She looked at me and her smile faded. She was, but Fate has many plans for her.
What will happen to her? I asked before I could stop myself. Somehow I knew that asking a Fate that kind of question equaled poor social skills.
You do not ask for yourself?
Sure, curiosity was there, but my fate didnt matter. I shook my head.
Her brows rose. Most would not pass up a chance to learn their fate, but I cannot tell you what lies in wait for your Alexandria. Some things are even unknown to us.
Disappointment seeped into me, wrapping its way around my bones likes a too-tight binding.
I turned back to Alex. She was watching us, eyes wide and hands stilled over the petals.
Its okay, I called out to her.
Alex didnt move for a full minute, and then she gathered all her torn petals, tossing them one by one into the creek.
Clotho watched Alex too. Their threads are intertwined closelythe Firsts and hers.
My hands clenched. And theres no way that can be undone?
She tilted her head. No. Just like yours cannot be undone. Fate is fate, you see, but there is one thing we do not take into consideration when we spin the threads of life, not even when we cut it.
Part of me didnt expect an answer, but I asked, What is that?
Love. We do not take love into consideration.
I looked at her. Seriously?
She laughed and it carried on the breeze. Love is such a wild and reckless creature. It cannot be planned or threaded. It cannot be controlled. Love can coexist with Fate, or it can undo it. Love is the only thing more powerful than Fate.
The words were slow to sink in as I stared at the goddess. Was this why the goddess had made such a surprise visit?
Her white eyes burned and hummed with electricity. You want to know how to break the connection?
My breath caught. Yes.
Sympathy creased Clothos brow. Stepping forward, she placed a small hand against my chest, above my heart. There is no god or person who can break their connection, but there is still hope. She dropped her hand and stepped back, nodding. There is the heart, Aiden. There is love, which means there is always hope.
Then Clotho shimmered out of focus and disappeared. Feeling as if my nerves were exposed, I stalked around the fallen branches and overturned trees. Reaching Alexs side, I realized I was holding my breath.
Something was building inside me, clicking together.
Alex turned to me, her shattered eyes meeting mine. The mix of brown and gold was as beautiful as it was heartbreaking. I really looked into them, seeing the trust that had always been there, devotion and love buried deep inside her. No bondno connectioncould fully extinguish that. It was why shed hadnt destroyed the necklace Id made her.
There was still hope.
Clotho had said that love was stronger than Fate. Was that really the answer wed been searching for? Loveour love for one another?
Then I remembered what Alex had said to me. I wont lose myself, because well, how I feel about you, it would never let me forget who I am
Somehow Id forgotten that. Id believed that shed forgotten who she was, but in reality none of us, especially me, had had hope once shed Awakenednot that kind of undying hope that saw people through the tough stuff. Granted, this wasnt the ordinary tough stuff that most couples faced.
And what had I told her then? Id never let you forget who you are.
Lowering her lashes, she opened her hand and the rest of the petals fell from her grasp, fluttering to the ground like thin, torn pieces of paper. Its beautiful here and quiet. Can we stay for a little while longer?
I wasnt sure what I was doing when I placed my hands on her cheeks, tilting her head back. Alex
Instead of correcting her name, she let it slide. Her eyes searched mine. Aiden?
My lips curved into a smile for heralways for her. Do you believe in love?
Yes, she said without hesitation. Do you?
I do. My hands slid to her shoulders and she shivered. I believe in love.
Thick lashes fanned her cheeks again and a grin tipped her lips. I think I am in love.
Six words stopped my heart when facing down a horde of daimons couldnt.
She bit her lip and a faint blush stained her cheeks. I feel it in here, she said, placing her hand against her chest and then against her stomach, and here. Its like theres not enough air or room inside me. That I may burst out of my skin or drown in it, and that wouldnt be a bad thing. I dont know why I feel this way, but I always have and will. She tipped her chin up and her entire face was a rosy color. Its you. I I love you.
Heart pounding, I swept her against me in a fierce hug, lifting her off her feet. Her giggle was smothered but light. I buried my face in her hair. I love you, Alex, always you.
CHAPTER 10
DETERMINATION BURNED THROUGH ME LIKE A RIGHTeous fire. I had a planI had hopeand nothing was going to stop what I was about to do.
After depositing a worn-out Alex in the bedroom, I quickly changed into my Sentinel uniform. A sense of rightfulness
filled me as I strapped on the daggers and laced up what Alex referred to as my ass-kicking boots. I smiled.