AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"You spent the first ten years of your life believing that although you had Supernatural ancestors, Shifters one and all, you were born without an ounce of Magic to call your own. Some called you a genetic abnormality or anomaly. Others were sure you were cursed. One of my wisest Witches, the Honorable Eleanor Brown, even believed it happened as part of the Grand Design by The Powers That Be. She was sure the Great Goddess and Universe controlled the Other population by creating Nulls. Therefore, you thought you were merely a casualty of misguided natural selection. You allowed yourself to believe Eleanor's theory that The Powers That Be gave your Family a 'break' from Magic because it was all you ever knew. It also made sense since she'd based her theory on the fact that the Null Conundrum never lasted longer than three generations in one Family. Of course, your Uncle Diarmuid came and saved you. And you now know Eleanor was wrong. However, We continued to let her believe it until Nate and Molly were reunited to serve the Greater Good as was always intended."
I could only nod. I was dumbstruck. Not only was I talking to a Goddess, but She was giving me insight into the inner workings of everything – even my own history.
"Your parents - and others in the Archer Family We knew We could trust - were sworn to secrecy, as you later found out. Your mother and father kept your illustrious heritage and destiny a secret. After their passing when you were merely a child, your Uncle, Diarmuid Archer, took you to the Isle of Skye. Once there, you and your cousins trained in the ways of the Dragon Guard to take your place as Protectors of not only Dragonkin but also humankind."
Pausing, the Goddess Brigid tilted Her head to the side, slowly nodded, and then smiled. "Noel, you have been brought here because there is something we must discuss, and I have a gift for you. A way that I believe you will receive the information I have for you with the least resistance."
“Oh, I can’t. I do not deserve….”
"You most assuredly deserve this and so much more." Leveling her gaze, the sparkle in her eyes getting brighter, she added with a wink, "And never argue with a Goddess. It's simply bad form, and most are not as patient as I."
With a wave of Her hand, a soft, golden light appeared to Her right. Within that light stood my parents. Looking just as they had the day they were called to the Heavens, Bridgette and Alexander Archer smiled brightly as they walked toward me.
Unable to move, I could barely breathe as my mom hugged me and my dad's warm hand closed over my shoulder. With my heart pounding and my soul so full of love it was staggering, my eyes filled with tears when mom loosened her grip and leaned back to look at me as she had when I was a young boy.
“You are still the most handsome boy I’ve ever seen,” she beamed.
“You have to say that," I teased, just as I always had. "You're my mom."
"But that doesn't make it any less true," Dad chimed in. "After all, you look just like me, and we all know I'm pretty damned good-looking."
"Oh, Alex," Mom scoffed. "We don't have time for your tired, old jokes. We have so much to tell our Noel and so little time."
“What?” I was instantly worried. “What do you have to tell me? Is everything okay where you are? Are you…?”
Running the pad of her thumb along my furrowed brow, just as she used to when I was a little boy, Mom's action stopped me cold as she calmed, "Don't fret, Son. Everything is perfect. Every day is just as we were always promised it would be. The sky is always blue, the grass is always green, and all our Ancestors welcomed us with open arms."
She smiled again and nodded. “As I said, everything is as it should be. And today, we have all been given a miraculous gift. The Goddess Brigid has allowed us to be the ones to tell you that your Mate is one of the renowned Brown Witches. She is smart, beautiful, and accomplished. She has a good head on her shoulders and a wonderful heart, and she is your perfect complement in every way."
“But I….”
“Don’t interrupt your mother, Son. We don’t have much time,” my father warned. “The life of your Mate depends on….”
“WHAT?!” I roared. “What do you…? OUCH!”
Rubbing the back of my head after receiving one of my father's signature bops, I quickly apologized, just as I had done as a rowdy teen. "Sorry, dad, it's just that…."
"It's just your long-ascended parents are standing here telling you that you have a Mate a few minutes ago you didn't know you existed.”
“Except for all the times King Sith told you that was why you were Mind Walking,” my father grumbled.
“How did you…?”
“Listen to your mother.”
I closed my mouth and focused on Mom, knowing I would ask Sith if he knew my parents were watching from the Heavens.
“Are you paying attention, Noel?” My mother’s voice cut through my inner monologue.
“Yes, ma’am.”
With a knowing look, she added, “Okay.” With a nod, she continued, “Until now, you weren't sure you even wanted a Mate, but now that you know a wonderful Witch was made just for you and is in danger, you are worried."
Using the same no-nonsense manner I had always loved about her, Mom went on, "We understand, but there really is no time for any of that. Your Mate's name is Lucy Abigail Bliss Brown. She is the Brown Witch of Magical Deliciousness and Special Memories and is the Holder of the Golden Spark of Warmth and Happiness. Together, you two will ensure that all the celebrations of all religions, sects, shapes, and sizes are all they are meant to be and so much more for all of eternity. As a couple, you will keep the Golden Spark of Warmth and Happiness burning bright. Delight, tolerance, joy in what we have been given, and celebrating our blessings will keep Dragon Kin, humans, and all other Supernatural Beings alive and well. We must all learn to live together. So, it is up to you to find Lucy, help her, and keep her safe from all harm."
Not even giving me a chance to breathe, let alone ask the plethora of questions running through my brain, Mom's arms were back around my neck, and she was hugging the stuffing right out of me. Shuddering in my arms, she kissed my cheek, gave me another squeeze, and loosened her grip.
Stepping back and out of my arms, she wiped away a tear, sniffed, and smiled so sweetly that my heart skipped a beat. Reaching up, she laid her hand on my cheek as my dad gave my shoulder another squeeze.
