Peri stood up and walked over to the invisible veil that led into the draheim realm. She rested her hands on her hips and fought the urge to stomp her foot. “Serapha,” she called out, “I know you’re over there. Gloating.”
“How do you know she’s watching?” Nissa stared at the veil. “Can you feel her?”
“No,” Peri grumbled. “But she wouldn’t dare miss an opportunity to watch me get ticked off because I can’t figure something out. She finds it humorous when I get flustered.”
“Perizada.” The voice of the draheim in question came through the veil. “While it is quite amusing to watch you stomp about, that is not the reason I am here.”
“Can’t we do this face to face? I look like an idiot talking at nothing.”
“It is not time.”
“You said that already, and time has passed since then. When will it be time?”
“When the Great Luna says.”
Peri had grown weary of waiting. Though if she had waited instead of acting impulsively before, innocents would not have died at her hands. But how was waiting important in this situation? What did it matter when she learned about what was being blocked in their minds?
“Perizada.”
Peri bowed her head as warmth flowed over her, and all her frustration fled. She turned to face the Great Luna and lowered herself to her knees. “Goddess.” Peri’s voice shook. She had been humbled the last time she acted in haste. She’d been brought down from the lofty platform she’d placed herself on, but the Great Luna had shown her mercy. Peri didn’t deserve it, but grace was still given.
“Waiting is not something that comes naturally to any created being.” Peri heard no condemnation or harshness in the Great Luna’s voice. “They want everything to come to fruition the moment it pops into their heads. But they don’t realize immediate gratification would rob them of the greater reward. The journey, opportunities, or something even better than what they first thought was best.”
Peri opened her mouth to speak but then snapped it closed. Who was she to question her Creator?
“Ask,” the goddess said gently.
“Why?” Peri finally breathed out. “The information we seek is contained within our own minds. What possible purpose can be served by keeping that hidden?”
“There is nothing you can do with the information at this time,” the Great Luna explained. “There will come a day when the knowledge will be needed, but until then, it is better for you and Nissa to focus on the trials the world is facing right now.”
Peri squeezed her eyes tightly closed and tried to gain control of her emotions. She did not do well with the unknown. How could she fix something or solve something if she didn’t have all the answers? “I don’t know how I can focus on other things when I know there is foreign magic hanging out in my head.” Peri felt a hand on her head, and peace filled her. She wanted to sit there in the goddess’ presence and forget the troubles in this life. She was weary of the world and longed for a respite.
“It is not time for that either,” the Great Luna said.
“I have served you faithfully.” Peri spoke to the goddess through her thoughts, unable to voice what she felt out loud. “I have made mistakes, and I’ve had many wrongdoings, but in my long life, I have served you. I am tired. How can I save the lives of others when I no longer want to live myself?” Peri had told no one what she’d been feeling, not even her mate. She’d kept those emotions tucked tightly away, but they’d been lurking in the shadow of her mind. Now, she had finally admitted the truth. Yet giving voice to her feelings didn’t bring Peri the relief she thought it would.
“One day you will join me, and all the pain and suffering you’ve experienced here will be gone. Until then, you must keep fighting for what is right. I am always working for your best interest, even when it hurts. I will be there when you call, though you may not always be happy with my answers. Remember that I can see the entire puzzle, while you can only see a small piece. Have faith in me, as you once did, and put your guilt behind you.”
A few tears slipped down Peri’s cheeks. Although she still believed in her Creator, she no longer had faith in her own decisions. At one time, Peri was certain of the rectitude of her choices and plans, but now she was racked with doubts.
“You believe that the key to understanding the present lies in your past,” the goddess explained. “But you must understand that uncovering the truth will change nothing. Moreover, you are not ready to face the truth of what you seek. And you will not be until you accept and move past your guilt. You must stay strong and persevere, no matter how hard the journey seems.”
The radiant light of the Great Luna enfolded around Peri, bringing her peace and solace as the fae finally released all her emotions. She’d tried so hard to keep her feelings bottled up, running from her own reflection so she wouldn’t have to face who she had become. But now, with the Creator’s light surrounding her, the tears ran freely down her face.
“Your time is not over, my fierce and loyal warrior. It is only beginning.”
When the light faded, Peri composed herself and slowly raised her head. She felt raw and exposed, every emotion magnified by the mate bond. A deep breath escaped her lips as Lucian’s fiery gaze burned into her own. He approached her with slow, deliberate steps and gently framed her face with his strong hands. His warmth radiated through her skin. She heard him whisper in her mind, “It seems we have much to discuss, beloved mate.”
Chapter
Eleven
“I’m totally going to kick this guy's butt. Like seriously taking names and all that jazz. Dude is going down.” ~Jen
“I’m a little kid, Aunt Jen. Taking me down is nothing to brag about.” ~Titus
“A little kid with a wolf living inside of him that’s just waiting for the right time to pounce on an unsuspecting weakling.” ~Jen
