Page 81 of The Mating Fire
Jared stared at Serena. “Oh damn. Oh damn, it’s not…possible.”
“It is,” Serena said.
Jared’s eyes widened. He sank to his knees. “My lady Danu.”
Puzzled, Harper looked at Serena. “But, but, you’re Serena.”
“Get on your knees,” he whispered to Harper. “This is Danu, the goddess who created the race of paranormal Others.”
Harper stared, google eyed. Her gaze whipped back to Jared. “You tried to seduce a goddess? Are you nuts?”
“I didn’t know!”
Danu laughed. “Remain where you are, Harper. I am so pleased with both of you. Rise, Jared.”
Sonia went and hugged Danu, who hugged her back. Jared’s jaw remained open. Slightly amused, for she’d never seen him flustered, Harper wondered what would happen next.
“I, I.” Jared raked a hand through his black, short hair. “I apologize, my lady goddess.”
“For trying to seduce me?” Amusement twinkled in the goddess’ lovely green eyes. “It is your nature, Jared, but you needed to be taught a lesson. Had you continued the way you were headed, you would have self-destructed.”
He lowered his head. “I was miserable. I had lost the only woman I’d ever loved and being with other women was the only solace I knew.”
“You did not lose her. You found her.” Danu nodded to Harper.
Harper and Jared faced each other. His eyes widened as she gasped, remembering her dream.
Remembering the face in the dream, the man Isabella loved.
It was Jared.
He touched her cheek. “All these years I chose to have my memories removed of Bella, my one true love. And now I know…it’s you, Harper. You returned to me.”
Harper’s heart leapt. “The dreams, you were the man in my dreams!”
“Memories, not dreams, dear Harper.”
Danu gestured to Jared.
“You did know each other previously. Harper is the woman you fell in love with all those years ago, Jared. She was reincarnated as the woman you love today, your soulmate. Her powers are much stronger.”
Jared’s eyes became luminous with emotion as he glanced at Harper. Her palm slid into his for reassurance.
“Xavier was right. My soulmate. Harper is my soulmate,” he said.
Harper’s grip tightened on his hand. “I never imagined it, Jared. I only knew there was something about you that called to me, in a way I’ve never felt before. And the dreams I had…”
“Memories.” The goddess smiled. “Memories that could not be denied, especially as you grew older and the time came for you to ignite your powers.”
She almost feared to ask. “Jared’s curse?”
“Gone.” The goddess glanced at him. Jared looked stunned for the first time since she’d known him.
“Thank you,” he said. “But I don’t understand… I found Jallu in the village and hired her to be my housekeeper. How…”
“Jallu is your housekeeper, Jared. But not a human. She is the guardian witch of the village. I reasoned it was easier to keep an eye on you with Jallu in the guise of an older woman. I took her place and sent her to live with relatives she longed to visit for a few years.”
To her astonishment, the goddess winked. Harper relaxed.
