Choices of Fate (Fate Series) (27 page)

She made her way through the house and down to the back door that led out to the garden where everyone was waiting. As she approached the stone wall that still kept her hidden from the views of Ethan and the other guests, Josephine, who was waiting at the edge, sent Chloe down the aisle with her basket of flowers and signaled the human musicians to begin playing the song that Alexa had chosen for her walk down the aisle, and then moved away to take her seat.

The first notes of Canon in D being plucked on the harp floated through the air, causing the butterflies in Alexa’s stomach to move to her chest. Her hand instinctively moved up to her neck in search of her dolphin pendant which she often gripped for comfort.

A wave of panic washed over her briefly at its absence before she remembered it was wound securely around her ankle since the cut of her gown didn’t really allow for a necklace.

She paused a moment longer, smoothed the front of her dress carefully, then grasped the bouquet with both hands and rounded the corner coming into view of the guests right as the violin began to play.

Her eyes scanned the small gathering in search of Ethan, but he was still obscured from her view by the others in attendance. She walked slowly, using brides she’d seen on television and in movies as her example, having never attended a wedding before herself. She was too nervous to look at anyone as she continued down the long aisle carpeted with a white runner that ended at the stairs of the gazebo where she would become Ethan’s wife.
 

Instead she took in scenery, admiring Josephine’s handiwork in all of the white lights and flowers that decorated the gazebo and breathing in the scent of the beautiful wildflowers on either side of her. When she finally reached the clearing where the guests were standing, she was shocked to hear a familiar voice in her head.

Oh my goodness! Look at our girl, she is so lovely!
 

Having been surrounded by vampires the last few days, there had been no need for Alexa to keep her shields up. She should have considered that there would be two humans in attendance playing the harp and violin, but the voice did not belong to either of them.

She looked up immediately and saw the owner of that voice, Jill, with Jesse holding her hand, both smiling proudly standing near her mother and brother. It was all she could do not to drop her flowers and run over to them, she had been certain she would never see their friendly faces again.

With great effort she kept moving with a giant smile on her face, wondering how on earth they came to be there, but too happy to see them to care.
 

In the last few yards of her walk, she glanced around at everyone, her heart feeling completely full as she realized how far she had come in the last two years. As she looked at each of their faces, smiling at her with love, she was home. She finally had what she had longed for her entire life, a family.
 

Then she saw him, and the moment their eyes locked, everything else faded into the background. In his eyes, she saw every hope, every dream, every possibility. Again she felt the urge to run, wanting to throw herself into his arms, but with great effort and concentration, she took the last few steps at the same pace she had taken the first before she joined hands with Ethan and finally breathed a sigh of relief knowing that the next time she took a step, it would be as Mrs. Ethan Kellar.

✧

The entire morning had been torture for Ethan. After he left Alexa, he had fallen asleep for a couple of hours, only to be awakened suddenly by his father, who was practically vibrating with excitement.

“Son, I have the most wonderful news!” he said, far too cheerfully for five o’clock in the morning. “Your mother, brilliant woman that she is, and I decided not to mention anything until we had more information, but now it is certain.”

“What is it, father?” Ethan asked, his voice scratchy from sleep.

“We have found Alexa’s family,” he paused to give Ethan a moment to absorb the information.

“Really, how?”

“Your mother, when she spoke with Alexa and looked at her future, she also looked at her past. She saw her parents.”

“I did not realize her vision worked in both directions of time, why has she never mentioned that before?” Ethan wondered aloud.

“She did not realize that she could. She had never even tried, but something that Alexa said gave her the idea to try, and when she focused on her past, she caught a glimpse of her mother and father,“ Elijah stated proudly.
 

Ethan stood and paced beside his bed, “But even if she saw them in a past vision, how could you possibly find them so quickly amongst all of our people, unless…?”

“Unless we happened to already know them,” Elijah filled in, “in a manner of speaking, at least. Her father is William II, High Commander of the Agency.”

Ethan froze mid-step. “How is that possible? Why would someone with so much power send his child away,” he could feel his anger building at the thought of Alexa feeling abandoned her whole life, “he could have easily protected her?”

“Do not be so quick to pass judgement my son. Consider his position, as High Commander, he knew of the prophecy and his daughter was born with the mark. How long do you think they could have kept that hidden with her in the public view. Even with extensive protection, we know that Lucias is remarkably resourceful. The Commander did what he thought was best to protect her. Surely, you can understand his decision,” Elijah said looking at his son pointedly.

Of course he understood, he had done the exact same thing, and he was ashamed for his judgment and his weakness.

“You must forgive him, and yourself, Ethan. And you must do it quickly,” Elijah said as he moved to leave,”the High Commander, along with his wife, and his son will be here in a few hours. I am sorry to have woken you, but you need to be prepared. As you well know, without his blessing there can be no official mating between you and Alexa.”

Ethan practically fell back onto the bed as his father pulled the door closed on his way out. The law stated that every non-genetic blood bond be registered and approved by the High Commander. It was just a formality, and it was well known that requests were typically approved immediately, but this was his own daughter, one he hadn’t seen in over two decades. He may not be so amenable to the idea of instantly having his bond superseded.

✧

Ethan waited nervously in the parlor for the arrival of Alexa’s family. One of the disadvantages of being a vampire, everything is heightened, including emotions, making experiences more intense and sometimes more stressful. His mother had suggested they use the soundproof room, given the delicate nature of the topics that were likely to be discussed. William’s armed guard would be accompanying him, and though he trusted the men with his life, Alexa was his most closely held secret.

Elijah escorted them into the parlor and quickly took leave. Ethan was nervously pacing the room, so lost in thought that he was surprised by their entry.
 

“So, this is the fortunate young man who is marrying my only daughter today.” William said as he approached him and extended his hand. He looked Ethan over thoroughly. “It would have been preferable for this introduction to occur sometime before the wedding, but I suppose that could not be helped, given the circumstances.”

“Now, William, I am sure poor Ethan is nervous enough without you giving him a hard time,” Rebecca chided as she stepped up to introduce herself.

Ethan couldn’t help but feel a little more at ease in her presence, while there were some distinct differences, Alexa looked a lot like her mother, especially her sweet smile.

When Jared approached, he stood up tall and shook Ethan’s hand rather roughly, gripping just a little too tight as he glared at him seriously. If that wasn’t a clear enough signal, his words made his intentions quite transparent. “I’ve been waiting twenty-five years to get my sister back. I know you’re supposed to be the biggest, baddest vamp out there, but so help me, if you screw around with her, I’ll find a way to make you pay.”

“Understood,” Ethan replied cooly, though he was pleased to see the protective streak in Alexa’s brother. He would take all the help he could get in keeping her safe.

With that Jared flashed him a bright smile, “Well, then congratulations, man!” he said clapping Ethan on the shoulder.

After a minimal amount of small talk, Rebecca and Jared took their leave to go and join Elijah and give William and Ethan some privacy to have a more in depth discussion.

When the door clicked shut, William turned and walked across the room to a small table that housed a silver tray with a bottle of well aged scotch and a set of tulip-shaped whisky glasses. He poured two generous glasses and took a seat in one of the two wingback chairs in the room.

“I am not much of a drinker, but I think the occasion calls for it,” he said holding a glass out to Ethan as he took his first sip.
 

Ethan took the offered drink and sat down in the opposite chair.

“This is excellent scotch,” William complimented.

“Yes, my mother is quite the aficionado, though I could not tell you how she ever developed a taste for it. It is a strange drink for a woman, in my experience they tend to prefer wine or mixed drinks.”

“And is your experience with women particularly extensive,” William questioned, his tone casual, but Ethan knew the time had come for the real discussion.

“No, my lord. For a man of over two-hundred years I would consider my experience unusually limited.” He took a sizable gulp of scotch and placed the glass on the coffee table between them. “Forgive me, as High Commander, I assume you are privy to the details of the prophecy and are no doubt aware of my part in it.”

“Are you referring to the part where you impregnated my unmarried daughter, or the part when you take her life?” William questioned showing no emotion. He could have still been talking about the quality of the scotch based on his tone and demeanor.
 

Ethan felt his heart sink to the floor, he had never considered that anyone beyond his parents knew the complete and horrible truth. He sank back into the chair, completely defeated. It was settled then, the High Commander would forbid the union and take Alexa and Chloe away under his protection.

“Do not despair, young man. I have no intention of taking your bride or denying you the privilege of bonding with her. I only needed for you to consider the possibility of what the prophecy foretold,” he said smiling.

Ethan could only stare at the High Commander, a look of utter confusion on his face.

“Come now, Ethan. Had you never wondered where my daughter came by her gift?” He questioned, one eyebrow raised with amusement. “Apparently not, which pleases me greatly. Had you been aware you may not have been so open in your thoughts.”

Utterly speechless, Ethan could only sit there in stunned amazement.

“I believe I know all that I need to, you love my daughter completely and you will do everything in your power to protect her. That is all any father can ask,” he said standing. He stepped over to Ethan and laid his hand on his shoulder, “She is strong, son, that was evident from the moment she was born. Trust in that. Now if you will excuse me, I would very much like to meet her,” and in a flash he was gone, leaving Ethan to his thoughts and what was now an irresistible glass of scotch.

✧

For the next hour, Ethan remained there alone fighting his need to be with Alexa. He did himself the small favor of closing the door after the High Commander left, knowing that if he heard any sign of distress from Alexa in what was sure to be an extremely emotional reunion, he would have no prayer of staying away.
 

After what felt like an eternity, the door slowly opened as Barb and Cami entered the room.

“Well, now aren’t you looking handsome this fine morning,” Barb greeted as she looked him over with a smile.

“How is Alexa?” he questioned urgently, looking first to Barb and then to his sister.

“She’s just as right as rain,” Barb answered, “ I can’t imagine anything making this day more complete than having her folks show up after all these years.”

He looked back to his sister who was oddly silent standing in the doorway looking towards the window.

“Cami, is something wrong?” he questioned, looking at her intently and with concern.

The sound of her name pulled her attention, “What did you say?” she asked, having not heard anything Ethan said other than her name.

“I asked how Alexa was,” he repeated, a puzzled look on his face as he took in his sister’s demeanor. He had never seen her so frazzled. She was typically the picture of discipline and duty in her manner and stance, and this was more than just the change in her attire. She was distracted, unfocused.

“Oh, she’s great,” she replied, though to be honest, she had no idea how Alexa was doing since her attention had been so inexplicable trained on Jared.

“And how are you feeling, you seem off somehow?” he said looking at her quizzically.
 

Cami stood up straighter, trying to snap herself out of whatever it was that had her feeling so out of sorts. “I’m perfectly fine, Ethan,” she replied, “I just hate being in these silly clothes and without all of my arms.”

That was a reasonable excuse, which seemed to satisfy Ethan who had too many other things on his mind to question her further. “Members of the High Commanders personal guard are posted all around the property, I can assure you there will be no need for your weapons today.”

“Your brother is absolutely right,” Josephine said appearing in the doorway, “this is a day for celebrating, not fighting.” She walked over to Ethan and took his hand. “It is time, cariño.”

✧

Ethan stood next to the beautifully decorated gazebo, his heart pounding almost as fast as a human’s as the harpist began to play the music that signaled Alexa’s descent down the aisle.

He was painfully aware of Alexa’s father standing above him to the right at the top of the gazebo stairs, able to hear his every thought. That was a rather inconvenient ability for a father-in-law to possess, but an invaluable one for a leader.