GIN PRESENT DAY

Gin

Present Day

“Your vow is still in effect. Your job is still to protect her, now more than ever before. Love is a weakness. There is no room for weak men in the Bravata. My daughter will not have a weak man beside her. Do not disappoint me again Gin.”

That’s what my Don told me before I left. I spent the last year forgetting the feelings and emotions she ignites in me. Ali and Birsha needed assistance on a mission and Don Agni agreed to send me back to her. I thought I could follow the one rule that was required of me and left with determination. Unfortunately the moment I saw her again the feelings I thought I rid myself of flooded back. She has changed and her features are somewhat different now. It’s not a huge difference really. Subtle things, like the shine in her hair seems to shine a bit brighter than before, and her once tan skin seems a bit paler than it was. I shake it off thinking it’s probably just her powers growing until I learn she was bitten. I found out by a slip of the tongue by Shikari. 

Now she is half Phoenix and half vampire and she didn’t even tell me, not that I have a right to be upset. I should have been there. To make things worse, I find out the fates have given her a mate, Xei. She, of course, is denying the bond. I know it’s only a matter of time until she gives into it though. No one can disobey what the fates have planned, not even the stubborn fiery blonde phoenix, heir to the Concealed Bravata.

I sit back on the plush red velvet cushioned couch as I wait in the main foyer of this massive castle. Some of the group came to London before the girls and Birsha to prepare the guards. Ali has kept me at arms length since I have been back. The only good thing is her relationship with Xei is even worse than ours. Fated mate or not, those two but heads like more than anyone I have ever seen. Their constant arguments allowed our friendship to slowly pick back up daily. Especially when she needed to vent about whatever he did to piss off that day. I would listen as she complained about him and things that were going on around her. I became a soundboard for her and even though she hasn’t completely opened up, it’s a start.

Slowly the trust is starting to build again and I can see a small spark of the girl that was once there. For a while when I first came back and her and Xei were at their worst, she needed me the most. We talked for hours then and at one point, It almost felt like everything would fall back into place for us. Then as my luck would have it, an argument turned into a one crazy ass night. I still can’t believe it happened, and to make matters worse how easy it was for the three of us. I suppose the anger and the lust that has been building for weeks finally just took control allowing us to just give in to our more beastly needs. However, now we are at a standstill. No one is talking about anything other than missions and politics. Nothing deep is being shared and it feels as though each of us are walking on tightropes with clown shoes on. So much needs to be said and so much has to be discussed but emotions are running too high. 

Aside from my personal relationship with Ali she has a whole family and Bravata responsibilities she has to consider. The Don wants her to come back and claim her birthright, actually he needs her to. So much has happened at home and she has refused to talk about it. I had thought that when she found out the intel on the Establishment she would immediately want to return home, but I was very wrong. Her connection to the others has grown in a way I can’t describe and I knew I had no choice but to tell my Don the bad news.

Her father was relieved when I told him that Ali left the Establishment. However, his relief was soon turned to anger when I had to tell him she also decided to stay with Shikari and Mer. He ranted for over half an hour about how the Bravata and family should mean more to her than friends, then finally released the call saying he would contact her directly. I can only imagine how that conversation is going to go. I roll my eyes at the thought.

My thoughts are interrupted when I hear tires crunch along the gravel outside and I know that they have arrived. Just at that moment I see Xei walk in and I give him a quick one over look. He ignores me the way he usually does as I stand and take my place to greet them.

My mind wanders back to the night when I held her hand under the desk. The little girls with wild blonde hair that always wore a smile. The same girl that gave me a small daisy she picked the day we left our home. Warmth floods my body. I look over to Xei and determination once again fills within my blood. I know then that she may be his mate, but I am her Imani and future husband. This time though, I will not let her go. I will fulfill my duty and protect her will every ounce of me even if my heart shatters into a million pieces. I will follow my Don’s orders.