Page 82 of Cheating Fate

Primus Coron Naelos—the Regent of the planet—and the High Priestess Gotia Konthe lead the delegation. The Divine’s Chamberlain stood a couple of steps behind her. To the right, more political dignitaries formed a straight line along the path leading to the Parliament. To the left, members of the Divine Court formed their own line along the path leading to the Basilica.

The contrast between the two groups couldn’t have been more striking. The dignitaries wore colorful, knee-length tunics, cinched at the waist by a belt. Most were sleeveless, but a few had short-to medium-length sleeves. The high-cut round collars and opaque fabric gave them a demure appearance.

In direct opposition, the Initiates and Hallowed Knights on the left—including the High Priestess herself—were beyond scantily clad. They all wore a luxurious, formfitting, sheer fabric, that left little to the imagination. Strategically placed darker patterns hid their naughty bits and accentuated the curves of their perfect bodies. Helmet-like masks covered the upper half of their faces, exposing only their mouths and the tips of their noses. The females had ankle-length dresses with a hip-high slit on the side. The males sported an above the knee-length skirt with a see-through sash across their chests. Most of their outfits were black, but a few wore white, while the Priestess had a shimmering ivory outfit.

All of them looked majestic with their midnight blue skin and massive wings. Where their wings’ colors varied in shades of gray, from white to pitch black, their eyes ranged from silver to black or the full spectrum of blues.

Heart pounding, we walked down the ramp of our shuttle, Vahleryon and Gavin in the lead. Rhad and I stood a step back, me to the right of Gavin, and him to the left of his Gem. The rest of our team followed in pairs behind us.

However, as we approached, the hostility emanating from the High Priestess’s soul as well as the Chamberlain’s took me aback. As I couldn’t read minds, I had no clue what might have prompted such a reaction. Although they disliked all of us, their resentment seemed focused on Gavin. What had he ever done to them? He’d stated unequivocally that he’d never set foot on Dantor and didn’t know anyone here. And I had no reason to doubt him.

Could it be related to his father’s business? But even that seemed farfetched.

“These people aren’t our friends,” Vahl mind-spoke to us.

“Yes. And the Priestess particularly hates Gavin,” I concurred.

“He might have been right that this was a trap, then,” Trehv replied.

“Let’s be on our guard,” Rhadames said.

“Everyone, prepare to activate your shield and the scrambler if things heat up,” Vahl said.

I hated that Gavin, Lenora, and the other Braxians couldn’t talk to us telepathically. They could hear what we said, but they didn’t possess the psychic ability to respond. As a hybrid Guldan-Veredian, Lenora wasn’t a Titan like the rest of us born of a Veredian pairing with either a Xelixian or Korlethean. Unlike those other two species, Guldans didn’t possess the slightest psychic or psionic power.

“Greetings, Vahleryon Praghan!” Coron Naelos said with great pomp as he pressed his hand to his chest and slightly bowed his head. “Welcome to you and your delegation to Dantor. Thank you for responding to our call so quickly.”

“Greetings, Primus Naelos,” Vahl replied politely, while also pressing a palm to his chest. “It is our pleasure and our duty to answer when friends and allies call upon us.”

I slapped a poised expression on my face. But deep down, I was bursting with pride at how my brother was carrying himself. You’d never guess what a nervous wreck he currently was. Vahl always passively radiated confidence and power. I doubted he even realized it.

“And we greatly appreciate it,” Coron replied with an obsequious enthusiasm that nearly had me rolling my eyes. “We have much to discuss.”

His silver gaze shifted to Gavin. Although he still didn’t express any hostility towards my mate, he seemed confused by his presence. Eyes still locked on him, Coron waved at the female next to him.

“But first, please let me introduce you to the High Priestess Gotia Konthe and consort of the Divine,” Coron said.

My stomach instantly knotted. Consort of the Divine? If she was his mate and felt such a strong dislike of Gavin, how did the Divine feel? This further reinforced my suspicion that this might be a trap. But why? What could Gavin possibly have done to trigger any of this?

Still, we all pressed our palms to our chest and slightly bowed our heads. She reciprocated the gesture. I didn’t miss how her polite smile never reached her dark-blue eyes—almost purple—leveled on Gavin.

“Mr. Aldriss, welcome to the Basilica. The Divine is ready to meet you and Lady Zharina Praghan.”

My back stiffened, and I barely managed to keep a neutral expression on my face. Technically, she wasn’t wrong in addressing me as ‘Lady’ since my family was indeed nobility on Xelix Prime. But we had abandoned all such titles when we moved to Veredia, even though people still used them when we visited our home world. However, it was the Divine specifically wanting to see me as well that took me aback.

“Me, but not the Great General?” I challenged.

Her smile and nod failed to hide the contempt lurking beneath the surface. I had no idea who it was aimed at, my brother or me. But my gut said it was aimed at all of us. This female was raging inside, but I couldn’t understand why.

“Yes, just you because you are Mr. Aldriss’ mate,” she replied in an overly sweet and falsely apologetic fashion.

“Hmmm,” I replied.

“It’s okay, Zhara,” Vahl said, his gaze intense as he studied Gotia’s features. “We’ll wait until your audience has concluded before starting the discussions.”

“Indeed,” Coron interjected quickly, having clearly sensed the general unease. “I will take everyone else to our Great Hall for refreshments. If you would follow me this way.”

Coron swiftly started walking down the path to our right leading to the Parliament. I exchanged a look with my two brothers as they walked past us. We didn’t need words to silently communicate that we would be on our guard. Beyond the fact that I didn’t want to challenge Vahl in front of the dignitaries, the fact that Gavin didn’t object led me to believe it was safe.