Chapter 30
One month later
“I hope Kira and the guys are okay,” I sit back in my chair next to the cozy fire, staring out the window at the snowy landscape.
Raven pats my shoulder as she passes. “They’ll be fine, B. You gave Kira the shell to call whenever she needs us, and Adrian called last week to give us updates. She’s not calling unless there is no other possible option.”
Strong arms lift me up from the chair and Jayden sits with me positioned on his lap. “We’re on vacation, love. A much-needed one after the last year. You need to enjoy it. Stop worrying about what’s happening with the others. They all want you to rest and have some relaxation.”
“You’re right. It’s weird having so much time off and nothing really to do with it, though.” I shake my head.
“It’s only for another week and then the new term at the academy starts. Are you excited about the new position you’ll have there?” Jayden asks.
“Excited?” I ask. “No, I’m terrified. Who am I to teach demigods how to fight and use their magic?”
“I mean, we did save everyone and taught everyone at the academy discipline and how to fight for the war,” Raven says.
Chiron decided to stay at the academy and act as headmaster after the war and asked us to all return as instructors and staff for the new students.
We weren’t sure at first if that’s what we wanted to do, but Adrian called last week and told us that we should stay close to the academy.
Their own war is heating up and the wolves might need us before the end.
We agreed to Chiron’s request and Jayden, as the new recruiter, has been working to locate demigods and offer them a place at the academy.
That’s why we’re vacationing in the Swiss Alps.
There was some Greek monster activity recently and we need to find the demigod in question and offer them a safe place to learn about themselves and train.
“Any luck finding the kid the monsters have been sensing?” I ask Jayden.
“Nah. Greyson thought he smelled something, but when we tracked it, we lost the trail. They are really good at hiding which makes me wonder if they are super powerful.” Jayden’s arms tighten around me.
“Adrian would be able to point us in the right direction if he were here.” I lean my head back against his chest.
“Adrian is off living his own story now instead of coming along with us. He’ll be okay, plus he had that look before he left.” Jayden chuckles.
“Yeah, I think he and Thad are both about to have a big surprise.” Raven plants her feet in front of me. “Don’t we have plans tonight anyway? The new kid can wait.”
“Plans?” I ask. “What kind of plans?”
“The surprise kind of plans.” Jayden stands up with me still in his arms and carries us out of the villa.
“Where are we going? It’s freezing and I didn’t grab my jacket.” I scan the snowy mountain.
“We’ll only be outside for a second. Do you trust me?” he asks and I nod. “Close your eyes. No peeking.”
“Seriously?” I grumble.
“Yes, you have to keep them closed.” Raven bounces next to us.
I close my eyes but feel Jayden’s shadows pulse around us as he shadow walks us somewhere that I can’t see. There are several shushing noises as we materialize somewhere new.
“Can I look now?” I ask.
“Not yet,” he whispers next to my ear, and I shiver.
Jayden sets me on my feet and steps away from me. What are they up to? I thought it was going to be a quiet night, just the four of us, but apparently they have something much different planned.
“Seriously, what is going on?” I ask.
“You can open them now,” Jayden says.
I open my eyes and gasp. Our parents along with Artemis, Orion, Hermes, and Apollo are standing around a beautifully decorated birthday cake.
“What is going on?” I ask again.
“Did you forget your own birthday, daughter?” Dad asks.
“Not exactly. I was kind of in the middle of a war for most of the year, and then we’ve been traveling on vacation for the last month, and I guess it slipped my mind.” I glance at Jayden. “How did you know?”
“I looked in your file at the academy while doing my recruitment stuff to be sure I didn’t miss anything.” He shrugs.
I wrap my arms around his waist. “Thank you.”
“You guys are so sweet it’s sickening sometimes,” Raven says.
“And you’re a pain in the ass, Raven,” Jayden grumbles.
“I can’t believe I forgot my own birthday,” I whisper.
“You’ve been through a lot over the last year; it’s understandable.” Jayden runs a hand down my back.
“Wow, it has been a year, hasn’t it?” I glance over his shoulder at the family we are surrounded with for my birthday.
“The others wanted to be here for this, but they’re neck-deep in preparations and their own missions to stop Derek.” Jayden squeezes me closer.
“I get it.” I nod. “I can’t exactly be upset when I didn’t even remember my own birthday.”
“Happy birthday, Beth,” Dad says, patting my shoulder.
“Thanks, Dad.” I glance around the room, noticing for the first time the big bay windows looking over Mount Olympus. “This is beautiful.”
“You could see it more often if you’d like.” He grins.
“I get the hint, Dad. We’ll come visit more.” I giggle.
“Don’t go begging for the kids’ time,” Hades says. “They need to come to the underworld more. Cerberus misses you.”
“We miss Spot too,” I say. “We have been resting and relaxing for a while. I have a feeling visiting either of you would be intense. I needed low stimulation for a bit.”
“I’m not intense,” Hades gasps, placing a hand over his heart.
“Dad, you’re the literal lord of the dead; intensity is a part of the job description.”
“Touché,” Hades concedes.
Persephone grabs my hands and tugs me away from Jayden. “Come, Beth. Sit. Sit. Jayden has a question for you.”
“Mom, remember the intensity comment, that was for you too,” Jayden grumbles.
I follow reluctantly as she tugs at my hands and directs me to a chair. “What’s going on here? What question do you have for me that you couldn’t have asked at the villa?”
“They all insisted on being here for this,” Jayden whispers.
“For what? What’s happening?” I glance around me.
Jayden drops to one knee in front of me, his hands shaking as he grips mine. My eyes widen and I squirm, glancing again at all the smiling faces.
“This is ridiculous. I have killed literal hell beasts and I’m shaking like a damn freshman at the academy who has never encountered a monster before.
” Jayden blows out a shaky breath. “Beth, I know the fates have already spoken and we’re fated mates, but I want to be yours in every way possible.
I have loved you from the moment I first saw you in that bar. ”
I grip his hand tighter, leaning forward and whispering to him, “What is happening here?”
“Let me finish. This is harder than I ever thought possible.” He pulls a small box from his pocket and opens it for me to see inside. “Will you marry me?”
“Really?” Tears well in my eyes as I nod to him.
Jayden pulls the ring from the box and slides it on my finger. “I didn’t get it too big because I don’t think the young demigods you’re training would appreciate their faces getting torn up. If you want something bigger…”
I grip his shirt and pull him close to my face. “Jayden, shut up and kiss me.”
Jayden leans forward and kisses me hard. Everyone around us cheers, but my attention is only on Jayden. My mate. My love. My life.
In the end, I got everything I ever wanted—friends, family, and the man of my dreams—despite all the obstacles on the journey to get here. It was worth every second of heartache and pain. We definitely came out stronger in the end and will face any obstacle together.
The End
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