“And that is another bone of contention with me, Destiny. Your failure to provide me with additional children. You know the world desperately needs your daughters, yet you have failed to provide them. May I ask just what you are waiting for?”

Destiny shrugged. “I am not ready to become a wife or a mother.”

“Do you know who the father will be?” Mother Nature questioned.

“I do not,” Destiny replied. “You know we cannot see our own future.”

“Yes, but I am beginning to believe you have a suspicion of who he is.”

Destiny shrugged again, not quite meeting Mother’s eyes. “He is immortal. I am an immortal. There is plenty of time.”

Mother Nature grew rigid in fury. “You dare to be glib with me?”

Destiny knew when she had gone too far.

“I apologize, Mother. I didn’t mean to sound glib.”

“Daughter, do not apologize to me unless you mean it. Be very careful, Destiny. There is one who wants you badly enough to not fear you or your sister’s powers.”

Fear glinted briefly in Destiny’s eyes before she quickly hid it behind her usual sarcasm. “I can’t believe anyone would be that stupid.”

“Neither can I,” a snide voice said.

Destiny turned toward Rocque. “This is a private conversation. Move along, Spot.”

“What did you call me?” Ice dripped from Rocque’s voice.

“I’m sorry; did I misunderstand your punishment? Aren’t you sentenced to being a dog for the next decade?” This was in itself no punishment for an immortal like Rocque. The council could have forced him to become any living object; instead, they had allowed him to keep the form of a wolf, which he usually ran around in, anyway.

Rocque became angrier at Destiny’s sarcastic smile. “Wolf, not a dog. A wolf.”

“Ah, my mistake. A wolf.” She turned, giving him her back. “Perhaps the bitches you enjoy rutting on will keep you from messing in matters that are not your concern.”

Rocque’s hands clenched into fists. “All matters of the Forest are my concern.”

Destiny turned back to face the angry Lord. “I thought that was the council’s job, not yours.”

“I merely intervened.”

“You interfered,” Destiny corrected him.

Rocque shrugged his broad shoulders. “It won’t be the last time.”

“Want to bet?” Destiny raised her hands, determined to zap the hell out of him, but Rocque’s laughter stopped their motion.

“You’re powerless here, remember?”

Destiny fumed at his sarcastic words. “Be careful, Rocque, that you don’t make me angry. I could always have you mate with one of your bitches at an opportune time to ensure fertility. I think a father of sextuplets would cramp your style quite a bit, don’t you?” Her laughter rang out when Rocque’s face paled at her threat. “Better yet, perhaps I’ll introduce you to Morgana La Faye. I think you would make a delightful couple.”