Embracing Destiny Read online

  Table of Contents

  Embracing Destiny

  Dedication

  More Books by Amelia Hutchins

  Reading Order

  Warning

  Embracing Destiny

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Flames of Chaos

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  About the Author

  Embracing Destiny

  Embracing Destiny

  The Fae Chronicles Book Six

  Copyright ©April 2020 Amelia Hutchins

  Kindle Edition

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This book in its entirety and in portions is the sole property of Amelia Hutchins.

  Embracing Destiny Copyright©2020 by Amelia Hutchins. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic, paperback or mechanical without the express written permission of the author. The scanning, uploading and distribution of this book via the internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials.

  This eBook/Paperback is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to place of purchase and buy your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  Authored By: Amelia Hutchins

  Cover Art Design: Book Brander

  Copy edited by: Melissa Burg

  Edited by: E & F Indie Services

  Published by: Amelia Hutchins

  Published in (United States of America)

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  Dedication

  This book is for those who have been with me since book one. For the new fan’s that took a chance, and waded through some of the errors or cringe-worthy writing of my humble beginning into publishing. To my team who helps endlessly, day and night to get these books ready for publishing.

  To Cups, Texas, and Sky-bunny. Thank you for always being there, and from beings fans who became friends, and now are family.

  To my family who shares me with the fans without questioning my sanity. Yes, without you I would have had this series finished a lot sooner, but I wouldn’t trade for anything. Well, maybe a margarita. Yeah, probably.

  To those people who are having a hard time with the world falling apart around them, we got this. We’ve been training for this moment our entire lives! We’re introverted book nerds who know how to vanish within the pages of a story. I hope you all enjoy this story and their ending as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

  This story was supposed to be finished in one large book, but unfortunately, it was too long of an ending to accommodate that option. The need for paperbacks made it impossible to put it out in one book. As an Indie author, my options are limited and I refused to take away from Ryder and Synthia’s ending to make it fit into one book. I hope you understand, and enjoy the story.

  More Books by Amelia Hutchins

  Legacy of the Nine Realms

  Flames of Chaos

  Ashes of Chaos Spring 2020

  The Fae Chronicles

  Fighting Destiny

  Taunting Destiny

  Escaping Destiny

  Seducing Destiny

  Unraveling Destiny

  Embracing Destiny

  Crowning Destiny May/June 2020

  The Elite Guards

  A Demon’s Dark Embrace

  Claiming the Dragon King

  A Demon’s Plaything

  The Winter Court

  A Guardian’s Diary

  Darkest Before Dawn

  Death before Dawn

  Midnight Rising TBA

  Playing with Monsters series

  (Part of the Fae Chronicles)

  Playing with Monsters

  Sleeping with Monsters

  Becoming his Monster

  Last Monster Book TBA 2020

  Wicked Knights series

  Oh, Holy Knight

  If She’s Wicked

  Book Three, TBA

  Midnight Coven Books

  Forever Immortal

  Immortal Hexes

  Wicked Hexes

  Finished Serial Series

  Tempted by Fae May 2020

  E.V.I.E. 13 Days of Slaying October 2020

  Reading Order

  If you’re following the series for the Fae Chronicles, Elite Guards, and Monsters, reading order is as follows.

  Fighting Destiny

  Taunting Destiny

  Escaping Destiny

  Seducing Destiny

  A Demon’s Dark Embrace

  Playing with Monsters

  Unraveling Destiny

  Sleeping with Monsters

  Claiming the Dragon King

  Oh, Holy Knight

  Becoming his Monster

  A Demon’s Plaything

  The Winter Court

  If She’s Wicked

  Embracing Destiny

  Crowning Destiny

  Warning

  This book contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language, and may be considered offensive to some readers. It is intended for sale to adults ONLY, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

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This book is not intended for anyone under the age of 18, or anyone who doesn’t like lip biting, throw your ass on the bed, tear your clothes off and leave you panting dominant alpha male characters. It’s dark, dangerous, intense, gritty and raw book. Scenes are dark, disturbing and scorching HOT. This read is soul crushing, tear jerking, leave you hanging on the edge of your seat, fast paced read. Side Effects may include, but are not limited to: Drooling, lip biting, wet panties, crying and screaming at the author. If any of these things happen, do not seek medical attention—get the next book in the series and enjoy the ride!

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  Embracing Destiny

  Here’s the thing about family: It isn’t who is born into it by blood or birthright. It is about those who come when you need them most, those who stand beside you as you fall, and when you’re down, they help you back up. I’ve watched lives twisted and traumatized by those who sought to ruin us. I’ve seen my friends dying in front of me, and I’ve found a love that will withstand anything that comes at us. I’ve faced death and made a sacrifice no one should ever have to make. Even knowing the mages are marching towards us and we won’t all make it out of this alive, I wouldn’t change a thing. Life isn’t about planning where to go; it’s about where you go when you stop allowing everything else to plot your course. How do I know that we won’t all make it out of this alive? Because the God of Death is standing right beside us as we prepare for war, waiting for the warriors to fall.

  Synthia Raine McKenna

  Chapter One

  An eerie, deafening silence had fallen over Faery since Ryder and I returned home. It was like the entire world was holding its breath as war made its way toward our doors. The fairy glens were vacant of the life that once flourished within them. Meadows that had once fought off intruders or stray humans were barren of flowers and devoid of life, long since crunched beneath the heavy feet of those who marched into battle. The horde stronghold was now teeming with warriors, all honed and created for battle, and we all held our breath to see who would make the first move.

  Fires from the many encampments around the fortress spread miles out in each direction, burning brightly throughout the long, cold nights. Battle cries filled the air, inciting the need to fight as more and more refugees came by the early morning light to join the horde against the invaders who wanted to destroy our home, ruining our way of life.

  I should have felt safe, but I didn’t. I’d never known war, and yet I knew the cost of losing this one would be too high a price to pay. If we lost and Faery fell, we, along with all its inhabitants, would be forced into a world that would never accept us for what we were. I knew that much after having been one of the enforcers who had hunted the fae down, punishing them whether they’d committed the accused crime or not.

  My children were being protected by my father in the Blood Kingdom when not here with us. More and more, I brought them home to remind them why we were fighting. To understand what was at risk if we lost. It was selfish, but soon enough, they’d go with Destiny, safeguarded in a place they couldn’t be reached. Ryder and I had taken extra measures to protect them and to ensure the safety of their innocent hearts. Yet I still felt a deep foreboding within me that twisted my stomach, making me feel ill as drums pounded with the impending reality of what we faced. War had come to Faery, and it came with an ugliness that would touch every corner of this world.

  I was neither blind nor stupid enough to think there wouldn’t be heavy losses on both sides. We wouldn’t make it through this war unscathed; to assume otherwise would, well, it would be a colossal mistake, one I wouldn’t dare make. War was messy; it was brutal and unforgiving. It tore worlds apart, turning children into orphans, leveling villages, and leaving destruction in its wake.

  I slowly moved my gaze away from the remarkable spread of tents, warriors, and campfires below to peer into the shadows of the balcony. A dark figure silently surveyed me. A soft snort escaped my lips while my stare swung back to the commotion happening around my new home. It was beautiful chaos that showed courage and strength in the face of insurmountable odds.

  I felt the turmoil of the world around me. The endless pain that was ripping Faery and me apart as the mages made their way toward us, leaving a trail of bodies behind them. Even now, Faery screamed so loudly with the need to be avenged, it sounded as if war drums were pounding in my ears, deafening me. Slowly, I pushed my long, platinum-blonde hair off my naked shoulders, lifting my head to the stars sparkling in the midnight skies. I prayed silently to the gods to forgive me for what I was about to do.

  “Is it done?” I asked, sensing the shadow’s unease.

  “It has already begun. I fear what you are doing and that the path you’ve taken will destroy you, goddess. If you continue down this road, there is no undoing it. What once was can never be again if you do this. Do you understand that? If you proceed, I cannot help you, nor can anyone undo what might happen,” the shadow warned, concern lacing her words as a current of unease and apprehension shivered through me.

  I shook off the uneasy feeling, knowing that if I backed out now, it would all be for naught. “I’d die for Ryder. I’d also destroy worlds to find him, and I won’t chance it happening. That creature is my entire universe, and without him, I’m willing to slay them all; happily, more than eager to do so,” I replied firmly.

  “But would he die for you?” the shadow asked carefully, aware should she speak out of turn, I’d take her life. “Men are wishy-washy creatures controlled by their baser needs. You are certain he is worth this?”

  “It doesn’t matter if he would or wouldn’t. I wouldn’t want Ryder to die for me. I want him to live.” I turned, staring at the figure concealed by shadows that swayed around her lithe frame. “The God of Death is here, and he will not take that man from me. I have tasted life without him, and I would always choose a life with him. Do you understand what I am saying? You offered me a way to avoid that cost, and now you question if I should take it? I chose to walk the road you proposed, and I’m moving forward. I will not change my mind after the fact, if that’s what you fear.”

  “What if the God of Death isn’t here for just your husband? What if he is here for all of you? Your mother is gone, and without her, this world is nothing. What if this is the end of Faery?”

  “Then we will die fighting to prevent that from happening,” I returned bitterly. “Do you hear me, Death?” I demanded of the second shadow that had appeared on the balcony, scrutinizing me from behind the first. “If you think to take those I love, know this: I will fight you with my dying breath to keep them alive. I will do everything within my power to protect my family.”

  I didn’t back down as blue flames peered at me from beneath a black hood. The wind howled, matching the turmoil in my soul as if sensing my unease at Death’s presence and what it meant. My anger fueled the world, creating gusts of wind that whipped my hair against my face as my white gown ruffled, lashing harshly against my skin while I stared Death straight in the eye, promising a fight.

  “If you are thinking of taking my family, Thanatos, I suggest you change your plans quickly. I will rip you apart and enjoy every cut you endure at my hands. I’ve not gone through hell to lose them now. I will fight you, even at the cost of my soul.”

  Thanatos exhaled as the blue flames burned brighter against the midnight, regarding me carefully as he stepped out of the shadows, strolling leisurely toward me. “War is coming, Goddess. No one is guaranteed to survive. Both sides will carry the heavy burden of loss. Pray to your gods I don’t get carried away reaping the souls of immortals. Hell is empty, and immortals are always collected to rebuild the walls once broken. You’re about to wage war, and in war, the only certainty is death.

  “You want to know why I am here and have brought the reapers with me? I’ve come to reclaim souls that have escaped or trespassed against the laws of this world. You and
your kind have thrown the laws of death out the window too many times to be ignored. I am owed souls, including yours, which Danu denied me. It’s not personal, Synthia; death is never personal. Death is part of living, and when one soul is given and then taken, it creates an echo. You have made such an echo, and it’s still heard throughout Faery. Your God of Death is no longer here to give the souls of Faery peace, but I am.”

  “I’m aware that we caused a stir when I refused to die. I don’t want this war, either. Faery never asked for this war, but we will fight to secure peace. We’re not the bad guys here. My family is fighting to survive. The fae are fighting to live so our children and their children will know peace within this world. If we fail, you’ll be rather busy since there will be nowhere else to flee than the human world. I am trying to prevent the humans from paying that price, as I’m sure you’re already aware of the chaos unfolding there.”

  “To wage war against the mages, you will lose people,” he stated softly. The fire burning in his depths intensified as he spoke, and shadows swayed around him, catching and merging into his robe. “Hold tight to the ones you love and keep them close. Tell them you love them today, for tomorrow is never promised to anyone, not even the gods. Send your children to the City of Gods for safekeeping, where no one can reach them. You can weep the loss of their childhood, but if you don’t make that sacrifice, you will lose them; this is the only warning I can or will give you. Consider it a debt repaid for the favor your mother granted me long ago. Anything else, and I jeopardize doing more harm than good.