Divine Destiny- the Divine Chronicles Book 2

by JoAnna Grace

  “Let’s try again, my darling. Think of something that makes you happy.” Avery centered her thoughts this time on cooking. It was safe. She thought of different foods and how to prepare them, and the joy it brought her to see other’s appreciating her talent. “Good. I can feel you focusing.”

  Dyna instructed her to think of this while she placed her hand on Avery’s forehead. “You are going to feel my presence in your mind. It may be a slight pressure. Don’t fight it.”

  Even as she spoke, Avery could feel something building inside of her head. There was a tugging at the base of her neck. It felt like someone was running their fingers under her skin along her scalp, reaching for her eyes. At first the sensation was soothing like a massage. When Dyna began chanting under her breath, the massaging fingers turned into a vice.

  “Almost there Avery, please keep focusing on your happy things. It will ease the pain.”

  Avery closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She tried her hardest to focus on cooking. Ingredients for rosemary braised lamb shanks and the process of preparing it played out in her mind. The lamb shanks browned in a pan of oil while she sautéed onions, carrots, and garlic in another pan. Then she mixed in—

  “Ah!” Avery screamed at the spike of pain behind her eyes. They clenched, her world dark.

  “Think of the lamb, Avery. You are doing well.” She muttered something to Dante who was now at Avery’s side.

  Avery could feel Dyna digging around the areas of her conscious, searching for the locks her parents had put into place years ago. One by one, Dyna broke them. It felt like the equivalent of someone breaking a pad lock with a sledgehammer.

  Avery became dizzy and nauseous. “I’m going to be sick,” she whispered weakly.

  “No. No, you’re not. Talk to me.” Dante’s voice was at her ear, calming and soft. “Are you thinking about cooking?”

  “Yes.” Avery could feel the tears on her cheek. Dante wiped them away.

  “What do you do after you sauté the onions and carrots and garlic? Speak it out loud if you have to,” Dyna said, prodding her mind in another direction and trying to take her focus off the pain.

  “I, um, I mix in wine and tomatoes, chicken and beef broth, then rosemary and thyme.”

  Snap. Another lock broken. More agony. Some of the pressure released in that area, but it didn’t dull the pain.

  “What’s the next step?” Dante asked.

  Through clenched teeth, she finished telling him how long the lamb sits in the boiling sauce before letting it simmer. When Avery thought her brain was about boil and simmer, Dyna removed her hand. Avery’s eyes flew open in shock as she felt the same burst of energy erupt from her as it had from Ryse that morning in the arena. Dyna was ready for it. Avery and Dante were not.

  Avery flew backwards and landed hard against her chair. The world was a kaleidoscope of colors and emotions of the auras of everyone within the Palace. To her eyes, Dyna was surrounded with a strong steady cloud of lights that glowed like an angelic rainbow. Dante was surrounded by a different color of light, his surprise and worry creating ripples and waves in his aura.

  “Dante!” Dyna commanded. The sentinel put his hand on Avery’s shoulder and everything went quiet. Her breath was ragged and shallow at first but then steadied as Dante neutralized the power.

  On the other side of the Palace, Troy and his two sons felt the blast of godly energy. The eruption, as quick as it was violent, brought Ryse to his knees.

  The three men had been looking at Avery’s genetic results and discussing how it could be a curse as much as a blessing. Ryse worried that she would be powerless if not surrounded by other people with powers for her to draw from.

  “Holy Zeus!” Troy exclaimed. “Such a mighty aura!” He took a seat, his own knees giving out. “I bet there is not a person in this Palace or at the Thracian center left standing.”

  “You alright, brother?” Hayden said, helping Ryse back to his feet.

  “Yes, I’m fine. That was…unexpected.”

  “That,” Troy took a heavy breath, “that was a sign that our Avery is anything but powerless.”

  “Can you open your eyes, my darling?”

  Avery slowly blinked her eyes into focus.

  Dyna wiped her tears and smiled like a mother reassuring her injured child. “How do you feel?”

  Assessing herself physically, Avery felt fine. But her head was dizzy and she had a major ache behind her eyes. “I could use an aspirin.”

  Dyna smiled and glanced at Dante. “Are you alright, son?”

  When Avery followed her line of sight, she saw Dante, kneeling beside her, his face practically glowing with the heat of a blush. “Dante?” she said, taking his hand from her shoulder and holding it firmly with both of hers.

  “I’m fine, Princess,” he said, but his voice was shaking. “Your aura is vast and a little hard to contain.”

  She looked at Dyna, frantic. “It’s hurting him? I’m hurting him, aren’t I?”

  “Not pain, Princess.” Dante eyed her with a wild and carnal look. Once again his sandy eyes had no pupils. When Ryse had opened his aura only slightly to her, the energy and passionate heat of him consumed her with desire. That had only been a taste of his aura. Now here sat Dante, taking on the full brunt of hers.

  “Oh! Oh my,” Dyna said, blushing. She pressed her hand to her chest. “I’m so sorry; I forgot how strong the mating instinct is in the first century. Do you need to leave Dante? I could contain her until I teach her the rudimentary shields.”

  “I’m fine, my Queen.” He turned his gaze to Avery for only a second of eye contact before he looked away. “Forgive me, Princess.”

  Avery knew that for the comfort and protection of her soldier, she needed to learn about shields quickly.

  RYSE HAD HIS plans made. The evening was set. First, they would be dining al fresco in the gardens. Valarie had been asked to prepare a full meal of Avery’s favorite food. After dinner, arrangements had been made for an outdoor movie.

  Ryse stood with one of his father’s personal tailors looking at three different shirts. The lady smiled up at him, awaiting his choice. They all looked the same. All of them were midnight blue with subtle differences that meant nothing to his eyes.

  He turned to his modern and savvy little brother with a helpless look. Hayden and Hammon were aiding him this evening. Both men laughed.

  “What the hell is the difference?” Ryse snipped. “They are all blue.”

  “The one with pin stripes is nice,” Hammon said, taking the shirt in hand.

  “It’s also made out of a thinner material so you won’t sweat, not that you aren’t going to do that anyway.” Hayden grinned.

  Ryse narrowed his eyes at his little brother. Hayden was finding this process all too hysterical. His enjoyment was getting on Ryse’s nerves. “Fine, that one will do.” He took the shirt and put it on. “Has she received the invitation?”

  Hayden handed him a bottle of cologne. “Yes. Here.”

  Ryse looked at the bottle and sniffed it. “What is this?”

  “Cologne. Very expensive cologne from my personal stash.” Hayden wiggled his brows.

  “Breathe, my old friend,” Hammon said, standing behind him in the mirror. “Remember that this is still Avery you are going to see. Only the setting has changed.”

  Ryse nodded, knowing Hammon was right. Avery was the same woman he had woken up with this morning. But he was going into a situation completely unprepared. This was not a military operation. Though, that is exactly what he had turned it into in his mind. This operation had many variables at this point. Her aura had been released from the locking spells. Now she would be able to sense him the same way he could sense her. Every heartbeat, every breath, every ripple of emotion in his aura would be open to her if he dropped his mental shields for her, which he would as a sign of trust.

  Gods help him, he’d never been so nervous.

  Avery stared at the embossed invitation as she sat i
n front of her vanity mirror. The words made her heart skip a beat in anticipation. Ryse had invited her on a date—a real, human style date. The single blue rose that accompanied the invitation sat in a vase in front of her. Nikki had informed her that blue roses meant love at first sight, or attaining the impossible. It made the rare flower even more beautiful in her eyes. She read the note once more.

  My dearest Avery,

  Please do me the greatest honor of gifting me

  with your presence this evening.

  Join me for dinner and a film in the gardens.

  Until then, know you inhabit all my thoughts.

  With deepest affection,

  Ryse

  A chill went down her spine. Such a two-sided coin, her Ryse. Part warrior, part Prince, and both aspects were as attractive and strong as the other. Learning about him had become the center of her universe. She hadn’t had time to think about much else besides Ryse and this clandestine world she was now a part of.

  She sat at the vanity while Nikki fixed her long auburn hair. Avery looked at a reflection she couldn’t believe was her own. Nikki had done up her face to look like a runway model. It wasn’t too much, but her eyes were smoky shadowed and her lips a luscious deep red, blush accented her cheeks.

  The déjà vu made her heart hurt and she felt tears sting her eyes. It seemed like only yesterday that she was sitting in this same exact situation with Izzy at her back.

  “Avery, if you cry and mess up that makeup I’m going to curse you,” Nikki said, grabbing a tissue.

  “I’m sorry.” Avery carefully blotted the tears out of the corners of her eyes. “Last time I was getting ready for a date with Ryse, Izzy was doing my hair.”

  Nikki’s hands stopped working and she smiled sympathetically at her in the mirror. “Sorry. I know I’m no Izzy.”

  “No, but Izzy was no Nikki, either.” Avery smiled at her new friend. For only being in her life a couple days, Nikki had somehow become just as vital to her survival as Ryse, and Ryse was her oxygen.

  “Tell me about her. Happy things only.” Nikki smiled. The next few minutes Avery talked about her oldest and dearest friend. Proms, dances, boyfriends, graduation, and funny things that happened in the café were but a few of the things that Avery thought of when she relived her days with Izzy.

  “When Brenden came to town, she about had a heart attack,” Avery remembered fondly. Izzy was a flirt and Bren had been undercover. Avery looked up to see Nikki biting her bottom lip. “Not that anything came of it. He didn’t pay her much attention.”

  “You make it sound like I have a premise to be jealous.” Nikki smiled at her. “Why would I be worried about Brenden or who he flirts with?”

  “How about cause you are completely and totally crazy over him?” Avery said, angling her head accusingly at her hairdresser.

  Nikki’s lips fought to hide the silly grin that threatened to spread across her rosy cheeks. “He kissed me!” she blurted out, then clamped her hands over her mouth.

  “Was that your first kiss?”

  Nikki nodded and did a crazy little dance behind her while she laughed. The girls gushed about men for the next twenty minutes until Nikki realized that their time was running out.

  “Okay! Hair is done. Time for your dress!” Her excitement was infectious and Avery smiled as she followed her into the closet. Nikki walked over to the drawers and pulled out some delicates. “Here. Put these on.”

  Avery took them and walked behind the changing screen, shedding the robe she had put on after her shower. Nikki handed over a dark bluish-purple dress. The silky stretch of the material slid over her skin like a glove. “Nikki, are you sure this is my size? It’s very tight, especially on my rear end.”

  “That’s the point,” Nikki said.

  Fidgeting with the dress, Avery stepped out from behind the screen. “I don’t know. I feel like a hundred pounds of potatoes stuffed in an eighty-pound sack. Does it look okay?”

  Nikki’s eyes got big as saucers. “Oh yes!” She covered her mouth as she smiled.

  With a little adjusting and some last minute curls to her hair, Avery was ready for her date. She took a few minutes to breathe before Hayden arrived to take her to meet Ryse. Her heart nearly jumped from her chest when there was a knock on the door. Nikki opened it. “You’re not who I expected. But it’s a great surprise,” Avery said as Dyna pulled her into a mother’s embrace.

  “You don’t think I could let you go off on a date with my son and not visit you first?” Those otherworldly lavender eyes smiled at her. “And I come bearing gifts.” Hanna, quiet and always there, stepped up with a white leather jewelry box. With a shy smile, she handed the box to her mistress. “Thank you, Hanna.” Dyna took the box and opened it for Avery to see.

  “Oh my god!”

  Sitting on the black interior was a stunning heart-shaped diamond necklace. Framing the quarter-size blue diamond were smaller white diamonds. Dyna picked up the silver chain and unhooked it. Stepping behind Avery, she latched the necklace. Speechless, Avery walked over to the mirror on the wall and touched the pendant with one shaking hand. The weight of it lay against her chest. The diamond was staggeringly gorgeous.

  “This was my mother’s,” Dyna said, putting her hands on Avery’s shoulders. “She gave it to me on my fiftieth birthday.” Avery gave her a questioning look. “We are immortal, my darling. Fifty is considered young for our race. It was a gift for my first outing with Troy.”

  “Dyna, it’s so beautiful. I can’t possibly—”

  “The gods only gifted me with two sons, my darling. In tradition, I have to pass it down to my daughter. That is you, isn’t it?” Avery turned to face this woman that would have her as family. A simple nod was her answer. There was eye makeup that could not be ruined, after all. “I wish you a very pleasant evening. Worry for nothing, and enjoy all the treasures of the night.”

  Avery hugged Dyna tightly before she left. Then she stared in the mirror at the diamond hanging from her neck. Again, the sound of a knock at the door made her jump. “God!” she said, letting Dante in. “I’m as jumpy as a stray cat in the junk yard.”

  “Sorry mis—” he paused, halfway in the door, holding the leashes of her two dogs. He stared at her, awe-struck, accidently dropping the dog’s restraints. They came to Avery and she pet them before remembering that she was in a nice dress. “Apologies. Let me get them.” He yanked their collars and pulled them back. The dogs went to their beds and sank down.

  “Thanks, Dante.”

  Nikki conjured a lint roller and whisked the dog hair off the skirt of the dress. “Good as new.”

  Avery tugged at her dress under Dante’s gaze.

  “Don’t worry, you look…” he searched for the word, “…beautiful.” Avery figured his choice of safe adjectives was for the best.

  “Thanks.”

  “Prince Hayden approaches,” he said, heading to the door. How did he know that? Avery could sense auras now, but she didn’t know Hayden was near until he was knocking. Dante winked at her and opened the door for his Master’s brother.

  “Damn.” Hayden said, rushing in to look at her. He motioned for her to spin so she gave him her best runway turn. Hayden came up to her and put his hands on her hips. “Okay, forget Ryse, I’m kidnapping you for myself.” He pulled her close to him and began showering her with kisses on her face. She giggled and swiped at him playfully.

  “Hayden, you dog!”

  “It’s not fair!” he said, spinning her in one hand. “Some bastards have all the luck.” He let out a dramatic sigh and shook his head. Wiggling his brows he teased, “You sure you don’t want to give the younger brother a try first?”

  Avery laughed and kissed his cheek. “One of these days you’re gonna sweep a very lucky, very patient woman off her feet.”

  “Alright, fine.” He took her around the waist. “Come on, let’s go so my lucky brother can sweep you off yours.” He looked at Dante as they exited. “Keep an eye on the roo
m. You will be called before the Princess returns.”

  Dante nodded and winked to Avery. “Have a lovely night, milady,” he said, shutting the door behind them.

  They passed Brenden in the hall and he let out a whistle. “Since you will be with the Master all night, I’ve been given time off.”

  Avery hugged him and whispered in is ear. “A certain redhead would love to see you for a while.” The deep blush on Bren’s face made Avery smile.

  RYSE WAITED IN the gardens. He fidgeted nervously with his shirt tucked into his black slacks. Slacks. What kind of damn Thracian wore slacks? He looked like some sort of modern day businessman. Hell, he looked like his father.

  He heard the sound of the car coming down the road and his stomach turned over. He had picked a secluded area on the grounds far from the Palace and training center. The only people allowed within a thousand yards were Hammon and Philippe. The tracker and Elementalist were providing guitar and violin services. Philippe was also on standby if the weather didn’t hold out. Rain would be no problem when one could control the elements like Philippe.

  His heart rate spiked when the black SUV came to a stop.

  All thoughts were gone as one sleek black high heel slipped out of the door. His eyes trailed up the leg, joined by the other, as they slid from the car. Those legs, those sexy firm legs were deliciously bare above the knee. Avery closed the car door and it pulled away slowly. Standing there, she looked like his personal angel. The fabric of her tight dress shaped her plentiful hips and was loose again at her waist. On one shoulder was an elbow length flowing sleeve. The neckline of the dress plunged from the right shoulder down under her left arm, revealing the upper curve of her left breast. The naked shoulder was tempting him—fresh, cool water in a desert drought. Her gorgeous curls spilled over her right shoulder and arm. It offered her neck as a gift, one he would gladly take. Around her neck was a jewel he knew well. It made his heart kick into another gear.