Season's Change: Summer: A Goddess Legacy Companion Novel (Goddess Legacy 1.5) (23 page)

"Then what happens . . . when I turn eighteen?"

"You haven't chosen the path you wish to take in your life, Season. You may know what you want now, but other circumstances haven't come into play. Until they do and you and the others decide on those circumstances, your destiny is unclear."

I was grateful for Melissa finally helping me with the answers, but as I thought about her, I realized she'd been helping me all along by letting me discover these truths on my own with Chrys and Don. She knew I needed to embrace the bond I had with the two of them. If she had told me this in the beginning, I wouldn't have believed her. I was so disbelieving that I didn't even listen to myself, my old soul.

The roar of Don's engine blaring down the road and the squeal of tires as he slammed on the brakes jolted me from the couch. He was running through the door before I reached it.

"Oh, sweetheart." He grabbed my face, gaping at my injuries. "Come here." He pulled me into his arms, dragging me into the bathroom to clean me up.

He gently wiped my face with the cloth he'd wetted, without speaking. He looked all over my face making sure he inspected and treated every abrasion, everywhere except my eyes. We had fought about Don not telling me everything he knew, and now he seemed to be walking on eggshells. This was not how I pictured our reunion.

"Why did Tracy attack you?" he murmured while brushing my hair aside, looking at my busted lip.

"Not sure. But her hair and then she turned into snakes, so she was either Medusa or some manifestation of her."

Don sighed, resting his forehead against mine, shaking his head, the sound like that of a tortured animal escaping his lips, and I knew it was the guilt—that he didn't believe she was capable of harming me like that—causing it.

"I'm sorry," he barely said.

He finally took a deep breath, squatting in front of me and making eye contact for the first time since we entered this room.

"I love you so much, Season," he whispered.

"I love you, too." I did not want to cry, but his sincerity tore me up.

"I'm so sorry about everything. I have felt horrible ever since we fought. It feels like I've failed you, and I never wanted to do that."

I didn't want to rehash our discussion from last night because I knew I couldn't take the emotional drain, but Don was in so much pain that I wanted to make him feel better. "I understand why you kept quiet. I honestly do."

"I promise you I will try to tell you everything from here on out. No matter how hard it may be for me to talk about things that could hurt you."

I didn't want him making that kind of promise I wasn't sure he could keep it. "I'm going to trust your judgment," I said as I stroked his cheek, hoping he understood I meant that.

He put his arms around my waist and pulled me into his lap as he sat fully on the floor. He buried his face in my hair, holding me. "Can I finish telling you what I know?" he whispered.

I nodded, and he squeezed me tighter. "My dad explained to me that after I was created like Adonis, then Demeter decided to recreate Persephone."

"Me?"

"Yes, sweetheart. When Demeter was successful, she needed to hide you from Hades. She left you here in Melissa's care, so you could live your life in peace and have a chance to make your own decisions. That's what I know. Now, what I think is that our families decided to have us grow up together to see if we'd have more control over our destinies. I don't know for sure, but that's my guess."

"They wanted us to be together?"

"I don't think they planned it like that—hoped is a better word. I think they wanted to give us the freewill to choose, but I'm sure my grandma lives next door to you for a reason." He chuckled.

"But then the Gorges moved here."

He pulled back, clasping his hands on my cheek to stare into my eyes. "My theory is that Medusa wants revenge against your mother, so she wants to destroy you. If she destroys you, then she gains your powers in the process—if you have any. Plus it'll keep Chrys from being with you. The possibility of you and Chrys forming a relationship is a chance she's willing to take. I'm sure she thinks if that happens, she'll use it against you. I'm also certain she thinks she can control Chrys. I'm worried he'll end up doing her dirty work for her. Your accident is proof that's possible, sweetheart."

But he didn't know what I'd just learned. I told him about my conversation with Melissa, telling him the truth about everything. He was shocked to hear about my weather abilities, but he believed me.

"You know I love you. I'll love you no matter what happens to you when you turn eighteen. But you have to know I'll protect you from Hades and Medusa, which in my mind means Chrys, too."

I knew Don would protect me at all costs. As for the Chrys battle, well, we'd save that for another day.

Don continued to rock me, caressing my side, my hair, touching me and kissing me while I thought back over everything that'd happened. Over the last few months, I found out about my mom, fell in love, found a new best friend, and believed in the mythically impossible. It was amazing to me how different my life was now. I did change. There was no doubt about that. Whether these changes were the ones that Melissa told me about on my birthday or a byproduct of experience, I didn't have a clue. But I liked these changes just the same.

After realizing this, I now understood consciously what my subconscious-self had been trying to tell me all along. I could control the weather. But more importantly, I was a powerful goddess.

Well, at least I was going to be.

D
on was taking
me to his freshmen banquet tonight at his new school. I started getting ready with a manicure and pedicure at the salon, and Chloe tagged along. We talked about my conversations with Melissa and Don and about my life in general. I could always count on her to listen when I needed and change the subject when I was done venting.

"So what are you wearing tonight?"

"I want to look perfect for Don, so I'm wearing the red silk dress that Melissa gave me on my birthday. I was saving it for a special occasion, and tonight will be perfect. And it goes great with the red shoes that you gave me, of course." I chuckled.

"You are going to be hot!"

"That's the idea." I winked at her.

"Well, since we're at the salon, you might as well have them do your makeup to cover what's left of those bruises, and while you're at it, just have them do your hair, too. Go all out."

I chuckled. "Good idea."

When Chloe and I were finished with our nails and my makeup, I had a hairdresser style my hair into a loose side bun. Then I went home to finish getting ready. I put on the red silk dress, stilettos, and some dangly earrings that accentuated my hairdo. I also wore the watch that Don had given me, though I wore it every day. Lastly, I clasped the platinum necklace my mother had sent me around my neck.

After I put on the necklace, I lifted the pendant and smiled. It wasn't just an abstract design of a triangle formed with platinum wire and sprinkled with diamonds like I had originally thought; it wasn't abstract at all—it was a tornado.

I stood in front of the mirror and saw how beautiful I was. I was never one to be vain, but I had to admit I looked like a goddess. I shrugged it off, thinking it was the professional help I'd received in my attempt to be beautiful for Don, but at least I
was
beautiful.

I waited downstairs for Don to arrive. Even though we'd been dating all summer, I felt strangely nervous. I figured it was probably because this was the first time we'd gone out like this—we would be meeting a lot of new people, and I was naturally a shy person.

When I heard the three soft knocks, I felt the butterflies in my stomach like I'd felt on our first date. I smiled at myself because I knew it was silly to feel this way.

When I opened the door, there stood Don, literally my own personal Adonis. He was astonishingly handsome. He had his hair gelled and fixed perfectly, and his blue eyes gleamed like the sky on the clearest of days. He wore a black suit with a white shirt and a red, silk tie. I reached over and lifted the tie and stared at him with an arched eyebrow.

"I talked to Chloe," Don said, glowing like he was gazing at his own personal goddess. And I was just that—his.

"Of course." I beamed.

Don stepped closer. "You look . . ." He stopped and sighed. "You look so very beautiful. A vision of true beauty." Then he pulled his right hand out from behind his back and handed me a dozen, red roses. "These are for you."

I smiled and took them from him. "Thank you. You're very handsome yourself. I think I'm going to have to change my favorite outfit that I've seen you in. The swimming trunks with no shirt just dropped to second place," I said with a laugh.

He laughed, too, and then I took his hand and led him into the house, so I could put the flowers in water. When I finished with that, Don leaned down and kissed me before leading me to his car. I used the ride to his new school as my opportunity to tell him my latest theory.

"You know, if everything isn't always as it seems, then maybe the prophecy isn't real. Chrys has helped me by telling me about Greek Mythology. Maybe he wouldn't have done that if he didn't believe he would be with me. Plus, he's helped me by bringing out some strong emotions. When I was happy with you, the weather was beautiful. Then as our relationship heated up, so to speak—" I blushed at the thought "—so did the weather. When you were gone, I was sad, and the weather was rainy. But these are typical characteristics of summer in the south. The anger Chrys brought out of me ignited my fierce reaction, which triggered the lightning. I probably wanted to hit him, so my aim must be off." I laughed.

"True." Don chuckled.

"So maybe there's a reason behind the prophecy—that it was meant to bring Chrys and me together to help us with our emotions during our changes, and it isn't really literal."

"That's an interesting thought," Don said, smiling. "I'd like that very much." "I'm sure you would." I stroked his leg. "I just wish I understood why Melissa

said I may already know who I want but that there were other factors to be considered.

Factors that haven't presented themselves yet, and once those elements are considered, my destiny will become clear."

For that, Don didn't have an answer.

When we pulled into the full parking lot, my butterflies from earlier reappeared. "I wonder why I'm so nervous."

"You're probably just worried about making a good impression."

"Maybe." He was probably right. Don and I had gone out many times, but this was the first time he'd be showing me off.

We walked into the hall, and everyone was dressed up. Don introduced me to the dean and the faculty that he remembered from his orientation. There were sororities and fraternities present, trying to recruit new freshmen. I figured even though we were not of true Greek descent, Don might embrace our Greek god ancestry and pledge to one. Though, most who joined did it for the parties. I wasn't an idiot.

As we watched the crowd, I noticed all the beautiful women. There were a lot of them, and I caught several of them eyeing the man on my arm. Seeing all these beautiful strangers reminded me of something from long ago.

"I remembered you used to come to dances with beautiful girls, and you never brought the same girl twice." There was no doubt he could have any woman he wanted.

Don laughed. "It's not what you think." I looked at him with pursed lips. "Those girls were family."

"What? You could've asked anyone you wanted. Why did you bring family?" "Because by the time I got to high school, I knew who I wanted to be with." Don

smiled and brushed my cheek with his fingers. "But I wasn't ready. Since I couldn't ask you, I didn't want to bring the same cousin to all the dances—you'd think I was taken if I did that." He laughed again.

"You are taken," I whispered and leaned over to kiss him. "Yes, I am."

We spent the rest of the banquet shaking a lot of hands and meeting a lot of the entering freshmen. I couldn't remember anyone's name, but thankfully Don could..

The evening went really well, so I felt kind of silly for getting the butterflies earlier. As it drew to a close, I stepped away from Don to use the restroom before we left. When I stood in the bathroom, I couldn't help looking at my face. I was glowing.

I was happy.

My life really was crazy, but I was complete as long as I was with my Don.

As I walked out of the restroom, I saw Don talking to one of the women we had spoken to earlier, but I couldn't remember her name. She was stunningly beautiful, though. She had long, thick hair and a body so perfect that it'd make even the most committed man do a double take. I guessed she grabbed the first opportunity to speak to him alone. He seemed like he was being polite, but she seemed a little domineering. She was laughing and touching his arm. It was obvious to me that she was flirting with him, so I wasn't going to sit back and let her have her fun. I was going to walk up there and put a stop to it.

As I walked over, Don spotted me and grinned. I smiled back, and he put his arm around me when I reached him.

"Season, you remember Rota."

"Sure." I was glad Don threw her name out there. "Apparently, we have several classes together."

Rota stuck her hand out to me, and I shook it. "It was a pleasure meeting you tonight," I offered.

"Likewise. Don is going to love this school. My parents went here, and they brag all the time about how much fun they had here with each other."

She seemed very polite, and I felt silly again for the initial reaction I had to her flirting with Don. But still, it was good for her to see he was not available for her to have fun with.

She turned to face Don. "Are you going to pledge?" "I haven't decided." He shrugged.

"I am. My parents are legacies, so I don't really have a choice. They're really into this Greek stuff. That's why they named me Rota. It's short for erotas—the Greek word that describes intimate, passionate
love
."

I took in a quick breath, trying not to gasp. I felt weak in the knees, but I also had a sense that I needed to run. Don flashed his eyes over at me and tightened his grip around my waist. I was sure he caught the same thing I did.

Her name meant love, and she had her eye on Don. After everything I learned this summer, I knew what this meant. Don said Aphrodite was happy and not looking for an alternative. And I believed him. I still did. Rota wasn't Aphrodite, the goddess of love. She was Aphrodite's likeness. Just like Don was Adonis's likeness. Rota came here to get Don. I knew it. I was positive.

I was sure because I knew the one rule that seemed to be constant in my mind since the beginning of summer.

There were no coincidences.