“I refuse to raise a child of his. Take him and raise him as yours.” Fate’s voice softened as she turned to leave. “He won’t replace the one you left behind on Earth, but maybe your heart will ache less when you hold him.”
Tears fell from Joro’s eyes as she clutched the child to her breasts. “Why would you care about any pain I feel? I was responsible for your marriage ending and the destruction of the child in your womb. You even saved me when Mother would have sent me to Hades. I deserved the punishment I received.”
Her puzzled words had Fate clenching her hands. She was shaking; the delivery had not been an easy one, and she didn’t need to be reminded of the treachery Joro had committed. However, Joro’s words brought back the memories of the day that her marriage to Valentine had been broken irrevocably, resulting in the death of her unborn child. Recollections that still brought tremendous sorrow to her heart, which left her vulnerable. Fate stifled the emotion just like she had always done.
The day Joro had been responsible for changing Fate’s life had begun with morning sickness and a sense of dread lying heavy in the air. Unable to see her own future, Fate had only been able to sense the danger that was coming closer to revealing itself. It was to be Fate and Valentine’s fourth child, and Fate had sensed the sweet girl’s timid movements within her womb.
She had been nervous as soon as the child had been conceived; her powers enabled her to see the child’s fate. Fate saw the darkness. She knew that the child would never be born, yet Fate prayed to Mother and took all precautions, staying home and resting, doing everything possible to ensure the health of her unborn child. She had even summoned Merlin to her home to bind her power of travel. An unborn child could not transport, and Fate did not want to take a chance on utilizing a power that was employed several times a day without thought. Merlin would bind that power until after the child’s birth.
Merlin did not respond to her request immediately; it was only after her third summons—when she had threatened him with Mother’s involvement—that he had finally come to her castle.
Valentine had been by her side as Merlin entered, both men remaining silent as he readied his potion. It was only when Fate noticed his shaking hands and pale features that enlightenment finally dawned.
“You have already placed a bind on one of my powers, haven’t you?” A God or Goddess could have no more than one bind on their powers. Mother had placed the safeguard for their protection. Merlin had never been known for his courage; he was aware that he would face not only Fate’s anger but also Mother’s when his duplicity was discovered.
“She begged me to. I did not want to, but she wouldn’t stop until I agreed.” Merlin’s pale face was a testament to the severity of his actions.
“Who?” Fate had questioned. She had many enemies, but what Merlin had done was a punishable offense by Mother.
“Joro.”
Fate nodded. He had always been a sucker for a pretty face. He was a wimp, and a horny one at that. It wouldn’t be the first time Merlin had been seduced to gain access of his tremendous skills.
“What power did she want bound and why?”
“Your ability to see Joro and her lover during their encounters.”
“There would be only one reason that would be important to Joro.” Fate turned to her husband, the guilt evident on his face.
“You knew?” Her husband flinched at her question.
He nodded, his hand reaching out to touch her.
“Don’t you dare touch me.” Valentine withdrew his hand.
“Send for her,” Fate ordered her unfaithful husband.
“Fate, wait until you’re not so upset. Remember our child.” Fate’s brow rose at her husband’s words of caution.
“Send for her.” Fate spoke softly. Pain that she never believed a Goddess was capable of feeling was tearing her apart. She had sought to prevent this agony by choosing Valentine as her husband, yet even he had been unable to prevent the lure of other women.
Seconds later, Joro appeared next to Valentine. The defiance in her face spoke volumes. “You sent for me?”
Fate had believed Joro a friend; her attitude of contempt proved Fate wrong.
“I did. You dared to have Merlin bind my powers. I thought it only fair you were here when he removed the spell.”
Joro did not speak, however she watched arrogantly as Merlin worked his magic and removed the spell. Images flashed before her quicker than light. Fate saw each and every time they’d had their sexual encounters. The passion between them was evident and forced an unconscious whimper from her lips. Valentine stood quietly as every deception was revealed.
Fate looked at the beautiful woman with her black hair to her waist and the figure of a siren. Joro’s beauty had always drawn the Gods and Immortals. Fate’s was not the first heart she had broken by taking what belonged to another.
While all three waited for her reaction, Fate ruthlessly battled and suppressed the hurt and jealously that had her wanting to rip them apart. Other than the small whimper Fate had stifled and the trembling hand she placed on the small mound of her stomach, she made no further movement or sound until she had herself under iron control.
Staring into Valentine’s pained gaze, she spoke with finality. “I cast you out of my home and heart. Never will you be granted entry again. Leave and never return.” Ice dripped from her voice.
Valentine took a step toward her, but at her step backwards, he stopped. “I am sorry, Fate.” He had been married to Fate for centuries; he knew her well enough to know the finality of her words. No begging or pleading would sway her decision. For the health of his unborn child, not wanting to further upset her, Valentine disappeared, leaving Merlin and Joro to face Fate on their own.
Fate pinned Merlin with her cold stare. “I will not tell Mother of your actions.” Relief and fear warred on his tired, lined face. Fate would not let him off that easily. Her next words proved that. “In return, one day you will repay this debt upon my demand. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Fate.” Merlin wrung his trembling hands.
“Leave my home. I will find another to bind my power.” Merlin jerked at the insult, disappearing before she could change her mind.
Fate turned her attention to Joro, who stood unafraid before the powerful Moirai.
Laughing softly, Joro walked casually around Fate’s bedroom, touching her personal items; a perfume bottle, a diamond necklace, even picking up her nightgown lying on her bed, letting the cool silk run through her fingers before tossing it back on the bed.
“You should see your face.” Joro mocked her stern countenance. Disrespectfully, she sat down on Fate’s bed. “How the mighty have fallen.”
“You do not fear my anger or Mother’s?” Fate was surprised at her brazen attitude.
“Why should I feel afraid? I have never feared what you have in store for my future. You have said often enough we are mistresses of our own fate. I agree with you. As for Mother, she has never interfered with my affairs before. If you plan to keep your deal with Merlin, then I cannot be punished for binding your powers.”
Fate studied the slut lying on her bed. “May I ask why you decided to sleep with my husband?”
“My dear Fate, we did very little sleeping as I am sure you are well aware. I do not think that you were keeping Valentine very satisfied, which I rectified immediately.”
“I am sure you did.” Fate did not let the woman see she had struck a nerve.
“Don’t be bitchy, Fate. It is very unbecoming of a woman of your stature. Be thankful I’m letting him go. After your anger has time to mellow, your marriage will be better than before he fucked me.” Joro fell back on the covers, smiling smugly. Turning her head to the side so she could get a better view of Fate’s stiff figure standing by the enormous bed, she sighed and raised herself up until she was leaning on her elbows.
“It was never about you or Valentine; merely a fringe benefit. Valentine was a means to satisfy my needs. My goals
have been accomplished. Now I merely have to wait until the one I do want comes to me. Valentine will see to that for me. I needed his powers more than his cock, but as always, I must give to one before I can achieve the other.”
Understanding her machinations—Valentine had been a pawn just as Merlin had been to achieve the goal that Joro needed their combined power—Fate’s mind began to search the fabric of time for a change that, with her amateur skills, Joro had wrought in order to manipulate the one she truly desired. It took mere moments before the power Fate had wielded since time had begun found the small shift. Fear clenched in Fate’s stomach.
Turning abruptly, she ran out onto her balcony, frantically searching the star studded sky… There it was, hidden within the outer reaches of time. Joro was about to achieve her goal at another’s destruction.
Fate had only a fraction of a second to come to a decision. “I am truly sorry, little one.” Tears were choked back, and without hesitation, Fate disappeared.
Joro stood up at Fate’s disappearance. A strong wind blew in from the open balcony, wind throwing and pinning her to the floor while leaving Fate’s possessions alone. Joro lay helplessly on the floor as Mother in all her glory then walked regally into the room. Her fury was evident in the wind tearing and slapping at Joro’s skin.
“Your actions have cost the life of an unborn child that I had gifted upon my dearest friend. You fool, even in Fate’s anger she sought to protect you and earned your mockery.”