Chapter 500 – A Story to Come

Cora

Images of Ariel’s future flashed before me, and I sensed the Goddess was eager to share these glimpses of her life.

The initial images were somewhat expected, especially after seeing Rafe’s childhood and hearing Ella and Sinclair's accounts of Jesse's baptism. However, these focused on an angelic little girl with rose-gold hair who was ridiculously happy.

Tears welled in my eyes as I watched her run and play with Rafe and Jesse. Ariel was always at the center of their games, laughing so heartily her eyes barely opened above her rosy cheeks. In one flash, Jesse climbed a tree and reached down for her as Rafe boosted her from below. In another, Ariel was nestled between her brother and cousin, wrapped in a blanket around a campfire, their eyes wide with awe as they roasted marshmallows and listened to Roger tell a scary story.

Roger chuckled beside me, and I drew closer as we saw her grow older—her teenage years as the nation's princess, a beautiful, graceful young woman still full of pranks, running through the palace halls with her brother and Jesse in pursuit.

Then I gasped. Our little girl was dressed as a bride—

My hand flew to my mouth; she looked so young and afraid. My stomach plummeted as I saw her moments later, her back pressed against a door, sobbing in her wedding gown. My son and nephew rushed to her side.

The images accelerated, blurring beyond my comprehension. My hand fell from my mouth; my jaw dropped in awe as I realized she hadn't married. She had run away. She was with Jesse and Rafe, attending some kind of military school, dressed in fatigues, her hair tucked under a cap, looking… almost like a boy.

“Oh my god,” I muttered, then laughed, as it only got stranger.

Ariel, mixing potions in chemistry class, her eyes widening as one exploded.

Ariel, an expert sniper, perched atop a tower, hitting a bullseye half a mile away.

Ariel, curled up in a chair by the fire, sitting in the lap of a very handsome young man with a strong jaw and adorable dimples.

Joy surged within me; I knew instantly he was her mate.

But then I gasped again. The image shifted, showing Ariel looking up at another powerfully built young man, scowling down at her in a stone hallway. She shoved him hard, jabbing a finger in his face, a defiant snarl mirroring her mother's.

A shocked laugh escaped me, but anxiety coiled in my stomach. I knew, just as I had with the first boy, that this one was also her mate.

I looked down at my baby niece, who gurgled and gazed at the moon. Two fated mates, just like her father…

Suddenly, the Goddess's words from months ago made perfect sense.

My eyes returned to the images, flashing too quickly to fully grasp. I saw our children training hard, laughing, building their lives, helping each other, and serving our nation.

The final image lingered. Ariel, with Rafe and Jesse on either side, her two mates behind her. They stood together on a battlefield, magic flowing between Ariel's hands to her brother and cousin. Their faces were serious as they faced an unseen force.

Then… the image vanished.

Roger and I remained still for a long moment, until Ariel's whimper broke the silence.

“Poor baby, you must be cold,” I murmured, pulling her close and wrapping her in her blanket. She snuggled against me, closing her eyes and yawning widely.

“Wow,” Roger murmured, staring at our niece. “I was not expecting that…”

I laughed, shaking my head. “Neither was I.”

“Damn, Ariel,” he said, running a shocked hand through his hair. “Looks like you’ve got one hell of a story to tell.”

“Come on, baby,” I said, laughing. “Let’s go tell your mom… only the things she absolutely needs to know.”

“Really?” Roger asked, raising an eyebrow.

“What are aunties for?” I shrugged, smirking. “A girl’s got to have someone to keep her secrets.”

He laughed, putting an arm around me as we turned. Before we left, I glanced back, smiling at the moon and sending a mental thank-you to my mother for her gift, for this glimpse of the future.

The moonlight flared once, and I smiled. She had heard.

Ella

“Oh, they’re back! They’re back!” I gasped, placing my champagne on a table and rushing forward as Cora and Roger emerged from the woods, Ariel sleeping in Cora’s arms. Our family and friends cheered their welcome.

Cora smiled warmly as I hurried to her.

“Tell me everything,” I gasped, taking my baby and cooing as I rested her head in the crook of my elbow, gazing at her sleeping face.

“Wait for me,” Sinclair laughed, joining our circle with Jesse and Rafe. “Honestly, Ella, I’m her parent too—”

“You should have been faster, then,” I rolled my eyes.

“I’m carrying two kids—”

Ignoring him, I turned back to Cora. “Go! Spill!”

“I don’t know, Ells,” she smiled, taking Jesse from Sinclair. “Honestly, as a mother? I’m not sure you want to know.”

My face paled; Roger scowled at his mate.

“Cora, don’t say it like that,” he said, giving her a half-hearted glare before placing a hand on my shoulder. “Seriously, Ella, it was all fine—nothing bad. Jesse and Rafe showed us a war is coming, affecting Ariel and all of us. But seriously—all good news from the Goddess. She’s going to have an incredible life.”

“Really?” I gasped, holding my daughter close, looking between my sister and her mate. “You wouldn’t lie to me? It’s really all okay?”

“It is,” Cora laughed, gently touching my cheek.

I sighed in relief, looking down at my daughter. “You had me scared, baby trouble,” I murmured, tracing her cheek. Then I remembered Cora’s words. “Wait,” I said, whipping my head up. “What wouldn’t I want to know as a mother!?”

“I mean, I’ll tell you, sis—but aren’t there some things a mom should be in the dark about?” Cora asked.

I tilted my head and groaned, unsure. “I don’t know, Cora—are there!?”

She laughed. I looked at Sinclair, who shrugged, then back at my sister.

“Come on,” Roger nodded toward the waiting crowd and refreshments. “Let’s decide this over some champagne.”

Sinclair nodded. I sighed, joining my family, pondering my choices as we accepted congratulations and let Henry hold the baby, filling him in on the good omens.

“All right,” I said, approaching Cora, watching the baby in her grandfather’s arms. “If you think it’s going to stress me out… don’t tell me. But… give me a hint. Is it… like, illness? Or is she lonely? Oh, I really don’t want her to be lonely. Or—”

“It’s none of that, Ella,” Cora said, smiling. “She’s a really happy kid, and she loves her early life. She, Jesse, and Rafe are best friends and stay close through their twenties, at least.”

“So,” I cocked my head. “What…”

“Let’s just say,” Cora’s grin widened, “that your little girl? Her love life is… tumultuous.”

“Oh my god,” I groaned, laughing and covering my face. A little heartbreak, a little drama? Cora was right—I wasn't sure I wanted to know the details, but I could handle that.

Pulling my hands away, I looked upward through the trees. “Oh, Mom,” I shook my head. “What do you have in store for my little girl?”

“A lot,” Cora laughed, sipping champagne, Jesse’s sleepy head against her shoulder.

“So…” I whispered, not wanting Sinclair to hear, sensing this alpha dad wasn’t ready for his three-week-old daughter’s future love life. “Is she… did you see? Does she have a mate?”

Cora’s smile was bright, a little wicked. I turned, curious. “Yes, Ella,” she nodded happily. “Your little girl… she’s mated.”

I squeaked with joy, grinning. “Is he… is he cute?!”

“Really cute,” Cora said, stepping closer. “Like, really cute, Ella—big time—”

I squeaked again, spinning in a happy circle. “So, did you get to see… I mean, like a timeline for when she meets him!?”

Cora shook her head. “I don’t think I should say anymore,” she shrugged. “I mean, I will if you want me to, Ella, but…” she smiled at our daughter. “I think… maybe just let her live her life. Don’t you want to be surprised?”

“Yes,” I sighed, leaning against my sister, scowling, even though happiness surged through me. “I hate it when you’re all wise.”

“It’s the burden I bear,” she sighed, resting her head against mine. “Because if you don’t know, that means you don’t have to keep the secret from Sinclair. Because if he knows?” she exhaled. “Ella, if he knew what I know, he’d lock her up in a tower. Like a princess in a fairytale.”

“Damn,” I pursed my lips, excited for my daughter’s future, but willing to save the drama for twenty years. “Baby trouble is right.”

“Baby trouble,” Cora sighed, nodding. “Is absolutely right.”