Page 81 of Worthy Promises
“Brogan wouldn’t allow a stranger to converse with anyone save himself,” Fate added. “You would never have an audience with Sorcery D’Vaire.”
“Why would I need to visit Earth to accomplish anything?” Life asked. “I can solve it from here. No one would know it was me, and we wouldn’t be forced to explain yet another goddess they don’t remember, despite it being me who gave them their form and first breath.”
“Not that she’s bitter about that or anything,” Fate muttered.
Life glared but didn’t comment.
“Why now, Life?” Death asked. “Why are you suddenly willing to help Zarasha? She has been stuck for over fifteen thousand years.”
“Most of those years she was in stasis,” Life replied. “The situation has recently changed. Hasn’t it, Fate?”
Fate’s blue gaze darted from left to right, then landed on her lap. “What? Why are you dragging me into this?”
“I am no fool,” Life said. “Orion’s soul was dim. So was Oliver’s. They had little purpose beyond Oliver’s love of art. Their parents were neglectful. Once Oliver met Worth, his lifeforce bloomed. It went from barely a glimmer to the power of their sun. Imagine my surprise when Orion ventured to D’Vaire and his soul repeated the process.”
“Oliver found his mate. Of course he changed,” Death commented. “Orion is a boy with a new friend. D’Vaire is also a wondrous place of joy, and he has been starved of that.”
“If he’d bloomed slowly, I would believe it was the power of family and D’Vaire,” Life responded. “But that isn’t how it happened. It was a flick of a switch. In a heartbeat, Orion’s life was different. Why was that, Fate?”
“What exactly are you accusing me of?” Fate demanded.
“He has a mate,” Life stated. “One he met at D’Vaire.”
Eternity’s mouth slipped open. “Did you…Fate! Did you bind his soul to Zarasha’s?”
“I did, and you know what? I don’t care,” Fate declared. Hopping to her feet, she marched up to Life and poked her chest. “Because I had to. If I didn’t do something drastic, you would’ve let Zarasha suffer. She deserves better. So does Xakiok. I’m sorry if I am worried about the Fae. They aren’t my people, but that doesn’t mean I lack feeling for them. You did nothing to help Zarasha, and you damn well knew Sorcery D’Vaire could do nothing. So, yes, I gave her a mate. A little boy who will grow up to worship her as she deserves. She already loves Orion. It’s a perfect match. Or it will be when you give that little girl the life she deserves. The life Xakiok wanted for his cousin. That man would switch places with her in a heartbeat if he could.”
“Don’t give our dear sister any ideas,” Death drawled. “Fix Zarasha, Life.”
“I will. But I believe Fate deserves to face theTier’llomenfor her decision to create an unbalanced matebond,” Life said.
“Mother gave her no rules,” Justice argued. “She is free to match people however she wants. We have questioned her pairings in the past. We were the fools not to see the potential.”
“Yes, as much as I hate to admit it, Drekkoril could only find happiness with Daravius,” Eternity said.
“I’m sorry if you dislike my methods, but I don’t appreciate you doing nothing while Zarasha and her family suffer,” Fate commented.
“What has held me back was how to explain her change,” Life argued. “How does anyone resolve Zarasha going to bed one night as ato’faerand waking up as a child again?”
Death tapped her lips, then grinned slowly. “We drain the spell slowly. Maybe they’ll get the impression that the magic is wearing off. After she and Orion grow older and their matebond is discovered, we plant the idea that their matebond changed everything.”
“I suppose that could’ve worked in reality, except Zarasha’s inability to age would’ve prevented her from recognizing Orion as her other half,” Life muttered. “Poor Orion would realize it in his late teens and be despondent. Can you imagine loving someone but knowing you could never be together?”
“To say nothing of the countless souls still waiting for their mate,” Death remarked.
“Yes, yes,” Fate retorted. “It always comes down to me not working hard enough.”
“You said it, not me,” Death responded.
“Death, are you worried about the imbalance of Light Fae to Dark Fae once Zarasha is restored?” Justice asked. “She isinnocent of anything and, I presume, will be restored to a Light Fae.”
Death’s gaze met Eternity’s, and she smiled. “The Fae were initially Eternity’s idea, and Mother insisted there should be more Light Fae than Dark. Zarasha will correct things and put them as they were meant. She will be an independent soul no longer tied to Xakiok or Daravius.”
“I will champion the cause to add a new Dark Fae if anyone is amenable,” Eternity replied.
“Perhaps when Fate has ensured all the Fae are mated, we will consider adding new ones. Take a few weeks to drag at the magic keeping Zarasha as ato’faer, Life,” Justice ordered. “Make it subtle. They may not understand what is happening to her, but soon Zarasha will wake with a new life ahead of her.”
Fate gave Justice a sour look but offered no comment. Adding additional Fae to the D’Vaire household was something Eternity wanted. However, there was a new life being added to the family soon, and she didn’t want to overwhelm the favored family.
