Chapter 18 #4
His arms briefly tightened further around me before he let go.
He took a step back to stare at me with an air of vulnerability that had me in a chokehold.
It was eerie having an even more intense version of my golden eyes staring right back at me.
We’d always known our eye color was unusual.
Who would have thought it came from the Divine of Dantor?
“She is indeed smiling,” he said at last. “My Alana couldn’t be the mother and grandmother she was meant to be, but I finally get a chance to step into my role of father and grandfather… starting with your mother.”
“Mom will be thrilled to meet you,” I said with utter conviction.
A smile softened his face. “I know. It might be a while longer, but it will happen. In the meantime, she needs to know that she does not suffer from a dependent personality syndrome. Even though her behavior would naturally lead to that conclusion, it is caused by the fact that she’s an untrained empath.
Because she perceives other people’s emotions without understanding what she’s feeling, she is easily confused and exploited by others. ”
My brows shot up. That totally made sense.
My father and I often commented about my mother’s infinite ability to love.
Her depth of empathy, even towards those who had wronged her always blew my mind.
If she indeed felt other people’s emotions, she would want to make them happier as that would in turn make her feel happy, not realizing it was their responses influencing her state of mind.
“As for you, you are an Augur. You can see signs, sense the whims of Fate, and affect the paths of the future that have not yet been set in stone. But you absolutely need proper training,” he said in a tone that broke no argument.
“I would love that, but I cannot stay here,” I replied.
He gave me a horrified look. “You absolutely cannot stay here! They will try to kill you if you do.”
“Who will try to kill me?” I asked, Zhara tensing up beside me.
He stared at me for a second, looking as if he was wondering how or even if to respond. To my surprise, not only did he not answer, but he acted as if I hadn’t asked the question at all.
“Do not trust anyone on Dantor. Once you return home, the Korlethean Oracles will be able to train you. In the meantime, please give this to your mother for me,” he said, picking up a small pouch attached to his belt.
He opened it to reveal an exquisite necklace with a beautiful gem the same amber color as our eyes.
“In the gem, I embedded a hologram with a message from me. It will also provide instructions for her on training the basics of managing her empathic abilities,” he said before putting the necklace back into the pouch and handing it to me.
“Why can’t you go see her now?” I asked. “She will be desperate to meet you once she knows of your existence.”
“Because, despite what happened here today, I’m still a prisoner here,” he said dejectedly. “It is not safe for Grace to come here until certain things have been corrected. The Conclave will come down hard on me. But one day, I will hold her in my arms and personally tell her that she was wanted.”
“Do you require asylum, your Holiness?” Zhara asked in a serious tone.
My chest warmed for my woman. She’d taken the words right out of my mouth. However, she had greater authority to make such an offer as a Veredian. Any such offer I made would have to be vetted by a member of the Galactic Alliance willing to take him in.
Taseus smiled gently and shook his head. “No, my dear Zhara. Do not worry about me. My time will come. Your presence here today has finally set a long overdue wheel in motion. We all have our duties. The mother of all shit shows is about to unfold. I must be here for now,” he said.
“Are you safe, Grappa?” I asked, worry audible in my voice.
“Yes, my Gavin, I am,” he replied with conviction.
“Are you sure?” Zhara insisted. “Gotia…
“Is dangerous,” he conceded, gently interrupting her.
“Now that her world is falling apart, she will go to even greater extremes to reclaim what she lost. And as she is vindictive, she will go out of her way to retaliate. But do not worry about me. Her comeuppance is on its way. Gotia overplayed her hand.”
I didn’t feel comfortable about any of this.
At the same time, I knew too little—which was in fact nothing—of the power structure of Dantor, especially where the Divine Basilica was concerned.
The Dantorians had always been very hush-hush about it.
I assumed it was to increase its mystique.
After what I’d just witnessed, I realized that it was to hide its dirty secrets.
“Go, Gavin. Always trust your instincts,” he said in a tone that set all my senses on high alert. “You are a powerful Augur. Listen to your inner voice. And remember that allies are often the real enemy, and not the perceived ones…”
“What are you not telling me?” I challenged.
He smiled and caressed my cheek then turned his attention to my mate.
“Take good care of my grandson, Zharina. You are both each other’s greatest blessing.”