Page 17 of Guided by the Stars (Creating Destiny #1)

Her eyes fly up, stabbing into mine as she clenches her teeth, “I’m thinking, asshole.

It’s not every day I get dragged through misty shit into Olympus, where I’m told I’m in mortal danger and—” Something pops into her mind as panic strikes, draining the color from her face. “Shit! What about Bill and Jane?”

“Who?” we ask.

She looks between the two of us, hesitant to answer, but it’s only for a split second before she sighs, “My foster parents. Are they in danger because of me?”

“They’re not in danger. No one even knows they exist. Or cares. As for them, they won’t even be worried, time is slower in the Mortal World. We’ll get you back before they even realize you’re gone,” Daemyn is quick to answer, giving her a reassuring grin .

Her shoulders slouch as she releases the tension in them before she leans forward toward Daemyn’s mug.

“No!” we yell in unison, and it echoes through the kitchen. Nora’s mouth hangs open in shock, darting her eyes between the two of us. Daemyn jumps in, “This is ambrosia, it makes you immortal.”

Nora rubs her fingers against her temple, closing her tired eyes. “And what does that mean?”

“It’s what we drink to help us replenish energy, but for you it’s like a poison.” He shrugs, giving her hand a squeeze, trying to lighten the situation.

“Okay, so let’s start with the most logical question. I’ve heard all about your spying, your visions, and Zeus, but are you two ambrosia-drinking freaks like avenging gods or something?”

I uncross my arms and lean forward, looking at Daemyn before answering, “I’m a demigod living under Zeus’ rule and Daemyn is the god assigned to me.”

She scrunches her nose in an adorable way, turning to question Daemyn, “Wait, if you’re a god, why are you assigned to him? Isn’t a demigod like...less?”

I can see the tension building as Daemyn’s chest rises with each breath he takes.

Him being a lower god assigned to a demigod is demeaning in many ways.

He has the title, he just lacks the rank.

In some eyes, I’m fortunate to be the son of Zeus.

It awards me a greater strength and a higher status.

It’s a division in our world that I refuse to accept in our friendship.

He flexes his neck from side to side as he bites back the bitterness in his voice, “I’m a guard with lower family connections, so when I was assigned to Alexius’ family, I swore my loyalty to him and Zeus.

” Daemyn looks at me before continuing, “His family gives him more control, but I would like to think we’ve become friends over the years. ”

I lean over, putting my hand on his shoulder. We’ve been together for centuries, and he’s been the only concrete family I have had by my side. “We’re brothers, equal in every way,” I say, meaning every single word.

Nora isn’t touched by our heartfelt moment. Instead, she eyes me with caution, placing her hands underneath her legs and leaning back in her chair. Her mouth opens a few times, but she stops herself.

“Spit it out woman, what’s your question?”

Her brow creases, and she pulls her hand out, pointing her thumb towards Daemyn. “He said your family gives you more control. Who exactly is your family?”

“Zeus is my father and I’m under his and Hera’s rule,” I force out through clenched teeth. Although I anticipated this question, I hoped she’d miss the connection.

“You’re kidding me. Your dad is the one I’m in danger from. Like, the King of Gods? And you’re like, what? The prince in line to his throne?” she spits out, her beautiful face flaming with rage.

I’ve long ago given up on the illusion of hiding who Zeus is to me.

Yet the accusation of her words light my veins on fire and I slam my hands on the table, pushing myself out of the chair.

A growl escapes, and she flinches in response as I walk past her towards the sink, aiming my rage out the window and up into the sky.

I keep my back facing them as I hear Daemyn shift in his chair, inching it closer to her.

“Things work differently here. Zeus is a father, but he’s a ruler first. We’re all at his mercy, living only to follow his orders.

That doesn’t mean we operate the same. He wants power and we just want to be left alone,” he says, soothing her while somehow keeping an even tone, despite holding the same rage against them as I do.

“If you guys are gods or whatever, and our blood is special enough to have everyone chasing us, how can I trust that you’re not trying to do the same?

Or at least, the same as his Highness over there?

” She’s got it all wrong, but I’ll give credit where it’s due.

She’s smart enough to ask the right question.

With gods, you can never expect anything. Trust none of us.

Still feeling the tension, I place my pulsing hands into my pockets and swallow my rage as I turn to face them. “Let’s get one thing straight, woman. You might not trust us, but I’ll still promise you that Daemyn and I want nothing to do with your blood,” I grit out, hoping I kept my anger flat.

Her head snaps up with defiance and she lifts her head higher, “That’s right, my blood is diluted and not pure. Not good enough for you, but perfectly fine for your daddy.”

I bite down, trying to hold back the laughter this girl has somehow brought to my chest. She’s already driving me crazy, and she’s so adorable as she pouts. I break when she folds her arms, trying to challenge me. My laugh grows loud and her cheeks flame up again as she pulls her gaze away.

Daemyn is having just as hard of a time trying to control his own chuckle while still reaching forward and brushing her shoulder.

“Diluted and not pure just means generations in between. Your blood is still important enough for everyone to lust after. That’s not what we want.

We don’t want power, there is nothing to gain from it. Only those with the highest status do.”

Despite him managing to keep his words gentle, she offers no response and pushes herself out of her chair, avoiding both of us in the process. She leaves us standing alone as she heads up the stairs without saying a word.

Another chair skids across the hardwood floor as Daemyn gets up, grunting in frustration. He hates conflict as much as he despises Hera and Zeus. He avoids it, either that or he’s compelled to fix it. From the determination in his eyes, I can tell he’s about to make me apologize.

“What is wrong with you? You just ripped her from her world and then you embarrass her?” When I shrug in response, he sighs, “I’ll go send a message. Make her feel better.”

I listened and now find myself knocking on his bedroom door, trying to organize my thoughts on the proper way to grovel to this mortal girl.

Over the years, I’ve stopped interacting with them altogether.

They are just innocent and weak and don’t fit in our world.

They shouldn’t, but something about Nora makes me want her to understand, despite it going against my better judgement.

Unfortunately, there is no explanation to make this girl feel better. All I can do is give her hope.

“Who is it?” she asks after the third knock, making me wait it out.

“Alexius.” She doesn’t say a word and I continue to ramble, “Daemyn had to go out. He won’t be long. It’s game night. He has a thing for cards.”

Still silence.

“Nora, I’m sorry. I just need five minutes, then I’ll leave you alone. Or you can come back downstairs. Whatever you want,” I say as my last attempt. I definitely won’t beg for this.

“Fine, come on in Beast, just don’t bite,” she groans and a genuine smile pushes its way onto my face as I open the door.

She’s sitting in the bay window across from Daemyn’s bed, leaning her head against the glass.

She looks so innocent and hopeful, peering at the world outside.

Dread builds in me. The decision to protect her comes over me, igniting like fire.

Now, watching her, I can only hope on the stars that I did the right thing.

I brought her into this world, there has to be a way I can save her before she’s discovered.

I walk over, taking the seat beside her and she sighs, turning her head towards me as her delicate fingers play with the sun pendant around her neck. It’s kind of fitting, she’s the first warmth I’ve felt in a long time in this cold world. It suits her.

“What is it that you want, Alexius?” she asks.

Her hair is now in a braid, hanging over the side of her shoulder.

It’s lifted away from her face, giving the moonlight a chance to bounce off her stunning eyes.

They brighten as they grow wide when I lean forward, making sure we are face to face.

The smell of lavender hits me and I take in a deep breath, keeping steady eye contact, ready to make a promise that I intend to keep.

“Taking you was impulsive and I haven’t given you a reason to trust my words, but I can say without a doubt that I’m nothing like my father.

I know what he’s like, so I can’t say I regret what I did.

” She swallows hard, focusing her complete attention on me.

“I am sorry for the way I did it though. I don’t give my word lightly, I mean it when I say it.

For you, I vow I will do everything I can to protect you.

I just need you to try to trust us,” this time I swallow hard before continuing, “to trust me.”

She is staring at me, searching and looking for any deceit behind my words. Unease turns my gut with the strength of my request. I’m asking for too much. I know I am, but to my surprise, there is a firm truth behind what I said, I want this girl to trust me .

After what seems like minutes, she agrees, finding the answer she needed. “Yes, I will try to trust you guys. But your promise includes keeping Adriane safe as well.”

I give her the hardest nod I’ve ever given anyone, recognizing how dangerous this promise could be.