From Origins (Descendant Prophecies Book 3) (22 page)

It was sweet
of Mason to ask me out on a date. I had no clue he had planned this trip for us until today, nor did I know we were going to another house they owned up in the mountains. Mason told me to wait in the car. He needed to do something before he’d let me in. I wondered what he was up to. Whatever it was, it was exciting.

It had taken us a couple of hours to get there, but I didn’t mind the drive. The scenery was beautiful and breathtaking. It had felt like we were getting closer to the clouds when Mason drove on the winding road. Though it was nerve-racking to drive up the lane that barely fit two cars, the view was amazing. We could see the tips of the trees and the snow that seemed just a touch away. They had reminded me of whipped cream on ice cream sundaes.

Mason opened my door. “Ready?” He gave me his hand and helped me out. The sudden touch of the cold wind smacked my body, making me tremble and crinkling my nose. I loved the smell of the refreshing, cold winter. As my snow boots sunk, I looked behind us to see two sets of footprints and the white blanket of snow that covered as far as I could see. I turned my gaze to the cabin house where we were headed. It reminded me of the gingerbread house my parents and I used to make during Christmas, minus the sweet decorations.

“I was always ready. The question is, are you?” I snuggled under his arm. His arm squeezed my shoulder and locked me into his chest. I loved his acts of affection toward me.

Mason let out a chuckle. “So true, but you can be sure I’m ready now.” Something about the way he said those words got me thinking. What did he mean by that? “Before we enter, I need to tell you something,” he continued. “I need to blindfold you.”

“Mason?” I released a sigh. My anticipation was growing with every step, and he’d just added more.

Mason wrapped a cloth around my eyes and led me up a couple of steps. I heard the creak of the door being opened, and the noise of the wooden floor squeaking beneath my feet. I knew we were inside when I felt warmth brush against me.

Without a word, Mason untied the blindfold, and what I saw before me brought tears to my eyes. The fireplace was lit. Countless candles placed around every inch of the room illuminated it like a sunrise. Rose petals adorned the hardwood floor, scattered about in every step I took, and the aroma of something delicious churned my stomach. The cabin was bigger than I had thought it would be from the outside; but then again, all of their houses were pretty large and decorated with the finest of furniture.

“For my princess, who deserves to be treated like one.” He kissed the back of my hand, watching me stare in wonder.

“Mason…you are amazing.” I jumped into his arms. “Thank you so much. I don’t know what to say.”

Mason led me to the dining table, where a candlelight dinner was already set. “You don’t need to say anything. Let’s eat first. I’m starving.”

“You’re always starving,” I giggled. Mason scooted my chair in, and placed a napkin across my lap. “You know…you would make one fine waiter. I don’t think your female customers could keep their eyes off you.”

He sat down and placed his cloth napkin across his lap. “I only care for one.” He winked. “And I can tell she’s always looking at me. I don’t mind, because I’m always staring at her.”

“Did you plan this all by yourself?” I asked, cutting through the halibut and taking a bite.

“Actually, Nick and Everett, and believe it or not, Hades, helped me.”

“Hades? Really?” I chuckled, taking a sip of water.

“Just as we entered, they went out the back door. Who do you think started the fire and lit all these candles?” Mason snorted. “Not that my brothers couldn’t, but Hades could do it with one shot. It was Nick’s idea. He wanted to save time, so he could meet up with Kayla. Looks like they’re going strong, despite who he is.”

I nodded with a smile, thinking of my cousin. “Yes…she’s awesome. She still asks me on the phone if it was a dream. I can understand though; sometimes I wonder too. But I don’t want you to be my dream. I want you to be my reality.”

Mason gave me that sexy grin that produced funny feelings in my stomach. “Me too.”

I wiped my mouth with the napkin. “If it’s okay…I’ll stay with you until this semester ends. I haven’t enrolled for the next semester yet, and I’m still deciding if I should return or wait till next school year, but I would love to work at Bella Amore, just to have something to do. What do you think?”

Mason had opened his mouth to eat some broccoli but stopped. “You know I will support you in whatever you want to do. And of course I’ll hire you. In fact, I’ll teach you to run the restaurant and you can be the manager if you’d like. I’m not going to force it on you. I want you to know that the option is there.”

I relaxed my shoulders and sat back in the chair. I didn’t know why I felt so intense. “Thank you.”

“So…how is everyone doing?”

“Mona and Jack are back at Kelly’s diner. Zara made my aunt forget everything that happened, which you already know. But she agreed not to erase Kayla’s memory, which you already knew too. Hmmm, what do you not know?” I took a moment to pause. “Well…my parents are living together. They’ve rekindled their marriage and everything is back to normal. It’s funny how it seemed so long since my dad was away, yet having them together, it feels like it never happened.” I took a second to breathe and took another bite of my fish before I continued.

“Mom is dealing with having another child, especially not knowing what he or she will look like. Zara will help her through the process, tend to her needs… since she can’t go to a hospital. I think you know everything now.”

We chatted and laughed as we continued to finish our meals. Mason had even bought cheesecake for dessert. After we finished, we sat in front of the fireplace. It was so romantic and peaceful, just the two of us, that I didn’t want the night to end.

“Can you freeze time so we can be here forever?” I snuggled closer to him. The fire kept us warm, but touching Mason was better.

“Here,” he said, draping a light blanket over us. “I wish I could. But I’m not God. But I’m just like a god in everything else.” He twitched his brows, biting his bottom lip.

Yup…that did it. His arrogant personality and his flirtatious way turned me on immensely. It was bad enough being in the same room with him, just the two of us alone, but feelings of lust and desire tingling through my body made me feel way too hot.

“I have to ask you something. Stand up,” Mason ordered, and helped me up. Still holding my left hand, he kneeled down and reached in his pocket with his other hand. Peering up at me, his eyes radiated from the lights. “I already asked your parents for permission, and you already said yes, but I needed to make it official. We can take our time, though I prefer sooner rather than later. When you are ready, we can set the date. Skylar Rome…will you be my mine forever?”

“Yes, Mason.” I choked up. “I already said yes, silly. You don’t have....” I stopped speaking when he slipped a huge diamond ring on my finger. “Mason,” I whispered, feeling a lump in my throat. I tried everything to keep the tears at bay, but they flowed through my happiness.

Mason stood up and cupped his hands behind my neck. “Now, it’s official, soon to be Mrs. Grand. You can do with me as you please. I’m all—”

Before he could say another word, I crushed my lips to his. Mason parted his lips and entered my mouth with his tongue. He kissed me back with so much desire and passion, that just his kisses alone filled me up. Mason slowed down while he nipped and licked my neck in that perfect spot that made me crumble even more, especially since the night his hands had gently touched me in the places he did at the Night Forest.

I pulled off Mason’s sweater, ran my hands up his warm chest, and kissed his collarbone. Hearing a groan from him told me he liked what I was doing.

“We don’t have to do anything,” Mason murmured, nipping by my ear.

“I want to. It feels right tonight,” I said, between sucking his lips again. “Did you tell your brothers that you were going to ask me?”

“They approved.”

I knew Mason was giving in when he took his sweet time unbuttoning my sweater. “I want this moment to last. I want to make sure you remember our first time together,” he hummed in my ear.

When the sweater was off, Mason draped the light blanket over me again, and kissed me as he undressed the rest of me. He led me down lower and hovered over me, using his elbow to support his weight so he wouldn’t crush me. Having the candlelight glowing around us made it enchanting.

“I love you, Sky.” He pulled his lips back into a grin.

“I love you too, Mason. I’m glad you pulled me over the first night we met.”

“I’m glad I found you. Oh, and no one lives around here. The next house is a mile away. You can glow and sparkle as much as you like. This is going to be our first time together, so I don’t know what will happen.”

I giggled, feeling Mason’s hand lace through my hair. “If we were back home, I’m sure you would make your house glow. No, I take that back. You would blow out all the street lights and light up the whole neighborhood.”

“Sky, I’m going to light up the whole damn sky for you.” His words came out hot and sensual, and I had no idea what to say after that.

Mason took me. He molded his body to mine in the most loving way. He caressed me, loved me, and kissed me tenderly over every part of me. I never knew love could be like that. I was so glad we’d waited, because it was worth waiting for. That place…that moment…I would never forget that night. But I didn’t have to try to hold onto the moment forever. Knowing Mason, I knew there would be more like it. And he wasn’t kidding; he did light the whole damn sky.

“Mom, Dad.” I
dove into their arms when they both greeted me by the door.

“Come in. It’s so cold today. You must be freezing.” Mom fussed over me, went to the kitchen, and came back to give us each a mug of tea.

“I thought you were coming next week.” Dad shifted on the sofa to make room for Mom by his side. “I mean…not that I mind you coming today. Of course, you’re welcome anytime.”

I watched Mom lean in to make herself comfortable. She had gotten bigger. Zara had warned us that Mom’s baby would grow much faster in her womb, since she was a Titaness.

“I know we already spoke on the phone, but I wanted to show you the ring Mason proposed with.” I stretched my arms out to show them.

“It’s beautiful. We’re so happy for you.” Mom looked like she had tears in her eyes.

“Yes. It is beautiful,” I agreed. It seemed surreal to see it on my finger. I’d daydreamed about Mason proposing to me, but I didn’t think it would happen so soon. In fact, I never thought we would be a couple, considering his actions when we first got together, but that was before he let his wall crumble and let the good in.

Dad cleared his throat. “To tell you the truth, under normal circumstances, I would have thought it was a bit too early; however, our lives aren’t normal. Mason is a fine young man, and I know he’ll make a great husband. He promised your mom and me that he would.”

“Be happy, Sky,” Mom added. “Life is long for us, yet it can be short. You know what I mean. For now we are safe, but who knows what evil will come about? If there is good, then there is evil. Everything is about balance. You can’t have one without the other. That’s just the way it is.”

“How are you feeling?” I asked Mom, gravitating my eyes to her stomach.

“Tired and hungry all the time,” Mom sighed, taking a sip of her tea. “Honey, how do you feel about all of this? I want to know what you’re thinking.”

I placed my mug down on my lap and looked up. “I know it’s normal for the gods to…you know…” Oh God, I didn’t want to say the word “sex” in front of my parents. Although this was more like rape. “…make babies with siblings, but what Hephaestus did to you was wrong. And yet, you seem fine with it. I mean…I don’t want you to have a nervous breakdown, but….” I didn’t know what else to say or how to say it.

“I’ve been talking to Zara…a lot. And having sessions with all the three Oracles to help me get through this.” Mom laced her hand in Dad’s. “Your father has been wonderful and understanding.”

“I didn’t know that.” I looked away shamefully.

“It’s quite normal for the gods to sleep with their siblings, and get married to them, like Zeus and Hera. I’m your mother, and I’m also someone else. But that doesn’t mean I love you any less. What Hephaestus said was true. You are more powerful than the descendants, because you have Titan’s blood in you. Because I’m inside a human’s body, I’m not as strong and powerful as I would be if I were myself. I’m going to have this baby. If it survives, we will raise our child with enormous love, just as we have with you.”

“What do you mean ‘if it survives’?” I held the warm mug with both of my hands, not because I was cold, but because I needed to hold onto something. The warmth gave me comfort.

“He or she. We don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl. The baby’s position is making it difficult for Zara to pinpoint the gender. The heart…it’s very weak. Hephaestus forced me to drink…I don’t know if it was your blood or the vulture’s blood. It’s doing something to the baby. And to tell you the truth…I’m not sure if I’m happy or sad about it. I don’t know what I’m feeling. I’m just trying to do the right thing. This is all too much for me, as I am sure it is for you. All of this…everything we’ve been through has been too much.”

Mom looked down at her mug after taking a sip. I didn’t want to upset her. It wasn’t the reason why I’d come here. I just wanted to ask her a few questions that were bothering me. “Sorry. I didn’t mean….”

Mom looked up. “It’s okay. You don’t need to be sorry. I’m just glad everyone is safe.”

“Did Hephaestus say anything to you about…?” I wasn’t sure how to ask the question. “Just before he turned into a statue, he said that this was just the beginning, that he had other plans. Do you know what he meant by that? Did he tell you anything or say anything that was suspicious to you?”

Mom looked up to the ceiling, seemingly trying to recall. “He didn’t hint at anything. He could have just been saying things to make himself feel better. Don’t worry, Sky. Hephaestus always spit out threats to make us worry. He had the need for attention. He would do anything to make us think of him, even till the very end.”

“Okay.” I nodded, pushing the thought aside. Perhaps Mom was right. I was over-thinking things.

“I think it’s time to eat. I don’t know about you two, but I’m starving.” Dad stood up and helped Mom to stand.

“Come on, Sky.” Mom gestured with a tilt of her head. “You can set the table, for old times’ sake.”

And just like that, things were back to normal. It was just the three of us…the family that was before I was eight years old. We talked about the years before I turned eight. Some of the things my parents mentioned, I couldn’t remember, but others were vivid in my mind, as if they’d happened yesterday. I never thought I would see my dad again, but here he was. Three lost souls finally put back together after all these years. Hope was a small word, but when delivered, it was huge.

“Welcome, Sky and
Mason.” Mona greeted us when we entered. Looking at the time, we’d just missed the dinner rush. Mona gave each of us a hug, and led us to our table. She reeked of perfume, like always, and this time she’d changed her hair to red. “Kayla and Nick are in the kitchen. I’ll go get them.”

“Nice color,” I complimented, before she had a chance to move. “It goes well with your skin tone.”

“Thanks.” Mona blushed, fluffing her hair.

“I can’t believe this place got cleaned up so fast.”

Mona glanced around, then whispered, “We had help from the gods. Hades felt bad that the creatures he created with Medusa did all these bad things.”

“Good. I’m glad he did,” I said. “He’s got a lot to make up for.”

“Hey, beautiful. Hey, Mason,” Jack waved with a spatula in his hand, breaking into our conversation.

“Hey, Jack.” Mason and I greeted in accord. Our attention shifted to Nick and Kayla stepping out of the kitchen, and then it turned to Amanda, Noah, and Everett walking into the diner.

After our hugs and kisses, we sat down and ordered our dinner.

“So, Nick told me you have something tell us.” Kayla looked at Mason and me, looking too elated.

I looked at Mason with a smile, and then placed my left hand out, which I had been trying to hide from everyone until the right time. I had even twisted the ring so that the diamond faced the other way.

“Oh my God!” Kayla squealed from the top of her lungs. “When? How? I want details.”

After I told them how Mason proposed to me, everyone expressed their happiness for us, even Mona and Jack. Seeing everyone smile and laugh as we ate our dinner made me forget who we were. It was something that I’d surely missed.

“I have news too,” Amanda said, out of the blue, tossing her blonde hair back. “I’ve decided to move to New Olympus. Well…Noah asked me to.” She shrugged sheepishly. “It’ll be easier for the both of us.”

“That’s great. Now I don’t have to hear you snore,” Nick chuckled.

Amanda kicked him under the table. “What do you mean? I don’t snore. I rarely stay over anymore.”

“Exactly. I can hear you all the way from your place.”

“Shut up.” Amanda tossed a piece of noodle at him, but before it could touch him, he zapped it with his electricity. It bounced back and hit Amanda on the nose.

“Ouch.” She wrinkled her nose. “You’re cruel, and you’re so going to get it.”

Splat! Water squirted out of Nick’s cup onto his shirt, leaving a dark patch on his black sweater.

“Don’t mess with my girl,” Noah warned with a grin.

As I listened to everyone giggle, I gave Nick a dose of my fire, just enough warmth to dry up his sweater.

“Thanks, Skylar.” Nick grunted at Noah and ruffled his hair from across the table with his light. It was cool to see how he did that quickly with his dim sparks.

“I can’t believe this.” Kayla looked amazed. “This is just way too cool. It’s like being surround by superheroes.”

“You are, Kayla,” I said, and I meant it. To me, they were my heroes. They’d helped me, knowing there was a chance I could accidently kill them with my blood. They fought alongside me to help me rescue my parents. They risked their lives so they could save humanity. The people would never know, because descendants like us didn’t exist, but I knew. I knew the true heroes, and they were sitting at that table with me. I was lucky to call them my friends.