Instead of landing inside the city, Kaspian veered to the left and headed for a meadow just beyond the city wall. I soon saw why. In that meadow, a glowing figure stood—a beacon that couldn't be ignored. As we got closer, I saw it was a woman—a very tall woman with hair flowing down to her hips to blend into her dress. Kaspian landed before her and instantly lowered himself into a dragon bow. Tucked in beside his neck, I couldn't bow, though I instinctively wanted to.
The glow faded and color infused the woman. Blond, statuesque, and stunning, she stepped forward, her body a study in grace. Her curves were gentle, nothing too luscious, but that made her seem even more feminine. There was no mistaking her beauty or her power. Sunlight clung to her, trailing behind her movements, and fire sparked in her eyes.
“Goddess,” Kaspian murmured as his body transformed.
Kas set me down on the grass during his shift, and this time, he blurred the transformation. I suppose it was more polite. It left him naked, but he didn't care. He straightened out of his bow and faced her. A fucking goddess.
Right. I'm on another world where Dragons rule and goddesses appear to them in meadows full of wildflowers. Yup.Now, where is Frodo?
“Kaspian,” the woman's voice flowed over me like sunshine, warming me everywhere, past flesh and bone.
I sighed. I actually sighed.
“Thank you, Ensarena.” Kas went to his knees. “Even on another world, you answered my call. I was in great peril, and you helped me. I am yours to command. How may I serve you?”
“You have always been a loyal son.” Ensarena laid her hand on Kaspian's head. “And I have learned to value such loyalty. For too long, I've been indifferent to the plight of my children. Then Karadas returned. My battle with him opened my eyes to many things. I must guide you. Help you evolve. Find your purpose. Only through this connection will I find completeness as your goddess. And I have learned other things as well. New magic.”
“Was it your magic that opened the rift?” Kaspian asked.
The Goddess smiled. “When I fought Karadas, many such tears occurred. Two of them drew men from that other world to this one. And they drew my attention here. Maybe it was my attention that sent the magic searching or maybe this was meant to be all along—even divine magic can evolve and focus can further evolution. Whatever led me to this new power, it also led me to Earth. I sensed the spark inside a man born on the wrong world. I knew then that your mate wasn't going to be drawn here. So, I sent you there to fetch him.” She waved a hand at me, and the metal restraints popped open.
I immediately got out of the chair and went to join Kas on my knees. This was the first time I'd met a goddess, and I wasn't about to fuck it up. So, I didn't speak. I just bent my head and hoped that she sensed my gratitude.
The Goddess laughed, the sound lightening my soul. She laid a hand on my shoulder and tingling energy shot through me. The good stuff, not the painful shit the General pulled with Kas. I looked up, couldn't have stopped myself if I tried, and met a pair of pale blue eyes, sparking with embers. She had toned down the flames for me.
“Well met, Met.” The Goddess grinned. “Welcome to my world. It is both less and more dangerous than yours. Trust only your mate. At least for now.” She cupped my cheek and Kaspian's at the same time. “I have given you the gift of matehood. Now, it is your task to protect your bond.”
Before either of us could thank her, the Goddess brightened, vanishing in a ray of sunshine. The feel of her hand on my cheek lingered a moment before that faded too.
Chapter Twenty-One
Even as Kaspian helped me to my feet and I made exclamations of astonishment (a lot of “What the fuck just happened?” and “Was that really a goddess?), men and women in medieval armor surrounded us. I jerked back, but then they saluted Kaspian. A group within that group—all male, all massive, and all emitting an air of importance—separated themselves from the others and came forward.
One of them offered Kas his cloak. “Your Majesty, the city and our dread have been in a panic since your disappearance. Sir Galver and Sir Hapsedes saw you get pulled into a column of light. We've searched for you everywhere. I can't express how relieved we were when you were sighted above the city, coming through yet another portal of light.”
I stared at the man. His words sounded strange, but I understood them. Were they English? Had to be. And yet, as I recalled the Goddess's words, I realized they weren't. Something had blossomed in my mind by simply being in her presence. Or maybe it was this world. Kas had learned English in seconds. This must be what he had experienced. Except now, I was speakinghislanguage.
Holy. Shit. I'm in another world. And that guy over there has wings! So does that guy! Except they're different wings. Angel and demon wings. Are there fucking angels and demons here? Oh, fuck. Is this what we based heaven and hell on? Is Serai the source of all human myths? Do not freak out, Met. Keep it together. You've got Kas with you, and that's more than he had when he got to Earth.
“Thank you.” Kaspian slung the cloak around his shoulders and fastened it. “The Goddess took me to another world to claim my mate.” He put his arm around me.
Mate. Right. We were married. Mated. Whatever. What the fuck is happening right now?!!!!
As if Kas could hear my mental breakdown, he whispered to me, “I am here. You are not alone.”
Meanwhile, the soldiers in the special group inclined their heads to me while the other group murmured to each other in amazement.
“This news compounds our joy, sire.” The guy made a fist and pounded it on his metal chest piece. “Congratulations on your mating! To have the Goddess herself take you to another world to find your mate is the greatest honor. I doubt the dread will need much convincing to accept him. On my part, I offer my acceptance now.” He turned to me and bowed. “Welcome to the Aravult Dread, King's Mate.”
The other soldiers cheered as Kaspian grinned.
I looked from Kas to the soldier. “Thank you.” I held out my hand. “I'm Demetrius. Call me Met.”
The man blinked, but quickly took my hand. “I'm honored to meet you, Duke Demetrius Met. I am Sir Vadron, one of King Kaspian's guards. Now, I will guard you as well.”
“Thank you. Nice to meet you, Sir Vadron. But it's just Met, not Demetrius. Met is short for Demetrius.” I looked at Kas.
He nodded. “You're doing well, Mate. Don't be afraid. I will look after you now.”
