Shifted Fate by Alicia S.Rivers

Shannon turned back to Brandon with a smile. She stepped up next to him. “Are you ready?”

Brandon’s eyes flicked to Vince, and then Garth stood. I watched m pale, and then be worked a smile onto his face. “Of course I am I love you.” He leaned in and kissed her. “Let’s get mated.”

He took her hand, and together they turned to the priestess. She waved them closer and smiled “Come closer. The moon is already in the sky, and the goddess herself is staring down on us.” Shannon and Brandon both stepped up in front of the priestess, and then she waved her hand down to the pillows. “Knee.”

Shannon dropped to her knees first. Her one band still in Brandon’s hands. She tugged him down. “Come on, babe.” She smiled up at him, and everyone could see his hesitation. Brandon looked back to the crowd. I watched as his eyes connected with Garith. He paled further when he saw Garith playing with a tiny ball of lig. He did it in such a way that no one else noticed except me. The threat was there. Garith was showing off his magic. Which was something I wasn’t sure he had until the very moment. I focused on Rowan. Garith is on the back pew by himself, in the mask with gold details around the eyes. I watched Rowan start to turn. Don’t look back, you fool. I shook my head. I’m telling you this because he has magic. So tread very carefully.

I watched as he nodded slightly, and I felt my stomach settle a little. His voice whispered in my mind. You don’t have to yell at me, my love. I can hear you just fine. His lips curled at the edge, and I wanted to crawl into his lap. I must have projected my thoughts because he laughed loudly. Everyone in the room turned to look at him, and murmurs started across the people gathered.

“Is he really drunk off the two or three glasses of champagne?” One of the smallest females there leaned closer to her friend. “I can drink more than that.”

Her friend laughed quietly. “Maybe he doesn’t drink and is a total lightweight.”

“I’ve been to parties in the capital. He drinks…this is weird. I’ve seen him drink bottles and walk

pinched as she looked back with a glare. “Shush. She’s looking back.” They straightened and turned back to the front. Shannon glared back at them for another second before turning back to

tugged his arm once again. Rowan groaned. “Either shit or get off

to look

do or call it off,” He crossed his arms. “At this point, we have been waiting for almost an hour.” He lowered his voice, or pretended to, and whisper- yelled. “At least it feels like it’s been an hour.” He earned a few chuckles before he coughed and raised his voice

Shwe tugged at Brandon’s sleeve. “Get down.” She

away, but then a deep voice rang out from the

him. “I apologize.” Brandon turned to Shannon and smiled. “It was a bet between Derek and me. He wanted

confusion behind his eyes. He hadn’t done any of that, but Brandon was his best friend. He wouldn’t out his lie. He

were feeding everyone. She pointed at Derek and growled.

S