Sired: A Dark Reverse Harem Romance (Ascension Book 3)

by Kenna Bardot

  Finally, I turned to go back. I couldn’t walk to Zeevar’s. Not given that it was at least an hour away.

  “Mireyah! What happened?” Ryle shouted, demanding my attention as he hurried to my side. He caressed my cheeks where the tear streaks still stained my skin, before looking down to examine the dried and caked mud spots on my body and uniform.

  I gave his hands a gentle pat and smiled as he showered Hydra with the same love and concern. “Just a rough day of training, but I’m otherwise fine. Were you waiting for me?”

  “I was just here and saw you.” He carried Hydra in his arms. “Shall we go home?”

  There was nothing more I wanted than to curl up into his arms like Hydra and go home to where I could be with my Sires and just let the stress of the day float away, but a summons from Zeevar wasn’t something I could ignore.

  "I have to go to Zeevar." I sighed and laid my head on his arm a bit before pushing away. "And I shouldn't keep him waiting."

  "Oh? Okay. I’ll go with you." His massive hand took mine, but I dug my heels in before he could drag me into the station. "Wait." My voice sounded like a slap in the air before Ryle turned to stare at me. Hydra looked over his shoulder, eyes meeting mine.

  "What?" He shot me an exasperated look as I struggled to pull my hand out of his tight grasp. Just my luck, really, that I come across the strongest of my men. "I want to go alone, Ryle. Please.”

  He dropped my hand, but I was sure it was because of the shock that I saw run across his face. "Why can’t I walk my wife? Is there something wrong with that now?” he snapped.

  “No, there isn’t. I love that you want to walk me, but with Zeevar I think I need to stand on my own two feet. Please.”

  “Mireyah.” He clasped my hand in his.

  I brought our joined hands up to my face and touched it to my cheek. “Ryle, please, I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important to me. I need him to take me seriously.”

  He sighed. “Okay. But be careful. We can’t lose you.”

  I nodded and rose on my toes to kiss him on the lips. “Thank you. Hydra. Come on. Let’s go.” With a sigh, Hydra jumped down from Ryle’s arms and followed me inside the station.

  I didn’t look back, but I knew Ryle watched me walk away. I just hoped he understood that I would always go back to them.

  ✽✽✽

  The last time I’d been in Zeevar’s throne room, I’d been furious.

  But at least I was clean.

  When I walked in, I almost cursed when I realized that instead of being alone as I expected he would, Caprice sat next to him, quietly conversing with him. But more important and more exciting for me was the fact that Colm was there.

  I couldn't hold it back and made an embarrassing sound that was too reminiscent of a squeal that had him turning in my direction. In fact, I was sure that every pair of eyes turned my way at the frankly undignified expulsion of sound. "Colm!"

  He turned towards me, a short glass of crystal in his hand filled with a dark amber liquid. He raised an eyebrow as he eyed me up and down, but his gaze landed on my forehead where my circlet was. “I had heard, but it is startling to see it in person, Mireyah… Dracari.”

  I smiled and resisted the urge to hug him. First, he looked so clean I didn’t want to pass on any of my dirt to him. Second, he was still a single male. Since I seemed to have a reputation for collecting things with dicks, it seemed in my best interest to refrain. “It’s an interesting development, Colm.”

  "Mireyah is living up to her potential. Even I did not see this as a possibility in the many futures she had before her. In the many futures I forced her to live through," Caprice spoke up even though a quick examination told me she still faced Zeevar. In fact, Zeevar looked between the two of us with a mildly amused expression like we were the best kind of entertainment.

  "I’ll be honest," Zeevar spoke as he stood and poured the dark liquid into another crystal goblet with a graceful swirling motion. A Goddess walked forward to take it and hand it over to me. Even if I was disinterested in a drink, I took it. One simply tried not to say no to the Core Gods. Especially when they held your futures in their hands. "I made no secret of my annoyance that of all the Gods in Demiorgo, you had to be the one Kimba chose. Like we hadn't had enough of you in this last decade alone. I yearned for an unfamiliar face." He sighed as he bent down to give Hydra a stroke. The pleasure she felt at the Gods ministrations was so strong it rippled through me. “But, alas. Now explain why you look like you’ve been wrestling in a pit of mud.”

  He didn’t know. I expelled the breath I’d been holding at the realization that he wasn’t there to tell me how disappointed he was in my performance as a Dragon Guard had been. “I had my first true flying lesson today. There was mud, storm clouds, and rain involved.”

  He chuckled. “And you didn’t think to wash it off before you came.” He took a sip from his own crystal goblet that held the same dark red liquid he’d been drinking the first time I’d visited him.

  “Not surprising for our Mireyah to defy convention and visit a Core God in such a disheveled state.” Colm winked at me, and something in the gesture soothed what might have been hurt that he would laugh at me.

  “Indeed not. Drink, Mireyah. Catch up with Colm while I catch up with my daughter. It is rare enough that he comes from Sylfeshire to visit us here in Demiorgo.” He touched a hand to Caprice’s shoulder, and she turned to look my way.

  I took a sharp intake of breath when she did. It was always jarring the way her face contradicted youth and age, emotion and lightness, all at once. All I knew was that even as a Goddess, I still had no comprehension of her entire being. I had a suspicion it was something that could never be understood.

  "I've had several visitors speak of you, and not just of what you achieved," Colm said with a pointed look at my circlet. "But also of things you have started.”

  "Okay," I replied as I expelled a lengthy breath. I highly doubted that they had summoned me to Zeevar's home simply for the pleasure of talking to Colm, so it was stressful to wait for him to get to the point.

  "You haven't taken even the slightest of polite sips from your mead, my dear. Tell me, are you worried about something?" Zeevar's voice teased as he looked at me over the rim of his goblet while he took a long sip of his favored drink.

  I almost dropped the glass and reached up to clasp it with both hands. “I thought there might be another reason you summoned me.”

  "Oh, no. The advice I gave you the last time still stands. What do I care about petty fights and squabbles my Guard get into when it's plain to see that it's all part of a larger plan?" Zeevar shook his head and turned to share a look with Caprice, who gave him a wide smile. "A much larger plan. So, yes, I did just summon you here so you could talk to Colm. He is very curious to see how you were coping."

  "And I can see that Mireyah is thriving," Colm said with a smile before he sighed. “I am proud of you, Mireyah.”

  “Thank you, Colm. I would not be here without you. How are they? The Sylfes?” My voice caught on the name I wanted to say.

  “There has been a lot of talk about you in Sylfeshire. Some Sylfes have demanded a change. More respect and rights from the Gods and Goddesses who set forth to woo them.”

  “I’m glad. Sylfes might not be Gods, but they deserve an equal amount of respect.” I caught the way he looked at me, that expectation and sorrow making it obvious that he knew I was avoiding a specific topic. “How is Lysandra?”

  “She is at peace, Mireyah. Every day that passes, she is only more jubilant that her time at Sylfeshire is coming to a close. I feel like I’ve failed her, but how could that be when she only grows happier.” His breath was shaky when he exhaled, taking a sip of his mead as he did so.

  “That is one with a future before her that none of us can affect, but we will watch it unfold, and it will be the most fascinating journey to witness.” Caprice’s voice was distant, like her gaze. Zeevar laughed. “I cannot doubt why the two of you bec
ame friends. I’m sure you’ll be thrilled to see her.”

  “If I see her again, I’ll be happier than I can say.” I took a sip of my mead for the first time, allowing the warmth of it to ease down my throat. “And Theo? I heard he’s been Declared for.”

  “He’ll be here soon enough, I gather, and you can see him again. You might be quite surprised by who his Sire would be.” He sighed, tipping back his head to drink the rest of his mead. "It’s been a pleasure to see you again, Mireyah, but I need to go back to Sylfeshire. There is a Sylfe I am expecting will be Declared for soon and I would rather be there when that happens."

  "Yes, of course, such dedication. Farewell to you, Colm Svadeni, and may you bring us more new Gods and Goddesses as interesting as this one that stands before us," Caprice held up her cup in a toast to Colm.

  “Colm, before you go. I want to introduce you to someone new in my life who occupies an important place in it. Hydra,” I called out, and it annoyed her that I summoned her when Zeevar spoiled her with his strokes and scratches. “Hydra,” I said again with more force.

  She slithered over, but I knew she wasn’t too happy with me. I presented her to Colm. “This is Hydra. My other half.”

  Colm crouched down and presented his hand to Hydra. “You’re a beauty, aren’t you? You two complement each other.” Hydra nuzzled into his hand, and he stroked a gentle finger down the side of her head.

  He straightened and smiled. “Thank you for introducing her to me. I am honoured. I bid farewell to all.”

  “Farewell and be well,” Zeevar and Caprice said in unison as he walked out. With a slight hesitation, he stopped before me. "Be careful, Mireyah. Don't think I am not proud of what you have accomplished and what you have set out to fight. But remember that it is an uphill battle, a difficult one. Yet, should you need my support, know that I am behind you completely.” He bowed and hurried out.

  I wanted to shout for him to wait for me so we could leave together, but Zeevar stopped me with a soft, "wait."

  I turned back to him and gave him a polite look. When no one spoke, I fidgeted.

  "Nothing will happen without pain. I've heard you wish to go to the Unwanted Lands. I will not stop you. Let nothing stop you.”

  The fear that clutched at my chest loosened. "Of course. May I go?" Zeevar nodded with one last stroke down Hydra's back, and I moved to go out the same way Colm had but stopped when the feeling in the room changed. Then it felt like a pool of fresh spring water splashed into my face - a bright crystalline hug before Rhiannon stepped into the room with us.

  I barely stopped myself from bowing and instead blurted out, "What, no Anselm?"

  "Oh, hello!" she held up a hand to her chest in surprise and looked around the room. "Ah, daughter, hello. I didn't know you were here. Mireyah and her beautiful dragon too! How delightful." She bent down to touch Hydra much as Zeevar had done, but Hydra made a shocked sound before scurrying over to hide behind my legs.

  Rhiannon stomped lightly on the ground when she did as Zeevar burst out laughing. "Why do your dragons not like me, Zeevar? Why? Have you corrupted them somehow?"

  "You're too pure for them, Rhiannon, my dear. After all, they're more used to the darkness that is yours truly." She walked towards him, hands on hips and an angry look in her eyes.

  “I like dragons, I think they’re beautiful. And this one.” She turned to look in my direction. “This one has so much before her.”

  “Not all of it will be pleasant.” Caprice shot me another one of her looks - so intense they felt like they could see everything in me, before me and after me. “Are you ready for the hardship that you will surely face, Mireyah?”

  “I can’t know the answer to that, can I?” I smiled because the moment seemed to warrant it. Caprice’s cryptic messages never failed to disappoint.

  Rhiannon reached over to touch Caprice’s hand. “Rest assured that overwhelming, blinding joy awaits you on the other side to reward your bravery and determination, Mireyah. It is just up to you to find your way through the difficulties ahead.”

  I nodded, feeling less confident when Rhiannon echoed the dire nature of Caprice.

  Zeevar took Rhiannon’s other hand and gave it a hard and quick kiss. With a wink in my direction that took me aback, he addressed me, "Go home, Mireyah. Be with your Sires.”

  And as one they all spoke, "Farewell and be well."

  I walked out of the room a little off balance. Even as a Goddess, it still felt surreal to face that much raw power and charisma.

  Fifteen

  Mireyah

  I never wanted to attend another party in the North, but the promise of finally experiencing a Western party proved too much for me to resist. I'd avoided all things to do with the West out of a desire to respect Lathyn and his home region, but with us finally on speaking terms if nothing else, it felt more awkward not to go.

  Especially since it was a party to celebrate his birthday. I had thought after centuries of living, it would no longer be habitual to celebrate birthdays. But given his standing in society, I knew he felt honor-bound to celebrate.

  As members of the other Western Houses, Tate and Ryle had also been invited. Understandably, they didn't want to go given the history we all shared. I refused to humor it. If I moved forward in my plans with Lathyn, he would become a steady part of our lives.

  I couldn't shake the feeling that his purpose was connected to mine, that there would be some other way he served the cause that had nothing to do with me. That our destinies had always been entwined.

  "I can't believe you're dragging us to his damn birthday party," Ryle grumbled as we strolled up the front steps to the center of Majele House. I had a moment where I wondered why he wouldn't have hosted the party in his own home, but I knew the answer as soon as I asked myself the question.

  Lathyn lived his life notoriously in the public eye, second only to the Core Gods he served. I imagined his home was his sanctuary, and he didn't invite people inside lightly. I appreciated the public venue, unlike most of the attendants, I was sure. I liked the fact that it made it less intimate to be there celebrating with him and the people he called friends. Or allies, at the least.

  House mates?

  I knew nothing about him. I didn't know if he had family or friends that he trusted or if he had to question the motives of anyone who attempted to get close to him. It saddened me that I'd been so preoccupied with keeping strict lines between us that I'd never gotten to know him on any level. I wished I had, because I might know more about the man I wanted to be my friend.

  The main floor of Majele House had been transformed in honor of the party, with the furniture removed to make more room for all the partygoers. The one time I’d been there, that night I talked to Lathyn, it had been elegant but subdued. But the navy and gold accents they'd added for the event were strewn throughout lavishly but tastefully.

  Only Gods could manage such an overwhelming color palette without making it look like too much.

  Ryle and Tate flanked me, but they stayed back the slightest bit. It felt strange to have them enter after me, for them to defer to me in any way given how dominant they usually were. I blamed their social anxiety, because they'd rather sacrifice me to the socializing Gods than have to pave the way.

  I resisted the urge to chuckle. There had been a time when they traipsed around Godsvail like royalty. I'd initially thought that perhaps they didn't like being at the bottom of the social ladder, that they didn't envy having to climb their way back up the ranks so to speak.

  But it was obvious with the kind smiles and respectful looks they received that they were far from disliked. "Have you been to Western parties before?" I asked. I referred to the time before I'd Ascended, since I knew they hadn't recently. We tried to spend all our free time together, and that meant social gatherings weren’t at the top of our to-do list.

  While I loved being with all of them, there was truth to the fact that our relationship was crowded. I couldn't imagine it any
other way, but it meant we had less quality time with one another as individuals. If I wanted to spend time alone with Tate, it meant I lost time with the others. It was the only unfortunate consequence of the beauty of a relationship amongst many.

  "Yes," Tate answered. "Before you Ascended." I nodded because I had expected nothing different. I’d have been more surprised if they’d been social outcasts, as the men I had fallen in love with were the farthest thing from that. Much as most of Demiorgo shunned and judged us for the unconventional quality of our relations, they were still social animals.

  "Is there anything I should expect?" I asked, turning to step into his chest as he wrapped his arms around me. His lip piercing glimmered in the golden lights that twinkled through the room, lighting up his face like the sun shining on the brightest of jewels. He smirked and there was that bad boy quality that so attracted me to him. To all of them.

  "Just some drinking and socializing. That's all," Ryle said behind me with a disgruntled sigh. "Boring if you ask me."

  I had meant any angry scorned Goddesses intent on tearing my face off for taking two very eligible and handsome Gods off the market, but I did not say so. “Okay then. I hope you don’t mind if part of that socializing is with the birthday celebrant.”

  "Ah, it’s nice to know that you want to socialize with me, my dear," Lathyn interjected as he stepped into our group. He took my hand and bowed over it, keeping his lips as far away from it as possible. It was an old-fashioned way of greeting that showed respect for the one being greeted. “Happy birthday, Lathyn.”

  He greeted Ryle and Tate with respectful nods and a smile, even though I could see from the tenseness of his mouth that it pained him to do so.

  "Lathyn," Ryle returned, the same hesitation in his voice that was written all over Tate's face.