Chapter 24 Fated Truth #3
She drops my hands, then faces Kairos, her dark eyes swirling with power. “You have done well, my son.” Placing her hands on his shoulders, she leans in close and whispers, “Fate shall never fail you.” She smiles and it’s as if all the light in the realm suddenly pales in comparison to her.
“You’ve always told me fate and time are on my side. I should listen to you more often, Mother.” He leans down and kisses her cheek, his eyes drifting over to me.
The queen waves a hand toward the crowd, and soft, classical music begins playing loudly.
The celestials gathered around the platform disperse, heading toward long tables full of food and drinks, most likely Saintly Rosé.
Others head to a dance floor covered in endless bright pink and purple glowing flowers.
They lower their hoods and they’re smiling.
They’re so happy. All of their eyes dance with excitement as they force their gazes away from us and focus instead on the rest of the party.
Gaia gracefully strides back to her seat.
“It is such a shame what happened the last time we were here together in this meadow. Not being able to complete your claiming ceremony. That day still haunts my dreams.” She sighs, picking up the golden chalice on the small table beside her and taking a sip.
Kairos steps forward, glancing my way, arms stiff at his sides.
“I haven’t gotten a chance to speak to Nora about,” his eyes shift to me before locking back on her, “many things, Mother. Maybe now is not the best time,” he whispers, his crooked smile weak and defeated, eyes begging for the conversation to end.
She dismisses his words with a wave, and I can’t help but wonder what else there is to tell me, or what the hell a claiming ceremony is, but I force the thoughts away. I’ll ask him later.
“Thank you for having me, queen Gaia. Your realm is beautiful, and you are absolutely stunning.” Glancing at Kairos, the tightness in his muscles and the sudden paleness of his face, I loop my hand through his.
“Kairos has taken good care of me. I’m only lucky enough to be here tonight because of him.
I don’t know where I would be without him.
” I smile up at him, but he doesn’t smile back the way he normally does.
I’d be dead without him. I’d be immortal and no longer human because Nyx would have forced me to end my life already. I’d be in the Underworld with her, which I suppose is exactly where I need to be to end her centuries long cat and mouse game.
“We all know what happens when you die, and would it be so bad, really?” She croons, taking my free hand in hers and brushing her palm across the top.
“Death is not the end, Nora. It is only the beginning,” she whispers, closing her eyes and wrapping me up in her warm, tingly light. I gasp as her magic enters my mind.
A vision appears of a woman with long, flowing red hair and freckles just like me, though her blue eyes glow brilliantly with magic the way Hekate’s do.
White wings behind her back sparkle with flecks of blue and purple light that look exactly like the stars do here.
As she opens her palms, flames made of divine light spark to life, flames that match the light twinkling around her wings.
It’s Hemera, but somewhere deep within I recognize her as so much more. My soul recognizes her as me.
Tears fall from my eyes, but the warmth of Kairos’ arm suddenly around my waist and holding me against his side snaps me back to the present.
I smile at him before looking back into Gaia’s dark eyes that no longer swim with power or excitement but dim slightly. “Thank you for showing me who I once was. Who I will be again one day if only I can remember how to.”
The glowing light across her brow disappears as she takes a deep breath.
“I sent celestials to search for your amulet and they could not find it. We assume it is with Nyx in the Underworld.” She brings her chalice to her lips.
The echoing clink as she sets it on the table announces that she emptied it entirely.
“You must remember, Nora, that sometimes we must face great darkness in order to end it. You, my dear, will face more darkness than you know. Nyx is only the beginning. Hold onto your light with everything you have.” Her eyes drift to Kairos.
“As for you, maybe it is time you speak to Nora more of your future here together. The throne awaits you. She deserves to know the truth.” Uncrossing her legs, she stands, giving me one last lingering glance and a nod as she unfurls her wings and leaps into the air, the thundering roar of them as she flies away drawing everyone’s attention.
I turn and make my way down the steps and into the party, the laughter and clinking of glasses growing louder now that the queen is gone.
I walk over to the drink table where the glasses are piled up in a neat stack with glowing pink wine flowing freely into the cups from a fountain made of gold.
Kairos steps up beside me and simply watches and waits patiently as I down one glass and then another.
He clears his throat. “Can I please have this dance, princess?” He bows his head and offers me his hand, peering at me between the wavy locks of blonde hair that fall over his eyes.
I freeze midway through finishing my third glass, slowly lowering it to the table and wiping my lips.
Kairos is perfect. He is everything good in this world.
The celestial queen said that I will face great darkness.
Not us. Not her or Kairos or this realm, but me.
I don’t want to involve him. Kairos deserves to be protected at all costs. All the celestials do.
I place my hand in his and we head to the dance floor, the other celestials quickly rushing away to leave it for just the two of us.
He spins me once and then pulls me against his chest. My heart flutters as he smiles at me.
His hand pressed against my back, the other wrapped around my own, send electrical currents of peace and light into my soul.
I don’t speak for a moment, just memorizing every speck of blue within his bright green eyes like it’ll be the last time I see them so close. It might be.
After meeting his mother, I have questions I’d like him to answer, but I’m running out of time. I need to ask them now.
Because after this first and last dance I share with Kairos, I need to leave.