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Chapter One
Natia
Tauruses remember everything you do and don’t do.
Few people are staunch atheists. The belief in the divine provides those who strive for a good life the comfort they will go on to a better place; Heaven, paradise, Eden, Valhalla, Nirvana. Almost everyone has a quintessential ideology of Heaven. The promise of seeing their lost loved ones, to live in peace, fulfill dreams which were out of reach in their mortal lives. There are those who believe in rebirth, the eternity of the soul, that is recycled into a new body. Each lifetime brings a new set of challenges and lessons to be learned. I have always believed in a higher power, an assurity we aren’t spinning alone on this rock in this vast universe.
That said, I don’t believe Heaven is the same for me as it is for you. Our creator strived to give us what our version of peace looks like, and in doing so, they reveal the true meaning of Heaven to be a construct of our own minds. However, it doesn’t make it any less real. On the contrary, each soul adds a facet to the great kingdom that continually reshapes and refines what Heaven means, making it the greatest, most advanced technology in the universe.
Of course, you can’t believe in Heaven and ignore Hell. According to Thomas Cromwell, ‘You can’t have your cake and eat it too.’ There have to be some repercussions for those not dedicated to a good life. A yin to the yang. A balance. I was lucky enough to have landed in the yang.
I close my eyes and push my bare foot against the worn wooden railing, the swing chair rocking in a slow rhythm. The delicious scent of baking apples and cinnamon drifts out of the window and onto the porch. The tall grass rustles in the balmy breeze and the sun shimmers in the cloudless cerulean sky. My loose hair lifts in the air as the warmth bathes my skin.
“Natia, come pour the tea.”
I open my eyes and smile. I’ve been here a few months and I never tire of hearing her voice. She’s everything; home, safe, love-she’s my heart. She’s my slice of Heaven.
“Come on, child, stop daydreaming.”
I smile and jump up, my pale blue summer dress swishing around my calves and the wooden boards creaking as I push open the front door and find Gran busy setting the table for three. She’s pinned her silver hair in a neat bun, flour smudges dotting her cheeks and red and white spotted apron. We don’t have guests; we have peace. No angst, no arguments. Each day brings a sense of fulfilment I didn’t think was possible. I’d given everything for this world and in return, it had granted me a place where I lived unencumbered by the weight of poor decisions and guilt. But there is this niggling suspicion—one I can’t shake—that somewhere there is a soul which matches mine. Each night as I fall into slumber, I dream of impossible golden eyes and awake with a pang of sadness, my cheeks damp from the tears shed in sleep. The memories slip into the night, leaving my heart light again.
“Who’s coming?” I ask as I carry the white china teapot decorated with pink and lilac roses to the kitchen table set with matching tea cups.
She settles herself at the head of the table. I follow and sit to her left, frowning at the third setting.
“Did I ever tell you how you came to be in my and your grandfather’s care?”
I turn my head away from the third setting and face my gran, my brow furrowing. “Mum and Dad didn’t want a child in the end. They enjoyed their independent high flying life, and I cramped their style.”
She sips her tea before putting the cup down on the saucer. “Yes and no. I had a difficult birth with your father and it made me unable to carry another child. We lost two daughters before we stopped trying.”
I reach over and cover her hand with mine. She flips it and grasps my fingers. “I’m so sorry, Gran.”
She nods. “Your mother didn’t want her body to be ruined by a pregnancy, so they had a surrogate carry you; I think that’s why your mother and father never fully bonded with you. It was clear even in your first days that me and your grandfather needed to intervene. You were the daughter we prayed for.”
She glances at me. I should be upset, but I haven’t seen my parents for twelve years. I have little emotion for them.
“Do you think we pick our parents?” I ask.
Gran’s lips stretch into a smile. “Yes, and I believe you chose me and your grandfather. I was just unable to carry you so, in true Natia fashion, you found a creative solution to get what you needed.”
“I couldn’t have asked for better parents.” We smile as shared memories of our life together pass between us. I pick up the teapot and pour myself some tea. Three gentle raps at the door carry through the small living area, making me drop the teapot the final inch. It clatters, but doesn’t spill. I push my chair back, stand, and glance at the third setting.
Gran rises and puts her hands on my shoulders, squeezes, and pushes me towards the front door. “Don’t keep him waiting, Natia.”
My fingers curl around the handle, my heart thudding in my chest. The thump, thump, thump, like the sound of war drums warning me that opening this door will shatter the peace I have found. Whoever is here will turn my world upside down. I drop the round door handle and fist my hands at my sides. The dark figure blocks out the sunlight through the net curtain covering the glass. My breathing picks up speed, and I take a step away from the door and stare at my bare feet.
Gran bustles past me with a huff. “Silly girl, he’s not here to hurt you.” She throws open the door and a rush of warm air fills the room. His footsteps are heavy and deliberate as he approaches. Power fills the room, making the hair on my arms prickle in awareness. Memories push at my mind, tempting me with their knowledge. My hand skims over my shoulder, my fingers finding the indents.
I shake my head and drop my hand. If I remember, it will break my heart. Fingers cup my chin as he guides my head up. I slam my eyes closed. He chuckles, the sound warm and enticing.Grow a pair, Natia.I suck in a breath and flick my eyes open, coming face to face with the man who knows everything.
“It’s time,” he rumbles.
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Chapter Two
