Brax
I’d had enough. Finding this all out when all we expected to discover was how it was possible for Cerys to be carrying my children was too much, even for me. I understood the women’s anger and fear. However, the dismissive way the Oracles were acting pissed me off. I was about to tell them to leave when Cerys put Silas on his chauvinistic ass. I found that funny. Seeing her hands shift and her growl stunned me. Her fainting and me catching her before she hit the porch was the last straw.
Holding her in my arms, I stood tall and issued my orders. “There will be no more talk. Dr. Fields, we’ll contact you if we decide to have Cerys undergo any more testing. Oracles, this conversation will continue at a later date when my mate is no longer exhausted and overwhelmed. However, be aware that she will be kept in the loop on everything. I won’t lie to my mate. Most Gracious and Mighty Apollo, forgive us for our poor reception of you. I hope you won’t take exception to us. This has been an overwhelming day. We look forward to hearing more from you about Pytho, the Knights, your chosen children, and your precious children. You’re more than welcome whenever you’d like to bless us with your divine presence.”
I had to be nice to him. He was a god, after all. He could wipe us out of existence with a snap of his fingers if he chose. Tension rose all over the porch and yard as Apollo rose. First, he turned to Twyla. She gave him a wary look. He smiled at her.
“Thank you, fair, Ceridwen, for not only the refreshing drink and sweetest treat but also for bringing my Primal Precious One into being. You will always have my gratitude and protection as her yiayia , grandmother. If you have a need for me, just call my name three times as you hold this.” He handed her a necklace with a gold lyre on it.
Twyla took it reverently. “Thank you, my Lord.”
He smiled, then turned to face Theodore. The Oracle was pale, and I thought I saw beads of sweat running down his forehead. “Oracle Theodore, Sentinel Abraxas is correct. It is time to leave. I am less than happy with how my Sentinels have been treated, and not just here. The Council was never told to hide anything from them. I agree that there needs to be more Sentinels with the resurrection of the Knights of Pytho. It is a matter to discuss another time. I am particularly unhappy with how you treated the Primal Precious One. I suggest you and the other Oracles amend your thinking when it comes to mates and women. If my sister, Artemis, were here, she would fill you with arrows for treating women as lesser beings. I hope you will not force me to have her pay a visit.” He was no longer smiling.
As Theodore and the other Oracles began pleading and babbling, which I ignored, Apollo finally faced me and my brethren. They’d come to the porch and were casting worried glances at Cerys.
“Sentinel Abraxas, Royal, Domenico, Banner, Keir, Fennick, and Gunnar, thank you for your faithful service. Please know that I am more than thankful for it. I promise there will be changes. Abraxas, when your Cerys awakens, tell her not to worry about the change you saw. It is to be expected when a Precious One mates with a Chosen One who is a Sentinel. Your children, in particular, will be beyond special. She has nothing to fear. As for your worry, she and the babies are perfectly fine.” Saying that, he laid his hand on her belly, then her forehead. As she began to stir, he walked off the porch and disappeared in a blinding flash of light.
I was done with talking. I looked at my brethren. “Make sure they all leave. I’m taking her inside. Make sure they don’t sneak back or try anything. I won’t be merciful if they do,” I snarled.
I didn’t care that the Oracles could hear me. Without another word, I walked into the house. The doctor and the Oracles tried to call me back and asked when we could talk or meet. I didn’t answer. Twyla followed me inside. I took Cerys straight to our bedroom. By the time I got her there, her eyes were opening.
She looked around in confusion. “What happened, Brax?”
“I’ll tell you later. Right now, you need to rest.”
She must’ve known by my expression and tone that I meant it because she didn’t argue. The rest of the day was spent making sure she and the babies were alright, even though Apollo assured me they were. I knew that my brethren and I would need to talk about what we’d learned today, but it would have to wait, even though we had more enemies to worry about than ever.