Shadows from the Past - Book 2 of To Be Claimed By Her

Chapter 48

Eveleen

Shiye and Moira had begged their fathers to show them their leviathan forms. Most of the kids and grandkids had gone with Axel and Silas to the water along with Loki, Gabriel, Marc, and Victor. North was staying close to Jackson, who wasn't taking Brandon's absence well at all. My personal wolf pack was out along with Corey and Raven's kids. Since my and Nate's son, Brandt, was a triplet with them, they were exceptionally close despite varied abilities.

That left just Owen, Sean, and I alone in the house. My mother was watching the babies along with Callieach and Phil while we settled into bed for a nap - well after a very steamy lovemaking session. The stress and excitement of the day had been a bit more than I could handle.

"Little star," I heard Morpheus's voice and blinked, but everything looked dark.

"Morpheus? I...I can't see you. Are we still in the palace?"

He chuckled, "No little star, we aren't far actually, but not in the same time."

I frowned, still struggling to see anything. "I don't understand."

"You will." His ominous statement made my entire body shiver. "I need you to remember now, little star. Think back to a time before Phineas, before Erebus - back to when you were a little girl wandering the forests. Remember the day you wandered into the dark forests, the day you met me." Morpheus stepped forward and I let out a small gasp. He was no longer in Sean's form, but that of a stag. "You were chasing me, little star, when you stumbled and scraped your knee."

My mouth gaped as the memory began to come back to me. "You shifted and became a man."

He licked my cheek and laughed, just as he had done that day so long ago. Then he shifted into a man, but not Sean's form. He was gorgeous as he towered over me, his dark eyes looking right through me. "Do you remember now, little star?" I nodded. "I need you to picture the grove we spoke in. Take us there now, Eveleen."

My mind filled with memories of that day and the darkness shifted to reveal a lush and shadow-filled grove. Creatures just out of eyesight scampered and skittered in the undergrowth and the air smelled damp. Morpheus took my hand and turned me to meet his gaze. Like a veil being lifted, I started replaying the events of that day in my mind. "You brought me here, and cleaned my knee in that stream," I pointed to a small swiftly running stream filled with dark water. "You made a blanket appear and we played games while you told me stories...but...but they weren't stories, were they?"

"No, little star, they weren't," his voice was soft and caring. "Shall we?" he asked as a blanket, just like the one from that day appeared. An overwhelming sense of safety enveloped me as we sat.

My eyes watered as I looked at him, "You told me stories about all of them in the magical forms they would discover." He nodded and continued to hold my hand. "Did...did you make Gabriel my destined?"

He stroked my cheek, "It wasn't me alone, but yes, I set your path in motion then. You needed each other. Both of you so vulnerable, so unsure of your inner strengths. Even now, he doubts who he really is, who he's always been and you, well you, my little star, are still denying your own power. However, for today, we are not here to discuss the two of you. Today we are here to crown a king."

I was startled, remembering the story. "The Dark King. You told me he would have the powers of a god, but the heart of an angel. Oh my gods, Owen," I sputtered.

Morpheus grinned, "Go on, finish the story, little star."

"He would suffer great trials before learning of his true destiny. His heritage hidden from him until his death," I continued retelling the story, tears streaming down my cheeks as I recalled all of the events Owen had endured. "Upon his coronation, his mates will receive their hidden birthrights as well. His line shall rule both light and dark until the sands of time cease." Does that mean Owen's children and descendants will hold both thrones?