Tortured Mate (Sassy Ever After Universe #62)(18)
“You two think this is a good deal?” Rogue glanced between Cadence and Barbara.
Both women agreed without hesitation. Rogue sighed, “Babe?”
“If we agree to this deal, and you get my brother to leave me alone I’ll agree. That includes the voices, the vision and anyone else that is after me on his behalf?”
“Of course, he’ll have no reason to send anyone or torment you. You’ll be free to live your life in blissful happiness with your wolf and siblings. At least until the time comes when I need a favor.”
Valac sighed and looked at Rogue, “I don’t know. It sounds too good to be true.”
“I agree, but what choice do we have?”
“I don’t think we have one at all. I know I can’t make it more than a day or two with his constant bombardments. Even if he doesn’t succeed in dragging me back, he’ll drive me to insanity and that wouldn’t be much better.”
“Then we agree and make sure when she comes for her favors in the future that we’re as prepared as we can be.”
Valac nodded and turned back to the Goddess, “We agree to your terms.”
“Delightful, this has been the best visit ever. Thank you, Cadence for inviting me to meet him. Who could have expected such a delightful turn of events.”
Rogue scowled, “When?”
“When what my dear wolf?” Hekate asked in confusion.
“When will he be free from Aeron’s torture?”
“Just a minute.” She leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes.
“It’s done. Don’t believe me, why don’t you take your mate out for an ice cream and knock off another one off his bucket list items. You’ll see no one will hunt him, no screaming, begging voices will invade his head. He’s as free as you are.”
“That simple?” Valac said hesitantly. “It seems to easy.”
“Easy for me, yes. For you, quite impossible I’m afraid.”
He felt Valac stiffen beside him and turned to see his mate pale and shaking. “Talk to me babe, what’s going on?”
“It’s Aeron, he’s close by. Screaming at me that I cheated him. He says it’s not fair. He’s trying to break through the Goddesses block on him, but it’s not working. I can feel the pressure as he pounds against it.”
“Yes, I’m afraid I can’t take away his ability to talk to you. You’re family after all. But we can fix this.”
Before they could ask how, they found themselves standing at the edge of Barbara’s property. From the expressionon Valac’s face he could only assume this was his brother they were facing.
“You had no right!” Aeron screamed. “This has nothing to do with you Goddess.”
Hekate sighed, “This is a side of you I’ve never seen before. Petulant child doesn’t fit you very well, Aeron.”
“Don’t patronize me, you bitch. Why are you interfering in our business? This had nothing do with you.” He screamed as he manifested a ball of fire and flung it at them.
“He has something I want, you were in my way. It’s simple as that.” Hekate snapped as she lowered the shield she had manifested in front of them. “And try that shit again, and see who will be on the table next time. I promise I’ve been around a lot longer than you and I will make you regret crossing me.”
“Crossing you?” Aeron spat in anger “He’s my brother, he crossed me. I demand the right to make him pay for his sins against me.” Aeron turned his glare on Valac, “You brother, owe me. You shouldn’t have interfered in what didn’t concern you. You must pay for that.”
“I did nothing to you.” Valac spat back in anger surprising Rogue. “You didn’t hold them, I didn’t release them from your custody. You were given time with Jericho, to hurt him, but he wasn’t your prisoner. It cost you nothing, for him and his mate to escape.”
Aeron hissed and pulled his shirt off showing a litany of welts and scabs across his chest. “Cost me nothing?” He gestured to his body, “I paid the price for his freedom. My master blamed me for letting our brother go. Me! Not you! I’m the one who had to face him and explain, I was the one made to suffer. You walked away without a care in the world. You deserve everything I’ve done and so much more and even that wouldn’t give you an eight of the pain I’ve had to endure from him because of your actions.”
Rogue pulled Valac against him as he saw the tears pour down his cheeks, “I’m sorry, brother. I never meant you harm. I’ve always loved you. I didn’t know, I swear I didn’t know.”
“Pitiful excuses, one day I’ll earn my freedom from my master and from her bargain with him. ON that day, now I will come for you and I will make you suffer. You think I’ve tortured you now, just wait. One day I will get free from my prison.”
Hekate scowled, “There he’s gone. He won’t be able to get to you. I promise you keep your end of the bargain and I’ll keep mine. You’re safe from him.”
Rogue scowled at the Goddess but refrained from saying another word. They were already too far in her debt and he didn’t know her well enough to know if they could trust her. Cadence and Barbara may feel differently, but it wasn’t their soulmate on the line.