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She hadn't voiced that concern to anyone before, not even Vlad, but it had been gnawing at her, and it had gotten worse after what had happened in Acapulco.
Tessa waved a hand. "Don't say that. Ten couples were in the same boat as you, and none of them were thinking that it was a bad omen."
"Dalhu did," Carol said. "Especially after what happened on the day of his and Amanda's wedding. But Amanda turned his argument on its head. She said that it was a good omen because it implied that their future would be filled with more good deeds or something to that effect."
"What about everything that happened before the ship even sailed?" Wendy asked. "First, it was saving Jade and the Kra-ell, and then the three gods showed up, and the village was locked down because Kian didn't know who they were and what they wanted, and I was really scared both times, not just because our wedding was postponed, but because I was afraid this wonderful life I had in the village was going to change, or worse, end." Her voice wavered as tears prickled the corners of her eyes. "I know how easily everything can be taken away from me, so I never take anything good for granted."
"Oh, sweetie." Her mother squeezed into the small space between her and the armrest and wrapped her arm around her shoulders. "It's the survivors' curse. We are always afraid that good things are not going to last because we are haunted by our pasts. I wish there was an exorcism that could be performed on those toxic memories."
"I disagree," Ella said. "We need to be aware of the evils lurking in dark places and the wolves in sheep's clothing who hide in plain sight. The world is full of predators, and to pretend that they don't exist is foolish. I still have nightmares about what I went through, but I don't want to forget it. How else could I warn others to be vigilant?"
Wendy tried really hard not to look at Tessa, who out of everyone in the cabin had suffered the worst, but she couldn't help it.
"It's okay," Tessa said quietly. "Most of us here are survivors, and each of us has found a way to deal with it in her own way." She smiled. "Carol became a major badass, Wendy became super social, and Margaret found peace with Bowen. Ella and I help others through our work in the sanctuary by showing them that not everything is dark and perverted, that there are good people out there who are willing to help, that life goes on, and that it's possible to find love and happiness, and it's okay to feel those good feelings without being terrified that they will be torn asunder at any moment."
Carol raised her glass. "I'll drink to that."
12
ANNANI
"My dear nephews." Annani embraced Kalugal, kissed his cheek, and then did the same to Lokan. "This is a rare treat to have you both here. Areana will be overjoyed."
"Indeed." Lokan dipped his head to hide his momentary shock at the rare show of familiarity, which the goddess typically reserved for her children and their mates. "Thank you for providing me this opportunity to talk with my mother."
"I thought it would be wonderful if we could all talk to her today. I just wish the communicator had a live video option, but we cannot have all we wish for, can we?" She sat down in the middle of the couch and gestured for her nephews to sit beside her. "William assures me that we will have a clear connection the same way we have from the village and the sanctuary." She put the phone on the coffee table, propped up on the little leg that came with the case. "William will connect us in a few moments. Can I offer you something to drink while we wait? Perhaps some tea?"
"Thank you, Clan Mother," Lokan said. "Maybe later."
She mock glared at him. "I am Aunt Annani to you, or just Annani."
Kalugal smiled at the exchange. "Perhaps after the call, we can have tea together, Aunt Annani."
"Very well." She leaned back and adjusted the folds of her gown.
It would have been wonderful if she could share with her nephews the news about their great-grandmother, or with Areana for that matter, but it was too big of a secret, and she still did not trust them or their mother a hundred percent, each one for a different reason.
Kalugal's loyalty was first and foremost to himself, and he was an ambitious fellow. He might have an issue with Annani being chosen by the queen over his own mother. Areana was the older sister, but since she was Ahn's daughter from a concubine and not the official spouse, she was not a legitimate heir to the throne.
Lokan was straddling the fence between the clan and the Brotherhood, and even though his loyalty was to his mate and her clan, he cared deeply about the fate of the people on his father's island and hoped one day to free them. Right now, his and the clan's goals were aligned, but that might change in the future.
As for Areana, she loved her mate.
She was willing to hide things from Navuh as long as they did not pose a threat to him, but the moment she suspected that he was in danger, there was no doubt in Annani's mind that her sister would betray her to save her mate.
She did not hold it against her.
That was how fated mates were, but it pained Annani that the Fates had matched her sweet and kind sister with a monster like Navuh. Perhaps it had been the only way to save Areana, though, and if that had been the case, Annani was grateful to the Fates for sparing her sister's life.
Besides, the secret was so big that no one outside of Aru, Kian, and their three co-conspirators on Anumati knew about it, and it had to stay that way. Syssi probably knew as well, but the secret was safe with her.
When the phone rang, Annani activated the speaker. "Hello, William. Is Areana on the line?"
"Here she is. Go ahead."
"Hello, sister of mine," Areana said. "How do you fare this Wednesday?"
"I am wonderful, and I have a lovely surprise for you. Both of your sons are here with me."
