Chapter 21 #2
“Because you are my very own blood, you carry my heritage within you.” Anais explained, her eyes showing not a shred of doubt.
“You are the last descendent of the last tribe of Methuselah. The last of my people to carry the blood of the chosen people. We are gifted with longevity, and strong instinct in other fortunes. In truth we are as mysterious as the Surrem. Even I do not know everything about our people.”
Hearing the words was not difficult but taking them in proved a challenge for Lanias. What she had just heard sounded ridiculous. Even though she came from a world of Witches, demons, and ogres. The idea that she had such a heritage didn’t make any sense.
Releasing an exasperated breath, placing her hands on her hips she lowered her head. “Hah, I’m sorry I need a minute.” She shook her head before lifting it and staring blankly at Anais. “I’m what.”
“A Blessed One,” her mother repeated. “It sounds inspiring but means as long as you don’t do anything drastic, once your body hits its peak of maturity; it stops aging.”
“Right, so—I won’t age,” Lanias summarized. “Does this come with something like a mission, or task? Because I have become heartedly sick of that trope.”
Her mother laughed. “No, it just means a very long life.” But the darkening of her eyes told Lanias another story.
“Living a long time is a trial just as much as it is to be a Being,” Lanias muttered.
“Yes, that is true. It’s been hard, and sorrow has always followed easily the same as joy.” Once more, Anais placed a hand on her stomach. “Your father stumbled into my healer’s cottage years ago, and then our story spanned months, then years. Only three things have clouded our love.”
“His brother.”
Anais gave a short nod, her expression turning black. “And the continued warnings the True Ones sent to Eris, demanding he return and another—”
“The fear that they will learn about the child you carry, me.”
She sighed. “Eris warned me continuously that half-breeds weren’t allowed to exist. But I craved a child from our union.
I wanted to see our features as a blended expression of life.
I’d lived so long, and finally a child was possible.
” She reached out and brushed her hand against Lanias’ cheek. “He and I are in you.”
Lanias finally was able to say what had been pressing on her mind. “He said I was gifted with something, something his brother wanted ‘The gift’. I0 used it to put his brother away, but it also brought the Surrem to earth.”
Her mother’s eyes widened. “He-he gave you the key?”
“The key?” Lanias repeated, she searched for her memory. “I vaguely remember him mentioning this. What is it?”
“I see, then it’s what I feared.”
“And what was that?” Lanias demanded.
“Eris was the gate keeper between here and the plane of the Surrem, or the True ones. He came here when his brother was banished for his crimes. They didn’t remove that gift from him, he’s the only one who can return the Surrem to the other plane and close the door.”
“And because I opened it, they realized that someone who was not Father on this plane had the same ability.” Lanias concluded understanding and sighed. “Once again, it’s my fault that people are being hurt.”
“How could you know?” Anais said, taking another step toward her.
“You could not have had any idea, if what you tell me is true. You were left with no knowledge of your heritage or information about us, your parents.” She removed her hand from Lanias cheek, and to her hand, “Nothing that’s happened is your fault. Don’t ever think that.”
“But if I hadn’t been born, I—” Lanias was at the end of her rope, she’d managed so far with her will alone.
Now standing here, with her hand in the hold of the woman who’d have raised her if it wasn’t for Zaharis broke something inside her. Maybe her mother would have been able to escape if she hadn’t tried to protect her. “—If I had never been.”
“No,” Anais’ voice turned hard, as she drew her close. So, their foreheads pressed together. “You are my miracle. You are everything good between Eris and I.”
“How do you know,” Lanias demanded, the tears she’d fought so hard slipping from her eyes. “How do you know?” she whispered.
“Because you’re my daughter.” Her mother relaxed the embrace and smiled at her. “That’s how I know.”
Reaching up, Lanias tried to wipe her tears away, but they continued to fall. She was full out crying, “I-I’ve done so many bad things. I-could-I’m so tired of fighting.” She cried, as she leaned into her mother who welcomed her with open arms.
“I know I was never able to say this but know this.” Her mother whispered, “I will always be with you. No matter the chains of death, I will always be there.” Her voice grew faint.
Lanias pulled back, only to find her vision blurring. “Mom?” she called startled, “Mom, don’t go.”
The form of her mother faded, as the light dimmed.
“Stop, stop.” She pleaded with no one.
“Lanias, I’m always here.” Her mother whispered as she finally departed
Falling to her knees, Lanais found herself alone in a moderately lit room.
Great sadness poured out, she looked up at a picture resting upon an altar dedicated to her mother.
Lanais’ face crumpled as everything hit her.
She wailed, falling forward she covered her face as she cried for the woman she’d never known.
Also, for the little girl who’d wished for a mom who’d hug and love her.
The tears poured out, as she released heaving gasps of shuttering pain. She felt more than saw, the presence behind her.
“Lanias?”
She pushed herself up turned to burrow her face into Aleks neck. He immediately wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.
“Please, just.” She pulled back and lifted her chin pressing her lips to his. Drawing back, she looked at him with her cheeks still wet. “Make love to me.”
He searched deeply for her expression before he nodded. Leaning down he took her lips, in a soft and caring kiss. He didn’t know what had triggered her to cry, but his Queen had demanded he provide her comfort he wouldn’t deny her.
He easily transported them with his mist back to their assigned bedroom. He removed their clothing. Pulling Lanias close, he traced her arm before clasping her hands with his. She cradled him, taking him with ease.
“Ah,” she exclaimed, he paused meeting her gaze.
She offered him a watery smile, “Just sore.”
He nodded. “Do you wish me to stop.”
She shook her head, “No, I need you.”
Lifting her chin, she took his lips once more. He eased his way in, and Lanias felt immediately at peace. This time it wasn’t a powerful, passionate race to the end but a slow and arduous ride.
He drew gasps of pleasure, and little huffs of air from her. Her hips trembled in his grasp, as he refused to pick up speed. Sawing her to a slow crescendo. This time she whispered his name as a prayer.
She let everything else fall away to nowhere and placing her hands on his shoulder. She widened her legs taking him deeper. Alek was the contract holder to her very soul. And she didn’t want it any other way.
She tightened her legs just as the surge of need swept over her. The rising tide of satisfaction hit her when he hissed pressing his face into her shoulder. She drew her hands along his back to his hair that tickled her skin.
This was making love.
Lanias felt like she was being tied tighter and tighter to him. Lanias had never sought such a connection with another person. She’d been too focused on her own path. Now, she understood why others sought out their mates.
Even her toes sensed the orgasm that burned through her. Sweeping away her fear and sorrow.
As she closed her eyes she wondered, was Alek that important to her?