Page 4

Chapter 4

Della

H olden and Sara walked hand in hand down the busy street of their village as I watched unseen by anyone. I waited for jealousy and anger to take over, but nothing even remotely close to that happened. Sighing heavily, I tried to force an emotion out. They walked right past me without noticing. How could Haden see me when I was supposed to be invisible but my mate couldn't? This was stupid. I had been following him for a week, and being around him was doing nothing. If anything, it made me think about Haden more. I huffed out an irritated breath because I had no desire for this bond to snap into place with Holden.

Haden and Holden may be twins, but they were not the same. I liked how tall Haden was, and his hands were rough from working hard labor. Gods, and the way he smelled was heavenly. Fuck, I didn’t even care to learn anything about Holden as I watched him all week. I buried my face in my hands and groaned loudly.

“Why must I be so fucked in the head?” I snapped.

Soft laughter behind me startled me. I knew it was Haden before looking.

“What are you doing?” I turned quickly, and Haden was smiling at me. My eyes traveled over his dirty clothing. He was sweating slightly, as if he had been in the sun working all day. I swallowed hard at how perfect he looked before having to look away so I wasn't gawking inappropriately. He had seen me again when I should have been invisible. Shit, I was buzzing with excitement that he had found me. No, I needed to not let those thoughts happen. He was not my mate. But that kiss in the alleyway had felt so… right.

“Nothing.” I narrowed my eyes on Haden.

“I was worried you were going to disappear for good.” He frowned as he looked over at me. “It's been a week.”

“I was busy.” Guilt clawed at me when I saw just how disappointed he was.

He glanced over at me like he had missed me, then ran his hand through his sweaty hair.

“You look upset that I am here.” His brows furrowed. Instantly my fake anger dissipated. I really didn’t like him looking at me like that.

“Sorry, it’s been a strange week.” That was the truth. “I’m happy to see you.”

Haden smiled as he stepped closer, his scent hitting me.

“Oh yeah? Then why didn’t you come back sooner?”

“Like I said, I was busy.”

“Liar.” He called me out immediately. “Tell me the truth.”

I sighed and put my hands on my hips.

“Are you always so damn difficult?” I asked. Haden nodded, but I did not back down with his intense gaze. “You scare me.”

He looked at me, surprised, then stepped backward to give me space.

“I don’t think you will harm me, Haden,” I said quickly. “I am scared about this whole thing happening between us. Don’t you think it’s odd?”

“Not at all.” He shook his head.

“Well, maybe that is part of the problem. You are just letting us be reckless.” I accused him purely because I needed someone to blame.

“There is nothing reckless about this, Ardella. Why are you really trying to downplay this?” He smiled brightly, his feelings almost radiating from him, and my stomach fluttered at how perfect he was. “You told me I could kiss you, so technically you are the reckless one.”

I felt my cheeks heat immediately as he laughed. Gods, I liked that noise. Was there anything about him that I didn't like? My gaze traced over him, looking for anything.

“You like what you see?” He stepped forward. “Do you think of me like I think of you?”

I swallowed hard and nodded.

“I do, and that is the problem,” I said in a defeated tone. His eyebrows shot up into his dark blonde hair.

“Why do you look so surprised by that?” he asked.

“Because we don’t know each other at all. This is moving too fast.”

Haden stepped closer to me, so we were a foot apart. “Do you always lie this much?” he asked in a breathy tone.

He called my bluff. His head tilted to the side, amused by my sudden flustered state. “Something that feels like this can’t be… rushed, especially if it feels like fate. It will happen as it is meant to happen.”

His words made me pause. Gods, he sounded as if he thought I was his mate. But fae didn’t get fated mates often. It usually only happened for gods and very powerful elite fae or witches.

“Fine,” I sighed. “I am scared by how much I feel for you, and it scares me that I do not think it is happening too quickly.”

Haden reached out for me, his hand rubbing the side of my face. How did he do this, act like we had been doing this for years? His thumb rubbed back and forth on my cheek.

“You’re so pretty when you’re flustered.” His words immediately made my eyes close so I could soak it in. “I will keep in mind that you like me telling you how pretty you are.”

I opened my eyes, and they flashed white with overwhelming emotions. Haden bit his lip to stifle back a smile. He was a damn tease.

“Do you flirt with everyone?” I asked. Instantly jealousy bloomed in my chest at the thought of him flirting with another woman. Fuck, this is how my mating bond was supposed to work with Holden.

“No.” He smiled. “Only you get my flirting, Ardella.”

“Good,” I said before I shut my mouth. I was worried that I was going to say things that were too personal. Haden's eyes practically shined with his happiness. My chest ached with longing for him. I liked that I made him happy. Haden ran his hand through his hair before glancing over his shoulder like someone would be standing there. His smile was contagious when he turned back to me.

“Are you busy right now?”

“No.” I was desperate to spend time with him. His eyes softened as he held out his hand, and I took it immediately. He walked up the path of the village. The fae in town stared at us, probably wondering who the hell I was. Haden stopped at a small vendor that was selling some sort of pastry. It smelled delicious. The two women behind the stand smiled at him, but when they saw him holding onto my hand, both of their smiles fell. I squeezed his hand tighter, and he looked over his shoulder, smiling at me.

“Haden,” one of them purred, completely ignoring me. “We’ve missed you. It’s been weeks.”

He gave her a tight smile.

“I’ve been busy. I’ll take two of my regular.” He looked over at me. “Do you prefer strawberry or blueberry?”

“Either is fine.”

“I’ll take two of each flavor then.” He pulled out money and set it down on the wooden table. The women glared at me, but I ignored them. Haden grabbed the pastries and thanked them before dragging me up the street again. I couldn’t help but smile. I’m sure Haden had his fair share of women chasing after him, but I liked that he didn’t pay any attention to it.

Haden cut across a tall field of dead grass. Gods, I needed to stop wearing dresses and heels. He looked back to see why I was slowing down, glancing down at my feet and back up to me. He handed me the pastries before he scooped me up and started walking again.

“You don’t have to carry me,” I said quickly.

“Trust me, I do. We have to make it through the woods, and you're in heels and a dress.”

A smirk tugged at his lips as he glanced down at me. I gripped our pastries in one hand and wrapped my arm around his neck. Haden's arms tightened on me, holding me as close to him as he could.

“Noted.” I chuckled. “I will stop wearing dresses and heels when I come.”

Haden looked at me oddly.

“If you want to keep wearing them, then I will carry you whenever you need me to.” His gaze lingered on mine.

I leaned up and kissed his cheek. Haden stopped walking and pressed his lips to mine. Then, he pulled away and started walking through the forest of birch trees like he hadn’t just left me breathless. The leaves were starting to change orange and yellow with the season. It was so pretty. I lifted my head toward the sky and watched the canopy of leaves pass by us, content to be in his arms.

After a minute, we broke through the tree line and made it to a half-built house. I recognized it instantly as his house. He set me on my feet and turned around with his arms spread out.

“What do you think?”

“I didn’t realize you had already started building it.” I stepped toward it. The property it was on was stunning. It was a large, grassy field surrounded by large birch trees. To the left of the house was a large pond with birds floating on the surface. I inched forward as my gaze tried to take in everything at once.

“I was going to work on it a little bit. Do you want to hang out with me while I do?”

“Yes.” I nodded.

He grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the steps that led to the doorway. Haden had the floor down, and the frames for the walls were up. The roof was on, and he had some walls on the outside finished.

“So, when you walk in, there will be a pretty foyer with lots of windows so the sun can filter in. To the left will be a big sitting room.” He pulled me to the right. “This will be the dining area and a huge kitchen that has a view of the pond.”

Haden turned to me to see my reaction. His eyes gleaming with excitement.

“This is going to be such a beautiful home, Haden.” I smiled at him before dropping his hand and walking in a small circle, admiring the work he had done already. I ran my hand over the cabinets he was making in the kitchen. He was talented. Haden moved a makeshift stool over to me so I could sit. He reached in the bag of pastries and handed me one of them. I grabbed it and took a bite.

“Gods, that’s fucking good.” I groaned and took another bite.

Haden laughed softly as he ate one too. He kept glancing at me without saying anything. His eyes drifted over my outfit, and I shrank back slightly. Did he like the way I looked?

“What?”

“I like the dresses you wear,” he said softly. “Even though they are far fancier than any maid I know could afford.”

I stilled at his accusation. He started working on the cabinets, but he kept looking at me, waiting for me to say something.? Great, he knew I was lying about my job.

“I’m not a maid.”

“I know, Ardella.” He laughed. “Why’d you lie?”

“Because I didn’t know what to say.” That was the truth of it all. I had no idea how to tell someone I was a goddess. Would they even believe me if I said that to them?

“How about the truth?”

“The truth feels complicated, and I worry that you won’t believe me.”

Haden stopped whatever he was doing to the cabinet and looked at me. He frowned slightly before continuing.

“I promise I’ll believe you. I just don’t want you to feel like you have to lie to me. Honesty is the best foundation of a relationship.”

“Is this a relationship?” I asked.

Haden nodded once, confirming what I already knew. I liked him way more than I should have so quickly, but he was just as fucked in the head because he felt the same. I nodded as I nibbled on the second pastry. My chest tightened with worry as I stood up and set the food on the small bag. I squared my shoulders as if that would make me feel more confident. But as soon as I met Haden’s stormy eyes, I deflated.

“I don’t have a typical job.” I started, and he nodded as if to encourage me. “I’m… gods, this is going to sound crazy.”

Haden watched me without his face changing.

“My name is Ardella, and I am the Goddess of Life.” I stared at Haden, looking for any indication that he thought I was a lunatic.

His eyebrows pinched together, but apart from that, nothing changed. After a moment, his eyes traveled over me—assessing me. Gods, he thought I had lost my fucking mind. I tried not to show how anxious I was, but he still hadn’t said anything. My body was tense as the silence stretched between us.

“I can go.” I turned.

“No, stop.” Haden’s voice echoed around me, and I turned to him, but he wasn’t looking at me like I was crazy.

“That is why you have that odd magic,” he said. “The starlight.”

“Yes. Do you believe me?” I asked.

“You are far too pretty to be anything but a goddess.” He smiled. Something about him believing me made me rush forward to hug him. Haden wrapped his arms around me, and everything felt like it would be alright. How could the heavens not see that he was the one for me? He rubbed his hands down my back, making my worries seem to disappear.

“Do you want to see my other magic?” I asked. “Then you can show me yours.”

I pulled back and smiled. Something like worry flashed in his stormy eyes.

“How did you know I have magic?”?

“I’m a goddess; I can feel it when you are close to me.” I grabbed his hand. “Come on.”?

I led us outside and closer to the pond so rain would not get into his house. I dropped his hand and moved a little bit farther from him. Haden’s eyes watched me closely as I lifted my hands out to my sides. Dark clouds rolled over us, and Haden’s handsome face tilted toward the heavens to see what it was.?

Then lightning split and scattered across the sky above us. Haden looked at me, and his mouth fell open. My eyes had turned pure white as I summoned energy from around me to form a small tornado on top of the pond. Thunder echoed in the sky, and rain began to fall around us. Haden gawked at me as I lifted my hand, and a ball of lightning appeared in my upturned palm. I pointed at a small tree on the other side of the pond, and it shot from my hand, striking into the tree with a small explosion.

I stopped my magic immediately, and the dark clouds moved away. The rain dried up instantly as I looked at Haden.?

“My storm,” he muttered.?

I smirked at him.?

“Your turn.”?

Haden nodded as he looked into my eyes. His eyes went from dark blue to sky blue as the temperature around us dropped significantly enough that I could see our breath. Haden’s fists were covered in a frost that seemed to radiate out and cover his entire body. I gasped when the ground around his feet became frosted as well. The layer of ice quickly shot out from him and covered the entire field. Even the pond froze, the strange noise from the ice forming sounding strangely like music.

A cold gust of wind knocked into me, and I turned back to Haden, smiling as my hair whipped around my face. Then he lifted his hands, and snow burst from them. I turned my face to the sky, where the tiny white flakes fell in what felt like a winter blizzard, but the sun was shining brightly. The snow fell on my hot skin, melting instantly. I was so distracted by the beauty of Haden’s magic that I didn’t hear him approach me.?

His cold fingers gripped my chin, pulling my face down so I could see him. He leaned forward and softly pressed his lips to mine. His mouth was cold as his tongue swept past my lips and tangled with my own. I pulled him toward me and deepened the kiss. Haden’s snow began whipping around us in a flurry as he tangled his hands in my hair.

Suddenly, I was knocked to the ground by a forceful wind. I stared at the snow falling from the sky as I lay on my back.

“Shit,” Haden muttered as he leaned over me. “Are you alright? My magic got out of control…”

Sitting up, I grabbed my arm as an odd tingling sensation ran through it. Haden kneeled and moved my hand, exposing my skin as a silver shape began appearing, expanding quickly in lines and whirls that seemed to glow with an eerily beautiful light. When the magic finally stilled, a glittering array of snowflake tattoos was left behind, so bright that it reminded me of the way that the snow shines when the sun hits it just right. Haden’s fingers traced the pale lines of the snowflakes that started at my shoulder and moved down my arm.?

“Gods, I didn’t mean to do that. I didn’t even know I could,” he said frantically. I glanced up at him as he panicked and laughed. Haden stilled as I laughed louder.

“Why are you laughing?”?

“It must have been overwhelming emotions that made your magic act out,” I answered softly. “Mine acts out too when I feel things deeply.”?

He swallowed hard.?

“I was feeling deeply about that kiss you just gave me.” His eyes flashed icy blue again, but only for a moment, and I became silent.?

“Me too,” I confessed.?

“Are you sure you’re not hurt? I don’t want to go to hell for injuring a goddess.”?

Amusement flashed in his eyes as he gave me a boyish grin. I scoffed as I chuckled and stood up.

“Why did you believe that I was a goddess so quickly? Did it not cross your mind that I was a lunatic?”?

Haden’s shoulders shook with silent laughter.?

“There are a few reasons. One, your starlight magic is not regular. Two, I’ve seen you sneaking around as if no one can see you, and I realized at some point they couldn’t, but I could.” I stood still at his confession. “I saw you crying one night when you didn’t know I was there, and your tears glowed like the stars. And like I said, you are too pretty to fit in with us regular fae. Which brings me to my next point: you don’t have pointed ears.”?

“I didn’t realize you were so observant,” I said because I couldn’t think of anything else to say. “Not having pointed ears could just be because I am a vampire or something.”?

“You don’t have fangs. And Elloryon does not have vampires. They live in another realm." His eyes traveled over me slowly again. “Plus, your eyes shine like the heavens.”?

Haden stared at me and waited for me to say something to refute his claims. I didn’t know what to say, though. Haden ran his hand through his hair like he wanted to say something else to me.?

“Why is a goddess mingling with fae?” he asked.?

“That is a secret, and I would rather not tell you.” I frowned.?

“Alright. Do you believe in fate?” he asked instead.?

I jerked back as if he had slapped me. Where was this going? Did he know that I was here to find my mate and his brother was supposed to be it? I needed to calm the hell down; there was no way he knew that. My anxiety was going to make my thoughts spiral.

“Yes, I believe in it.”?

“I didn’t, until recently.” He looked away from me and started pacing around. “Growing up, Holden and I were the same in every way. We liked the same foods, we hated broccoli, and we enjoyed the same hobbies.”?

Where was he going with this??

“Until we were old enough to start noticing women. Holden immediately began dating and talking to them.” I waited for his words to make me enraged with jealousy, but they didn’t. “He kissed girls, and I had absolutely no interest in them.”?

Good.?

“I knew my parents were worried about it. They always tried to set me up with friends' daughters.” My fists clenched tightly. “But I never responded the way that they wanted me to. It didn’t bother me; I just figured I would be alone and do my own thing. Until Holden told me he was going to ask Sara to marry him. I don't understand why him getting married triggered this panicked feeling within me. I suddenly felt like I needed to find someone. I went on a date…”

Lightning cracked into the sky above us as I tried desperately to rein myself in. Haden glanced up before looking at me. A slow smile spread across his face as he saw my eyes flashing white.

“I went on one date, and it was awful. It ended very early.” His words had my jealousy calming down slightly. “That night, I went home, and I did something I have never done in my life.” He looked up at me. “I prayed to the stars to show me who I was supposed to be with. I wanted any kind of sign to know what woman, if any, was meant for me.”

I stepped forward, watching him closely.?

“Did they give you a sign?”?

He nodded, and my heart pounded so violently that I could feel it throbbing in my neck.?

“I had the strangest dream that night. One that, at first, made no sense to me. But then I started to see you lurking around the village. It wasn’t until the day we actually met that I understood my dream.”

I was so confused. Why would the heavens show him a sign that led to me? Haden started laughing softly.?

“My dream was just a woman falling over and over.” He looked at me oddly. “When I saw you practicing falling in the street, it all clicked into place. I think maybe the stars were trying to tell me that you are everything I need, and even though we have not spent much time together, I can’t help but think they were right.”?

Guilt clawed at my insides. Why were the heavens being cruel to me? Haden must have seen the guilt on my face because he stepped closer.?

“I know that you are a goddess, and I am… just a mortal fae, but I just want a chance to show you that maybe this is written in the stars. My parents talked all the time about how they just knew after two days, Ardella. I used to think they were just lucky that they fell in love with each other, but now I understand what they were talking about. It was more than just luck. You have taken over my mind, whether I am awake or sleeping. It acts like it has never seen anything else but you.

“Your voice fills the empty space in my mind when you aren’t near me. And I cannot stop thinking about how fucking right every kiss has felt. It is as if I was sleeping through life until I saw you, and my heart and mind started working only to obsess over you. You are all I think about, and I’m worried that you do not feel the same. I’m worried you will leave today and never return to me.” He paused and stared at me. “I just had to tell you how I feel. Just in case you leave, but more importantly… just in case you might feel the same about me.”?

His chest was moving in quick breaths as I watched him closely. Did he really think I didn't like him?

“I hope I didn’t scare you, but my mother said I should just tell you.”?

“You told your mother about your feelings for me?”?

He nodded.?

“And my father.” He hesitated. “And Holden and Sara.”?

That warm feeling began spreading through me. Maybe the heavens knew they made a mistake, and this was their way of telling me that it was okay to pick Haden.?

“Did your family think it was crazy for you to feel this way?”?

“No, they are happy for us.” Haden hesitated for a moment, and I knew his next words were going to be difficult for him, whatever they were. “There is something else.” He took a deep breath and then said, “I have visions.”

“Visions?”

He nodded. “When I was younger, I would get them sporadically about trivial things—the weather or someone getting hurt. Then the visions died down and became almost non-existent, until recently. After I prayed to the stars to show me who I would end up with, and it showed you, I began having more visions of us. It was like my prayer awakened a magic inside of me that I had lost."

My heart was pounding violently in my chest as Haden watched me closely. He looked worried that I would bolt.

“I have seen parts of our future, and it is beautiful, Della. I know this is overwhelming because it hasn’t been long, but…” He trailed off and watched me. “You are it for me. And not to spoil anything for you, but we are going to fall in love, and we are going to have a wonderful life together.”

I swallowed as my throat became itchy with my unshed tears. Somehow, I knew his words were true. I was already feeling deep emotions for him. I didn’t understand why, but maybe I wasn’t supposed to. Haden had seen our life, and he was ready for it. The heavens wouldn't send him visions of me if I were supposed to stay away.

“You are killing me with your silence,” Haden sighed. His pretty eyes were wide as he waited for a response. I looked around, not sure what to do. Was this my decision to make, or were the heavens testing me? When I looked back at Haden, I realized that I didn’t care about the consequences if I kept Haden instead of Holden.?

“I do feel the same,” I whispered. Haden was moving toward me before the whole sentence fell from me. He wrapped his arms around me and gripped me tightly, lifting me off the ground. “Everything about you feels right, like I was always supposed to belong to you.”?

He pulled back so he could see my face. His eyes seemed to darken. ?

“You are all for me, Storm, and I won’t ever let go.”?

He kissed me, and it seared into me, claiming me as his. I did not need a mating bond to tell me who to love.