The Last Goddess
A/N: So, here is the next chapter. We are going to get to hear from Vlad in this chapter.
Disclaimer: Unbeta'd, so all mistakes are my own. All copyrights belong to Ms. Harris and Mr. Ball.
Last Breath
VLAD'S POV:
(RISING FOR THE NIGHT)
Waking from my daytime rest with a feeling of dread is never a good thing. The last time that happened, Michael lost Katherine. Oh Gods! No, Kristina has always been healthy and she is perfectly capable of protecting herself. If she had been in danger that she couldn't handle she would have teleported herself to my resting chamber or to Faerun.
But I knew something was wrong with her, she has been distancing herself lately. I thought maybe it was because Michael was gone. But she has never been upset by him leaving for awhile. That is why she usually stays in my nest while he is gone, and a lot of times when he isn't.
Once the sun has set, I make my way to my goddaughter's suite. I notice her Lady's Maid, Aderyn, pacing in the sitting room of her suite. I approach her and ask, "What is wrong with Kristina?" "She was been ill all day but has ordered me not to call her father or the doctor, and she ordered me out of her bedchamber. Vlad, I am really worried about her, she seems so calm, but I know something is wrong" Answers Ryn.
After seeing Kristina, I know something is seriously wrong. I call the Healer. Ryn is right, she is being way to calm, yet I can tell she is in pain. After a heated discussion with the hobbit and Kristina, I'm not sure what to do. I had sent Michael a text as soon as I saw Kristina was sick. Who the hell am I kidding? I knew she was dying as soon as I saw her.
Michael finally arrives. Kristina tells him that she waited for him and that she welcomes her death. Dare I say she looks happy, no relieved, about it? As I hear her heart beat for the last time, I know that I can never live in a world without our Sunshine. That's what she is, to anyone and everyone who has met her.
She has had courters since she was eight years old, and has turned them all down. She refuses to mate or marry anyone she doesn't love. I have always admired that trait in her. For a Faery to remain pure as long as she has is unheard of, especially since she has already transitioned.
Eight years she has been eligible to mate and hasn't. I know Niall would love for her to pick a Fae mate, especially since Kristina is Heir to the Throne. I know she has no desire to take the throne, she confided that to me years ago. She plans on giving it to her father.
Somehow, Niall and I have ended up kneeling beside her bed, while Michael has her cradled in his lap. That's weird; I don't even remember Niall showing up. He must have sensed her light fading. What an odd sight we must be; three of the most powerful and deadly creatures in all the realms weeping next to a 21 year old.
I had looked at the clock as soon as I heard her last heartbeat. She died as she turned 21. Many people don't know this but she was born here, in this room, at 12:00AM exactly on May 18, 21 years ago.
I will meet the sun in this very room today at sunrise. It only seems right. This is where she took her first and last breaths. She might not be my blood, but she was my daughter. Michael and I were both her fathers. And we wouldn't have had it any other way. I love her more than I love my own children, and they all know it.
I'm not sure how long we stayed stuck in our positions. But suddenly, I feel a wave of comfort float through the room. I try to push it away, I don't want to be comforted, but I can't.
They must have felt it to because we all look to the foot of Kristina's bed and The Goddess Freya is smiling down on us. Good, maybe she will take us to be with Kristina. For I know that the only place that Kristina belongs is with the Gods.
"Why are you all so sad? This is a happy occasion!" The Goddess proclaims.
"How is this a happy occasion? I have now lost every woman I have ever loved! My mother, my lover, and two daughters, how can this be a happy occasion?" Michael asks, completely disregarding his tone while speaking to a goddess.
"You have not lost her! And even though she is your blood, she is my daughter. Her spirit has been my daughter since the beginning of time. She just had to wait until the proper time to take form. You should feel blessed that she chose you and your mate to be her blood parents!" The Goddess explains like that would answer everything.
She then goes over to the bed, sitting next to Michael, stroking Kristina's hair. She lovingly looks onto her still body like a parent that hasn't seen their child in months. Then it all starts to click.