Dark Stranger Immortal (The Children of the Gods #3)(57)
“Except, I’m not assertive, and I shy away from confrontations. Not exactly the traits of a leader…” Syssi tried and failed to pull her hand out of Annani’s grasp.
“Bah, but that is exactly my point. You will balance Kian’s excess of those traits. As a cool, logical seer, you will probably hold more sway than my hotheaded, obnoxious son.”
Syssi regarded her with wary eyes. “I’m not exactly a seer, and Kian is not that obnoxious…”
“So, I have exaggerated a little… Your precognition ability is a very rare gift, even among my kind. And in all likelihood, it will grow progressively stronger now that you have transitioned. And as to my son… Kian takes after me. Being obnoxious runs in the family.” Annani laughed, the musical chimes sound of her laughter so beautiful it raised goose bumps on Syssi’s arms.
She chuckled. “If you say so…”
“Yes, I know what they say about me: the good and the bad. Anyway, back to what I was trying to explain. You have to have balance in your life and not forget to have fun. Those who neglect that crucial ingredient in the long run become more dead than alive. So make sure to make fun a priority for you and my son.” Annani winked and squeezed the hand she wouldn’t let go of.
“I hope Kian and I will be happy with each other. Though I don’t know how we are going to keep our love and passion fresh. With so many years ahead of us, is it even possible?”
“This is the beauty of our peculiar physiology. You will crave each other above all others and always find bliss in each other’s arms. But that is only the physical part, the rest is up to you. Tragically, I lost my love at the start of our lives together, so I do not have personal experience with long-term relationships. But I was fortunate enough to witness some wonderfully fulfilling truelove matings, and even some of the arranged marriages blossomed into love and thrived. So to answer your question; yes, it is definitely possible.”
“I hope you’re right. I love Kian passionately, but we have only just met, and it scares me to think things might change—that I’d make mistakes and ruin it somehow…”
“Do not fret. If the foundation is strong, it will withstand some rattling. It may even provide some spice… after all, making up after a fight is fun…”
Annani smiled a knowing little smile.
“Again, I hope you’re right…” Syssi sighed.
“Come here, sweet child…” Annani pulled on Syssi’s hand with surprising strength for someone so small and seemingly fragile, embracing her tightly. “If my son ever does anything to upset you, he will have me to deal with.” She kissed Syssi on both cheeks then leaned back a little and looked into her moist eyes. “As of now, you are my daughter, and I want you to think of me as your second mother. I will always be there for you, even if it means boxing Kian’s ears or kicking his posterior occasionally… You hear?”
“Thank you…” Choked up with gratitude at the wholehearted acceptance, Syssi sniffled as tears slid from under her lashes. Never, not in a million years, would she have expected that kind of pledge from the goddess.
From Kian’s mother.
5 1
S Y S S I
“Did you complain to my mother about me?” Kian asked as he stepped out onto the terrace.
“No, of course not… Why?” Puzzled, Syssi looked up at him.
After leaving Annani, she had gone back to the terrace outside of Kian’s penthouse and sat down to smoke another cigarette. Now that health was no longer a concern, she was really letting herself indulge with a promise to quit later once this crisis was over.
Except, she had a strong feeling that it was just the beginning and more trouble was lurking on the horizon. With all the recent turmoil, she had been too preoccupied to let her mind wander aimlessly, and the cursed premonitions had been held at bay. But the moment things returned to normal and resumed a slower pace, she had no doubt her foresight would come rushing back. Perhaps even worse than before, as Annani had predicted.
Oh, the joy.
As obscure as her premonitions tended to be, they were pretty useless, serving only to darken her mood.
“Oh, I don’t know… I stopped by Amanda’s place to update my mother on the rescue plan we came up with, and she threatened to kick my butt if I ever dared to upset you… Care to explain?” He plopped next to her and kissed her heated cheek.
“Oh, that… It’s nothing. Well, not nothing. Your mother has done the sweetest thing; she made me feel so accepted and so welcomed, that I teared up. She pledged to always have my back. Even against you. Can you believe it? I hope that doesn’t hurt your feelings…” Syssi gazed up at Kian’s tired, smiling face.
“I’m actually elated that she has made such a promise to you. It makes me a happy man to know that my mother cares so much for the woman I love.”
Kian pulled Syssi close to his body and kissed her with tender, soft lips. “I love you,” he whispered into her mouth.
“I love you so much.” Syssi sighed. She felt guilty even thinking it—but it was so unfair. Instead of celebrating her successful transition, preferably by making love, Kian was heading for a dangerous rescue mission. The Fates Amanda believed in must’ve been cruel and capricious, amusing themselves by messing with people’s lives .