“I couldn’t, even if I tried.” I sigh. “This is so much bigger than me, than us. What we decide at this moment will affect so much more than just us.”
“I get that, but you and I? We’re meant to be. The sooner that you accept that, the better.” Sighing in exasperation, she pulls away. Shaking her head, she says, “You’re not ready. Not yet. I get it. I’ll see you in the morning. Try to wrap your head around everything between now and then. I need you to have your head in the game when we leave out. If you can’t break the ties that bind you, let me know.” She pulls away and stands, turning her back on me. She walks back the way we came, her back stiff and defiant. Night has fallen and I have never felt so utterly alone in my life. I watch her walk away from me, back through the trees, and darkness swallows her up. For a moment I feel lost.
Hellfire and brimstone, I’m a fucking idiot.
I go about putting our uneaten dinner away. She was so looking forward to this meal and I ruined it for her. She brought me to one of her favorite places… and I ruined that as well. Isn’t this how it has to be? It’s best this way. So why does it feel so wrong? I take a few minutes to look around this place. The waterfall is not a large one but is soothing none the less. It’s dark here, not many lights in this area anymore so the night sky is alive with stars and a fantastic meteor shower is on full display. The night sky is the perfect dark background with tiny sparkling diamonds stealing the show. Slowly, I make my way back to the house. The lights are dim and I know that everyone has gone off to bed. This place is comfortable. Homey. I hate to admit it, but I like it here. Making my way back into the kitchen, I slowly go about putting our leftover food in the refrigerator. Then, spying a decanter of liquor, along with several wine bottles, I cross the space and pour a healthy two-finger pour of Irish whiskey adding a couple of ice cubes before settling back at the island in the kitchen to contemplate the turn of events tonight.
I hear quiet, bare feet pad my way on gleaming hardwood floors, and look up to see that Lachlan is standing in the doorway, his arms crossed over his bare chest. He’s dressed in nothing more than a pair of soft cotton sleep pants that sit low on his hips. He watches me in silence as I sip my whiskey before walking into the room and grabbing a bottle of ale out of the refrigerator. Turning to me, he takes another moment to size me up before saying, “I’m not sure if I should admire you, or pity you.”
Shaking my head, I bite out, “I’m not in the fucking mood, Lachlan.”
He chuckles, “I get that…, demon spawn, but my sister is hurting and you’re the reason for her heartache. As much as I don’t like that there is a connection between the two of you, you owe it to yourself and to her to explore it.” He takes another swallow of his ale and looks at me. His eyes burning holes through my façade before announcing, “Hell, you may be demon-born but you’re not an altogether bad guy. As much as I hate to admit it.”
“So, is this you giving me your blessing to go make little demon babies with your sister?” My response is obnoxious and I know it.
“Fuck you, asshole! Don’t be such a fucking dick. If you respect her? You’ll either choose to walk away from her forever… or you’ll choose to explore your connection. I can’t believe that I’m saying this, but I hope you choose her.” He downs the remains of his ale and pins me with a look.
Sighing, I take another healthy swig of my whiskey and get up to pour another shot. Turning back, I say, “What if being with me, means that your sister is tied to The Underworld for half a year? What then? Would you still feel the same way?” I demand as I toss back the liquor in my glass, staring out into the dark night, not wanting to see his reaction.
Lachlan laughs, “Seriously? You two really need to talk more. She still hasn’t figured it out yet, but she’s already drawn to The Underworld. The two of us were born a pair. A Keeper and a Guardian, the firstborn pair, the firstborn god and goddess and we are… Retribution. As long as we remain a pair, but that was always destined to change once we found our soulmates, our kindred partner. We will always be tied to the four main realms.” Sighing he looks over at me, “I’ve said too much. Lillie must find her place. On her own.”
“Retribution,” I sigh. “Not LJ, she’s too kind, too pure.”
“How else would you envision Retribution, Daxell?” Lachlan prods, planting the seed of what he believes to be true for me to contemplate.
“Are you sure, Lachlan?” My words are a mere whisper as I speak them, but everything is beginning to click into place.
“Yeah. I’ve known for a while now. She has not clued in yet. Maybe she is just in denial. All I know is that my place by her side will change as soon as she finds her mate, her kindred. I think that is you. Then my purpose will change.” He stares down at the empty bottle in his hands.
“What do you mean, your purpose will change?”
“Exactly that. If you accept your place beside my sister then she will no longer need me as her guardian and I will have to find a new path, a new purpose.”
“So,
