A Gift from the Goddess

Chaples Ninely Five 

Chapter Ninety-Five 

Most of the preparations were made within that meeting. Or, at least, right up until I could start to feel the medication begin to wear off. After which, we all agreed I should be moved back to the packhouse until 

everything was arranged since that would be easier to defend. 

For obvious reasons, I wasn‘t privy to any information regarding the move. It was all to be kept completely secret from myself, and even Aleric wouldn‘t know exactly where until it was time to go. Cai took on the responsibility of choosing the location to ensure that there would be no chance of Thea finding out beforehand, preparing envelopes for us both; one for Aleric, to be opened only when we were leaving, and another for myself, for in the event of an emergency occurring. 

I was nervous, to say the least. How could I not be? So much was riding on just theories. But I had to believe that it would be correct. I needed space to be able to work on fixing myself; both internally and externally. And staying in the Winter Mist until I was ready was just going to be putting everyone in danger. Not to mention, it would be potentially lethal should I accidentally let my guard down for even a second. 

I was most nervous about the ring though. I had purposely not tested it out yet, afraid of tipping Thea off too soon that something was wrong. I wanted to wait until the very last minute to do that, utilising the time she took to figure out what was happening to then leave safely. 

It wasn‘t meant to keep her out of my head for good. Something like that wasn‘t possible. It was more meant to be like a Band–Aid... hopefully just strong enough to keep her from finding me immediately. I knew she could sense Selene‘s mark on me, she had told me so herself as that was how she originally found me. So, if I could dilute that in any way possible, it was worth at least trying. 

Though, if there was a way to test it *before* we left, that might just benefit us more... 

And so, before too many days had passed, finally it was time to leave. 

I finished packing the last of my things into a bag and had an attendant take it outside to the car. It was mostly just clothing, necessities, and books from the vault to read through whilst I was away. With any luck, I could find something else useful in them to help form a plan against Thea. 

Now, there was only one last thing I wanted to do before I left…. 

And I headed towards the garden, following the familiar scent I hadn‘t sought out in such a long time. But given the circumstances and what they were doing for us, I figured it was only right to at least say thank you... and attempt to try and fix things. 

“Can I join you?” I asked quietly, finding Cai sitting under a tree not far from the packhouse‘s back door. 

He looked up at me, his expression still reserved, but nodded after a small pause. 

“I, um...,” I started, fidgeting with the hem of my dress as I sat down next to him. “I wanted to say thank you for looking after the Mist whilst we are gone. And....” 

Hesitantly, I then took another breath. “And... I wanted to apologise. If you and Aleric hadn‘t figured out what was wrong, who knows where I‘d be right now?” 

He frowned at me as he listened, taking in all my words. However, once I was done, he then moved abruptly, catching me off guard as he grabbed my chin to make me look him directly in the eyes. 

“C–Cai, what are you–.“. 

“For how long?” he asked, holding me still. “...Since the fight?” 

“I don‘t know what you‘re–.” 

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You don‘t look completely soulless anymore,” he said. “It‘s like there is a spark again. Just a small one, Why would you hide that?” 

And I finally managed to free my face as I turned away, unable to meet his gaze. 

... Because it‘s better for everyone if we still treat me like a threat,” I replied softly, “Because I‘m not better. Far from it. I still struggle to stay in control and her influence can hit me quickly at any moment.” 

“...I never cared about that,” he said, “I just... I just wanted to know you weren‘t completely dead inside. That you weren‘t gone forever.” 

And I was silent at that, feeling a little guilty over keeping it from him. 

“Does he know?” he then asked suddenly, and I knew who he was referring to. 

“If he does then he hasn‘t said anything,” I answered. “But it‘s better if he doesn‘t. He‘s safer without getting further attached to me. The mate bond will make it difficult for him to make an unbiased assessment and I don‘t want to take advantage of that.” 

Cai went quiet for a few seconds before saying something that then immediately made me become tense. 

“... You love him,” he said, matter–of–factly. 

And I looked up at him sharply to see he was being completely serious, his expression neutral. 

“What?! No, I… I just don‘t want him to get hurt. I‘ve been in his exact position during my original timeline. It‘s not fair on him.” 

“That‘s the same thing, Aria,” he argued. “Acting in the best interest of someone else, even if at times that means sacrificing your own happiness, is a sign that you love them. Why do you think I kept coming back 

after all the shit you put me through?” 

And I gave him small smile, almost laughing at how horribly true that was. He was probably crazier than even me if he still cared after everything I‘d done to him. 

And so, slowly, I reached out and entwined my fingers with his. So much had happened but there was no doubt that my journey with Cai had been a long one. One that made me appreciate how lucky I was to have people in my life who still loved me even if I didn‘t deserve it. 

I love you, too,” I said,

those feelings in the exact same

romantic again felt basically impossible. Where ! couldn‘t ever be certain over how much of ‘me‘ had been driving our more intimate moments, courtesy of his ability, he probably wasn’t exactly itching

for. Wondering if something was wrong with him as his body also got sicker over time too. Long gone were his playboy days, that much was for certain. I wouldn‘t be surprised

to stop the bad blood and fighting before I left for who knew how long. Because, ultimately, I still did love him. And, clearly, he was in the same boat. He was my best friend and somewhere along the line, that had gotten blurred with everything happening between us. It would be nice to go back to that simplicity. To be able

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Chapter Ninety Five 

we used to. 

either. He‘d been upset and angry these last few weeks because h e was hurting, maybe even feeling helpless since time and time again I kept reverting to insanity despite his persistence to reach out to

he said, resting his head on top of mine.

my heart ached a little from

a voice then called from the backdoor.

my head around to see Aleric

he turned back around, heading towards the

It was finally happening.

the Winter Mist. I never expected it to happen like

said. “Come back with a

have to feel guilty about so long as you can learn how to wield it correctly. Right now, you‘re just firing it off whenever without even realising it, but it would be best

felt bad, understanding the undertone of my words, but I gave him a small smile

you

that, I went to meet up with Aleric by the car,

I nodded. “Alright then. Here are your things.”

a

the silver ring instead. “Let‘s make a detour first before we go to the spot. I want to make sure Thea knows we definitely left

that and soon we were on the road, driving in a direction | couldn‘t see. I‘d put on the blindfold but held off on the medicine, enduring it for the next thirty minutes that passed. I didn‘t want there to be any doubt in Thea‘s head over what was happening and, for

finally said to Aleric and felt

hit with blinding light as I uncovered my eyes and had to wait a few seconds for them t o adjust. However,

are you planning?” Aleric asked but I was already stepping out of the

...Here it goes.... 

One deep breath.… 

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L 

IIVITY FIVE 

ring off, feeling myself free of

you there?” I asked

only silence. Clearly, it wasn‘t

knowing what this meant I needed to do next. I hadn‘t wanted

*smack* 

hit myself in the shoulder, against my wound, making me buckle to

the car, taking his seatbelt off to run out, but I held up a shaky hand to indicate ! was

there?” | asked again,

her presence come forward.

of your pack, your friends, your family, left behind to die. Do they know that you‘re still the same? That you‘d still throw them to the dogs if it meant being able to finally kill me? To get revenge for destroying your lives? For killing your old best friend? Because that‘s what you‘re doing

not expected her to start up her old manipulations so quickly nor with such insane, brutal force. I had

always pre existing fears and doubts of mine that she would

is secretly afraid of you,‘ she continued. ‘What will happen when it‘s just the two of you? What if you suddenly... snap? Don‘t you remember what happens after you give in to me? There‘ll eventually be some reason

she abruptly threw an old memory in my face, one from my prior timeline as she showed me what Aleric became in the end. The painful reality I‘d lived with daily that had almost repeated itself

were already

you are. Your little tricks don‘t work. I‘m

“Aria!” 

suddenly Aleric was there, trying to

it slow... methodical... Savouring every scream as !

I whimpered, pushing

budged, immediately restraining me to force the

to look at him as he slowly

out, a tear falling down my cheek. I wasn‘t sure for which part I was apologising for though.

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said. “Just... remember what she‘s saying isn‘t real.

begin to relax from

medicine now and we can wait another few minutes for you to calm down.”

need further encouragement to do so though as I greedily took the medicine, desperate for the pain

me,” I said, my breathing still a bit heavy “The ring works.”

you know? Did she tell you?”

then took another few seconds to settle down further before a small, humourless laugh escaped me.” She didn‘t need to explicitly say it. The last time she attacked me with such force was after I worked out i t was her in my head after all these years. Her aggressive approach means that she‘s worried about losing the upper hand. That I‘m slipping out of her reach, and she‘ll have to figure out a new plan.”