Tortured Mate (Sassy Ever After Universe #62)(17)

He took a deep breath, stretched his hands out and waited, for what he wasn’t sure.

“All done, see that wasn’t so bad now was it.”

“No, it wasn’t at all.” Valac lowered his hands back into his lap and watched as the Goddess sat back down with a small smile on her beautiful ethereal face.

“Well?” He finally asked when the not knowing began to weigh on him. He didn’t even care if he was being rude at this point. She was watching him with a self-satisfied smirk that was really starting to piss him off.

“Oh, sorry.” She said with a laugh. “I was just making plans. Tell me again, what training have you had?”

“None at all. I’ve never had anyone to talk to about my magic, until I met Cadence. I learned everything I know by trial and error and instinct. Why?”

“Interesting. I’ve decided you will become my new project. You have such raw, untapped power. It will delight me to no end to see where you can go with it.”

“No offense Goddess, but I’m afraid that won’t be possible. My time here is limited.”

The goddess waved that away as inconsequential. “Fine, when you return home, we can continue the lessons there.”

Valac sighed and leaned over to press against Rogue’s side. He needed to feel his body heat and know he wasn’t in this alone even if it was a lie. “That won’t be possible, either. When I go back, I won’t be free.”

Hekate cocked her head, “Explain, please.”

“My brother is pursuing me, when he finally wins and drags me back I will be locked in, as much a prisoner as any other. Honestly, I fear my fate is far worse than any most people could imagine.”

“Well, that’s bothersome. Who’s your brother?”

“Aeron, Goddess.”

Hekate threw her head back and laughed. “Well, now isn’t this fortunate indeed.”

“What is?” Rogue asked curiously.

“Wolf, what is your roll in all this?” She countered slyly.

“No offense Goddess, but that is between Valac and I.”

She pursed her lips and studied the two of them. “Ah, I get it now. You’re mates, aren’t you.”

Valac gaped at her in dumbfounded shock, before glancing back to Rogue. “Is that true? Are you my mate?”

Rogue bit his lip, scrunched up his face, before sighing and nodding. “Yeah. It’s part of the reason I didn’t show up in human form. You didn’t need the added pressure with everything you were going through. We thought it would be too much all at once. I vowed to stay close and help in any way I could though.”

“Why now, what’s changed?”

“I couldn’t stand seeing him so miserable. So close to you, but so far away. I’d made him promise to keep his distance, but I finally relented when I saw the peace he provided you.” Cadence answered. “I’m sorry, I thought I was doing the right thing.”

Valac turned to Barbara, “That cake wasn’t an accident was it?”

“No, it was my way of gently prodding Rogue to step up and to see how you would react to the wolf on the cake. I asked Keaton to design it to look just like him for that particular reason. I confess, I’d been dying to meet you and I knew if left on his own it could be weeks or months before he gained the courage to approach you as more than his wolf.”

Hekate clapped, “I really should come to the human realm more often. This is delightful fun.”





Chapter Fourteen


Rogue frowned at the Goddess, “I’m glad we can be entertainment for you. Now care to explain why our connection is of importance to you?”

“Just curious is all.” Hekate winked, “but what if I told you I could get Aeron and everyone else to lay off your mate. What would you do for me in return?”

His first instinct was to say he’d do anything, but he did have some sense of self-preservation. “What would you want? And why would you do that for us? No offense, but I’ve always heard the God’s were out for themselves.”

“Smart wolf, aren’t you.” Hekate grinned wickedly. “How about five favors owed to me when I choose over your lifetime.”

“That’s insane, he shouldn’t have to pay for my freedom. You want me as a student, that should be considered part of the deal for my release.” Valac countered furiously.

“Fine,” Heakate pouted, “Such spoilsports. How about three favors and training you. The favors can be filled by any of you in this room as you all see fit.”

Rogue considered her words, “We have the right to refuse and ask for a different favor if we feel the price is too high.”

Hekate considered his words for a second before nodding. “Fine, you drive a hard bargain, wolf. But you may only pass twice, so you’ll have to use them wisely.”

“Rogue, no. There has to be another way. We don’t know her and we don’t know if we can trust her. Her favors might prove to cost more than any of us can afford.”

He knew Valac was speaking the truth, but he wasn’t sure they had the time to keep looking for a different course of action. They could all see how close to the edge his mate was. Rogue wasn’t positive he had the days or weeks it might take. And while part of him knew this sounded too good to be true, Barbara and Cadence didn’t seem to object, so how bad could it be?