Page 42 of Guided by the Stars (Creating Destiny #1)

“Why the hell am I just learning this?” I hiss with annoyance oozing out from me. “You’re going to have to explain more than that!”

“I’m sorry Nora. I didn’t mean to lie. It’s just something we don’t talk about.

” He returns his focus to the water, narrowing his eyes, chewing his lip, and avoiding looking up at me.

“Nora, my father was Odysseus, and when we were young, he was killed in battle. By that time, my mother was already banished to an island. Without proper lineage left, my brothers and I became possessions,” he explains, his shoulders hunching over as his chin lowers to his chest.

I reach forward pulling him into a hug, praying in some way that I’m returning a fraction of the comfort he gives me.

The loss of family is never easy. It’s more than just the loss, you have to face life without them, while everything else around you has to change as well.

I ended up damaged under the care of the State, not knowing what my future would hold.

He loses his and becomes a possession. I have no doubt, with what this world offers, that being a possession is worse than any nightmare I would be able to dream up.

His hands find mine and he squeezes tight, finding the courage within himself to continue, “We became slaves to Poseidon. He trained us in all sorts of skills to help defend the gods we became offerings for. Not shortly after, Zeus assigned me to Alexius, and Jax to Hades’ son.

We were only kids when we were separated. ”

“I’m so sorry Daemyn. I lost my brother. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like if he was out there in a completely different world.” I truly can’t. I laid mine down to rest and despite missing him, I have the comfort of knowing the danger disappeared with him the day he died.

I rest my head on his shoulder, and ask, despite the potential to make him feel worse, “Daemyn, you said brothers, what happened to the rest?”

“Never miss a beat, Baby Girl, do you? Yes, brothers. Our younger brother, Zander, was kept in Poseidon’s domain. Jax and I discovered a way to stay in contact, but Zander...we haven’t heard from since. He’s trapped in a worse fate than we are.”

His body shifts as his hand reaches up to massage the back of his neck against the scar. “You felt that earlier, didn’t you?” he blurts out with a few awkward chuckles. “Sorry about that kiss. Well, maybe only a little. You have some nice lips, babe. No wonder Alexius can’t stop staring.”

“Not so fast! I’m learning your techniques, keep talking,” I say, lightly hitting my elbow into his gut for deflecting and using my embarrassment to his advantage.

“Damn. No need to get violent over here, it was just a kiss.” His laugh is contagious as his smile grows and I can’t help but join in. We have the weight of this world on our shoulders, yet Daemyn brings a lightness to everything around him. He can be pretty irresistible.

“Are you sure you want to know?” he asks after our laughter dies down and he becomes completely vulnerable, opening himself up to me.

I nod, and he strokes the back of his neck again.

“That used to be the mark to show Poseidon was my owner. Once traded, Zeus burned it off, rebranding me with his ownership.” He lifts an arm, placing his hand over mine, the lightning bolt tattoo facing me.

“It’s his family crest. The same one Alexius has on his chest. Mine is seared into my hand, making it visible to everyone.

It’s a special bond that makes me loyal to the family who gave it to me. ”

“What?” I whisper, my gut turning, making me sick. I was remembering Alexius explaining his back as a marking. “They’re not tattoos?”

“They’re markings, Nora. Each one of us has them.

It shows who we belong to or what crimes we have committed.

Each represents a story, matching whatever the ruling god thought we needed to learn.

Even Zeus. You saw him. He’s covered. Most of his happened during the reign of Cronus.

” He snorts before continuing, “The fucker even spins that around. His, the Almighty, represent everything he conquered to become the most powerful. His are unique compared to ours. ”

Tears prick at my eyes and I squeeze his hand tighter. It’s domination. “Daemyn, this isn’t right. Can’t Alexius release you? Couldn’t you two run away from this?”

“No, Baby Girl. It doesn’t work that way.

We are bound here together, to Zeus and Hera.

We are their examples of ownership, any signs of defiance in even the littlest ways and pain will find us.

Rumor has it that Zeus could even strike us with death.

There is no leaving this. We are here, stuck together, but you won’t be. We will get you out.”

Overwhelmed, I lean against him, wrapping my arms around him, not knowing what else to do. “I’m sorry, Daemyn. This isn’t fair. There has to be a way,” I whisper, holding on to him tight, wishing there was a way for us to vanish.

With reluctance, Daemyn’s mouth opens and closes a few times against my head before he sighs, “There’s one thing we can do, but it’s taking time for it to unfold.

We lost hope—” The sound of thunder cuts him off and he jumps off the rock, pulling me with him.

“We need to get home now. Alexius is already there.”

“Shit. We’re going to get in trouble?”

He picks up the pace with a small chuckle. “Yeah, Baby Girl, be prepared. We’re both getting spankings tonight.” He lets out a laugh before calling back, “On second thought, I think he’s itching to keep those only for you.”

I roll my eyes and try to keep pace, but once we reach the door, Daemyn turns serious, looking down at me.

“Just let me handle what happens. Alexius and I work well together because we respect our boundaries. He trusts that I will tell him something if I think it’s important.

Just let me do the talking tonight. As far as he is concerned, we came to the waters to relax. ”

“Daemyn, you don’t like to lie. I can’t ask you to do that. ”

“Let’s play it by ear. Right now, he’s got enough stress going on.

Let’s not add more because of Aphrodite to his plate.

She had absolutely no interest in you. I know for a fact she didn’t sense you.

Let’s face your Beast, shall we?” he says as he pushes the door open, making it too late for me to object.

His smile vanishes the same second my heart spirals into shock.

Alexius, covered in blood, is kneeling in the middle of the living room floor in nothing but his boxers.

His screams are erupting from deep within, coated in agony as his body convulses.

He’s shaking hard, looking at us when it all stops and he collapses to the floor.

“Alexius!” I scream as he lays limp in a puddle of his own blood, rocking his head violently from side to side.

“Fuck!” Daemyn hisses while running inside.