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Fate foundthe woman she was seeking in Odin’s garden. She was sitting quietly; the sadness in her eyes had not ebbed. She had lost weight and her gown hung from her shoulders. The stone bench she sat on was near the pond, the enclosed area surrounded by flowers and calming. Fate could understand why she spent time here.
Fate approached Jorowhere she sat on a stone bench staring into the sky. The crying child alerting her to their presence.
Fate was still weak, having just given birth, but she was determined that her task be carried out as soon as possible. She was not about to let another do it for her.
Joro looked up as she saw Fate’s approach with the squallinginfant in her arms. Joro barely managed to catch the bundle that Fate thrust into her arms.
“He’s now yours.” Joro looked down at the squirming baby then back at Fate’s flushed, stoic face.
“But he is your child, Fate!”
“He is no child of mine; he is now your son.” Fate saw the two ravens flying overhead, landing nearby on the balustrade, well within hearing range. Odin would know every word spoken.
“I refuse to raise a child of his. Take him and raise him as yours.” Fate’s voice softened as she turned to leave. “He won’t replace the one you left behind on Earth, but maybe your heart will ache less when you hold him.”
Tears fell from Joro’s eyes as she clutched the child to her breasts. “Why would you care about any pain I feel? I was responsible for your marriage ending and the destruction of the child in your womb. You even saved me when Mother would have sent me to Hades. I deserved the punishment I received.”
Her puzzled words had Fate clenching her hands. She was shaking; the delivery had not been an easy one, and she didn’t need to be reminded of the treachery Joro had committed. However, Joro’s words brought back the memories of the day that her marriage to Valentine had been broken irrevocably, resulting in the death of her unborn child. Recollections that still brought tremendous sorrow to her heart, which left her vulnerable. Fate stifled the emotion just like she had always done.
The day Joro had been responsible for changing Fate’s life had begun with morning sickness and a sense of dread lying heavy in the air. Unable to see her own future, Fate had only been able to sense the danger that was coming closer to revealing itself. It was to be Fate and Valentine’s fourth child, and Fate had sensed the sweet girl’s timid movements within her womb.
She had been nervous as soon as the child had been conceived; her powers enabled her to see the child’s fate. Fate saw the darkness. She knew that the child would never be born, yet Fate prayed to Mother and took all precautions, staying home and resting, doing everything possible to ensure the health of her unborn child. She had even summoned Merlin to her home to bind her power of travel. An unborn child could not transport, and Fate did not want to take a chance on utilizing a power that was employed several times a day without thought. Merlin would bind that power until after the child’s birth.
Merlin did not respond to her request immediately; it was only after her third summons—when she had threatened him with Mother’s involvement—that he had finally come to her castle.
Valentine had been by her sideas Merlin entered, both men remaining silent as he readied his potion. It was only when Fate noticed his shaking hands and pale features that enlightenment finally dawned.
“You have already placed a bind on one of my powers, haven’t you?” A God or Goddess could have no more than one bind on their powers. Mother had placed the safeguard for their protection. Merlin had never been known for his courage; he was aware that he would face not only Fate’s anger but also Mother’s when his duplicity was discovered.
“She begged me to. I did not want to, but she wouldn’t stop until I agreed.” Merlin’s pale face was a testament to the severity of his actions.
“Who?” Fatehad questioned. She had many enemies, but what Merlin had done was a punishable offense by Mother.
“Joro.”
Fate nodded. He had always been a sucker for a pretty face. He was a wimp, and a horny one at that. It wouldn’t be the first time Merlin had been seduced to gain access of his tremendous skills.
“What power did she want bound and why?”
“Your ability to see Joro and her lover during their encounters.”
“There would be only one reason that would be important to Joro.” Fate turned to her husband, the guilt evident on his face.
“You knew?” Her husband flinched at her question.
He nodded, his hand reaching out to touch her.
“Don’t you dare touch me.” Valentine withdrew his hand.
“Send for her,” Fate ordered her unfaithful husband.
“Fate, wait until you’re not so upset. Remember our child.” Fate’s brow rose at her husband’s words of caution.
“Send for her.” Fate spoke softly. Pain that she never believed a Goddess was capable of feeling was tearing her apart. She had sought to prevent this agony by choosing Valentine as her husband, yet even he had been unable to prevent the lure of other women.
Seconds later, Joro appeared next to Valentine. The defiance in her face spoke volumes. “You sent for me?”
Fate had believed Joro a friend; her attitude of contempt proved Fate wrong.
