And Then There Were Four (Lilith Carrie)

Chapter 214: Choices for the Future

Cassie.

The moment we arrived we were greeted by the guard, Odin, and Freya. My grandfather's eyes stared at me with surprise and curiosity I wasn't used to seeing. It was as if he was looking at me in a new light—like I wasn't the same girl who had left.

“Welcome home, Cassie." His deep and hearty voice made me smile as he opened his arms wide, and I embraced him into a hug. “I see that you brought someone back with you."

Pulling away from him, I glanced over my shoulder towards Damian. “Yes, I did. It was his time to come home to the garden and fate has deemed he is needed here."

Odin was quiet for a moment, and with his silence, I glanced back at him to see him staring at Damian with complete indifference. Part of me felt like there was a problem, but the other part of me knew deep down that this was meant to happen.

Moving past me, Odin made his way towards Damian without saying a word. The uncomfortable silence that seemed to pass between all of us. I looked towards Finn and Silas, slightly worried for a moment but before I could address anything, Damian spoke up.

“Odin, it's a pleasure to meet you again."

“Yes, it is," Odin replied before opening his arms and embracing Damian into a hug. A sigh of relief escaped me as a smile returned to my face. “Welcome to Asgard, Damian. Let's show you to your room and then tonight, we will dine and you can tell me all about how my family is doing on Earth."

Watching the two of them walk away towards the open doorway of the portal garden was a sight I would never get over. I had spent the last twelve hours worried sick about what was going to happen, about whether or not he would be accepted and it turned out that I had worried for no reason at all.

I was pleased he had been accepted here because the idea of having him around comforted me. “Let's go inside…" Silas said as he came to stand beside me.

“Okay." I reached out to wrap my fingers through his and was taken back when he moved away, not allowing me to seek the comfort of him that I had on Earth. It was as if he suddenly refused to show the affection he once had with me and that was more confusing than anything.

“It's okay," Finn said as he took the place Silas once had at my side. “He has a lot running through his mind right now, and none of it is because of you."

Turning to Finn, I furrowed my brows in confusion. “What are you talking about?"

Finn hesitated for a moment before he gestured his head towards the doorway. “Come on… I'll explain everything to you. First we need food and a drink."

****

Ten minutes later, I found myself sitting in Finn's room as I once had before, surrounded by the flowing colors of the fabrics he had hanging around his room. To imagine what it would be like in his realm was something I had done often lately. Thoughts of how beautiful it must have been, and what his people were like made me more curious by the minute.

silver goblet as if he had no cares in the world was another sight I wouldn't get used to. Finn was a prince of one of the oldest realms in the universe and for someone in his position, you would think him to be a man who was stressed

who didn't take anything for granted and cherished

say, Cassie… the Earth realm is quite remarkable. Your family definitely has done well for themselves

I lifted my own silver goblet to

as he made his way to where I was sitting. “What's wrong,

feeling. Between having to leave my family again, Damian dying—even though he was with me—and of course Silas acting the

just confused by the way Silas

me. “Well, I can tell you a secret, Cassie, but you have to promise to keep it between us until it's absolutely necessary to use

only inches apart as he lifted his hand, running it down the side of my face. The deep celestial blue of his eyes were

tried to understand what he meant. “He is far older

would want to destroy him?" I

wanted to steal his rightful title, a creature

realization of what he was saying slowly began to settle in as his lips brushed against mine, setting my body on fire. Silas

honestly just complicated things a hell of a

*****

Silas.

me. I didn't want to brush her off the way I did but now that we were back in Asgard, my duties resumed and I was no longer able to be free with her like I wanted. Odin had made his sentiments clear on that front, I

stop the ache in my chest from the hurt leaving

things go?" Freya asked, coming to meet me in the hallway as I made my way

like talking right now,

brushed-off tone only made her smile more as she fell in step with me. A smile was upon her face as if she knew exactly what happened

like that. I can sense her all over you, Silas. She is your mate and your dragon has claimed her as his, hasn't he?" she asked, causing me to stop in my tracks as I turned to face her with

snapped in a low tone. “Odin made it clear what my job was here. My dragon will have to obey as I do,

angry I was rejecting the idea of being with the woman fated for us. Dragons were known to be possessive creatures and never shared anything. It already shocked me that he was quite fine with sharing Cassie with Finn,

even still in the

smug expression. “The rules of the tournament apply no matter the

I gritted out, knowing exactly what it would mean if he did. The man would submit Cassie to the gallows if he was allowed. He would ensure she stayed under lock and key and