Page 159 of The Chosen One Universe: Volume One

She grinned at him and gave his arm a squeeze. “Of course it is.”

“Oh, wow. Just… wow. Really?”

“Sweet boy, who else could it be?”

Sawyer could think of about a thousand guys more qualified, and he didn’t even know a thousand guys. Pretty much anyone would be more able than him, right? He didn’t even have super powers or lots of money or experience or… “Ow!”

She’d pinched the inside of his arm, right on the tender spot. “Stop that. You’re exactly what you need to be.”

“You’re sure?”

“I don’t make mistakes.” Her eyes twinkled and she grinned that crooked smile at him.

Sawyer sputtered. “You… wait… you? You? You!”

“And he’s got it. You’re a bit slow sometimes, aren’t you? Well, in your defense it is the middle of the night. I do love this time, though. It’s so peaceful when the world around me is taking its rest. Leaves me time to just listen and learn.”

Sawyer thought he might be hyperventilating. If she was… then that meant… “Goddess?”

“I told you I prefer Mother.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“And you still don’t like that word.”

Sawyer laid his hand over hers where it rested on his arm. “No, I like that word a lot. It’s special. And… so are you.” He gulped. “Mother.”

“Oh, sweet boy. You are just the heart this world needs. So full of love. That’s the key. You’ll need that love to do what must be done. You’ll find your loves and it’ll make you so strong. Trust in it, Sawyer. Trust in them. With your whole heart.”

Sawyer glanced toward the house and the upstairs window where the men in his life were sleeping. “I do.”

She gave his hand a gentle pat. “It won’t be easy, what you must do. Nothing easy is ever worthwhile. But you can fix the tears, Sawyer, mend the things that have gone unaided for too long.”

“How? I can’t work magic so how can I fix it? I don’t understand.”

She huffed and gave the ground a whack with her cane. “I’m not allowed to say more. Why do we impose these silly rules on ourselves? But all of the old ones agreed that free will was important. We can encourage and guide, but not direct. And this, this requires an even more delicate hand. I’ve moved the pieces around on the board for you, sent you the most powerful guardians. The rest are coming. Open your heart to them and you’ll find the way is easier.”

“I think the rules are silly, too. It’s so annoying when you can’t just say.”

“Isn’t it, though? But then, where’s the adventure, Sawyer? You have so much to learn and explore. Even a few mistakes to make along the way. But they’ll be yours to make and own, not mine. Love is the key. Trust in it.”

Sawyer groaned. “It’s so cheesy.”

She cackled and tapped the ground again with her cane. “Oh, you are so precious. I’m so glad it’s you. I—” She paused, turning toward the woods that ran behind the back of the house. “Sawyer, run. Inside. Now.”

“What? But what about—” Before he could finish, she’d dropped her cane and transformed into a huge white stag. The rack of horns on her head stretched wider than he could reach and were deadly sharp. “And you can take care of yourself. Got it. Pearl, come!”

Sawyer turned and bolted for the house, circling for the front door even as her heard her crash through the trees at the back. He flung himself inside, shutting the door once Pearl was safely in as well, then bolted for the stairs.

“Draco!”

Draco was out of the bed in a flash of movement, his naked body fierce even in its vulnerability. “Sawyer?”

“Dragon form. Outside. Go. Protect the stag.”

He didn’t hesitate, but ran for the turret stairs and moments later Sawyer heard his answering roar. Andvari appeared at his side next. “What is happening?”

“Outside. Don’t hurt the stag.”