Persephone's Wolves, page 31
Ragnar walks over and picks up the slight stray curl around my face, popping it.
I stare up at his deeply blue eyes. “You look absolutely beautiful, Mairin Fall. No goddess in this world or the next could compare.”
I feel his words from my head to my toes, and I shiver.
Like, my mouth goes dry. “You guys look good too.”
Gods, that was a lame thing to say.
My cheeks burn as he laughs, deep and husky.
“And by the way, you really should have told me about Adira. I was blindsided by her,” I say while we are alone, just the three of us. I’d rather all four of them were here, but with their mental connection, they might as well be in the room. I sense them here, even now.
“I—we had no idea she would be here,” Ragnar starts off, holding his hands up. “It is complicated, but we can’t tell you anything about our home, and she’s part of that.”
“Dammit,” I mutter. “I understand that you told me you’re bound not to say anything about your home, but I find it hard to even understand where we are going. It’s just hard to find out that she’s here, and she’s a goddess of persuasion and seduction, and really close to you guys.”
“It’s not like that,” Valentine states, stepping to Ragnar’s side. “She’s like a little sister to us, and we are protective of her.”
“Adira is younger than you by three months, and she was the last one to be given the goddess’ powers. Her parents kept her hidden away until she was eight and then changed their minds. Wanted her to be close to us. You two were close friends, nearly as close to her as us,” he explains. “We found her in our search for you over the years. Adira had run away in the war, and humans, who also were on the run, had kept her safe, thinking she was like them.”
I loosen my shoulders a little. “There is something about her I don’t trust.”
Ragnar sighs, placing his hand on my shoulder. The small connection makes my body feel alive. “It’s difficult for her, as she is seen as an outcast. Try to speak with her, you may change your mind,” he suggests, but I suspect they don’t see her for who she really is, just the little sister in their mind. It makes me feel better; that raging jealous side of me is settled a bit.
The door is knocked three times, and Ragnar steps back from me. I glance towards Valentine as he heads to the door and pulls it open to find Commander Callahan there.
“Good afternoon,” he says, his voice deep. He doesn’t bother looking at Valentine or Ragnar. His eyes focus on me. “Mai.”
“Hello, Commander Callahan.”
“I wasn’t aware friends needed titles,” he smoothly replies.
“Who claimed we are friends?” I enquire, raising an eyebrow.
He places his hand on his chest, a smirk tilting his bow-shaped lips up. “Lady Mai, my apologies.”
I chuckle at the thick sarcasm.
Callahan slowly walks in, and Valentine stops him with one hand on his chest and pushes him back an inch.
“She is not your friend,” he growls out. “Look at her with those thoughts in your mind one more time, and I will rip your heart from your chest as you watch. Then my wolf will finish you off.”
I gulp at the sheer power in his words. He isn’t joking.
To his credit, Callahan holds Valentine’s gaze, his wings appearing from nowhere behind his back. I realise they must use a certain kind of magic to hide them.
When I realise they aren’t moving, I clear my throat and step forward only for Ragnar to wrap his arms around my waist and pull me to him.
And then he kisses me.
I’m so shocked I don’t move against him, my body pressed to his. His lips are warm as they possessively take my own, and I melt into his touch, my body responding to his as I kiss him back.
Longer than I should. I push away from Ragnar and glare at him. “Kissing me to show people I’m yours is not the reason you should kiss me!”
He is silent as I take a step away, his eyes stubborn, possessive, and filled with desire. I turn to Valentine. “And I’m allowed to make male friends without you threatening to kill them. You can’t keep me at a distance and then demand me as yours when there is a threat. That isn’t love, and I am not a possession of yours. I won’t be a possession of anyone’s ever again.”
“Mai—” Ragnar starts, but I step away from him and walk up to Callahan.
“Will you escort me to the celebration, Callahan?” I ask.
Callahan smiles and holds out his arm. “It would be an honour, Mai.”
I hook my arm in his, and he walks me out. I look over my shoulder at my alphas, who stare at me like they don’t know who I am anymore.
Maybe they don’t, because I have never been given the chance to be who I am, to find myself and my goddess. I owe a lot to them, but it never once meant they own me or my soul unless I willingly chose to give it to them. Hades and Persephone might have loved each other, but we are not them, and if we have a chance at anything in our future, we have to figure out what we are.
Because I am sure, deep within my heart, I am in love with them.
Completely in love with them, and if they don’t feel the same way, my heart will shatter.
I clear my throat and force myself to look away. Four angels fly into the room and land behind us as Callahan pauses.
“May I carry you?”
I nod, stepping into his space and wrapping my arms around his neck. His head rests near mine as he wraps his arms around my waist and then takes off. I gasp, pushing myself closer to him as he flies us around the room, and then he dives into one of the tunnels. I keep my head close to his chest, feeling his fast heartbeat against my chest as we spiral down the tunnels before he flies straight. The sound of melodious music fills my ears, and a woman sings over the piano, drums and harp. The beautiful sound is unforgettable. There are other sounds, women’s laughs, the clinking of glasses, and I can’t think straight from all the other scents in this giant room.
“Look up, Mai,” he whispers to me, and I do. Right above us, on the ceiling of the ballroom, is a river of water defying gravity. The river flows across the entire ceiling, moving slowly, and nothing drops from it onto the ballroom full of angels below. I reach my hand out, smiling as it sinks into the water that flows through my fingers.
“Incredible,” I say, my voice like a ghost.
I glance back at Callahan as he lowers us in the middle of the room, and I feel the judging gaze of many on us. “Indeed.”
I don’t for a second think he is speaking about the river. The river water casts a soft blue hue across the room as we land, and I step back from Callahan, inclining my head.
“There you are, Mairin,” Deimos exclaims behind me. “Thank you for bringing our dear guest, Commander Callahan.”
Callahan bows his head. “Naturally, I am at your service.”
Deimos looks directly at me. He is in a suit similar to what Valentine and Ragnar are wearing, but his trousers are white, and his shirt is a deep gold colour, matching what many of the men here seem to be wearing. Indra is at his side in a sparkling white dress that stops at her thighs and is tight around her waist. Their gold crowns look almost silver from the blue hue of the river.
“The river is amazing. How is that possible?”
“Magic, my dear Mairin,” he tells me with a crooked smile. “I’m sure you know little of angel magic, but anything to do with nature is our jurisdiction.”
“I know your leader, king, or whatever you like to call, him levelled cities of millions with this angel magic of yours. I’m not that ignorant of your world as you might think,” I reply. It hasn’t escaped my notice the lack of humans in this room; it’s all angels, but I suspect the humans are banned or hiding where they can’t be seen, like they aren’t people. Like they don’t have emotions or feelings. With that way of thinking, we are all animals. Emotions and common sense are the gold tickets we were given, human, angel or wolf. I sense Valentine and Ragnar landing nearby behind me with their angel guards, but I don’t look away from Deimos. He is under the impression I’m naive and easy prey.
I can’t let him think that any longer. “Well, well, well, Mairin. You are correct, of course, but do not judge a race on the actions of a few.”
I bite my tongue to stop from saying anything stupid or telling him how I really feel, after seeing the treatment of humans here. I don’t need any more proof of Deimos’s character.
“We leave you for a second and you cause trouble,” Silas whispers as he stops next to me, his arm brushed against mine. I know Valentine and Ragnar are nearby, but after what just happened, I can’t blame them for not being the one to come to my side. He raises his voice. “Deimos, Indra, do excuse us.”
Deimos inclines his head, and Callahan nods at me as he walks past to Deimos. Silas guides me away into the crowds, and many turn their heads our way, making me feel like an animal at a human zoo I once read about. Silas leads me over to Henderson, who is sitting on a stool, facing Adira, who is laughing.
The wolf is dressed in dark red silk wrapped tightly around her body like a snake. The material leaves little to be missed, and I admire the dress, the style of it, even if I don’t like the wolf in it. I remember Ragnar’s suggestion to try and be kind to her, and I have to respect that they clearly see her as an important member of their pack. I have to admit, I might have judged her too harshly, and I’m not too proud to admit I might be wrong about her. I can see why any female would be interested in the alphas, and I have no claim to them.
I can’t hate her for just that alone.
Silas stays at my side as I go over to them, and Henderson looks my way, his eyes brightening. “You are simply stunning, Mai. What do you think of the party?”
“It’s amazing,” I say with a grin and turn to Adira. “Hello, Adira. You look amazing in red.”
She smiles, and I try not to glance at the drinks lining the table, the thick blood resting in the glasses. Adira is easier to look at as she sips white wine. The scent of human blood fills the room, reminding me exactly what these creatures are. I can’t forget, even if some of them are growing on me. “It’s my colour, thanks.”
I turn back to Henderson, admiring his dark blue shirt, tight black trousers, and his hair brushed for once—though I did like it messy and casual.
“Dance with me, Silas? I love this song,” Adira asks him, and I try not to tense.
Silas moves past me and leans against the wall, his arms crossed. “I don’t dance for anyone.”
“Mai—” Henderson starts, but Adira is in front of him and talks over his words, making him pause.
“Dance with me, Henny? Don’t leave a girl waiting.”
Henny?
“Sure, Adira,” Henderson sighs, looking over her shoulder at me. “Can I have the next dance with you?”
“Yes,” I tell him, our eyes locking as Adira takes his arm and all but drags him into the dancers. I watch them as the music changes, turning slower and softer, a folk song about the beginning of the wolves. I heard it once in school, sung by a classmate who had a distinct voice. I loved the song so much, and my body sways as I watch Henderson guide Adira effortlessly around to the music.
For some reason, a deep sadness fills my chest as I watch them. They look perfect together. Her body fits next to his, and he laughs at something she says. Maybe—
“Dance with me, Mai,” Silas says, and I blink as he offers me his elbow.
My heart beats fast as I meet his winter snow eyes. “I thought you said you don’t dance for anyone?”
“You could never be just anyone, Mai.”
Every argument, every fight we have ever had, seems to flash before my eyes in this moment as I realise all of it was a tension between us. This tension, this unspoken thing we don’t want to admit.
I slide my arm through his, and he guides us onto the dance floor. I barely notice anyone as Silas takes me into his arms, tugging me hard against his chest with his one arm and holding my hand up with his other. He controls the dance. Even with my uncoordinated feet, he makes us look like we have danced together our entire lives.
I will never forget this, this stolen and unexpected moment of tenderness from Silas.
“When you were five years old, our mothers took us to a celebration for the goddess Psyche, deep within the forest. The others were grounded, but we had behaved, so they saw it as a treat of sorts. They danced naked under the moonlight while we sat by the trees, trying not to laugh for a while until things changed. They shifted and we both felt the magic in the air. The goddess was there,” he tells me, his eyes locked onto mine. “Your eyes glowed as bright as the emerald necklace my mother wore that night, and you secretly told me you wanted to dance even though we weren’t allowed.”
I can barely breathe as he suddenly dips me down and slowly pulls me up before spinning me around and pulling me back to him so my back is pressed against his front. I feel all of him at my back as he sways us to the music. “I took your hand and danced with you that night and then again every single year until the war and you were gone. That’s why I will never dance with anyone else, Mai. My dances were saved for you. You stole them when you were five.”
“Silas,” I breathe out his name, wanting to kiss him, even as I’m slightly overwhelmed.
The song ends, and before Henderson can get to me, I turn away from them both, speaking over my shoulder. “I need some air, and I will come back.”
None of them call for me as I rush through the crowds, dodging angels’ wings and anyone who tries to speak to me. My heart pounds quicker and quicker until I see the balcony ahead. The river flows above the balcony before falling down into a waterfall, blocking the view of the city. It’s like hiding inside a waterfall. There isn’t much fresh air as I step out and pause at the door, leaning down and pulling off my heels. I head to the balcony edge and stare at the running water flickering down in front of me.
I’m not alone for long. A certain angel joins me on the balcony, and I tense.
“I’m not your enemy, Mairin,” Deimos claims.
“I never claimed we are enemies, we just have different values on life,” I smoothly reply.
He doesn’t reply for a while before I turn to look at him. His eyes look out through the water, like he can see the city. “I am the viscount, through no small means, but I have never claimed to like killing or suffering but I cannot do what I wish. I can’t be seen as weak or my place would be taken in a second and this city would suffer. I’m smart in my choices. I am not my king, Mairin. If the king decided tomorrow to free humans and give us true ruling over our cities, I would throw parties that would last decades.”
“Really?” I question.
“My mother and father were murdered by angels, in jealousy of their natural power, during the war. They didn’t even know I existed, and they sure as hell didn’t expect what they thought was a weak angel to kill them in a blast of power,” he tells me. “I fought for this city, and I will until my dying breath, Mairin, but I cannot change anything. Other angels, even here in my city, hate humans for forcing them and their ancestors into hiding for years. They now see them as food, and they are plain terrified of wolves. The balance in this city, in this world, is unstable, and the few things I can change are always to protect the weak. Yes, that means the humans. The main rules are not set by me, so I would appreciate if you could take a step back from your judgment of me.”
I stay silent for a long time, processing his words. “I was treated with nothing but cruelty from the age of twelve, and I remember nothing of the kindness before. Any time I see someone suffering, I want to fix it, but I should not have blamed you. I am sorry for your parents, and I would like us to start anew.”
“Very well, Mairin—”
“You can call me Mai. I prefer it,” I interrupt, and he smiles.
“Mai,” he corrects. “The king bestows a certain amount of power on me, and with it, I can do many things like keeping this river running or protecting the city from the Levi and much more. But, in my family, we have a gift. My mother once told me the goddess Demeter blessed our family with this gift. I can touch your mind with my own and encourage your wolf out. I might even reveal a memory or two.”
My eyes widen. “That’s something I’ve wanted for a long time.”
“Then let me help you,” he suggests, offering me his hands, palms up. “Take my hands and close your eyes, and don’t fight me. It won’t hurt, but it will feel intrusive in your mind.”
“Okay,” I say, placing my hands on top of his. I close my eyes, and the second I do, a cold breeze brushes against my palms, like I’m touching ice, and then it feels like a car slams into my head. I gasp from the force, my legs wobbling, but I don’t let go. I hold on to Deimos’s hands as I hear a noise getting louder and louder until I recognise it as angel wings.
And I open my eyes. But instead of seeing Deimos, I’m in the arms of a man I don’t know. His wings are as black as the night, his eyes the same hollow black colour. We are flying over a clear blue sea, and I can see nothing else but the stars.
I close my eyes and open them one more time, this time to see a forest of cherry blossom trees and a blast of green shifter energy that shoots out from the trees and cuts into the sky.
The vision is gone quickly, and I stumble back into someone’s arms, and I turn to see Valentine.
“I got you,” he whispers to me as my legs give out, and he picks me up in his arms. Everything is spinning as my ears ring so loudly I can’t hear what they are altogether saying. Just before I black out, I hear Deimos loud and clear.
“She was sent a vision from the goddess. You must take her to the Cerasus Forest to find her wolf. To unlock her soul.”
Forty-One
“Does your name begin with an E?” I question the older human woman as she brushes my hair. Of course, she doesn’t answer me, but her lips twitch a little, making me think I was right. Yawning, I step off the stool when she is done and walk to the balcony, glancing at my dress that is shaped around my breasts, laced in the middle, and it’s the colour of sand. It falls to my mid-thigh, moving as I walk and hiding the dagger strapped to my thigh. The warm air blows against my shoulders as I look out at the glittering sea in the distance.
