EB Chapter 64 Part 5
Eva
Sam was probably in the training yard, burning off excess energy. I found him shirtless, sweat glistening on his tanned skin, sparring with a wooden dummy. His long brown hair was pulled back from his face, revealing the sharp planes of his cheekbones. His muscles rippled with each powerful strike. The scent of earth, sweat, and something wild clung to him.
I leaned against the stone archway, crossing my arms, a smile playing on my lips. "Working out your frustrations, Sam?"
He spun, bringing the dummy down with a final, resounding thud. His blue eyes, bright with exertion, met mine. "Just keeping sharp. Never know when a rogue vampire might try to steal our lunch." He wiped his brow with the back of his hand. "Or when a certain pregnant goddess might decide to wage a war of information against her mates."
"Guilty as charged," I admitted, pushing off the archway and walking towards him. "You're looking… exceptionally dominant today."
He grinned, a flash of white teeth. "Always am, for you, little wolf." He picked up a towel, wiping the sweat from his chest. His gaze lingered on my belly. "How is Guinevere doing today? And the others? Kicking up a storm?"
"They're doing wonderfully," I replied, my eyes trailing over the lean, powerful lines of his physique. "But I feel like I'm walking through a minefield of secrets. What exactly are you all planning, Sam? And don't give me the 'baby shower' line. I've heard it too many times."
He tossed the towel aside, his gaze sharpening. "You're persistent, aren't you? Like a dog with a bone."
"And you, my love, are about as transparent as a brick wall," I countered, stepping closer. The heat radiating from his body was intoxicating. "Brandon mentioned 'logistical challenges'. Bael spoke of a 'declaration' and a 'new era'. What's your take on this grand event?"
He crossed his arms over his bare chest, his posture radiating power. "My take is we're preparing something truly special for you. Something fitting for a goddess and her divine progeny."
"And what, exactly, is fitting for a goddess and her divine progeny?" I teased, letting my fingers brush against his warm skin, tracing the outline of a scar on his arm. "A parade? A worldwide holiday? Are we getting a new title?"
He let out a low growl, a rumble that vibrated through the air. "You're fishing. And you're doing it very well." He captured my hand, his fingers strong and warm around mine. "But I'm not biting. Not entirely. This is a surprise, Eva. A proper one."
"I hate surprises," I lied, pouting slightly. "They make me nervous. And a nervous goddess is a dangerous goddess, Sam. You wouldn't want me accidentally turning Vlad into a labubu, now would you?"
He chuckled, pulling me closer until my front was pressed against his sweat-dampened chest. The scent of him enveloped me. "You wouldn't dare. He's too useful for that. Besides, he's got a soft spot for you, even if he pretends he doesn't."
"He has a soft spot for himself, mostly," I scoffed, though a smile touched my lips. "Is he involved in this… 'surprise'? Is he orchestrating some grand, narcissistic display of power?"
"Vlad is… involved." Sam's eyes held a mischievous glint. "He has a certain flair for the dramatic, as you know. He views this as an opportunity to… make a statement."
"A statement of what?" I whispered, tilting my head back to meet his gaze. His blue eyes were intense, full of warmth and desire. "A statement about our power? Our lineage? The fact that we now rule the world and everyone should bow down to us?"
He laughed, a deep, hearty sound. "Something like that. We're simply… confirming what has already become truth. The new order. The ascendance. And your rightful place at the center of it all."
"The ascendance," I repeated, the words resonating with a strange power. Brandon's 'new era', Bael's 'declaration', and now Sam's 'ascendance'. The pieces were slowly slotting into place. "So it's not just about the babies. It's about… us. As gods. As a family. As a new force."
He nodded, his thumb stroking my jawline. "Yes. All of it. It's a culmination. A beginning. And a recognition of the incredible power you wield, Eva. The power that brought us all together. The power that forged this new path."
"And you're all keeping me in the dark about how exactly this 'recognition' will take place?" I feigned exasperation, though a thrill ran through me. "Will there be trumpets? Choirs of angels? Cake? Lots of cake? A giant banner proclaiming 'Eva and her mates: We rule now'?"
He leaned in, his lips brushing my ear. "Something far more impactful, my fierce little goddess. Something that will leave no doubt in anyone's mind. A spectacle. A true display." He pulled back, his gaze hot and possessive. "And now, if you want me to tell you more, you'll have to make me forget what I'm supposed to be doing. And how many secrets I'm supposed to be keeping."
I smiled, a slow, sensual curve of my lips. "A tempting offer, Sam. But I think I have enough to go on for now. You've been very… forthcoming. In your own way." I pressed a soft kiss to his lips. "Keep sharp, my love. You'll need all your strength for what's coming."
I walked away, a triumphant flutter in my chest. Sam had confirmed it. A spectacle. A display. A confirmation of a new order. My head spun with possibilities.