by Lyz Kelley
She slowly rounded the wooden pillars and descended the wooden steps. “Most?”
“I promised I would never abandon you.” Myka walked into the light of the porch.
“You did promise, and I had hope, but circumstances change.”
“Well, you no longer have to hope.”
She touched his face. “You came back to me.”
He leaned into her hand. She sucked in a short breath. “Your gills. They’re gone.”
His smile was slow but full. “A cosmetic change to help me blend in.”
Thrill tingled through her limbs. “You’re staying?” She looked out over the New Mexico fields. “But there is no water here.”
“True, there is no water, but you and our son are here.”
“Our son? You mean Beck?”
“He has my blood. If you don’t mind, I’d like to think of him as mine.”
She didn’t believe she could love anyone more than her son, but Myka had just proved her wrong. This man. This strong, capable, man had given her so much. He made her feel loved, and that was no small gift.
She ignored the rustling of corn at the edge of her garden, assuming Beck was playing with the twins, until a large male wearing battle dress stepped out of the rows. She might have been impressed with his regal stature if he didn’t appear intent on war. Her eyes narrowed, and she stepped around Myka.
Screw the magic headache.
She concentrated her energy toward the ground. Weeds from her garden gathered and crept in the intruder’s direction.
Myka placed a hand on her shoulder. “I don’t think binding your father-in-law on your first meeting is a good idea.”
The humor hugging each word made her question her instincts. “Father-in-law? He’s your dad? You mean he isn’t here to take you back?”
Myka slung an arm around her shoulders and nudged her forward. “No. He’s here to meet my mate and give his blessing.”
“Oh.” Well, crap. She dusted a hand down her summer gardening dress and tucked her out-of-control curls behind her ear.
“Father, may I have the pleasure of introducing my mate, Raine?”
The way he said her name reminded her of a bubbling spa fountain. When he spoke it, her name sounded feminine and soft, and for the first time in too long, she felt pretty.
“Raine. This is my father, First Councilor and Protector Wetryn.”
She didn’t know whether to bow or greet him, so she stared. A most impolite thing to do.
“Raine?” Myka placed his hand on her lower back.
“A…hmmm…yes…my apologies, First Councilor. I’m not familiar with your greetings or traditions, but my hope is that over time I will learn them all.”
Wetryn’s azure and cobalt eyes softened. “I can see why my son is fascinated. I only ask that when you learn our traditions, if you would please teach them to my son. He seems to have forgotten most of them.”
Was he serious? No. There was that little lip twitch he couldn’t quite keep contained.
“It will be my pleasure, First Councilor.”
She didn’t realize how handsome her father-in-law was until a full-blown smile burst across his face like sunrise. Like father like son.
“You are truly a female of worth. My son is blessed by your acceptance.”
She wasn’t about to tell her new family member she hadn’t accepted squat, especially since he was taller and broader and more significant than anyone she’d ever seen, plus he could rip her in half if he wanted to.
“I believe I’m the one who is blessed, Councilor. Your son saved my life, and my son’s.” She bowed her head to acknowledge him and his position. “Would you like to come in? Your journey must have been long.”
“We must go.” A strange look passed between Wetryn and his son.
Her hand tightened on Myka’s arm. “So soon? But you just got here.”
Myka cleared his throat. “I think you misunderstood. My father is leaving. I will not be going back with him.” Hearing the way his words were weighted with profound sadness, she knew she’d missed critical elements of the conversation, but she couldn’t figure out what.
“You won’t be going back today? Or you aren’t going back ever?”
“Ever. It was part of my plea to the Elite council.”
Her hand flew to her chest. “You’ve been banished. Because of me, you can’t go back home.” Her breaths became short and burdened. “I’m sorry.”
“My little thundercloud, always looking at the negative. It was my choice. I promised I would not abandon you, and I keep my promises.”
“But if you stay, you won’t be able to rejuvenate.”
He folded her hand inside his, a callused thumb gently rubbing against her skin. “Again, my choice.”
“No. No. You can’t stay.” She rushed over to Myka’s father. “Tell him he’s not allowed to stay. He told me he loves your world and wants to go home.”
Wetryn assessed his son. “He has already made his decision.”
She pivoted and turned on Myka. “You did it again. You made a decision without me. Do you mean to tell me I have no say? You need to undo whatever it is you have agreed to.”
“I had two choices.” Myka lifted her hand to his lips. “Alcon prison, or Earth. Which would you have me choose? Besides, an important person once told me home is a state of mind. It’s where you feel safe. Where you can be yourself without judgment.”
“Oh, well...since you put it that way.” Her anger faded into a quiet despair. “I’m glad you chose Earth.” She searched his face. “I’ve come to realize you were right.”
“Well, that’s a first,” His eyes twinkled with a bit of humor. “What was I right about?”
“That earth and water, while separated, are parts of a whole. I need you, Myka. You complete me. I needed help, and you were there by my side. You risked your life. You gave life to my son. You are my beloved, for however long our lives last.” She touched her fingers to his face. “I am your mate.”
A rumble of laughter and shouts and giggles came crashing through the field. A second later three naughty boys and a dog dashed into the yard. Jonah, being in the lead stopped first, then Joseph. Beck and Mandy brought up the rear, and slammed into the first two, pushing them into a heaving, wiggling pile on the ground. Beck was first to roll to his feet. Still laughing, he reached for the ball Mandy held securely gripped in her mouth.
When Beck glanced up, he froze mid-chuckle.
“Beck, come here. I’d like you to meet our friends.”
Her son ambled forward, kicking up dirt with his sneakers. “Are you the dude who save my life?”
Myka waited for Beck to get closer. “Yes, I gave you my blood.”
“Dude, you gave me more than that. Check this out.” Beck let his second eyelids drop, then lifted them again. “Cool, huh?”
Myka gave Raine a startled look, then his father.
Wetryn came to stand with the group.
“Beck, this is Myka’s father. Your grandfather,” Raine amended.
The instant warmth and acceptance in Myka’s expression was a bit overwhelming. “Have there been any other changes?”
“Just his freckles,” Raine said.
“Will he not be an outcast?” Wetryn's face was a map of concern.
“We are all different. Unique,” Lacey rounded the corner of the house with Frost, her sisters, and several other townsfolk following close behind. “No one is an outcast. Not here.” The others stopped, but Lacey and Frost joined the rest of the group. “We saw your ship land and worried you were here to take Raine and Beck.”
Wetryn glanced over his shoulder, then scanned the perimeter of the backyard, confirming he was surrounded. If he was nervous, he didn’t show any signs. “No human will be taken from your planet again. The space station violated our laws and has been decommissioned. All personnel have been ordered to return to our planet. Those responsible will stand trial.”
“And Tila?” Raine asked. “What is t
o become of her?”
“I’m glad you asked.” Tila stepped out of the shadows.
“Tila.” Raine rushed to greet her with a hug. After several seconds, Raine touched Tila’s forehead. “Where are your antennae?”
The young scientist bit her lip. “I hope you are not angry, but I used your blood to transform my body. It has always been my wish to become more…human.”
“Mind? Of course, I don’t mind. Not if it’s what you want.” Raine stepped back, a question zooming in, demanding an answer. “How will you regenerate without a base sample? You can have mine, but it won’t be the same as having your own.”
“I have also made my choice.”
Raine glared at Myka.
Myka held up his hands. “Don’t look at me. She's been cleared of all charges. It was her decision.”
“Are you staying?”
“I do not want to be a burden to anyone, but yes, I would like to stay. Myka told me about how you are working to heal the earth. My hope is to heal the water enough to allow my people to return. I’ve been granted leave, if you will be my sponsor.”
“A real-life alien Waterwoman,” Beck breathed, eyes huge.
Tila blushed and clasped her hands.
“Beck! Mind your manners.” Raine tucked Beck to her side to get his attention, and to release a flustered breath “Beck, this is Tila. She’s the woman I told you about. She and Myka, together, saved your life.”
“Like I said Waterwoman—you know, like the cartoon.”
“That’s Wonder Woman…never mind.” Raine rolled her eyes and again clasped Tila’s hands in hers. “If you can accept my weirdo son, who’s forgotten where he put his manners, you are welcome to stay with us.”
The newest Magic resident’s expression eased as she joined the circle of new friends.
“Welcome to Magic,” Lacey rested her hand on Tila’s shoulder.
Raine tipped her head back. Myka was tall, but Wetryn stood a foot and half above her. “Are you positive you can’t stay, just for a little while? I was thinking of having a seahorse fern salad and pumpkin soup for dinner. And if the gnomes haven’t stolen the bread I made this afternoon, there will be bread as well.”
Vincent and Connor came rushing forward. They pushed past Lacey to stand almost on her feet. “We didn’t steal anything. That was Tanner. He got greedy. Can we stay for bread and soup? Huh. Can we? We’ll supply the butter.”
“Only if you behave, and keep Tanner from stealing any more of my bread.”
She looked up at Wetryn. “It’s not a fancy dinner, but I would love for my son to get to know his grandfather.”
The older man’s eyes brightened. “A seahorse salad, you say?”
Myka lowered to whisper. “Seahorse ferns are a great delicacy, and my father’s favorite.”
The heated intimacy created a swarm of goose bumps, but now was not the time to indulge.
Raine turned to her beloved. “It will be a celebration of our life, our mating, our new friends, and a new partnership between our races.”
“How can I decline your kind invitation?” Wetryn straightened into an even more regal stance. “It is my son’s mating celebration, and I have been appointed Earth’s ambassador, after all.”
Chapter Fourteen
Six Months Later
Raine placed her hand on her belly when the baby kicked. Another miracle.
Tila suspected the rejuvenation was the culprit. Raine hadn’t known the machines were also calibrated to improve the reproductive systems. Then again, she didn’t care. She was ecstatic to have another baby cradled in her womb.
“What are you doing out in the field?” Myka admonished.
“You know there’s nothing I love better than to feel the earth between my toes or watching new plants sprout.”
“Nothing?” His voice was deep and husky.
“Oh, don’t look at me like that.” She stood and took a step back. Then another. “We spent all morning in bed.”
“So.” His familiar look of innocence caused a chuckle. “There’s no rule saying we can’t spend the afternoon there as well.”
She licked her lips. He mimicked the reaction.
“Oh, the baby kicked.” She reached for his hand and placed his palm over her belly. “Our baby will be taking after you.”
Myka eased her against his chest and cradled her in his arms, “you think so? How do you know?”
“Because the kicks are strong and determined. And she turns every few minutes.”
His hands clamped onto her shoulders, and he rotated her to face him. “You said she. You did say…she.” His eyes laser-focused on her face.
“Did I?” she feigned innocence. “It must have been a slip of the tongue.”
His disappointment was so raw, she almost gave herself away. She had to tell him. But she didn’t want him to fuss about the child’s birth. He’d been fairly obnoxious already, showing up to take heavy objects out of her hands, refusing to allow her to be alone in the fields, making her rest when her feet got so swollen she couldn’t put on her shoes.
She took both of his hands and rested them on her stomach. “Myka Waterman,” she let his name roll accurately off her tongue, “I’d like you to meet Myst, our daughter.”
His eyes brightened. “So it’s true. It’s a girl.” He picked her up and spun her around in a circle.
“Whoa. You’re making me dizzy.”
“Oh. Sorry.” He placed her gently on her feet. “Are you sure she’s a girl?”
“I’m sure. Tila confirmed the baby’s gender this morning.”
“We are blessed, my beloved.”
She rested her hands protectively on her swollen stomach. “We were already blessed. Now we are doubly so.”
“A daughter,” he cooed. “We will have a daughter. A rare occurrence, indeed.”
“Lacey is happy, since Snow will have a playmate.”
His brows furrowed. “That may not be good. Get the two of them together, and we might end up with a skating rink.”
Raine snorted, then burst out with a full-on belly laugh. “That will be hard to explain. A skating rink in the middle of New Mexico.” She nudged him. “Hey, maybe we can blame it on global warming.”
“Do you think that would work?”
“No. But then again, people believe the strangest things. I was behind a woman in the grocery store line who was reading a tabloid article about witches. She told the cashier there was no such thing as witches. The cashier agreed. Can you believe that?” Her irritation rose again and created a magical tingle. “I was tempted to turn the lady’s cherries into habanero peppers, just to teach her some manners.”
“Habanero peppers are those the hot ones?”
“Searing. They will burn your mouth in seconds.”
Myka slid an arm around Raine and put a hand on her butt, inching her closer. “My beloved.” He leaned in and sniffed her neck. “My scrumptious mate. You sure you’re not ready for a nap?”
“A nap sounds like a fine idea, but you’re not talking about sleeping.”
A low vibration rumbled in his chest. “No, but it’s a step in the right direction. I want to show you how much I adore you and our sweet child.”
She touched his lips. “Have I told you how much I adore you, my mate?”
He nibbled his way up her neck. “You will never be able to love me more than I love you.”
Her competitiveness made her settle her hands on her growing hips. “How do you figure?”
He pressed his lips to hers and took his fill before mumbling, “I’m bigger.”
“Yes, you are.” In more ways than one. “On second thought, I might be up for a quickie.”
Myka swept her into his arms before she could even take a breath.
“Your wish is my command.”
His pace picked up when he reached the edge of the field.
Before Myka, her life had been mundane. She had moved from day to day without expectations. And now…now,
her life was just about perfect. She wrapped her arm tighter around her beloved’s neck, then stiffened in thought.
He slowed at the back-porch steps.
“You’re tense. Why?” He set her on the bottom step.
Raine reluctantly stepped away from him. “I’m fine. I just wish…”
“What, my little rain cloud? What do you wish?”
“It’s silly. It’s not like your father can come visit, but I had hoped to meet all your family someday. I bet your father would have liked to meet his granddaughter.”
His wonky smile made her suspect he’d been keeping secrets. He retrieved a familiar metal disk from his pocket. A hologram flashed to life.
She gasped, recognizing her father-in-law.
Greetings my son. I have good news. New information has been presented to the Elite Council, and your banishment has been set aside. I assume you wouldn’t want to leave Earth, since you have important work to do, but now you will not be cut off from the rest of the family. Expect to hear from me and your brothers soon. I send you and your mate my best. Your father, FCP, EA
The image collapsed, but she continued to stare at the disc. “Does this mean...?”
“That we need to build an addition onto the house. Yes.”
“Oh, Myka. I always wanted a big family.”
He tucked the communicator in his pocket, then kissed her nose. “A family’s nice, but all I need is you.”
She snuggled into his loving arms. “I love you, Myka.”
“My beloved. I love you, my little rain cloud.”
As a little girl she’d believed in wishing upon falling stars.
Now, she couldn’t think of one thing she’d wish for…well except for the gnomes to stop stealing her corn, bread, pies…the list fluttered out of her mind when his sexy lips touched hers.
I’m so glad you could join Raine and Myka on their journey to their happily ever after.
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