hills and nowhere else in the realm.”
“So that tells me if we wait here in the settlement, then whoever is trying to kidnap me is going to bring the fight here. That ends in blood and death.”
“But you said where we were was darkness,” Perseus pointed out.
“I know, but it also showed us in the future. The path under both of your feet was the cobblestones of Cholas. And our son,” she picked up both of her husbands’ hands, “and our daughter were with you. That means what was said on the dark path is the future, but only if we go on the offensive. Like my dad always used to say, there’s no better defense than a good offense.”
Ekho made a face. “You want us to attack? We don’t know when or where.”
“I do,” she said confidently. “Whoever the bad guy is, he’s going to be in Cholas at sunset tonight. Which is why I need to talk to your dad.”
“He’s on the way.”
“Great. I’m going to pee.” She slipped between her husbands to the bathroom, shutting the wooden door and leaning against it. She could hear her husbands and her mother-in-law speaking quietly about what she had shared. As she pushed the sleep shorts off and sat on the toilet, putting the thick strip of bark between her legs, she chuckled to herself. Peeing on tree bark was about as primitive as it could get. If she were back in the Mortal Realm, she would be using a plastic pregnancy test in a bathroom with electricity and modern touches. But if she were in the Mortal Realm, then she wouldn’t be with Perseus and Ekho, and she wouldn’t have set Draya and Fontaine free, or have Perri as a best friend. There were things she missed from her old life, especially her family, but she wouldn’t change her life now if it meant she couldn’t have her husbands.
She carefully laid the bark in the sink as she finished cleaning up then called for her husbands. Ekho opened the door and they joined her. Perseus shut the door for privacy and they watched as the white bark turned a vibrant purple color.
There was stunned silence for only a heartbeat, and then her husbands cheered loudly and tears blurred her vision.
“Oh, honey kitten,” Ekho purred, “are those happy tears?”
“Yeah,” she sniffled, hugging him. “Very happy.”
Perseus hugged her from behind and the two males caught her between them in a tight embrace. Perseus kissed her neck. “You’re going to be a great mother.”
“And you’re both going to be great dads.”
Elektra called from the bedroom. “Well? Am I going to be a grandmoman or what?”
They all laughed. Ekho opened the door as Perseus lifted the purple tinted bark from the sink and held it up. “Yes!”
Elektra whooped a happy cheer and Cosmo, who had just come into the bedroom, laughed and joined in the cheering. Hugs and happy wishes were exchanged. Draya and Fontaine moved to Daeton and hugged her. “We’re happy for you, Miss.”
“Thanks, girls, I’m glad you’re here to share this day with us.”
The group walked out to the front room to talk in more comfortable surroundings. Rysk and Tyrant joined them. After everyone was seated on the couches, Daeton stood before them and explained the vision once more. Then she told them why she wanted to talk to Cosmo. “A few weeks ago, I was sitting with Perri and some of the young kids were taking turns sharing fairy tales. Finn and Odin joined us, and Finn told a story about a young Centaur who took on a demon with a blade made of bone. At first the blade didn’t work, but when the Centaur’s blood splashed on it, the blade was imbued with magical properties and the Centaur was able to destroy the demon.”
There was silence in the room. Daeton continued, “In my vision, Perseus said ‘bone and blood’ twice. The Centaur in the story says, ‘I send you to oblivion with the bone and blood of my people.’”
Perseus said, “A vision is one thing,
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