Page 22 of Secrets & Curses of Fate

“What are your plans? You look pretty.” Mikel smiled at me.?

“Dinner with her parents, nothing too crazy.” I felt bad about lying, but there was no way that I could tell him I was trying to seduce a man who was not my mate.?

“I wanted to talk to you yesterday, but you were gone. I just wanted to say that you seem so happy lately, and it makes me so happy to see, Dells. Being a god can sometimes feel suffocating and lonely. And I am thankful that the stars made us together, but I know that you have craved a friendship besides me. I am happy for you.”?

Tears filled my eyes.?

“I love you, Mikel. You will always be my best friend.” I reached out and squeezed his cheek playfully.?

“I love you too. Have fun tonight.”?

“I plan on it.”?

I watched Mikel walk out of my room and felt like an asshole for lying. I would have to tell him eventually. I shoved away those impending thoughts and glanced over at the mirror, checking over the simple dress I wore tonight. Excitement coursed through me as I thought about Haden. I would be a bit early, but because I hadn’t seen him yet today, I couldn’t wait any longer. I summoned my star mist.? When my magic fell away, I was outside of Haden’s family home. I smiled when Haden stood up from the front steps eagerly.?

“Did you hear me praying that you would show up early?” he asked.?

“No. But I couldn’t wait to come see you. I missed you so much.”?

“Today was terrible.” He leaned in and kissed me. “I know you have to work, but let’s not spend an entire day apart again.”?

I chuckled softly as I gave him one more kiss. Haden led me inside, and his entire family stood to give me a hug. The food smelled so good. My greedy eyes looked over the steaks and large array of side dishes I had never seen before.? I sat down eagerly. I was starving. Haden plated food for me when he saw how impatiently I was waiting. His family started talking about wedding plans.

“You are engaged?” I asked Holden and Sara.

“Yes, sorry, we assumed Haden told you.” Sara gave him a pointed look. Then she lifted her hand, showing me the pretty golden band with stones around the entirety of it. At first, I wasn’t sure what to think about being friends with them, but when I saw Holden and Sara together, I could not help but wonder if they were supposed to be written in the stars. There was nothing remotely romantic that stirred in my chest for Holden. But each time I looked at him, I could see our bond floating between us, reminding me that I was supposed to be his.?

“When is the wedding?” I asked.

“Soon, we don’t want to wait too long, but we haven’t picked an exact date.” Holden grabbed Sara’s hand on the table and squeezed it. They started going into detail about the food and flowers. I had never been to a wedding. They weren't custom for gods; we just completed the mating bond and were married. Would Haden want a wedding?

Haden was already staring at me when I looked at him. His hand came under the table and rested on my thigh, and he began rubbing his thumb back and forth on my bare skin. The simple touch was igniting a frenzy inside of me. I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye and saw he was staring at me—admiring me as if I couldn’t see him.

“Ardella, you need to come to dinner more often.” Henry smiled. “This has been such a great night. Watching our twoboys with two incredible women has been the highlight of our parenting life thus far.”?

I smiled at them.?

“I think our parents might like the girls more than us,” Holden said to Haden.?

“Do you blame them?” Haden smiled.?

Penelope stood up and pinched Holden’s cheeks.?

“My boys will always be irreplaceable.” She smiled. “But it is nice not being the only woman.” She started grabbing dishes and smiled. “Ardella, do you mind grabbing those?” She nodded to the dishes in front of me.?

“Of course not.” I stood up quickly and grabbed the plates, then followed her into the kitchen to set the dishes down. Penelope was watching me closely, so I looked at her, and she smiled softly.? She glanced at the other room to make sure everyone at the table was in conversation, then leaned over and said, “Haden told us who you are.”?

My smile fell, and I glanced down at the counter.?

“I always knew that Haden was different,” she started. “He was always so much more guarded with his feelings and wants than Holden was. We were so worried he would never settle down because no one ever caught his attention. I should have known that he would not settle for just anyone, but I was surprised when he told us who you are.”?

I looked up at her and smiled, relieved at her reaction.?

“Holden is my free-spirited child, but Haden, he is not a risk taker. He will not go all in with something unless he is certain that it is exactly what he wants. I don’t think I could have picked a better fit for him.” She smiled at me. “I just wanted to tell you that we are so happy for you two, and one day, maybe we will all be one big family. Is a goddess allowed to get married?”?

I smiled softly at her question.?

“We do get married,” I said. “Thank you for making me feel welcome. I did not grow up or have parents, so all of this is new to me. But I can’t imagine a greater family to show me what it is like.”?

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