Garen

We spent weeks learning how to merge and control our new powers and watched as Serenity worked herself to the bone trying to regain her memories. Genevieve had enlisted the help of the Witch Council, but despite their best efforts, nothing changed. Time was running out.

"How is she?" Daniel asked as I tiptoed out of the bedroom.

"Exhausted," I answered. "She's pushing herself too much. Between the pregnancy, forcing her powers, and those damn memory sessions, I'm scared she's going to break."

He handed me a glass of bourbon as we settled into the study. "So, how do we convince her to slow down. I know Genevieve is here to help, but her obsession with finding Asher is pushing them both. I'm not just worried about Ren, but the babies too." I nodded in agreement, but neither of us had an answer. Instead, we sat, sipping our drinks, lost in our worries, until a shrill scream had both of us bolting toward Serenity.

Throwing the door open, we saw her sitting upright in bed, eyes white as she stared into nothingness. I took a step forward, but Genevieve grabbed me, pulling me back. "Don't. Give her a minute, she's seeing something." I fought every urge in my body to rush to her, clenching my fists as I watched her expressions change. Silent tears began to fall down her face as she lifted her hand outward.

"Mom," she whispered, then collapsed onto the bed. I couldn't stop my own feet then as I lifted her into my arms. Daniel cradled her head as we spoke softly to her.

"Serenity, wake up, baby," I whispered.

"Come on, love, open those beautiful eyes for us." Daniel was crying as he brushed her hair away from her face.

What felt like a shock ran through my body. Gasping, I looked up to realize we were no longer in the room. "She loves both of you so much, she always did," a feminine voice spoke, drawing our attention.

"You're her mother," Daniel choked as we looked at the woman. She resembled Serenity in so many ways, but her eyes were careworn and filled with sadness.

She nodded, then looked down at her. "I never wanted this for her. I wanted her to be happy. I thought if I just gave her some distance from her father, he would realize your relationship was a gift from the Goddess herself."

"Sorry, but Danu sure as hell doesn't see it that way," I snapped. "She wants to use her."

The woman laughed spitefully, "That woman has no right to be called a Goddess. It wasn't she who Serenity was meant to serve."

"What do you mean? Danu is the Elven Goddess. Who else would she serve?" Daniel growled.

Her mother smiled, "My Goddess, of course. Did you not notice how different Serenity is from other Fae? She has my blood in her veins, the blood of a witch, and Nyx laid claim to her on the night of her birth." She pointed to the small birthmark on Serenity's forearm. "That mark is why Danu and her father seek her so desperately. While she is the foretold Child of Light, she is also a Child of the Night. Her soul was created to bond with the two of you before vampires even roamed the earth. Those babies are meant to pull the kingdoms together - vampire, elven, and witch."

"That's amazing and all, but how do we defeat Danu and save Asher?" My patience was wearing thin with all this cryptic shit.

She snorted, "So impatient. Serenity has all the answers now, along with her full memories. Seek the help of the witches to set up an offering to Nyx tonight on the full moon. All three of you must present yourselves to her and seal your bond with her blessing. With her help, you will be strong enough to restrain Danu."

"Fuck restraining her, I want her dead," Daniel growled.

"You cannot kill a Goddess," her mother said. "However, you can place her somewhere that she can no longer harm you." She looked down at her daughter, sadness filling her eyes once again. "Love her well, gentlemen, and take care of her. Do not fail her as I did."

My anger lessened at her regret, and I replied, "You didn't fail her. You tried to help her. It was her father who failed her, and for that, I'll see him dead."

She nodded resolutely, then vanished as we found ourselves back in our bedroom.

"Where did you three go?" Genevieve sputtered. "One minute you're all on the bed, then the next, nothing. It's been hours."

I looked out the window, realizing it was now night. "Her mother needed to speak with us, but we can explain that later. For now, we need to create a tribute to Nyx. Seems our girl has more and more surprises for us all the time." Daniel and I both chuckled at the gobsmacked look on the witch's face.

****

We stood amid Genevieve's coven, our bodies bare except for the thin dark robes that covered us. The women chanted in low voices as the fire before us swirled and began to grow. A spiral of black mist rose from the center as Serenity sucked in her breath, "Nyx."

The air around us seemed to plummet in temperature as the mist formed into a hazy shape of a woman. Her hair was black and swirled with the mists, while her skin was like fine porcelain, similar to a vampire's. She looked at us, freezing us in place. I saw Serenity struggling to breathe and pushed my magic through the bond. Despite her transition, she still required oxygen while neither Daniel nor I did.

"Almost perfect," the goddess spoke, her voice silky. She stepped forward, out of the fire, and hovered before us. "They are already so powerful," she said, her hand reaching out to touch Serenity's stomach. "A child of light and a child of the dark. Both forces that will make even the gods tremble." We stood frozen, unable to move or speak. I'd never felt this much raw power, and it made my skin crawl.

As if reading my thoughts, she turned to me. "Ahh, the protector." Her fingers trailed over my jaw, sending daggers of ice through me. "You fought so hard to deny my will, didn't you, Garen? So ready to be the martyr. Tell me, vampire, are you prepared to live? To face the unknown with your wife and husband, to face the challenges that will pursue your children?"

I forced myself to answer despite the pain it caused. "Yes. I will live for them. I will give all that I am for them, Goddess." She smiled and nodded, then moved before Daniel.

"The King," she spoke, "filled with rage, slave to his beast. She has tamed you both, hasn't she? Are you prepared to share your power equally with both of them? To let them rule with complete trust? Can you break the bonds of your past and cleanse your kingdom of the hurt your father caused?"

We could see Daniel struggle to answer, but he finally spoke, "Yes. I trust them both completely and will rule as equals. I am not my father and will spend eternity undoing the evil he wrought."

Nyx seemed satisfied with our answers and came to stand before Serenity once again. "I see much joy in your future, but also sadness. Your mother came to you, yes?"

"Yes," Serenity spoke, her voice strong and carrying across the space. "She shared her memories with me to unlock my own. I know everything now."

"Then you know that your father and Danu perverted my blessing upon you. Mikahala, your mother, was my initiate. Fate wove a strange tapestry when it bound her to your father. Had Danu not interfered, then he, too, would have come under my protection, but alas, she is a jealous goddess who only wants to rule through her puppets. She laid claim to your brother, and as you know, tried to claim you. Mikahala wouldn't allow it and fled. She gave her life for you, child. Are you willing to do the same for your children?"

I felt my chest tighten at her implication. Are we going to lose her? She squeezed my hand in reassurance and answered, "I am willing. Their lives are far more important than my own, I know that now. But I refuse to let Danu keep her claim on Asher - help me, Nyx. Help me free him and right the wrongs of my father."

"Such a strong soul," Nyx whispered with a wicked smile. "You cannot escape your death, Serenity. It will find you eventually and open a new chapter, a new purpose. Until that time, I will give my blessing to you once again. I claim you, Serenity Matthews, Daniel Ito, and Garen Willet as my own. May the dark of night give you sanctuary and stealth. May these children flourish and come into their full powers as the Fates have ordained. Take my mark and seal your bonds once again, Eternals." One after the other, she gripped our forearms, marking us with the same sliver of black that adorned Serenity's arm.

The goddess stepped back into the flames and vanished along with all of the witches. The flames shot up in a blaze, then simmered low as we each felt the bond snap and fill with lust. The scent of her arousal filled the air, making both of us groan. In seconds, we were naked and a tangle of limbs. Daniel cradled her upper torso as I flicked my tongue across her clit. Her moans were like prayers as I pushed her over the edge, then centered myself over her core, slamming inside of her. Her cries were cut off when Daniel claimed her lips, his hands kneading and pinching at her swollen breasts.

Please, please don't stop, she begged in the connection.

Never, my Eternal. I will never stop making you scream my name, never stop loving you, never stop wanting you. Even in my mind, my words were rough as I surrendered to the need to fill her core with my seed. She arched as she milked my cock.

We were panting as I slid from her and switched places with Daniel. "I love you so much, Ren," he groaned as he slid inside of her.

"Daniel," she moaned as I peppered her skin with kisses. I became lost in watching her face build with ecstasy as he fucked her.

Nyx's voice filled our minds - Seal the bond now!

Daniel pulled her up to straddle him as I moved behind her back. They reached their climax, and we sank our teeth into each other's necks, drinking deeply. After a few seconds, we switched. This time, Serenity's fangs sank into my neck as Daniel and I marked one another. We had never done this before, and it was exhilarating. Magic crackled in the air around us as visions began to fill our minds. A little boy with electric blue eyes, and a timid-looking girl with brown eyes standing on a hilltop holding hands, then a field filled with battle, a towering tree that burst into flames, and finally another pair of children. The boy was sullen with hazel eyes scowling into the distance while a small girl with golden hair tried to get his attention. Next, a flash of magic shot through us, revealing Danu's location.

We fell to the ground, trying to catch our breath as our eyes met, each of us knowing it was time to face the misguided goddess.

Author's Notes:  I'll post updates weekly.  The completed story is available on my Patreon.  Enjoy, my lovelies.