Seducing Destiny(114)

                “And if you were given that vision by the Mages?” he asked carefully.

                “I don’t think it was the Mages,” I explained. “Ristan was there, and he told me I know the way. He said it was inside of me, and that there was a reason I had been reborn into what I am. We need to take everyone with us, because there’s a chance we will have nothing to come back to.

                “What does that mean?” Ryder asked carefully.

                “I know I’m not making a lot of sense right now, but I need for you to trust me, I know it’s asking a lot, Ryder. I don’t know how to explain it, but I can feel it, as if it’s inside of me. I know for a fact that we need to get to the Tree. Trust me,” I begged, and watched as he nodded.

                “I trust you, but if we do this, we could all be walking into a trap, which could be very bad. Synthia, if we take all of the leaders of each Caste, who will be left to protect the people if we die?” Ryder asked softly.

                “I don’t know, but I do know this. Our daughter is dying and we need to save her. We need to do this as fast as we can and, even if it is a leap of faith; it’s one we can do together. Besides, the Mages won’t expect the numbers we’re bringing. They’d be committing suicide if they tried anything and they’re not that stupid.”

                 “Synthia,” he said as he placed his hand in mine. I showed him the vision, and watched as he stared in wonder at me. “Jesus,” he said and smiled. “You know this could be a trap, and we’d be walking right into it. I just got you back, woman. I don’t want to lose you again.”

                “You didn’t feel what I did,” I said calmly. “It was real, and I have to believe that we have a chance. I can’t live in a world that doesn’t accept my children, and if I am the Goddess of Faery, this world needs me. I can’t be the one to walk away without trying. I will not do this, so either we do it together, or I go alone,” I said the last as I turned to Ryder.

                “We do it together,” he said softly. “This is something my people may not understand, but they’ll follow. You’ll need to explain it to Adam, Kier, and your family. If it even offers us a chance to save our children, I’d follow you. So take us, Pet. Wherever you go, I’ll follow.”

                *~*~*

                I paced in the floor of the nursery with guards posted outside the doors. Ryder had helped and together we’d securely tucked the babes in their cribs. I’d ended up ruining the Christmas celebration, but for the moment it didn’t bother me. It was the pain I’d felt all of a sudden that put an end to all the fun for me. I felt as if I was crawling out of my skin, and yet I could feel the pain as if it was my own. I had no idea where, or why I felt it, only that I did.



                             It was as if a gate had opened up and everything had rushed through it at once. I didn’t know how to contain it or push it away. So I met it head on, and even though I wanted to fall to my knees screaming, I somehow remained upright and on my feet.

                “Synthia,” Adam said as he approached me, his eyes alert and on edge at my jumpy behavior. I couldn’t help it, though; I felt as if I was a conduit, and everything was filtering through me.

                “It’s almost time to go to the Tree,” I said as I hugged him gently.

                One minute we were both in the nursery, and the next we stood in front of the Tree. I gasped, as Adam looked around and then looked back at me in confusion.

                “What the hell was that?” he asked.