Page 10 of Finding Embers and Stars (Twin Flames Duet #1)

Chapter ten

I ’m mated to my best friend and her wolf. Ashley was right when she said today was filled with mind fuckery. It's only the afternoon and my brain already feels like it's going to leak out of my ears.

“Okay, so giant life-altering information aside, would it be possible to get a coffee and maybe a hot chocolate for Piper?”

Felix and Ashley jump up to go get drinks for everyone. While Jack clears his throat to get our attention. “If you could do anything, what would it be?”

Piper and I share a look, clearly both thinking back on our conversation from the drive here. “If we're talking dream jobs, then we want to be authors. Specifically, co-authors. One day I'm sure we will get there, but it will take time and money we don't have.”

This time it’s Rory who clears his throat. “If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?”

Piper takes the lead with this question. “Well, once we become best-selling authors in our dream world, we want a house in the mountains preferably with a stream or lake and then a beach house in Florida.”

I laugh at that because yeah, like we will ever accomplish having everything we’ve ever dreamed of. “So, in about twenty-five to thirty years from now, come over for a beach party.”

Nox looks over at us with a small smile. “Did you know that butterfly dragons have two abilities that we all share? We each have unique powers, but one thing we can all do is turn any metal to gold while we sleep. I have been alive a very long time, and with the help of Sam and his father Mark, I’ve become a very wealthy dragon. The four of us decided to take our ability to turn any metal into gold and use it to help people through the shelter. We’re going to set you each up with five million dollars so that you can concentrate solely on your writing.”

Before I can even open my mouth, Rory steps closer. “One of my abilities is to make dreams a reality. I get the feeling the houses you spoke of are ones you've dreamed of? We would like to give you those as well. We have properties all over the world. Sam can get started on looking to see if we have something that will fit your needs or if we need to find and purchase land. That would take a bit longer. That is, if you’re agreeable to accepting our help.”

Piper seems to find her voice and stands up, grabbing my hand. “All of this seems great, but what’s the catch? You're just going to give us 10 million dollars and two dream houses for nothing?”

Rhoda clears her throat. “Yes, we will do all that and more for anyone who needs it. We have all of this and can make gold overnight. There is no ulterior motive. We want to help as many people as we can. What the female shifters have to go through because of your father is just one of the reasons we started the Sanctuary. In fact, when we first started this place, he sent his goons down here to threaten us several times. It wasn’t until he sent an elder of your pack here that we were able to stop the harassment.”

Piper gasps but doesn’t interrupt. We are both hanging on Rhoda’s every word.

Rhoda smiles sadly. “Here is where the truth may be hard to hear. All I ask is that you let me finish the story.”

I exchange a look with Piper, but I can tell we are both desperate for answers. At my firm nod, Rhoda continues.

“Visions like mine have a price. Often the price is knowing that for the greater good I must not interfere. Or I must wait until a specific event has happened before I offer my assistance.” The look of heartbreak on her face gives me pause.

A sudden feeling of foreboding sends a chill down my spine. My raven spreads her wings, nuzzling into me within my mind, she’s offering what comfort she can in this strange situation.

“As much pain and suffering as you’ve endured these last two years, and your entire life. I knew that the only way your father would ever be stopped was if you stayed with his pack through the Ceremony of the New Moon. The events of that night, including Sage bonding with Atlas, were required for there to be a possibility of a future without Richard Ferguson’s evil.”

What. The. Fuck.

I feel like my mouth is permanently hanging open in shock at this point. Piper, on the other hand, is already moving. Standing slowly, she walks across the room to Rhoda. I feel the tension in the air. Every single man in the room is tense and ready to grab Pip if she becomes violent, but they are giving her the chance to approach Rhoda unhindered.

Everyone lets out a breath when Pip wraps Rhoda in a hug. “I’d go back to him in a heartbeat if that’s what it takes to keep Sage and her parents safe. If waiting means that we’re safe now, it was a price worth paying.”

Rhoda wilts against Piper’s shoulder. The sheer relief in every line of her body tells me just how worried she was that we would hold her decision against her.

When Rhoda steps back, she wipes the tears from her face, offering us a sad smile. “Being a Goddess isn’t as easy as everyone thinks. Quite often, the decisions I’m forced to make are between two evils. To rescue you, sparing you years of abuse, or wait for the necessary events to pass so you have a chance of defeating your father.”

“Hold the fucking phone. A Goddess? Who exactly are you?”

Chuckles break out around the room, but no one offers to step into the silence that my question has left. Rhoda takes Piper’s hand and steps towards me, holding out her free hand for me to take. When I do, I feel the power surge through her skin, sending tingles along my fingertips.

“My name is Rhoda; I didn’t lie or deceive you. However, I’m better known by another name—the Moon Goddess. Mother Universe, or Hera as she prefers to be called, is my mother.”

“Holy shit. I did not see that coming.”

Ashley and Felix walk back in and start handing out drinks. Their arrival gives me a minute to compose myself. I can tell that Pip also needs a few minutes after what Rhoda just said. Ashley hands me my coffee and gives my shoulder a light squeeze.

Felix hands Piper her hot chocolate. “I don't drink coffee, but I have a slight obsession with hot chocolate. This is my special recipe. I hope you like it.” He gives her a shy smile and sits back down.

Archer looks over at Felix, a wicked grin crossing his face. “I sure hope you didn't give her your special cum chocolate.”

Thankfully, Piper hasn’t taken a drink yet or it would be all over the table. “Ummm, his what chocolate? Please tell me that's a joke because if there is cum in this cup, I’m going to lose all the shits I have left. I think that may have just ruined hot chocolate for me.”

At this point, Archer is doubled over laughing and poor Felix’s face is a deep red. Taking pity on him, Ashley punches Archer and leans towards Piper to explain. “I promise there is nothing but chocolate and cream in there. That was an inside joke from when Felix was putting white mocha sauce in his hot chocolate and my pervy angel said it looked like he was making a cup of cum chocolate.” Piper sighs in relief and takes a large sip, humming in delight.

Now that I’ve composed myself a bit, I look at Rory. “Would it be agreeable? Has anyone actually turned you down before?” He shakes his head and everyone chuckles. “Rory, a one-night stay in a sleazy motel so we could shower and sleep in a bed would be agreeable to us. What you guys are offering is beyond our wildest dreams. We accept everything you've offered with one stipulation.” I glance over at Piper. I have a feeling she will approve of my plan. At her eager nod, I turn back to Rhoda, who is waiting with an indulgent smile and raised eyebrow.

“When we’re here in Wyoming, we would like to help in any way we can with your shelter. Pay it forward, so to speak. I agree that what Alpha Dick does to the females is atrocious, and he needs to be stopped. Piper never let me cast a spell to make his dick fall off, but I have high hopes one day she will.”

Rhoda looks impressed. “We always welcome help from anyone with a pure heart. Which you have just made even more obvious by your request.”

I blow out a breath that I feel like I've been holding since we fled the ceremony. Somehow, things are looking up. We’re going to be ok.

Cobalt walks up to me, his dragon head nudging my hand holding my coffee cup. “When you were shifted, Roux saw scaring on your wing and you mentioned you were hurt during the ceremony. Would you shift so I can heal you further to make sure you have full use of your wings? Normally, we would also have our resident doctor look you over, but Ben, Lacy, and their daughter Olive are on vacation.”

Stunned, I look over at Roux. His eyes hold a level of pain that astounds me. “I know what it's like to have wings and not be able to fly. I was held captive for a very long time with broken wings. Cobalt healed me when I was freed. He gave me back the sky.”

I stand and shift into my raven form. Piper leans down and gently lifts me to the top of the table and I spread my wings out as best I can. My left wing is tight when I try to fully stretch it. My healing spell can only do so much. It’s why Piper is still covered in scars even though I used magic to heal her repeatedly.

I hear murmurs of surprise behind me. I'm not sure if it's the damage to my back or the runes I have there that have caused such a reaction. Ivar gets up and walks around behind me.

I look over to Cobalt and watch his eyes light up when he leans his nose against my wing.

Ivar’s voice comes from over my shoulder. “These are the runes for protection. Love, wisdom, and strength. You have a lot of power, little hybrid.”

Roux looks at Ivar. “When I was speaking to Atlas, he kept referring to Sage as ást Mín. Do you know what that means?”

A grin spreads over Ivar’s face. “Yes, it means ‘my love’ in old Norse. Sage, do you have any old Norse descendants in your family line?”

Cobalt finishes healing me, and I spread my wings out before taking off from the table and flying around the room. Once I land on my chair and shift, I have tears streaming down my face as I look at Cobalt. I can’t believe that he healed me. Hell, even the scars I expected to see are just faint silver lines that you have to squint to see.

“Thank you for healing me. I was attacked before I could fly at the ceremony. That was my first flight. To answer your question, Ivar, yes, my dad's side of the family is all Norse. I’m the first one born in America.”

Rhoda clears her throat, her gaze focused on Piper. “I can remove your scars if you want me to?”

I watch the emotions fly across her face, from excitement, to anger, then to acceptance. What she is accepting I’m not sure, but I can’t say I’m surprised when she shakes her head no. “Thank you, Rhoda. I appreciate that but I think I will look into getting a tattoo instead.”

Rory flies to the ground and shifts into his human form. He looks at Zeke, who gives a small smile. “Zeke is renowned for his tattoos that cover scars. Rhoda and Shasta make a potion that allows him to see exactly what you want without having to tell him. And as you just saw, Cobalt can heal it instantly. I thought maybe if you want the scars covered, Zeke could tattoo one of you while I put the other to sleep and get to building your dream homes. I know it’s been a long few days, but if we do this now you can get comfortable in your new home tonight.”

I look at Piper to check on how she's doing and get a slight nod from her. “Okay. Well, the beach house is my dream while the mountain house is Piper’s, so would it be better to build that one first and I'll go with Zeke, then we can switch?”

I stand up and pull Piper into a hug. I whisper in her ear so no one else can hear, “This is the first day of the rest of our life. I love you Pip, if you want to dream up a hot tub along with the best soaking tub in all the land, I wouldn't be upset at all.” I grin at her as I step back. She shakes her head at my antics and shoos me out of the room.

I follow Zeke and Cobalt down the hall to his office. “Would you be more comfortable lying down on your stomach or sitting in a chair?”

I think about it for a minute. “I think a chair would be more comfortable for me if that’s okay with you?”

Zeke hands me a button-up shirt and gestures to a massage chair that will allow me to lean forward while he works on my shoulder.

“Put the shirt on backwards so I can open it and then crack the door when you are ready for me.”

I get changed quickly and crack the door like he asked. Zeke walks back in and grabs a potion bottle off the shelf. “This will allow me to see what image you want. May I put it on your forehead?”

I nod my head and watch as he dabs it on himself and then on me. He gets everything set up and Cobalt comes over and sits next to my other shoulder and starts purring. “I hope it's okay that I'm here with you. I can feel your anxiety and want to put your mind at ease.”

I can’t get over how amazing everyone is here. I lean down and rub my nose along his. “Thank you, Cobalt. All of you have made this so much more bearable. I don't know how we're ever going to repay you.”

Zeke wheels around in front of me. “There’s nothing to repay. I’m not sure why, but out of everyone we’ve helped, you and Piper feel like family. We would do this for anyone, but I have a feeling that a lifelong friendship has started today with all of us. If either of you ever needs anything, we’re here for you.”

He wheels behind me. “Okay, are you ready? The potion has a pain suppressor, but you will feel some pressure. Just lay your head down and try to relax.”

I do as he suggests and feel his hand on my shoulder. The sounds of the tattoo machine mixed with the scent of the green soap he's using on my skin are calming. I don't know how much time has passed when he gives my back a final wipe and tells me to stand up and take a look. I didn’t even notice Cobalt healing me.

Turning my back to the full-size mirror, I hold up the handheld one to see my reflection. There’s a wolf covering my shoulder and half of my back. It's a stunning, realistic image of Atlas surrounded by the most beautiful watercolor I’ve ever seen.

I turn to Zeke with tears in my eyes. “Thank you. This is the most beautiful artwork I've ever seen. I didn't even realize I needed to have Atlas on me.”

He gives me a big hug while Cobalt flies over and lands on my shoulder to start purring again. Today is the first day in years that I’ve felt truly safe.