The Delta's Daughter Chapter 238

MORGAN

Like a rolling cloud of fog, the haziness lifted from my eyes. I felt a shivering tingle down my body at the cold presence of air against my back and knew that Kian was no longer beside me anymore. I sit up, swinging my legs over the side of the bed, I thought my legs would be shaky after the traumatic experience I had, but they are not. I stand on sturdy legs and hold my hands out to look at them.

They are not shaking, but I feel as though they should be. The tingling in my body is still present and it feels foreign – almost energized. I rub the tips of my fingers together, a new sensation like electricity hums through them, transferring to each digit as they connect with each other.

I am of Morrigan blood and what I just did awoke something old and ancient and I’m not just talking about the stone. It’s not a stone. I mean me too. The scroll I read at Tristan’s house is still fresh in my mind.

…And with the blood of a Morrigan, pure and undiluted she shall awaken the child when her blood is spilled, and the word is spoken.

The scroll narrated the story of Apsu and Tiamat, how the goddess Morrigan and the demi-god Arcas hid their egg, and she placed a spell on it. The scroll held a family tree but only showed the firstborn female children that were born to the bloodline of Morrigan herself, only those females could carry the goddess’s gene and pass it on. And only those females could inherit the gifts of Morrigan herself. The line of lineage stopped somewhere around 300-250 years ago. But I knew. My mother’s family name was on there. I was a descendant of the great goddess Morrigan and my father Orion, and his twin brother were descendants of the demi-god Arcas. Who was reborn as a spirit animal to my half-brother Mathias.

I couldn’t figure out how I was able to imprint on Kian before, but now I knew. The blood of the gods ran through my veins and although I did not receive a spirit animal, my father’s blood was more than just shifter, it too was ancient and with the magic, I now know I hold, my subconscious was able to latch onto that hidden part of me and allow me to establish a connection on a higher level. My thoughts manifested into material action. I hadn’t imprinted on Kian because of some dormant shifter DNA, I imprinted on him in an extraordinary and mystical way. With old magic and the will to conjure a real and unbreakable bond with him. One I would never forget.

I went in search of Asena and Kian, believing he would more than likely be with her. I had no idea where I was going, this sanctuary was huge, and the hallways were confusing.

“You look lost.” I turned to the voice. The man that greeted us when we arrived was leaning against one of the white pristine walls.

“I am looking for Kian.” He frowned and pushed off the wall.

“He has not been known by that name for quite some time.” His frown softened and a cheeky smirk replaced it.

“Chakor, right?” I asked impatiently. I needed to see him now. I needed to tell him what had happened and explain how and why I managed to imprint on him.

“Mmm,” The old man nodded “go, left, left, right, and left again.” He began to walk away from me.

“Wouldn’t it be easier if you could just show me?” I hoped.

“I am busy, you will manage young lady.” He replied as he disappeared around a corner leaving me, once again, alone. I followed his directions and came to the great hall where I found Kian speaking a beautiful tall and sleek woman.

They were standing in front of a statue that depicted the moon goddess. Kian’s head was tipped back in thought, his arms crossed, and a mask of indifference hung on his face, a look I hadn’t seen since the first time I had met him. The woman stood close and whispered in his ear. A bout of jealousy reared its ugly head for a second, just enough for me to feed off of it.

The woman’s eyes found mine and she offered me a knowing smile. She spoke a few words to Kian, her eyes finding mine once more before she hurried away, not looking back.

“Kian,” I spoke softly. He remained in his position not acknowledging me, even though I knew he heard me. I took steps closer to him and when I reached, standing by his side, still his focus remained on the god-sized statue of the Moon goddess.

“Are you okay?” He asked me, not looking at me. “I know what happened to you, Asena and Ashe told me.” I shook my head, who was Ashe? The name sounded familiar to me. Never mind, now was not the time.

“I saw the future Kian; we need to go to the first continent. You need to return to your queen…” The words died on my lips as I watched his eyes fill with despair, Unfazed that I had just said I had seen the future. Gone were the black onyx eyes I had come to love so much and associate with him. Now I looked into new eyes, golden honey brown with flecks of a brighter gold. I feared the worse and couldn’t hide that fear “Your wolf?”

“Still with me, thanks to you…” He sighed and I let out one of my own in relief. Happy that Ruda was still with him, and the goddess had sought mercy on him and let him keep it.

“Then why are you sad, wolfman?” I reached out to touch him and he stepped back, rolling his lips as his eyes roamed mine.

“You will be going to the first continent… without me. You will see your brothers and you will meet the Queen like it should have always been.”

“What about you?” I almost choked the words out, a sickening sense coming over me. He had ignored my earlier statement; he hadn’t even asked me what I saw.

“I… I will stay here. I need to face my past, to find closure.”

The lump formed in my throat, thick and heavy. This was it, this was why he didn’t ask me what future I had seen. “And… us?” I tried not to let my emotions show and though I knew this was coming it didn’t make it any easier.

“Our connection will fade in time.” His eyes closed as if just saying it hurt, it had to because I was hurting “We were never meant to be Morgan.”

The tears stung my eyes, and a sob escaped my lips. I clasped the back of my hand against my mouth to try and prevent any other sound from escaping. He looked at me with a heavy expression of hopelessness. “We will see each other again, little witch, but I need to stay for now.”

“But it won’t be the same?”

“No.” He bowed his head and shook it lightly, his long black hair tied neatly into a bun on top of his head so I could see the dark shadow that crept across his eyes “By the time I return, our bond will have faded.”

“Kian, please…” I was not beyond begging. The distance he has wedged between us with just his words were hurting me, my despondency quickly twisting into a sour bitterness, and soon irritability of our situation.

“Hunji.” He whispered.

“Excuse me?” I thought I heard him wrong or wasn’t understanding.

“I can no longer be Kian for you.” His jaw tensed and I sensed the shift in his aura, his wolf present.

“I thought you liked it when I called you Kian?” My words and voice hold resentment and any previous intention to disclose my vision took a back seat.

“I do… I did…” He looked defeated, dropping his expressionless mask and baring his soul to me as he locked eyes with me. “We cannot be together Morgan…” His eyes turn down and his posture weakens like it physically takes a toll on him to say this.

“Why?” I ask with no hesitation wanting to know exactly why he can’t be with me. “Is it because you don’t want me?”

“NO!” He growls out, Ruda flashing in his eyes “You don’t get it! We cannot be together. You have your path and I have mine. My first and foremost priority and promise is to serve and protect my queen. I cannot do that if you are a distraction.” Again, his eyes soften “I must also go back and put right what went wrong all those years ago. My brother is rotting underserved in a cell and who knows what has happened to my sister.”

“Then I will go with you!” My stubborn ass says. Not ready to say goodbye to him, hoping to prolong our time together. This can’t be the end of us, I knew things would change but, in my vision, he wore a crown of gold when he said goodbye.

“Damn it, Morgan! You can’t go with me; you would be playing right into Farid’s hands. You will be safer back in the Kodiak Kingdom with your brother, or in Riocht with Queen Lamia.”

“No, I can come, I help you…”

“I DON’T WANT YOU WITH ME!!!” I reeled back at the volume and force of his words he spat at me. Tears immediately streaked my cheeks, shocked from the position they held in my eyes. My lip quivered because I heard the truth in those awful words.

He really didn’t want me with him.

Right then and there, it dawned on me that I was never mad at Kian, I couldn’t be he was caught in this stupid game of fate and destiny just as much as I was – I was furious with the Moon goddess for making him believe he didn’t deserve to be happy. That he thought he couldn’t find love. That he had to push me away when I could see plain as day that he didn’t want to, all because he made a promise, and his choice was taken from him.

Seriously, what kind of a goddess denies someone she calls her disciple, happiness?

"You know what?" I faced him, bubbling with anger "do what you want but it's time you figured out if you are Kian or Hunji!" Hoping my words would have an impact on him. That maybe, just maybe in some way they would help him realize he could be whoever he wanted to be.

"You don't get it... I am both of them." His head hung and shoulders dropped in defeat. My temper softened as I looked at my broken wolfman bearing his emotions.

A tear slipped down my cheek for him. He had suffered so much in his life. I couldn't bear to be one more painful memory that he had to bury away no matter how much it hurt me. "Then you should go to Eririat. Reclaim your rightful place. Your crown."

I turned away from him, unable to look him in the eye. The thought of him leaving me caused an ache deep in my heart. "You were always meant to come back Kian. It is your destiny. I see that now."

A moment of silence passed, and I took that as my cue to leave. My feet felt like lead as I urged them to move, my steps heavy with sorrow, my heart, and mind full of disappointment as I walked away from the man I loved. My wolfman.

I don't t when it was that I had fallen in love with him, but I had fallen deeply and hard. It's like he said to me - I was not his and he was not mine. Oh, but how I wished it wasn’t true. Our futures were not together, and I knew this was coming. We knew things would change – I knew things would change once we arrived at Mint. And so many things have.

I walked out of the great hall with hurried steps, needing space and privacy to cry, and kept walking until I found myself deep into the mountains forest. I needed to be strong for myself and for him.

The forest is quiet, the air thick with cold, too quiet. A feeling of unease settled in me. 'run' a voice whispered to me. I looked around for the source - seeing no one. I brushed it off pretending it was just my heightened emotions when Abbas’ face filled my vision. Just a quick flash but I knew that image spelled trouble.

I turned, ready to run back to the sanctuary, suddenly feeling unsafe and exposed out here amongst the dense forest.

"Hello witch" I cursed hearing that sinister voice.

I couldn't outrun him and With no one around to hear my screams, I knew I was at his mercy. Pulling my shoulders back, I bravely turned to face Abbas.

The smug shit looked so proud of himself, his smirk high and tight on his face. With inhuman speed he moved in front of me, his fingers coiling around my neck with a firm grip. Preventing me from letting out the scream that bubbled to the surface.

He might hurt me, but he wouldn't kill me. That thought gave me the confidence to meet his eyes without wavering.

"You belong to Farid, but I don't think he would mind if I took out my frustrations and pleasure on you, for all the trouble you have caused me."

"How did you find us, Abbas?" I asked, ignoring his suggestion.

"A little Beta Bear from Trizar, spilled it all to save his mate. Only to watch me rape and mutilate her after." He chuckled, walking me backward until I felt the rough bark of a tree press into my back. His eyes roamed my face, his hand still secured around my neck. "I want you, and I will have you before I give you to my brother" his words slithered from off his tongue and bile rose in my throat at the thought of him pawing at me.

I heard the sound of his zipper pull and I glanced down to where his other hand was undoing his pants. "Fuck me Abbas and I lose my gift to connect with the dead."

"Bullshit! I smell Kian all over you, you reek of his scent!" His eyes blazed with fiery anger, but I didn't crumble at the murderous look.

"Of course, I smell like him! I have been around him for days" I scoffed pretending his accusations were ludicrous, forgetting how heightened a shifter’s sense of smell was. "Go ahead. Rape me, beat me but your brother wants me for a reason. Are you truly going to fuck up his plans on something that might not be true?"

I hardened my gaze, locking eyes with him, daring him to call my bluff.

"Argghh!" He growled out, dropping his hand from my throat and curling his fists in frustration.

I didn't see it coming so I had no time to react when his fist met my face, and everything became blurry until it was black.

I remember waking up a couple of times, fleeting panic taking over only to be hit with something and returning to a dreamless state. Each time my lungs burned and try as I might, I couldn’t keep coherent. I had no idea where this psychopath was taking me or what he was doing to me. Those few moments I woke all I could feel was the heaviness of my body, the burn of my lungs, and the ache of all my muscles, not forgetting how much my head hurt.

I prayed to the moon goddess and to Morrigan that my wolfman would find me before it was too late. Before Abbas did whatever it was, he was planning. Because the goddesses know, as a mere human I could not overpower or outrun them, especially if they kept knocking me out.

Oddly enough I was more vexed about my state, than I was fearful.