by Maia Dylan
“Um, Olwen, could you, ah, do your hand-waving-clothes-from nowhere thing with Cole because his boy bits are hanging out?” Fiona pleaded from where she was standing next to Cole, pointedly looking up and not at the man beside her. Within seconds, Cole was clothed.
“Thank you all for everything. Fiona, I know what he was saying to you, but don’t believe him.” Casey frowned as Fiona suddenly locked her hands together in front of her and looked down at the ground, looking very much like she was ashamed of something. When Cole made to put his arm around her, she stepped away from him. “You have a purpose in this life, and a destiny that you deserve and many will be envious of. You just have to wait a little longer.”
Fiona refused to look up but nodded that she heard her. Cole looked at her with such longing that Casey had to wonder what the fuck the fates were thinking about, not putting those two together.
“Fiona,” Olwen continued. “Your battle is to come, and I wish there was something I could tell you that would help you, but the path ahead is dark to me. It will become clearer the closer we come to it. Just know that you will not have to endure it alone. All of you are in this together.”
“Ryan.” Olwen turned to the last member of their group. He had stopped swinging the log, but it was still in his hands. He looked at Olwen with suspicion and no small amount of wariness. “She is important to you and will be here soon.” Olwen bit her lip and then continued. “Your path will be a hard one, but the rewards will more than make up for it.”
Ryan still looked skeptical and Casey wanted to point out to him that he was talking with a goddess being held prisoner in another realm through a spiritual portal open in a rock face, but decided he’d get it soon enough.
“Now I must go, the portal is hard to maintain for extended periods of time. Go now, you have all done so well and I will never be able to thank you enough.” Her voice faded as the portal slowly closed until all that was left were the rock face and the distinct floral aroma of lilies perfuming the air.
Chapter 9
After all of the excitement at the Pagan Stone, the trip home was blissfully uneventful. Micah had not stopped touching or holding her since he had come through that barrier, and if truth be told, Casey was feeling just as in need of his touch. The trip hadn’t quite gone as she had anticipated, but they had come out winners as far as she was concerned. The day had been quite successful with meeting Aeron being the only serious down side to the day. She shivered when she thought of him and Micah pressed a kiss to her forehead and squeezed her tight.
She looked over at Fiona, who shared the backseat of the truck with her, and Micah and was sleeping slumped against the door. She had thrown everything she had at Aeron and held nothing back in reserve. She had been weaving a little as they walked back to the parking lot where they had left the car, but she had refused Cole’s help. Then eventually she simply flamed out. Cole had caught her before she had hit the ground. His panic that something was really wrong clear on his face until she muttered, “Fuck off, Cole,” before she sighed sleepily and turned to snuggle into his chest.
Cole had debated climbing into the back with them, but had left her alone to sleep. Fiona still hadn’t really said anything to her about what Aeron had said to her. Casey knew it must have been pretty awful. She also knew she wouldn’t allow her to deal with it on her own. She would get it out of her eventually and they would deal with it together as a family.
Thinking about family, she opened her link to her sister. Ariana. Casey sent a grin down the link with her words. I got some news you might wanna hear. There was a pause that had Casey concerned until her sister’s voice came clearly down their link.
Casey! I knew something must have happened and judging by the smug satisfaction coming from you I’m guessing your wolf claimed you and all is well in the world for now? Casey hated when she did that.
You totally just stole my thunder then, she grumped back. But yeah, I am claimed and we have solved at least the first part of the prophecy. You should have seen us, Ari, we kicked some serious ass! Two chuckles came along the bond and at first Casey thought she was hearing her sister in stereo.
Well, I kicked ass, you just got some. Fiona’s laughing voice rang over the link.
Fiona! Are you okay? Casey opened her eyes and looked over at Fiona, who hadn’t moved.
I’m okay, Casey, just a little burnt out no, pun intended. I’m just letting my body and my mind heal for a bit. Fiona flooded the link with reassurance.
Um, hello? Introductions please? Ariana said with mirth ringing clear in her voice.
Sorry! Ariana, this is our Elemental sister Fiona Aideen. Fi, this is Ariana Rika.
It is truly a pleasure to meet you, well at least to talk with you, Fiona, and might I add what a beautifully appropriate name to have.
Thanks, Ariana, it’s nice to meet you too. Casey and Fiona spent the next few minutes giving Ariana a blow-by-blow account of their time at the Pagan Stone that day. She had gasped when she heard that Aeron had tried to force his way into the portal, growled when she heard about how he had almost succeeded, cheered when they talked about how Fiona had used her power to give Aeron a little bit of a smack down, and then sobbed when they talked of Olwen and Rohan.
We have started on the journey that will free her Ariana, Casey whispered down the suddenly somber link. Once we are all together we’ll knock the rest of the prophecy out of the park and she’ll be free.
I know. I have to go, but I will be in touch soon. Dad and I are looking forward to seeing you, little sister. Love you.
Me too, I love you, see you soon. She flooded with link with love then opened her eyes. Micah was looking down at her.
“Having a chat to your sister, huh?” The truck swerved as Ryan turned to look back.
“You talked with Ariana? How is she? When is she coming here?” The excitement in Ryan’s voice made her chuckle.
“Watch the damn road, you moron!” Cole growled from beside his brother in the front seat.
“Yes, Ryan, I spoke to her and she will be here soon. I even introduced her to Fiona.” Cole suddenly spun around so fast Casey feared he might actually have given himself whiplash. Seeing that she was still slumped against the seat asleep, his face fell.
“She’s okay, Cole. Just letting her body get the rest it needs.” Casey leaned forward and touched Fiona’s face, startling when she suddenly spoke.
“Which would be a hell of a lot easier if you all would just shut up for one damn minute!” Fiona sat up straighter and stretched. Cole sighed in relief and shot Casey a small smile before facing forward again.
“Fi, what did Ariana mean by your name being appropriate?” It had seemed Casey was the only one in that three-way conversation who didn’t know.
“Fiona Aideen. It means,” Cole said from the front, “beautiful flame.” He turned and smiled gently at Fiona. “Which is extremely appropriate in Fiona’s case.” Casey grinned as Cole turned back to face the front of the truck and Fiona’s blush warmed her cheeks.
“Baby, do you know someone who drives a Ford Super Duty Super Cab truck and had the damn thing painted dark pink?” Micah’s voice was curious, but she knew he was also a little put out that someone would paint a truck like that pink. “Because there appears to be one parked in the drive of the new house?”
Casey gasped. Damn straight she knew who that was. Ryan brought the truck to a stop and Casey leaped out shouting, “Momma!” as she ran toward the truck. Then her mom stepped out from behind it and ran toward her, arms out. Casey sobbed happily as her mom hugged her tightly to her, stroking her hair as she always did, and whispering, “Casey, my Casey. Baby girl, I missed you so much.”
“Oh Momma, it’s so good to see you! I have so much to tell you.” Casey pulled back to look up excitedly into her mom’s face, but hesitated when her gaze went to Casey’s neck and narrowed on the claiming bite.
“Yeah, my baby, I think there is quite a bit you need to share with me, hmmm?�
�� She looked over her shoulder and when Casey turned, she saw Ryan and Cole each pointing a finger at a sheepish looking Micah and Fiona desperately trying not to laugh.
Micah carried the last of the boxes Maggie had brought with her and placed them in Maggie’s room, the one on the downstairs level and closest to the kitchen. She had claimed that room as hers saying, “I figure if we are going get through this year, we are going to need to be well fed!” Micah wasn’t going to argue with her.
She had proclaimed that tonight there was great cause for celebration and that she would cook dinner for them all. She told him to bring all her stuff inside and had been working in the kitchen ever since. The smells coming through the door made his stomach grumble and contract in yearning.
Maggie was a beautiful woman, with almond-shaped green eyes, porcelain white skin, and long dark hair, so long that even braided it fell to her waist. She had a quick wit much like her daughter’s and to her, family was the be-all and end-all. When Casey had told her that she had talked with Ariana and she and their dad would be there in a few weeks, her face had lit up and two solitary tears slid down her cheeks. Then she squared her shoulders and said. “Good! Our family has been apart for too damn long!”
The first time meeting his mate’s mother hadn’t gone quite the way he had hoped. Once his brothers had ratted him out and thrown him under the proverbial bus, he stepped forward and took Casey’s hand. He then introduced himself to her as Casey’s fiancé, and judging by the quick grin and the fact he was immediately swallowed in huge hug from the woman, that was the right thing to say.
“Micah, I don’t believe I heard you ask me to marry you.” Casey had sassed him but her eyes shone.
“Asking leaves you with the option of saying no, so therefore I am not going to go down that route. I’m just going to say it so many times that eventually you’ll just accept it, and then after this is all over, we will plan out our wedding. Hell you might not even see it coming!” Micah winked at her feeling his heart swell when she beamed back.
“Great!” Maggie clapped her hands. “Something to look forward to. Now who else do we have here?” Then she had walked up and introduced herself to his brothers and Fiona. As soon as she got to Fiona, she had wrapped her in a hug and pretty much proclaimed her as another daughter. Micah had watched Fiona beam a genuine smile at Maggie and Fiona’s face lit up. He saw the look on Cole’s face and chuckled when he heard Ryan telling him to wipe his chin.
The chuckle turned to laughter when Cole turned and tackled Ryan and the two started rolling around fighting on the front lawn. Nothing unusual really. The three women didn’t even throw them a glance as they moved around them and then into the house.
Micah walked back into the living room, now with a new couch brought down from the attic in place of the torched one that was still outside, and saw his mate standing in the window. Damn she was gorgeous. She owned him in every which way. When she turned to smile at him over her shoulder he couldn’t help but walk to her. She was everything to him and always would be.
“Hey you.” Casey sighed as he pulled her into his arms. “Thanks for getting Mom’s stuff in for her.”
“Not a problem,” he murmured as he dropped his head to press a soft kiss against his claiming bite. It still amazed him that he had claimed this woman, and more amazingly she had allowed him to! He did not know what he had done in this life or the last to warrant such a treasure, but he knew she would be one he would protect forever.
“Dinner won’t be too far away. Mom sent Ryan out to the store for a couple of bottles of wine.” Micah wrinkled his nose—he had never really found wine to his liking. “Don’t worry! Ryan got that same exact look on his face and he said he would grab some beer for you guys as well.”
Micah turned her in his arms so that he could look into her face. He loved that she never looked away from him, that she found exactly what she wanted and needed in his gaze, just as he did with her. “So, mate”—her grin widened when he growled the last word—“will you marry me? You are already mine in the way of shifters, but I would very much like to call you wife as well as mate.”
Micah watched as different emotions passed over her face. Shock and surprise, then joy, then wonder and finally love. “Micah, I am yours in every way, shifter or otherwise. But I would love to call you husband as well as mate. So, yes, of course, yes!” She threw herself up into her arms and Micah heard a whoop of joy coming from the door that led to the kitchen.
“Oh, that was beautiful, Micah, I’m sorry I interrupted but that was more beautiful than anything I have ever witnessed.” Maggie wiped her eyes on the tea towel she was carrying over her shoulder. “My baby’s getting married!” Then she walked toward them, ignoring the tears rolling down her face and wrapped an arm around each of them.
“What’s going on? Why are we crying?” Fiona, fresh from a shower, stood at the bottom of the stairs, looking slightly amused. Then Ryan and Cole walked in from the kitchen arguing and then stopped when they realized everyone was standing there.
“Okay, what did we miss?” Cole put his hands on his hips and stared around the room. Micah grinned as the woman of his dreams and her mother started to laugh.
“My baby’s getting married!” Maggie squealed happily, and Fiona clapped her hands in delight. Micah gave a bark of laughter as Ryan and Cole shared a confused look.
“Well, yeah.” Cole nodded. “I thought that was a done deal when he talked about it out by the truck.”
“No, you moron.” Fiona frowned and moved to smack Cole in the shoulder, before she turned to them with a huge grin. “Micah actually asked and Casey said yes!” This time Fiona was squealing.
“Oh, Jesus, dude!” Cole rolled his eyes and threw his hands in the air. “You backtracked? You actually stopped with the telling and went with the asking? What the hell, man?” Micah just grinned goofily as his fiancée snuggled into his arms and they watched Fiona and Cole start bickering.
“I thought this would come in handy!” Ryan pulled a bottle of champagne from the bag he was carrying with a flourish and a grin.
Micah looked down at his mate, his heart, his Elemental, and it felt like the room shifted beneath his feet a little. She had the ability to move the earth, but for him, she could do it just with a look.
Chapter 10
Fiona sat on a porch step listening to the party inside. She had seen some pretty fucked up things in her life, but this was the first time she had ever seen a portal to another world open and a woman’s face appear in it telling her that the next fight was hers. Christ, talk about life changing—and potentially the moment in her life that she could pinpoint as the start of her heavy drinking.
The door opened behind her, and even without turning she knew it was Cole. “Hey, you okay out here by yourself?” He sat down on the step beside her.
“Well, I’m not out here by myself now, am I?” Fiona looked up at the sky. The man sitting beside her called to her like no one ever had. Christ, she had been dreaming of him for as long as she could remember. She had always thought that perhaps he was destined to be hers, but since he had never mentioned her being his mate or anything, then she figured it wasn’t meant to be. There had been different dreams over the years, sometimes he was taller and looked slightly different, but the feelings of protection, love, and forever never changed.
“That is very true.” Cole turned so he was facing her. “You know, you did well today. It was one hell of thing to see that portal open. When that barrier appeared, blowing us back away from you, and forming around you two and that altar, Ryan, Micah, and I tried like hell to get through it, but the damn thing felt like it was made of concrete.” He sighed, taking her hand in his and threading his fingers through hers. “It scared the hell out of me, thinking that something could happen to you, Fi. It scared about five years off my life.”
Fiona had heard Cole screaming her name and roaring his displeasure at not being able to get to her. She squeezed his fingers in re
assurance. “I’m fine, Cole. Nothing happened to me. But it’s nice to know I have friends like you who care enough to fight beside me.” Cole tugged on her hand until she looked up into his eyes. Eyes that were flashing with an emotion she didn’t dare try to name and a heat she knew she shared, and her heart started to beat a little faster.
“I like being your friend, Fi, but I would love to see if we can’t be something more.” His voice was husky. Damn it to hell.
“Cole.” Fiona could hear the sadness in her own voice. “I’m not your mate.” His eyes flashed and she heard a low growl from his chest. “You know I’m not. When we met, there was an instant attraction that nearly knocked me to my knees, but the mating bond never hit for you. I can’t start something with you that I know would end. That someday a woman would turn up and she would be your mate. Then what am I supposed to do, wish you well and walk away?”
Cole closed his eyes, and Fiona got the impression he was trying to bring himself under control. He opened his eyes and they were filled with a sad understanding that had her heart breaking. Yeah, fuck you very much, fate. Fiona now believed that fate was a woman and she was PMS-ing like a bitch right about now. Cole gave her a sad smile and lifted her hand to his lips. “Yeah, you’re right, Fiona. I couldn’t do that to you.” He pressed the softest of kisses to the back of her hand before he released it, and she felt her broken heart crumble to dust inside her.
Fiona was about to make an excuse to head on back inside to sob herself stupid in her shower when Cole suddenly scented the air. A huge grin crossed his face and his eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. Oh hell the fuck no! Did he just scent his goddamn mate? Tonight? Right after professing his interest in her and trying to start something romantic? Fuck you, fate. Damn it, she had been joking about the whole PMS thing. Kinda.
Cole leaped up and jumped down the stairs. “Travis!” he shouted as he charged the man who had just walked out of the darkness with a duffel bag over his shoulder. So this was the infamous twin, Travis. She took a moment to enjoy the reunion of two brothers who obviously loved each other and had missed each other a shit load. Damn they were hot and pretty similar looking.
