The Family

Damon

I take her inside the Palace. She looks around with her mouth agape. “Not what you thought?”

“Well, no. When you said Hell I thought of darkness and fire. So l thought that any palace would be dark and look like it belongs in a horror movie. But this...wow!” she says. There's floral arrangements everywhere. There's polished marble floors and staircases, filigreed railings, elegant crown molding on lofted ceilings, crystal chandeliers, beautiful tapestries, and tasteful artwork everywhere.

“Could you live here?”

“Fuck yes!” she squeals as she tries to cover up her now rosy cheeks.

I chuckle, “Come on.” I take her hand and lead her to our dining hall. Tonight, is just an intimate family dinner to discuss what happens next. Only a handful of our servants are present as well.

Ana grumbles, “It's about time. I'm starved!” I just shake my head and laugh. Then she looks at Misha, “You finally fucking did it! It's about damn time! Jack should not have been your last…”

Misha cuts her off, “I'm not discussing it!”

Ana glares at her, “Oh, you so will.”

My father just laughs. Misha turns to him, “You better not have said anything!” Now I laugh. It's just so comical how she can go from embarrassed little girl to confident and sassy woman so quickly.

My father puts his hands up, “Relax, I didn't say anything, but even if I did, there's nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed of. The connection is real, extremely powerful, and everlasting.

My mother, Alexis Reed, waltzes in and kisses my father before she says, “Oh, it so is.” Then my mother slithered into my father's lap and kissed him deeply. Misha just stared at them.

“My Queen, that's my mother, well yours now.”

Misha gasps, “She's so beautiful and young!”

I laugh because my mother doesn't look much older than Misha. She has impeccably flawless skin, thick dark hair, and sky-blue eyes. “She's thousands of years old, my love. She was made a demon long ago because my father refused to marry a demon to keep the bloodline pure.”

“You're people not thoroughbreds!” she shouts.

“I'm glad you see it that way,” my father says.

“If they made you have an arranged marriage, would you have still found her?” she asks him.

Demetri nods, “Yes, but I could've never married her nor had Damon with her.”

Misha grins, “So you rebelled against the Moirai?”

“Yes, love is worth any price,” he admits.

“Just like my parents,” she says.

“Yes, but their union was even more forbidden,” he explains.

Misha smirks, “Well, even Eve couldn't resist the forbidden.”

“Yes, but that story was to teach morality. The true fall was very different,” he says.

“Can you explain all of this to me?” she asks.

“I can and will, but first let’s all get comfortable,” he suggests.

Misha sits by Ana and I by Misha across from my father. My mother comes around the table and stands by Misha. “Let me look at you,” my mother says as she gazes at Misha and then smiles. “Perfect.” Misha blushes. “Let me show you something, my daughter.”

Misha looks at me. “It's fine. She has a gift.”

She takes Misha's hand and mine. “I'm Alexis but call me mom, please.”

Misha nodded. Suddenly we are brought into a vision. We see ourselves. Misha is positively glowing. She's even more beautiful if that's even possible. Children run around playing and teasing each other. The Misha in the vision turns to the me. The me drops to his knees and kisses her very pregnant bare belly. Three little handprints appear on her belly. The me kisses each one. Then he pulls her down on top of him and kisses her passionately. Their clothing disappears and that's when my mother pulls us from the vision. “That was us and all our children?” Misha asks.

“Yes. I see what shall be sometimes,” my mother admits.

“Did you know he'd find me?” she asks my mom.

“I knew he'd find his wife. Did I foresee her being a goddess? No, no I did not.” My mother smiles broadly, “And you both give birth to the new Triad of Fate!”

“Honey, are you sure?” my father asks. She nodded. “That's not possible unless…”

Derek Reed, my uncle and Justin’s father says, “Unless one of her parents were our ancient ancestors. True offspring of the divine creators.”

“Or the creators,” my father adds. That would make sense as to why the Moirari feared her so much. Misha shakes her head in disbelief. “It's fine, my daughter. Just very interesting. No wonder the Moirari were trembling in fear.”

I chuckle, “Her compelling them was hilarious though.”

Derek’s eyes bug out, “She did what?”

Misha shrugs, “Atropos was a bitch. She needed to be taught a lesson.”

My uncle laughs, “Yep, she's definitely family. Where are my manners?” He extended his hand to her. “I'm Derek Reed, your soon-to-be uncle.”

“I'm Misha and that's my best friend, Ana, your niece, I guess.”

He looks at Ana as he says, “Demi, I can so see your type in this one.”

Demetri smiles fondly, “She's so similar to her mother even down to the attitude.”

“She's beautiful,” my mother says.

Ana looks away, “Now stop.”

“I think you might actually be embarrassing her if that's possible.”

Ana glares at me, “You stop or l'll make Misha deny you for the rest of the day.”

“Isn't that up to me?” Misha asks.

“No,” Ana replies flatly.

“Just why the hell not?” Misha asks.

Ana says, “You're getting married so he's going to learn that women rule.”

Misha shakes her head no, “I'm not getting married right away.” I look at my family. I think they might just pity me.

Justin chooses that time to waltz into the dining room. “Sorry I'm late. Security was nuts. What's the deal, Uncle D?” he asks my father.

“Justin, this was to be a formal dinner,” he says.

Justin shrugs, “Shit, sorry.” He snapped his fingers and was now wearing a suit instead of his t-shirt and jeans.

Demetri nods, “Better now tell our guests that you're sorry.”

That's when he looks around. “Fuck, it's true!” Justin exclaims.

Ana waves, “Heya cuz.”

I laugh. Justin rolls his eyes. “Just why?”

My father chuckles, “One day you'll figure it out, Justin. There will be at least one woman you can't resist and if you're lucky two.”

Justin asks, “She is family, but why is Misha here?”

My woman giggles. I think I'll let her explain. “Meet your new goddess and Queen, dipshit!”

Ana and I laugh. “Oh, I like this. Bro, you did good,” Ana giggles.

“Ana! I silenced Lachesis and I'll silence you!” Misha threatens.

Ana shrugs, “It's just cute, sis.”

“Better be,” Misha snaps. I chuckle and she points at me as she says, “Oh, and you, l'll deal with later!”

“Can't wait, my love.”

Justin gasps, “Wait Lachesis!” He was never quick-witted.

“Yes, man. My woman is a goddess that even the Fates can't control.”

Justin laughs, “Well, you're doomed then. She's not a succubus you can command.”

“Oh, l'll never command her like that, but this...this I can.” I cup her face and kiss her. She moans loudly and melts into me. Yeah, I gotta pull back or else, well this table won't be serving food.

“Mmm, more later,” Misha moans.

“All you can handle, my Queen.” My parents just laughed. “What?”

My mother smiles and winks, “That vision has already started.”