Forged by Fate

She’ll know you, Thor. You’ll have her love again. Go on as you’ve begun.

He shook his head. I don’t understand.

The angel, the man, the prophet, smiled again. God doesn’t forget what he owes you, Son of the Earth. Son of Jord. Did you never wonder what drew you here?

More riddles. Do angels never speak plainly?

Gabriel twitched one shoulder. Not enough to draw the attention of any of the others. Some secrets are meant to be kept. We offer you enough to cause you to wonder. To cause you to ask the questions you are meant to ask. It is God’s greatest gift to his children, curiosity and even doubt. Free will to choose your fate, to choose your path. Free will to choose love.

And then the prayer was ended. Gabriel turned to smile on his mother, and though Thor waited, he offered him no further explanation.

He did not linger for many more days, for fear of drawing Sif’s attention, but the life Eve seemed to be living brought him peace, and he thought perhaps with the angel at her side as her son, she would be safe. For a time, at least.

He left Syria for the House of Lions, to give them the truth of what he had learned. Jesus was not a true prophet, in the way they believed, but he still spoke with the True God’s voice as his angel, and as Eve’s son. Humanity could do much worse than to listen.

Chapter Thirty-seven: Present

It was getting close, Eve decided, as she tried to ignore the twinge of what seemed like false labor. She closed her eyes and swallowed against the discomfort. If she could just get through tonight and tomorrow, she could have her baby in peace without Adam or Mia or her parents. The front sitting room was her latest retreat, and fewer people thought to look for her there when she had established herself so firmly in the library. But that afternoon, her father had joined her with his drinks and his bluster and his rattling snores, and she couldn’t find a comfortable position in her seat, to save her life.

Not that there was much pain, yet. And the spasm in her back, combined with the ever so slight ripple of contraction across her stomach didn’t feel like the real thing. But it had been a long time since her last child, and she didn’t like the waiting. With everything else, it just seemed like an extra set of anxieties she didn’t need.

She would be happy when the baby finally came and she could be comfortable again, even if it meant sleepless nights. Though she did have the advantage there. She would always know what the baby needed when it cried. It amazed her how other women managed to raise their children without the advantage of telepathy. Every time she became a mother, she was reminded of how precious and powerful that gift was. But even with it, she was still so baffled by the choices people made, the things that people did; how much more difficult was it for everyone else, who didn’t have her advantage?

A car door slammed outside and Eve frowned. As far as she knew, they weren’t expecting anyone, coming or going. She ignored another twinge and moved to the window, looking out at the drive. Adam was loading a suitcase into the trunk while Mia watched, pouting.

Eve frowned. Leaving?

Adam stiffened, but didn’t look back. A happy surprise, I’m sure, for your DeLeon family.

I don’t understand. She could see him speaking to Mia, but couldn’t hear the words. Mia’s forehead furrowed, her expression crumpling.

I thought you would be relieved. He slammed the trunk of the car and crossed to Mia, placing his hands on her shoulders and kissing her forehead. Mia seemed to relax, though she was still scowling. He touched her cheek and brushed her hair back behind her ear. Eve pressed her lips together into a thin line as she caught the conversation from his mind.

“I’m sorry, Mia. I don’t mean to ruin your holiday. Stay. Enjoy the time with your sister.”

“I hate that you’re leaving me. You’ve never had to cut anything short because of work before. Why now? Tomorrow is Christmas! Just stay one more day, then you can go and I won’t even argue.”

He laughed and pulled her into a hug. Eve even felt his affection for her and the way Mia softened in his arms. He spoke into her hair. “If I could stay, I would. When you get home, we’ll have another holiday of our own. We’ll go pick out your car, if you like.”

“Promise?”

“Yes. Of course.” He let go of her then, tilting her face up to his and kissing her. “Give your family my regrets, would you?”

Mia pouted again. “Are you sure you can’t stay? Just one more day?”

You don’t actually have to work, do you? Eve asked.

It’s better if I go. He held Mia again, hiding his face in her hair.

Eve shook her head. She’s your wife, Adam. And it’s your first Christmas. You should be together. It isn’t right for you to go—

Enough, Eve. The sharpness of his reply surprised her, and she was sure he felt it because when he continued his tone had softened. Please. Just let me go. I’ll make it up to her.

The anguish in his thoughts made her flinch, and she withdrew from his mind. She didn’t hear what Mia said after that, or what he said in reply. But she saw him set her away and walk to the car.

He looked at Eve, their eyes meeting through the glass. His expression was unreadable. She winced at another pang in her stomach. He got in the car, waving to Mia, and then pulled away.

Poor Mia. She looked as though she was going to cry, watching the car disappear. Maybe it wouldn’t be so wrong, just this once…

She found her mother’s thoughts in the bedroom, suggesting gently that she should look for her daughter. It was only a few moments until Anne Watson came out of the manor and Mia all but tripped into her arms.

Eve turned away from the window, and sat back down with her book. Her father still snored in the armchair in the corner, oblivious to everything that had happened. Oblivious to his daughter crying outside in his wife’s arms. Eve envied him. She sighed and reached for her brother. If he was leaving Mia this way, really leaving her, she would never forgive him. He had promised he wouldn’t hurt her. He had married her. That wasn’t something he could turn his back on. Mia loved him.

His mind was a maelstrom of regret and sorrow. And something else. Something which distressed him more than anything else. She felt him bury it beneath all the other emotions. Walling it with anger and pain.

Adam?

His mind stilled, abruptly blank. Give my regards to your husband.

Adam, I don’t understand.

I had to leave. It’s for the best.

The day before Christmas? With some specious excuse about work?

Kinder than the truth, in this instance. Don’t worry, Eve. Your sister is resilient. She’ll forgive me.

Why?

Why didn’t you tell Garrit you could reach me this way? Why didn’t you tell him you spoke to me directly about that journal, to remind me to return it?

She tried not to let her frustration show, but he chuckled in the back of her mind all the same.

It didn’t seem important. He knows I can feel you. Sense you.

You didn’t tell him because you knew he’d resent it.

What does that have to do with Mia?

It’s none of your business, Eve.

She’s my sister! You gave me your word you wouldn’t hurt her.

And I haven’t.