The Cost of Betrayal

Chapter Thirty-six

Clotho was smiling triumphantly, "Look, she's going to do it! She's going to reject him!" She lifted her shuttle in the air jubilantly.

Atropos pointed her shears at her sister, "Don't get your hopes up, sister dear. Remember, she has a strong sense of duty. She may not follow through."

Lachesis shook her head, "I have my doubts as well. She doesn't want to fail anyone." She knew that Maura had a long road ahead of her and her thread was bound to get tangled. Even with Lachesis doing her best to keep it from doing so.

Clotho shrugged, "Then get Hecate involved again. This is her little screw-up anyway. If she had kept her nose out of it, this wouldn't have happened."

Atropos nodded in agreement, "She's not wrong." It dawned on her then what she had witnessed between Bella and Xandros, "Speaking of keeping noses out of business, what was that all about?"

Clotho smirked mischievously, "What? That's just a little push for a couple that deserves some happiness." She turned her attention back to the tapestry she was weaving, effectively drowning out her sisters' voices. And she wasn't doing anything wrong. Xandros was a mythical creature that had a fated mate. No one said it had to be another dragon, she thought to herself. Besides, Bella deserved someone that would treat her like a queen. She's been so sad for so long.

Lachesis just gave her sisters a look that said, don't hold your breath. She snapped her fingers, calling for one of the messengers.

The winged creature appeared, "You summoned me?" he asked.

Lachesis nodded, "Yes, please bring Hecate to us. She should be with her brother in the Underworld."

The messenger nodded and flitted away quickly. At least it would be quick. He appeared at the gates of the Underworld.

"State your business," the guard said flatly. He was bored. He had the easy, unexciting job of greeting the visitors to Lord Hades and Lady Hecate. Some days he wanted to get into the lower levels of the Underworld and see the punishments that get doled out there. He had heard stories of the truly grim punishments they give out to the horrible ones. The saying "a fate worse than death" has never been truer to some of these dark souls.

The messenger nodded, "I have a message from the Fates to Lady Hecate."

The guard acknowledged him with a nod and held out his hand for the parchment.

The messenger shook his head, "They simply asked that I summon her."

The guard nodded, "I will relay the message," he turned without another word to the messenger, disappearing from view and effectively dismissing the messenger.

The messenger turned, extending his wings and flying away. As he made his way over the river Styx he looked down, feeling almost sorry for the passengers on the boat. He could see that some of them were clearly confused as to where they were.

The guard walked into the dark castle, "Lady Hecate, I have a message from the Fates."

Hecate looked at the guard, "Yes?"

"They request your presence," the guard replied.

Hecate took a deep breath, "Now what?"

******************

Hecate appeared in the Fates' room, "You called?" she asked, her tone bordering on sarcasm.

Lachesis scowled at Hecate, "Watch your tone," she warned.

Hecate threw her arms wide, "What? I got a message from my guard saying you wanted to see me. Here I am," she snapped.

Atropos pointed her shears at Hecate, "Listen here, Missy, your problem still needs to be solved."

Hecate's brows furrowed in confusion, "My problem? What problem is that?"

Clotho pointed at the watching pool, "This one."

Hecate strode over, her black heeled boots clicking on the marble of the floor. She peered down and watched in fascination. Then she turned, "Oh, no," she said, waving her finger in the air. "You see, I gave them free will for a reason. But you three seem to think that everyone needs a soulmate or a fated mate." She swept her finger across the room at the Fates, "You three paired those two. And if I remember correctly, I tried to prevent them from being together." She pointed to the pool, "I can only guide her now. This is your mistake." Then she went to Clotho, and pointed her long red nails at the weaver fate, "And don't think I don't know what you did. Again." She crossed her arms, "And what do you suggest we all do to help her?" She put her hands up in the air, "Because, we all know that she's going to need it."

Lachesis thought for a minute, before pointing back at the pool, "I'm pretty sure they're helping her. All we can do is hope that he takes it."

Hecate looked at the Fates, the frustration that was there moments before now worried. "What happens if he doesn't?"

***************

Maura read the paper Lillith had given her. She looked up at her, "What does this do?"

Lillith smiled at Maura, "My dear girl, was he not fated to you?"

Maura nodded, "Yes, ma'am. But I am also fated to save my coven."

Lillith shook her head, "But, being destined to save your coven, is not the same as being fated to that man. They are not one and the same," she informed the young woman kindly. She could only imagine what her own daughter would be like. She has thought of her daughter every day since that terrible morning. She was about to continue when her son walked into the room. His imposing frame filled the doorway.

"Good morning, mom," he greeted.

"Alev, my son. Good morning," she greeted him warmly. She hoped that someday he would find his mate and she would be able to help him find his own forgiveness. "This is Bella and Maura."

Alev nodded at the women, "Good morning. I hope you have a pleasant visit."

Maura's heart broke for the man in front of her. She could feel his pain and guilt and didn't understand why. She watched as he walked away, wanting nothing more than to make him feel better.

Lillith could see the confusion on Maura's face, she smiled soothingly, "It's okay dear." She patted Maura's hand, "He feels the guilt we all do over the loss of his twin sister."

The pain she could feel coming from Alev. It must have been so recent. Maura felt guilty that they were helping her when they were clearly mourning the loss of someone they loved dearly. "I'm so sorry to be such a bother."

Lillith patted her hand again, "Don't worry dear. It has been years, although I still feel as if she were alive." Lillith sighed heavily, she knew her dreams were just that. Dreams. "Back to your problem, dear." She pointed at the paper.

"Once you recite those words, and you must say them to him," the woman said. She was stopped by the plume of black smoke that filled her sitting room. Once the smoke dissipated, and the figure of the goddess filled the space, she was able to speak, "Oh my stars," Lillith gasped. "Are you?"

Bella nodded to the goddess, "Lady Hecate, it's truly an honor."

Hecate acknowledged the other women in the room but returned her attention to Maura, "You must mean them."She knew her voice was stern, but she needed Maura to understand.

Maura looked confused, "I must mean them?"

Hecate nodded, "You must mean what you say. This is just like any other spell you recite. Your intention must be there. Otherwise, you will not succeed." Hecate looked at Maura, "Are you ready to do that?"

Maura looked worried, "But what about my coven? How am I to save them?"

Hecate smiled at Maura, the action surprising even her, "In order to save them, first you must save yourself."

Maura nodded, "I am ready," she said as a fresh wave of pain washed over her. A reminder that the one that was fated to her doesn't want to be with her.