Testing Fate (16 page)

Heaven help me, please,
I inwardly begged. Getting onto my knees, I leaned forward and rested my forehead on the ground, silently counting. I was hoping for a miracle because there was no way I was going to be able to stand.

You can do this, sweetheart. Dig deep and you’ll find what you need to succeed.
Goosebumps raced across my skin as I recognized the voice. It was the mystery man from my dreams and his words were like an elixir to my battered body.

I don’t know if I can. I’m so tired.
But even exhausted I was following his advice, searching deep within my heart for the courage to act.

You can because you must. Sometimes you don’t have the option to do nothing. Just do it.
There was a soft flush of warmth before the voice faded away—of peace, reassurance, and love.

Just do it,
I uttered.
Just do it
. Raising myself to my feet, I swayed back and forth from the dizziness, but I held firm to my new mantra. Finally steady, I looked at Atropos. “I’m ready.”

She studied me for what seemed like the longest time before gesturing to the large wooden frame. “Your next test lies on the other side. To begin, all you must do is open the door and walk through.”

“Any clue about what I’ll find?” I didn’t expect her to answer me, but the question slipped out before I could stop it.

“No, but I will say this. You have shown remarkable faith and character to make it this far. Many have gone before you and shrunk away from the tasks. It has broken down stronger, more determined people than you, yet here you are. It would be understandable if you had doubts and wanted to end your trial.” Atropos tilted her head to the side, her hands hanging loosely beside her. “No one would think any less of you.”

“But I would.” I took a step closer to the door and laid my palms against the smooth wooden surface. “As long as I can still stand and breathe, I’ll keep trying.” Offering a silent prayer for strength, I pushed against the door with everything I had. It refused to budge.

Please
. My conviction faltered again, and I struggled to hold onto the last threads of my hope.
Please help me through this. I don’t want to fail, not after everything I’ve been through.
I took in a deep breath and tried again, this time using my shoulder for leverage.

“Good luck, Darcy,” Atropos called as I began moving. I didn’t respond, using all my senses to focus on the task. I wanted to weep when the door began to creak open, slowly at first, and I increased my efforts. When it was sufficiently wide enough, I gripped onto the doorjamb to stop myself from toppling over.

I couldn’t see into the room. Darkness, similar to what I’d faced earlier, filled the space. A flash of fear pulsed through me, causing a tremble, but I shut it down instantly. My first step was jerky but it was promptly followed by a second, third, and fourth. I needed to see this through. I needed this to be over.

The door banged shut behind me, completely trapping me in the dark. I readied myself for whatever came next.

“Darcy Matthews,” a loud voice echoed. “Welcome to the end.”

There was a blinding white flash and then everything lit up.

I was back where it had all started, standing before the reclining Fates in the white room filled with beautiful greenery. Gone was all the darkness. I looked around, confused, unsure over what was happening.

“Is this the test?” I asked.

“You completed the fourth and final challenge. Your willingness to face the unknown, despite everything, proved once and for all the kind of person you are. It revealed the trueness of your heart. Agreeing to walk through those doors was the ultimate test and sacrifice. Many fail their personal trials because they couldn’t banish their fear. When we give them the option of quitting, they seize it with both hands and willingly forfeit their heart’s desires. Very few do what you’ve just done.”

“So, it’s really over? Devlin and I can go home?” It seemed too good to be true, but as Devlin appeared by my side with a wide smile on his face, I knew the Moirai weren’t deceiving me.

“You are free to go with our blessing and official mandate.” Klothos stood and approached me with a graceful step. “You have impressed us, Darcy Matthews, something that very rarely happens.”

“She’ll receive her memories and her wolf back now, right?” Devlin asked, grabbing my hand and squeezing it. “She’ll finally understand why she went through all this.”

“Yes, Enforcer. Your friend and charge will be fully restored. In fact,” Lakhesis rose from the beautiful chaise lounge and stopped at her sister’s side. “I am curious about something. You have fulfilled everything we’ve asked of you, not once pressing for us to reveal the truth. Surely you have wondered what would be so important that you’d risk your life?”

I cast a sidelong glance at Devlin and nodded. “I have . . . more times than I can count. And every time it came back to one single thing.”

“And what is that?” Atropos asked. I hadn’t seen her move, but she completed the small group in front of me. “What could be so significant?”

“Love.” It was just one word, but it meant the world. Pride shone from Devlin’s eyes when I looked at him and grinned. “Not just any love, but true love; the kind where you’re willing to walk through the refiner’s fire over and over again for, the kind that keeps you going, even though every part of you screams to give up.”

“You are wise, young one.” Klothos bowed slightly. “And you are worthy of your mate.”

“Mate?” I quizzed. Even though I didn’t understand, there was a rightness to the word.

Klothos rested her index finger in the center of my forehead, looking into my eyes. “We return to you your wolf.” There was a wave of warmth through flowed through my body, and then suddenly I could sense her. Tears instantly flowed as pure joy filled me. Being cut off from her had felt so unnatural, torturous, and I never wanted to experience it again.

“Remember,” she then commanded and a jolt of energy pierced my mind, flooding it with a tsunami of images. Scene after scene unfolded, filling me with a sense of wonder as my memories returned. My parents, the blind date, moving in with a new pack, the recent Council trials with Avery and Amber, the death of Jasmine, and . . .

“Mason.” I spoke his name like it was a prayer. His image infused me, my heart bursting with the love I felt for him. It didn’t surprise me to recognize him as the mysterious dream lover—if anything it made sense. The kind of epic love we shared for each other transcended any kind of power or magic. I may not have known his name, but my soul had remembered him.

“Yes, you and Mason are truly destined for one another. You both accepted the trial and faced each challenge with honor. It will forever be decreed in the heavens and on earth that you are soul mates, never to be separated.”

He was officially mine. I couldn’t think of a better prize for the ordeal I’d been through than marrying the man I loved and being able to claim him.

“Can I please go home now?” I asked, anxious to see Mason. My brain was already scrambling with all the things I wanted to tell him.

“It would be our pleasure,” the three Moirai spoke in unison. For the last time, the room disappeared and I felt sucked into darkness. However, it didn’t bother me like the other times. My whole focus was on whom I’d see once we reached our destination.

The council room was empty when Devlin and I returned. It felt anticlimactic, the emptiness and silence made my heart sink. There was no one waiting, no celebration, no Mason.

“Where . . .” I began to ask, but was abruptly cut short by the slamming open of the doors.

“They’re back! She’s back!” It was the only warning I got before being swept up into strong, familiar arms and swung around in circles. I breathed in the familiar scent and wrapped my arms around Mason’s neck. His whole face was lit up with excitement, relief, and love, his embrace tightening right before he pulled me in closer and crashed his mouth to mine.

I was finally home.

Chapter Sixteen

Neither of us wanted to let the other go. Any disappointment at finding the room empty evaporated the second Mason dragged me into his arms and kissed me.

Each brush of his lips eased the pangs from being separated. I reveled in every blessed sensation, like a starved captor who suddenly found himself alone in banquet room filled with food. My body tingled and my mind kept repeating the same thought over and over again. I was home and we’d survived.

I nestled into the crook of his shoulder, taking in a deep breath. His scent hit me with all its familiarity and I couldn’t help the wide smile on my face. Mason’s arms never slackened, keeping me tucked in close to him as he also inhaled, reacquainting himself with me.

“Let’s never do that again, okay?” I whispered, half laughing with joy. He chuckled in my ear, placing a soft kiss there before releasing me enough to look down.

“I agree. In fact, I’ll make it an official law. The Alpha and his beloved mate will never spend more than one day apart. Sound good?” He winked and my stomach did flip flops seeing his crooked smile.

“Sounds perfect!” I couldn’t take my eyes away from him, making sure not a hair was out of place. I’d missed him so much and all I wanted to do was go home where we could be alone.

People started entering through the open doors. Devlin must’ve gone to inform everyone that we’d returned, because he was walking beside his king in deep conversation, Vivien trailing behind with Daniel.

“Welcome back, Darcy!” Zane greeted. After slapping Mason on the back, he gently squeezed my arm before standing aside for Vivien. My dear friend looked happy to see me, but there was no ignoring the thin lines of worry and dark bags under her eyes. I could just imagine her staying up to all hours, waiting.

Leaving the safety of Mason’s arms, I walked into Vivien’s comforting embrace. “You are a sight for sore eyes, my dear,” she whispered before letting me go. “I’m glad to see you’re in one piece as well.”

“It was a little touch and go there for a while,” I quickly interjected, preventing Devlin from answering. “But everything’s okay.”

I sent a warning glance to Devlin and shook my head. I didn’t want everyone upset over how hurt I’d been. I just wanted to put it all behind me now and focus on what was important, our future.

“Mason informed us about the trials you underwent and the stakes. I knew you both would succeed.” Zane gestured to the front row of chairs and we each took a seat. Devlin and Daniel moved theirs so we could sit in a makeshift circle. I smiled as I looked at each of my friends. It was so good to be home.

“We did. So now it’s official, Darcy and I are destined mates and no one will ever be able to throw our marriage into question again. The Moirai will also want to make the announcement before the Council.” Mason picked up my hand and kissed the back of it. “Then it’ll be time for a wedding. I’m sure you can all agree with me that the time for waiting is over.”

There was a round of agreements.

“Then let’s debrief you two, so you can go home. Zane and I are the only two official Council members here at the moment. Let’s get this on the record, shall we?” Vivien smiled, and led Zane up to the platform. Sitting in their respective chairs, getting comfortable, the rest of us rearranged the seating back to how it was and waited.

“The meeting is now called to order and we ask both Mason and Darcy to come forward.” Zane’s voice had taken on an authoritative air and I felt a surge of excitement. It really was over between Amber and her threats in claiming Mason.

“I also call the Moirai and ask that their presence join us,” Vivien spoke in a respectful tone. Mason and I clasped hands, patiently waiting for the three young women to arrive. Just the small contact with Mason caused a pulse of electricity that sent tingles up my arm. Squeezing my fingers gently, he looked down at me, happy.

The air stirred, signaling their arrival. Instead of dread, I was actually glad to see them when they arrived. They were no longer the harbingers of doom, trying to take the man I love away from me. This time there was no cryptic declarations, no trials nor tests to prove my worth. With a few words, this entire nightmare would be over and I wanted to scream from the rooftops. I was so relieved.

“You have summoned us,” Klothos spoke, her voice light and nonthreatening. “And it pleases us to inform you both that the young Alpha and his chosen mate successfully completed the Heart or Death. They did so with honor and integrity, facing each trial with a dedication befitting who they are. The heavens have decreed their destinies intertwined and ordain their mating. So it is now and forever will be.”

The three Fates bowed their heads slightly, giving respect to both Zane and Vivien before turning to address Mason and me.

“It has been our honor to serve you. You both showed incredible courage and we look forward to the many great things you are destined to accomplish.” Lakhesis spoke for herself and her sisters. One by one, they gently touched our arms in goodbye, softs smiles on their faces.

“I know this has been a hardship for you, Darcy,” Klothos whispered, leaning in so we could have a little privacy. “But all these things have been for a greater purpose, to strengthen you for what is to come. It has not all been for naught. Hold peace in your heart that you are ready and able to face your future.”

I gave Mason a confused sidelong glance, not sure what the young Fate meant and he shrugged his shoulders. Smiling, I thanked her and watched with relief when the three disappeared from the room. My dealing with the Moirai was finally over.

 Everyone seemed to also release a breath. So much had ridden on the outcome and now the uncertainty had ended, it was full steam ahead. Watching Zane and Vivien, there was no denying the worry they’d been holding on to. No one had wanted to see Amber, with her mind games, win.

“Where is Amber?” I asked, looking to everyone. “Last time I was here, she’d been sentenced. Is she being held somewhere?” I needed to know she was being contained and no longer able to cause trouble.