by Ali Cross
“Here we are!” Miri proclaimed when we came to a stop in front of the little stone angel that had long been a safe haven for Michael and me.
“Okay,” I said for the millionth time that morning.
“Just wait,” Miri said, bouncing on her heals and jiggling all over.
“What is it with you guys?” But James refused to meet my eyes, smiling at Miri instead, who was this constant excited mess. I waited for Michael’s answer, but he only took my hands in his. I thought he’d look away, thought he’d be coy like the others, like he had been the whole way over here.
Instead he stepped nearer. “I love you, Desolation.” His eyes were so warm, gold flecks swimming in sweet chocolate. “I have loved you always, from the moment I laid eyes on you so very long ago.
“I loved you when you were sent on your mission.
“I loved you when your path took you away from me and all I had was your memory.
“I loved you from the moment I saw you again in that classroom. From the moment I heard your voice, saw your eyes.
“I have loved you always. And I will love you always still.
“You are the love of my heart, of my eternal soul.
“If you will have me, I will love you for as long as my heart beats, and I will do everything in my power to see that it never, ever stops.”
He hadn’t taken his eyes off mine and so I’d seen the truth there; felt it reflected in every possible way in my own heart. With his eyes still on me, he began to shine. Brighter and brighter he grew, the golden warmth of his Halo spreading through me, around me, embracing me, drawing me nearer, laying bare every emotion, every thought, every hope.
“Will you be mine?” he whispered against my lips.
How do you tell someone you love them as much as they love you? How do you tell them you would gladly give up your life today if it meant you wouldn’t have to live an eternity without them?
I didn’t know how, so I answered in the only way that felt right.
I filled my own Halo with all that I was—the old and the new, all the darkness, all the light—the rainbow of colors that was the good and the bad, every regret, every hope, and all my love. I closed my eyes and leaned into him, welcomed his lips on mine, gave myself to every sensation, the taste of him, the feel of him, the smell of him.
“Desi,” he said in the softest whisper. Open your eyes, my love.
I didn’t want to, but I did as he asked—and discovered a new scene entirely.
Light of every shade filtered through my vision, golden buildings rising in the distance. On the Bifrost, all around me, I found the faces of my friends, my loved ones. James and Miri, who looked a little stunned at the sudden change of scenery, Freyja, Lucy and Mahria, Fahria and Longinus, Heimdall and Odin. Even li’Morl was there.
Odin stepped forward, reaching out for us. He took my hand, and Michael’s. “My children.” His voice resonated like a deep, golden song. “I believe we are waiting for your answer, daughter.”
For a moment I panicked, suddenly unsure of the question.
Will you be mine? Michael repeated in my mind.
“Yes,” I breathed. “Yes!”
“Of course it is yes.” Odin’s eyes sparkled. “Now at last, let it be.
“Desolation, you have accepted a calling—to be guardian of Midgard. To stand at its defense against the forces that would seek to misuse it.”
He paused and I nodded, unsure of his question.
“Michael, you have promised your eternal life to Desolation. Indeed, you made that choice so long ago I can scarcely remember.” Some chuckled around us because everyone knew—Odin didn’t forget.
“Yes, my lord,” Michael said, his voice hoarse with emotion.
“She has changed from the girl you once knew.”
“Yes, Lord.”
“Yet you would still pledge yourself to her?”
“Always.”
“Of course,” Odin said. Michael caressed the back of my hand with his thumb for a moment before Odin continued. “Are you willing to stand with her, to guard her and protect her while she serves my children on Midgard?”
Michael faced me, and I felt his smile before I saw it on his face.
“I gladly submit my life, my heart, my soul to her protection.”
His mind lay bare before me, and mine to his. There were no words, but the emotion we shared—no words would ever suffice. Tears streamed down my face and his. Love shone from us like a star.
“Desolation.” Odin waited until I pulled my eyes away from Michael’s and looked at him. “You are a young god, with much to learn. At times the responsibility will seem too great to bear. You must remember, always, that Michael is your companion, your help-meet. Turn to him. Share your burden with him, and you will find yourself more capable of greatness than you ever would achieve alone. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Odin.” I squeezed Michael’s hand as I returned my gaze to his. As I felt myself swallowed up again in the power of his love. “We will rule Midgard together.” Michael beamed at me, his image growing watering beyond the tears in my eyes.
“Then be one,” Odin said. He placed my hand in Michael’s and stepped back. “Be one.”
Heimdall pressed his golden horn to his lips and I knew—he was announcing our union, sharing it with the universe, with all the worlds. A sound filled my ears, a note of pure happiness, ringing across the Bridge, resonating through the space all around us. Rainbow sparks fell like rain while Michael pulled me into his arms and kissed me.
Miri hugged me so tightly I wondered how she had ever grown so strong. James pulled on the strap of her carry-on bag.
“Come on bright eyes, we’ve gotta go.” He tugged again, making Miri jerk back a little, but still she didn’t let go of me. “You’ll see her at Christmas.”
I looked over Miri’s head and smiled at James. Come and get her, I tried to tell him. He couldn’t hear my thoughts, but he seemed to understand. He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her waist and gently pulled her against him.
“Take care of her,” he said to Michael who stepped up beside me and put his arm over my shoulders.
“You know I will,” he said.
“See you soon, princess.”
“See you soon, James.”
He and Miri took a couple steps backwards, Miri waving like a crazy person, before James smiled one last time, pulled Miri after him, and with his arm around her, walked through the expedited security line reserved for VIPs.
We watched until we couldn’t see them anymore. We left the building without saying any of the things in our hearts. We didn’t need to.
Instead of driving to the apartment, Michael took us up the mountain, past St. Mary’s, past Daniel’s old estate. Up to the cliff overlooking Desert Peak where he stopped the car and we got out. I hadn’t been back here since that night almost a year ago. The night all my nightmares were made of. I’d been afraid, I think. But now, with Michael’s hand in mine, it seemed like nothing at all. The past was the past—what mattered was right now and all that lay before us.
We climbed over the railing and sat on the edge of the cliff, the sparkling lights of the city brightening the valley below.
“Look.” Michael pointed to the lights of a plane flashing in the dark sky.
There they go, I thought, sending my wishes for love and happiness winging across the distance.
And then I returned my attention to this world whose future I now held in my hands. Michael bumped his shoulder against mine.
In our hands, he corrected.
In our hands.
For more of the world of Desolation,
visit the Desolation Series website:
http://www.desolationseries.com
If you enjoyed Destined and the Desolation Series,
I would be honored if you would leave a review
on Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Goodreads, or wherever
you purchased the book from.
I
t would mean the world to me. Thank you!
This time, my readers really made a difference in how I wrote this book, how I felt about writing it, and how I felt about the story itself. I’ll admit that for a long while I doubted the value of Desi’s story because it was “too dark” or “too emotional” or too . . . whatever. But now I know that you get it. You get Desi. And for that there are not enough “thank you’s” in the whole wide world.
Some amazing people have been involved in the nitty gritty of my writing life, and I’d like to thank them too . . .
My husband, David, for his unfailing support.
My critique group—Christine Bryant, Elana Johnson, Sara Oldes and Stacy Henrie.
My new (and holy-freakin’-cow-amazing) editor, Jen Hendricks.
Every member of the Indelibles, my amazing support group of indie authors who have cheered and encouraged me along the way (often pointing me in the right direction!).
And finally, a huge shout out to Dustin Hansen who gave Desi a face and is responsible for the beauty of Destined’s stunning, original, artwork.
Ali Cross is the sensei of the Writer's Dojo where she holds a black belt in awesome.
She lives in Utah with her kickin' husband, two sparring sons, one ninja cat, two sumo dogs and four zen turtles.
Find Ali online:
Website
Facebook Fan Page
(for giveaways and fun)
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Table of Contents
Cover
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter Forty-Five
Chapter Forty-Six
Chapter Forty-Seven
Chapter Forty-Eight
Chapter Forty-Nine
Chapter Fifty
Chapter Fifty-One
Chapter Fifty-Two
Chapter Fifty-Three
Chapter Fifty-Four
Chapter Fifty-Five
Chapter Fifty-Six
Chapter Fifty-Seven
Chapter Fifty-Eight
Chapter Fifty-Nine
Chapter Sixty
Chapter Sixty-One
Desolation Series
Aknowledgements
About the Author
Table of Contents
Cover
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter Forty-Five
Chapter Forty-Six
Chapter Forty-Seven
Chapter Forty-Eight
Chapter Forty-Nine
Chapter Fifty
Chapter Fifty-One
Chapter Fifty-Two
Chapter Fifty-Three
Chapter Fifty-Four
Chapter Fifty-Five
Chapter Fifty-Six
Chapter Fifty-Seven
Chapter Fifty-Eight
Chapter Fifty-Nine
Chapter Sixty
Chapter Sixty-One
Desolation Series
Aknowledgements
About the Author
