddess of Life, was going to destroy everything the old gods and heavens had set into place. Her actions were going to defy the laws of existence, and I needed to make sure she did that. But I couldn’t focus on that. All I could think of was her heartbroken face. The longer she was away from me, the more I felt like shit. If ten days felt this bad, what would forever feel like? Then again, what had 300 years felt like for Della?

I hadn’t left my bedroom all morning, but when I heard Remiah humming, I decided to get up. I slipped on my clothes and walked into the living space.

Remiah was dancing and humming in the kitchen. I froze when star mist appeared.Della.I stepped forward but stoppedwhen a tall man with black and bronze hair stepped from the mist and stared at me. He had the same eyes my Storm did.?

His gaze flickered over me and then to Remiah before coming back to me. He looked terrified of me. He shifted his body slightly, the flowers in his hand making a noise that alerted Remy.?

“Mikel!” she said excitedly. “What a nice surprise.” Remiah wrapped her arms around him, hugging him with her whole body.?

“I’m sorry I showed up uninvited.” He smiled at her. “I missed you too much.”?

His eyes flicked over to me and nervously held my gaze.?

“You look like Ardella,” I said.?

His whole body went rigid. He straightened his back as he looked over at me.?

“You’ve met my sister?”?

“Yes. She comes and says hi to us every now and then. She helps us out.”

“Yes, Remiah told me.” He nodded. “I’m glad my sister has been kind to you.”

You have no idea. ?

Mikel looked confused as he looked over at me. Could he tell something was not quite right with me??

“Dells mentioned she met Remy, but she didn’t mention that she met you.” Mikel frowned slightly. Obviously, he didn’t think Della would keep secrets.? “I'm sorry, why is she visiting you both?” he asked.?

“Didn’t you ask her?” I looked at him.?

“She made it sound like she ran into Remiah by chance.”?

I smiled at him.?

“You can ask her.”?

“Or you can tell me.” He glared.?

Remiah was watching the exchange between us, confused.

“Why are you upset?” she asked him.?“I told you before that your sister seems to like my brother.”

Mikel looked at me and frowned as he thought of something. I gave him a small smile. He seemed to snap out of it when he glanced at Remiah.

“Sorry, I didn’t realize you meant like as in she had feelings for him,” he said, confused. His eyes traced over me again. Did Della tell him about us before I died? He reached down and kissed Remiah. “Sorry, Della and I have been having a hell of a week with work stuff.” Mikel turned to me and walked forward. “It’s nice to meet you, Haden. Remiah hasn’t stopped talking about how great you are.”?

I reached out and shook his hand, which he squeezed more than necessary.

I smiled at him. “It’s nice to meet you, Mikel; unfortunately, Della never mentioned you.”?

His jaw tightened.?

“Haden Vale, why are you being an asshole?” Remy snapped.?

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