Cora's Kismet (The Twin Destinies Saga Book 1) Read online

  “Why?” Angelica asked, surprised.

  “I don’t want emotions getting in the way of her training. She has to be ready, if he trains her, there will be too many distractions between them.”

  “That makes sense. Who should we place in charge of her training then?” Angelica said.

  “I will think on that. I also think Viola should train separately from Cora,” Thomas said, his voice tight, ready for argument.

  “No. I think it will be more effective if they train together. They will be less resistant to the training that way,” Angelica insisted, and Thomas backed down realizing his wife was right.

  “I think you’re right. They are very stubborn girls,” Thomas sounded disgruntled.

  “Just like their parents,” Angelica said, and Cora could hear the smile of pride in her voice. “Do you think we should ask them more about their past?” Cora stiffened against the wall at that question and Liam squeezed her hand in reassurance.

  “I think we’ll have to, at some point. We need to know more, they will be resistant to tell us however,” Thomas responded, regret filling his words.

  “It’s painful for them to remember, we can both understand that. I feel for their pain, deep in my heart. We should have never given them up. We should have protected them here,” Angelica sobbed out.

  “We couldn’t keep them here with us, you know that. They were not safe here,” Thomas insisted.

  “Then we should have taken them and left,” Angelica said with conviction. Cora warmed to her mother more and more the longer she listened to the conversation.

  As much as she’d like to continue to eavesdrop on her parents, she knew it was only a matter of time before they were caught. She stepped away from the wall, drawing a confused look from Liam. She smiled at him as she stepped toward the door and knocked loud enough to draw her parents’ attention.

  Thomas’ footsteps thudded as he crossed the room and opened the door. Cora smiled up at him.

  “Hello Cora, are you feeling better?” Thomas asked, as he moved aside for them to enter.

  “Yes much better, thanks to Liam,” Cora replied, and gazed at Liam for a moment with affection before turning back to her parents. “Have you seen Viola?”

  “Not for a little while. She was sleeping on the couch in the living room when we came in here to talk, but we haven’t checked on her. Was she there when you came in?” Angelica asked, mild concern etched on her features.

  “We didn’t look. We came here first,” Liam responded. “I’ll go check on her for you if you’d like?” Liam asked, cautious in a way he’d never had to be before. He wasn’t sure how to feel about Thomas not wanting him to train Cora and Viola. He’d just thought he’d be the natural choice for the job. He was also worried about who Thomas would choose to train them.

  “I’ll go with you,” Cora said, syrupy sweetness dripping from her words. She didn’t know what to say to her parents and, to be honest she needed time to process everything she’d just heard. “I want to talk to her about something anyway.”

  “Cora, we need to talk to you and Viola both in about an hour. Please meet us back here then,” Thomas informed her in a stern voice.

  “No problem,” she said, flashed him a smile, and then walked out of the door, holding Liam’s hand tightly in hers.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Cora didn’t say anything as they walked down the hall and was relieved when Liam didn’t either. She didn’t want to be overheard, and of course, didn’t want her parents to know they’d eavesdropped on their conversation before making themselves known.

  Instead of going to the living room to check on Viola, Cora steered them to her room and closed the door behind them with a soft click.

  “What was that all about?” Liam asked her.

  “As you heard, there’s more going on than Viola and I are aware of,” Cora replied, sarcasm accenting her words, as she moved over to the bed and plopped down, letting her anger boil over. “One thing I really hate is being lied to.”

  “Well, you can count on me never lying to you. I hope you know that by now,” Liam said and sat down next to her.

  “I certainly hope that’s true. I need to know what it is they think would make Vi and I walk away and leave everyone to die. It’s funny, my father wants us to share our past experiences, but doesn’t want to tell us everything. Kinda hypocritical don’t you think?” Cora was working herself up to being furious. She didn’t understand what was going on and that bothered her even more.

  “We will find out Cora. I’m in this with you all the way. I don’t understand why Thomas doesn’t want me to train you and your sister. I am the obvious choice because of the connection you and I share,” Liam said, suspicion making him edgy.

  “I thought you’d be the one training us too,” Cora said confused. There were a lot of things rolling around in her head at the moment, and that was a minor one compared to most of the others.

  “I say we just play it cool right now and see how things play out. If your parents don’t tell you everything before the unbinding tonight, we’ll do some digging on our own. I won’t let you do this alone. Besides, I have resources that will help you,” Liam said, already anticipating Cora’s next course of action. They were already starting to sync, which filled Liam with pride.

  Cora nodded, getting lost in her thoughts. There was so much she wanted, no needed, to know before all of this prophecy crap was front and center in her life. For all of her life, she’d always wanted a family who loved her for who she was and wanted her around. She’d always wanted to be cherished by parents who valued her. She’d always known deep in her heart she’d been meant for something monumental, but now that she was confronted with it, she was downright scared. She didn’t want to be responsible for the lives, or in this case, deaths, of others.

  Liam seemed to sense she was trying to process everything in her mind and sat with her for a while not saying anything. After about half an hour, he looked at his watch and then up at her.

  “I’ll go find Viola and bring her back up here so you can fill her in on what’s going on, if you’d like. We need to be back in Thomas’ office in about twenty minutes or so,” Liam said, as he leaned over and placed a kiss on her cheek. Cora only nodded, still lost in her thoughts, and then he left the room.

  Cora sat in silence, trying to figure everything out with the limited information she had available. She needed to know what this prophecy she and Viola were a part of, was all about. She also needed to know what her parents, or her father to be precise, were trying to hide from them. All of this was so confusing.

  Did she even want to be a part of all of this? Did she even have a choice? Too confused to keep thinking, she got up from the bed, walked over to the window and gazed out at the beautiful scenery, trying to clear her head.

  She got so lost in the beauty of the nature she was looking at, she jumped, startled, when her bedroom door flew open and Viola came bursting into the room with Liam close behind. Liam caught the door, as it rebounded from banging against the wall, and closed it with an almost silent click.

  “What’s going on? Liam said you needed to talk to me and that we’re supposed to be meeting dear old Mommy and Daddy dearest in a few minutes,” Viola said, and flopped down in a nearby chair with a huff.

  “Look, I know you’re not happy about any of this, and I can’t say I’m thrilled about it either, but we need to take this very serious because I’m beginning to see this isn’t a joke and people’s lives are on the line, they’re depending on us. I’m not really happy with you either, for dumping everything out the way you did this morning. Don’t you think I had a say before you started running your mouth? All of that happened to me too.” Cora rounded on her sister, sick to death of the chip on her shoulder.

  “Wow, got something to say Sis?” Viola shot back.

  “I’ve got a lot to say, but now isn’t the time. Right now, you need to get it together and listen,” Cora snapped back at h
er sister.

  “Look, you both need to pull it together. You can’t be divided right now. That’s what our enemy wants and both of you are feeding right into it. You need to stop arguing, work out your problems and get past them. Dividing you would be exactly what Anna and Patrick wants. Are you going to give in to them now, after everything they’ve put you both through?” Liam interjected, placing his body between the twins and pointing looks at each of them.

  “We’ll have to talk about this later, we need to get down there and see what our parents have to say anyway,” Cora said, and let her shoulders fall from the tension that had been building up inside of her. She didn’t understand what was going on. Never in their lives has there been this much distance between her and Viola, and it felt wrong. “I’m sorry I jumped all over your back Sis. I love you.”

  Viola stood and walked over to Cora and gave her a tight hug. “You may not think I realize how serious this whole messed up situation is, but you couldn’t be more wrong. You have no idea the crap they tried to feed me while I was being held prisoner. I’m sorry I blew up this morning and said everything I said, and you’re right, you should have had a say in what, and when, we told about our past. I can’t take it back though and I’m not sure I would, because they needed to know the horrors we lived through every day, and I know you wouldn’t tell anyone. I’m sorry, but I had to rip the band-aid off whether you were ready or not.”

  “I didn’t want anyone to know, ever. It was bad enough living through it all the first time, but listening to you tell everyone like that just brought it all back. I think you’re right though, they needed to know. I have a feeling that what you opened, was a can of worms that can’t be closed again, and we’ll get more and more questions asking for details,” Cora said, as she wrapped her sister in a tight embrace. She saw Liam smile at her over Viola’s shoulder and smiled back.

  “I know, that’s the part that sucks. No one is ever going to leave us alone about it all. They’re the ones who gave us up, and we’re the ones who keep paying the price for it every single day,” Viola sighed as she pulled away from Cora.

  “No kidding, right?” Cora said, and smiled at Viola. She knew her sister would understand and, seeing the look on her face, knew that she did.

  “So, I guess we need to go talk to Mommy and Daddy now,” Viola said, straightening her back.

  “Yep, then later we need to talk. Liam and I overheard some things, but we don’t have time to get into it now. I’m hoping they’ll just talk about everything we overheard so we don’t have to go all Nancy Drew on them,” Cora said, her voice grave.

  “Oh, I’ve got no problem going Nancy Drew on them. I don’t trust them for a second,” Viola said, and gave Liam a pointed look.

  “Meaning, you don’t trust me either?” Liam asked her straight up.

  “Why should I? You’re close to dear old Dad and that doesn’t make you trustworthy in my book. Sure, you protected Cora, and I’m thankful for that, but that doesn’t mean you won’t go running to Thomas and tell him everything we say and do,” Viola confronted Liam, now that he’d opened the door.

  “I don’t think you need to worry about that, Viola. Liam’s not going to turn on us. Part of what we overheard was about him too, and I’m sure he was not at all happy to hear what was said. Besides, he’d be betraying me if he did what you’re suggesting and that’s one thing he’d never do,” Cora said, and walked over to his side.

  “We’ll see. Trust is earned. I hope you’re right Cora, but please be careful,” Viola said, and walked to the door. “Shall we?”

  “Yeah, we’d better get this over with. Besides, I have a lot of questions that need answers and I’m hoping they’re volunteering those answers at this meeting,” Cora replied, and headed out the door with Liam close beside her. She’d never felt as strong as she did when he was near her. She liked the feeling, but also feared it. She didn’t want to be dependent on a man for anything. Crap, she was in deep and had no idea on how to find her way out.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  The twins and Liam entered Thomas’ study without a word and sat together on the plush couch that was arranged in a seating area away from his desk. Thomas and Angelica were seated on matching chairs across from an ornate coffee table situated in the center that was covered in tea, coffee and fruits of all kinds. Cora had a feeling all she’d be able to stomach during this meeting would be the coffee. She reached forward and poured herself a cup before settling back onto the couch against Liam’s side.

  “There is a lot you both need to know before the unbinding ceremony tonight. I know we won’t be able to fit in all of the history of our culture, but we can give you as much information to work with as possible. The rest you will learn over the course of the next six months, as part of your training.” Thomas paused in speaking, looking at each girl in turn, and then giving Liam a puzzled look as if he didn’t know why Liam was there at this time. Liam gave Thomas a small nod but didn’t say anything.

  “History is great and all, but I’d much rather know what’s going to happen at the unbinding ceremony, as well as more about this prophecy we’re supposed to be a part of,” Viola said, showing her stubbornness. She wasn’t going to give an inch to their parents and Cora rolled her eyes in response although, in her head, she agreed with her sister.

  “We will get to that in due time,” Thomas said stiffening up. Cora could tell he was getting irritated with Viola, but couldn’t bring herself to care after the confusing discussion she’d overheard earlier. “The history is just as important.”

  Viola huffed and was about to make another snarky comeback when Cora changed her mind by grabbing her arm and shaking her head to stop her. They were going to get nowhere fast if Viola kept it up. She didn’t expect her sister to be all warm and fuzzy with their new found parents just yet, but she didn’t want her alienating them either. Viola flopped back against the couch and crossed her arms over her chest, making her displeasure evident. One thing Cora knew Viola would never do, would be to hurt her on purpose. Cora relaxed a little then turned her attention back to their parents.

  Thomas nodded his appreciation to Cora and continued with what he was saying.

  “We are a strong and proud race,” Thomas started, but Cora interrupted.

  “Wait, I thought there were Solarians and Lunarians? That sounds like two to me,” Cora asked confused.

  “Two halves of a whole. Neither Solarians nor Lunarians can exist without the other. We keep each other balanced. There was once a civil war between our two halves that almost decimated our entire culture. It was horrific, and we have learned to keep a delicate balance between the two sides in order to survive. We found during the civil war that we could not reproduce while we were divided.” Thomas paused letting that sink in, hoping they’d understand just how rare they are.

  “Wait, why couldn’t you reproduce while you were divided?” Viola asked confused. “Both of you are Lunarians yet you gave birth to us.”

  “You two are the first, and only, instance of that happening. That is one reason why you both are so important. Every other child has been born to a combination of Solarian and Lunarian parents. That is why we are two halves of a whole and one culture,” Thomas said, and sat back, watching the girls for their reactions.

  “Did you know when you found each other as mates that you were the parents of the children in the prophecy?” Cora asked, as curiosity won over her anger.

  “No. We thought we were doomed to never having children. There have been other couples mated who were both the same but none of them produced children,” Angelica replied, and Cora could see the honesty in her eyes. “When I became pregnant with the both of you, we were overjoyed, and terrified, all at the same time, because that was when we knew what your destiny would be when you grew up. As much as we wanted children and loved you with all of our hearts, we still didn’t want that burden on your shoulders. We still don’t, but there’s no other choice.”

  The
re was silence in the room as Cora and Viola digested their words. They were an anomaly, freaks. Cora didn’t know what to do with that. She’d always known they were different from the other kids around them. Then she found out she was a part of this race, or culture, or whatever it was, and now to find out they’re even different from the other kids here, was almost too much for her to handle.

  “Wait, are we even human?” Viola asked, with fear lacing her words.

  “No, we are not human. We coexist with humanity, on peaceful terms, as long as they don’t know we’re different from them,” Thomas replied in a calm voice.

  “Are we from a different planet then?” Viola asked again.

  “Our original origins are from another planet, yes. We don’t know much about the beginning of our history here or before that though. That information was buried a long time ago, and no one has been able to find anything to clue us in now. The only thing we’ve found was the old prophecy about the two of you and your mates. There are those who would like to see us divide again, and are willing to do whatever it takes to make sure the prophecy is not fulfilled. They believe that given enough time apart, we will adapt and begin reproducing as separate races as a means of survival, and are willing to risk the extinction of all of our kind. At first, it was just a few, but their numbers are growing. Only the two of you, with the help of your mates, can pull everyone back together,” Angelica explained. “I know this is a lot of burden for the two of you, but there’s nothing we can do about it.”

  “So Anna and Patrick, are they Solarian, Lunarian or human?” Cora found her voice and asked.

  “Patrick is Lunarian, like us, but Anna is Solarian. We thought they were on our side when we entrusted them with your care,” Angelica said, with an angry glint in her eyes.

  “So when Patrick attacked us at the cabin, why didn’t he use his powers against us?” Cora asked.

  “That I could not tell you. Patrick is not speaking, even though we’ve tried numerous ways to get him to talk,” Thomas replied, with a note of bitterness.