Page 20 of Guided by the Stars
I keep my back facing them as I hear Daemyn shift in his chair, inching it closer to her. “Things work differently here. Zeus is a father, but he’s a ruler first. We’re all at his mercy, living only to follow his orders. That doesn’t mean we operate the same. He wants power and we just want tobe left alone,” he says, soothing her while somehow keeping an even tone, despite holding the same rage against them as I do.
“If you guys are gods or whatever, and our blood is special enough to have everyone chasing us, how can I trust that you’re not trying to do the same? Or at least, the same as his Highness over there?” She’s got it all wrong, but I’ll give credit where it’s due. She’s smart enough to ask the right question. With gods, you can never expect anything. Trust none of us.
Still feeling the tension, I place my pulsing hands into my pockets and swallow my rage as I turn to face them. “Let’s get one thing straight, woman. You might not trust us, but I’ll still promise you that Daemyn and I want nothing to do with your blood,” I grit out, hoping I kept my anger flat.
Her head snaps up with defiance and she lifts her head higher, “That’s right, my blood is diluted and not pure. Not good enough for you, but perfectly fine for your daddy.”
I bite down, trying to hold back the laughter this girl has somehow brought to my chest. She’s already driving me crazy, and she’s so adorable as she pouts. I break when she folds her arms, trying to challenge me. My laugh grows loud and her cheeks flame up again as she pulls her gaze away.
Daemyn is having just as hard of a time trying to control his own chuckle while still reaching forward and brushing her shoulder. “Diluted and not pure just means generations in between. Your blood is still important enough for everyone to lust after. That’s not what we want. We don’t want power, there is nothing to gain from it. Only those with the highest status do.”
Despite him managing to keep his words gentle, she offers no response and pushes herself out of her chair, avoiding bothof us in the process. She leaves us standing alone as she heads up the stairs without saying a word.
Another chair skids across the hardwood floor as Daemyn gets up, grunting in frustration. He hates conflict as much as he despises Hera and Zeus. He avoids it, either that or he’s compelled to fix it. From the determination in his eyes, I can tell he’s about to make me apologize.
“What is wrong with you? You just ripped her from her world and then you embarrass her?” When I shrug in response, he sighs, “I’ll go send a message. Make her feel better.”
I listened and now find myself knocking on his bedroom door, trying to organize my thoughts on the proper way to grovel to this mortal girl. Over the years, I’ve stopped interacting with them altogether. They are just innocent and weak and don’t fit in our world. They shouldn’t, but something about Nora makes me want her to understand, despite it going against my better judgement. Unfortunately, there is no explanation to make this girl feel better. All I can do is give her hope.
“Who is it?” she asks after the third knock, making me wait it out.
“Alexius.” She doesn’t say a word and I continue to ramble, “Daemyn had to go out. He won’t be long. It’s game night. He has a thing for cards.”
Still silence.
“Nora, I’m sorry. I just need five minutes, then I’ll leave you alone. Or you can come back downstairs. Whatever you want,” I say as my last attempt. I definitely won’t beg for this.
“Fine, come on in Beast, just don’t bite,” she groans and a genuine smile pushes its way onto my face as I open the door. She’s sitting in the bay window across from Daemyn’s bed, leaning her head against the glass. She looks so innocent andhopeful, peering at the world outside. Dread builds in me. The decision to protect her comes over me, igniting like fire. Now, watching her, I can only hope on the stars that I did the right thing. I brought her into this world, there has to be a way I can save her before she’s discovered.
I walk over, taking the seat beside her and she sighs, turning her head towards me as her delicate fingers play with the sun pendant around her neck. It’s kind of fitting, she’s the first warmth I’ve felt in a long time in this cold world. It suits her.
“What is it that you want, Alexius?” she asks.
Her hair is now in a braid, hanging over the side of her shoulder. It’s lifted away from her face, giving the moonlight a chance to bounce off her stunning eyes. They brighten as they grow wide when I lean forward, making sure we are face to face. The smell of lavender hits me and I take in a deep breath, keeping steady eye contact, ready to make a promise that I intend to keep.
“Taking you was impulsive and I haven’t given you a reason to trust my words, but I can say without a doubt that I’m nothing like my father. I know what he’s like, so I can’t say I regret what I did.” She swallows hard, focusing her complete attention on me. “I am sorry for the way I did it though. I don’t give my word lightly, I mean it when I say it. For you, I vow I will do everything I can to protect you. I just need you to try to trust us,” this time I swallow hard before continuing, “to trust me.”
She is staring at me, searching and looking for any deceit behind my words. Unease turns my gut with the strength of my request. I’m asking for too much. I know I am, but to my surprise, there is a firm truth behind what I said, I want this girl to trust me.
After what seems like minutes, she agrees, finding the answer she needed. “Yes, I will try to trust you guys. But your promise includes keeping Adriane safe as well.”
I give her the hardest nod I’ve ever given anyone, recognizing how dangerous this promise could be.
Kai
When Petals Fall
“Has anyone ever told you how annoying you are?”
Adriane rolls her eyes at me and doesn’t respond. She’s focused on our surroundings, her eyes taking in every detail as we continue our trek through this wasteland I call home. I’m sure she’s looking for a way out, a weakness she can exploit to escape, but there’s no use. She’ll never be free.
I don’t think I’ve met anyone as hard-headed and stubborn, though Jax was quick to throw me under the bus by saying I was just as bad. I denied it, even if he may not be entirely wrong.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” I say, and her blue-eyed glare turns on me.
“Well, if you’re sick of me already, why don’t you pop me back up to Earth? I’ll be out of your hair and you can return to torturing souls or whatever it was you were doing before.” She raises an eyebrow, her eyes filled with challenge, but there’s hope too.
“Nice try, Red. I’ll be free soon enough and far away from here,” I reply, stepping away from her and Jax. This girl fightsme at every turn. Does she not fear me? She must not, because her sharp tongue cuts as deep as a knife. Perhaps she’d stay in line if I acted more like Hades, but I can’t do that. He’s a piece of shit who uses fear and power to control everyone, and I don’t want to be like him.
