by Ashlyn Chase
“Thank you. I felt like a bat hanging upside down in the dark like that.”
“This was no fault of yours.” She glanced up at the tree, where Pan was holding on to the trunk with his two arms and sitting on smaller branches with his hooves dangling. “You think you got away with it, don’t you?”
“I kind of did. When the world flips over, I’ll drop to the surface and be just fine.”
“Yeah, about that. I can’t let you leave this place. You’re not welcome back on Earth.”
“And how are you going to accomplish that?” he asked.
She let go of Aaron just long enough to shoot giant spider webs toward Pan. They wound up covering the tree.
He laughed. “Is that supposed to contain me? A spider web?”
“It’s from a Darwin’s bark spider from Madagascar. It’s ten times stronger than Kevlar. Go ahead. Try it,” she said.
He rolled his eyes.
Gaia slipped her arm around Aaron’s waist and waited.
Eventually, Pan edged his way to the apex of the tree where he could get a grip on the web. He pulled hard. The web stretched, but it didn’t break. Then he held onto the tree with his knees pushed together and grabbed another fistful of the web, pulling it in the opposite direction, probably figuring it would split down the middle. Not only did it not split, but he couldn’t hold onto the tree with his knees anymore and fell, landing in a cradle of sticky silk. “What the…”
Gaia looked into Aaron’s eyes. “Are you ready to go home, darling?”
“More than ready.”
Mother Nature snapped her fingers and produced a spaceship. It was small and reminded Aaron of the vipers used by the TV fighter pilots on Battlestar Galactica episodes.
I never thought I’d get to ride in one of those!
She swept her hand through the air in an upward motion, and the hatch opened. Holding Aaron’s hand, she floated the two of them over to the shuttle. “Climb aboard,” she said, smiling.
“Ladies first.”
She kissed his hand and said, “You’d better go first, just in case you lose your balance and float away.”
“You wouldn’t catch me?”
“Of course I would—eventually.”
He scrambled down the metal ladder, slid into one of two empty seats, and strapped himself in. She followed right behind him. As soon as they were situated, she waved her hand in a downward motion, and the hatch closed over their heads.
“Do you know how to fly this thing?”
“No. Do you?”
“No.” Aaron’s hand began to tremble.
“Are you cold?”
“I don’t think so. I’m pretty sure this is pure fear.”
She looked offended. “Why? Are you afraid of my driving?”
“I thought you said you didn’t know how to fly it.”
“Not to worry. I borrowed some stuff from a new Tesla. It’s now a self-driving, GPS-equipped vehicle with an automatic braking system.”
Aaron couldn’t help teasing her a bit. “What kind of mileage does it get?”
“We’ll see, won’t we?” She pushed a button, and the ship roared to life. She pointed, and they shot off in the direction she had come from. Aaron gazed with amazement as stars streaked by.
“Gaia?”
“Yes?”
“What are we going to do when we reach Earth’s atmosphere? Won’t we burn up?”
“Don’t worry. I can cast a hard protective shell around the ship.”
Somewhat relieved but always erring on the side of caution, Aaron asked, “And what do we do if once we’re in Earth’s range, we’re reported as a UFO—or worse, shot down?”
“You know that power of invisibility you have?”
“Yeah?”
“Does it extend to objects?”
“If I’m touching them, I can make objects invisible. That’s why you don’t see a suit of clothing walking around with no head.”
She chuckled. “That’s good. So if you place your hands on the ship, can you make it and all its contents invisible?”
“Probably.”
“Great! Then we’re all set.”
“But what about—”
She interrupted him. “But what if we crash into space junk?” Then she sent him a teasing smirk. “Automatic braking, remember?”
He grinned, leaned back in his leather seat, and finally relaxed.
She reached over for his hand. “I love you, you know. I would have looked for you until the end of time.”
“I was almost at the end of time—my time anyway. Thank you for saving my life.”
“Always. Thank you for saving mine.”
He tipped his head and gazed at her, but she just smiled.
“There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you, Gaia.”
“Sure. What is it?”
“I know my life is a drop in the bucket compared to yours, but do you think you could spend the years I have left living with me? Loving me? Letting me love you?”
Gaia placed her hand over her heart. “I can’t think of anything I want more. Wait—there is something more I’d like, if you’ll allow it.”
“Anything.”
“Can I give you a few godlike powers? Just so you have a long, long life—and a fighting chance if you come up against any other jealous gods.”
He laughed. “I’m in.”
They undid their seatbelts and floated above the controls. Removing their clothing and letting toga, pants, and shirt drift away, without words they decided not to wait until returning to Earth’s gravity to make love.
Aaron took her hand and yanked her toward him. Weightless, she landed in his arms and grabbed onto his shoulders. He sucked in a breath, and her tongue darted out to lave across his skin. He placed the pad of his thumb on her lush red lips.
“Wait. Let me look at you,” he said. He let go of all but her hand, and she floated a few feet away. He took a moment to enjoy the view, loving the sight of her hourglass figure, plus some surprisingly muscular arms and thighs.
She too looked her fill and nodded. “Some of my best work.”
He chuckled. “I’m glad you approve. I’ve done my best to maintain the gift you gave me. Not just this bag of skin that contains all my muscles, bones, organs, and blood, but my life itself.”
He had never had someone risk so much for him. She had faced a crazy god, dragging her who knows where through the universe. Then she had to conjure up some kind of vehicle to get him back to Earth. He almost choked on the love that welled up in his heart.
Taking his time, he put his mouth on every part of her, suckling her fingers, kissing lightly up to her neck, then down to her breasts, tasting the tight buds of her nipples. His woman, he thought, running one hand down along the outline of her body. She expelled a breathy sound—a signal she needed more than just slight petting. What she needed was something only he could give her. Only him.
Suddenly, need overwhelmed him, snapping his control and wrenching a growl from his throat. One part of his brain, the part that still retained its sanity, told him to calm down, to get a grip on his emotions.
He struggled for breath around the force of it. She widened her legs. He placed his cock at the apex of her thighs, and in one thrust, he slammed it home. His rational thoughts deserted him, overcome by something so powerful he struggled for breath around the force of it. He grasped her long hair and twisted it so he could make her meet his gaze. Wide, sky-blue eyes blinked at him, filled with desire.
“Only me, Gaia. Promise it.” His voice was so ragged, he didn’t even recognize it.
She seemed stunned.
“Say it.”
“Only you, Aaron. How could you doubt it?”
Desire glazed her eyes, and she lifted her legs, twining them aroun
d his body, deepening his thrust even more. He clenched his jaw and concentrated on not coming until she did, but he teetered on the edge. The pressure building at the base of his spine was enormous. It made his whole body shake with the need for release. Her body had gone tight, every muscle contracted, and he knew she hovered on the edge.
“Please, Aaron,” she whispered. She didn’t have a chance to finish her thought. She arched her back, and her orgasm rocketed through her.
It triggered his own, which blasted through his body like an exploding nebula. There were no words for it. Just, perhaps, perfect.
Gaia brushed Aaron’s shaggy hair from his face, meeting his gaze. Without even meaning for it to happen, the bond had been completed. She hadn’t promised she’d be his permanently. But she’d done something much more powerful. She’d acted on the promise in their hearts and given him immortality.
Now the bond between their souls was sacred. Joy washed through her, knowing that no matter what, they would both survive.
She hadn’t realized how good it would be to have a mate. The bond was something she hadn’t guessed she needed before. Even though she’d survived without it, she hadn’t felt complete.
Now she did.
Epilogue
Two months later.
Gabriella Fierro hadn’t thought about knocking as she entered the greenhouse until she saw Gaia and Aaron locked in an amorous embrace. They jumped apart.
“Oh! I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude…”
Gaia grinned. “Hi, Gabriella. Don’t worry. We only get naked inside the house now that it’s finished and we can lock the doors.” She and Aaron held hands and strolled down one of the long rows of fragrant heart-shaped plants to meet the Fierro matriarch. There was one large silver-and-gold pot, and it housed two grander heart-shaped plants growing out of the same stem.
Gabriella hugged Gaia, then Aaron. “What’s this?” She pointed to the metallic pot. “A different plant? It looks so much bigger than the rest.”
Gaia smiled at Aaron. “It’s very special, because it was a gift from Aaron to me. We don’t know why it grew so much larger than the others.”
“I believe it grew exponentially as our love for each other grew,” Aaron said.
As if they couldn’t help it, the couple shared a tender kiss, which grew passionate before her very eyes.
“At this rate, it will reach the ceiling in no time.” Gabriella couldn’t help but giggle. Then she cleared her throat, and the couple sprang apart as if they’d just remembered she was there. “Well, I just stopped by to let you know Misty had her baby—babies, actually. Twins! A boy and a girl.”
“You didn’t know she was carrying twins?” Aaron asked.
“She and Gabe knew, but they didn’t tell anyone else. They wanted it to be a surprise.”
Aaron chuckled. “And no one got suspicious when they saw two cribs and two highchairs?”
“Misty, because she’s a muse, let Gabe build the crib and then just zapped up a duplicate when they brought their little bundles of joy home.”
“How is Gabe handling it?” Gaia asked. “As I recall, he wasn’t planning to have children—ever. Now he has three!”
“He’s the proudest papa you’ll ever meet.” Gabriella’s eyes twinkled. “And that’s not all. Guess who else is expecting?”
“Dawn,” Mother Nature said matter-of-factly.
“Well, yes… You knew?”
Gaia rolled her eyes. “Of course I knew. I’m Mother freakin’ Nature.”
All three of them laughed.
Gabriella glanced around the greenhouse. “It looks like your plants are thriving. When do you plan to start testing its chemical formula or…whatever else doctors need to have documented so they can prescribe the medicine?”
“Never,” Aaron said and smiled, surprising her.
“What? But I thought—”
“I know, I know.” He tucked his hands in his pockets. “Truth be told, Gaia finally convinced me it was in everyone’s best interests to leave it alone. All the pharmacological rigmarole, that is.”
Mother Nature slid her arm around his waist. “The plant is perfect in its original form. If he alters it, the advertising people will have to come with all those warnings you see on TV when they ask people to buy their medication.”
“You’ve been watching TV?” Gabriella gasped. “I thought you didn’t like TV.”
“Well, occasionally I tune in to something, just to learn more about blending in with modern society. But there’s no avoiding those commercials. To be honest, the medication warnings frighten me. The side effects are much worse than whatever condition the pills are supposed to treat.”
Aaron mocked the voice-over actor. “Stop taking Banishtheboogie and call your doctor if you notice symptoms of anal vomiting, spontaneous tap dancing, or if your penis falls off.”
Gabriella burst out laughing.
Mother Nature just smiled lovingly at him. “Isn’t he fun? I never get bored when he combines his irreverent sense of humor with his intelligent mind.” They gave each other a peck on the lips.
When Gabriella had stopped giggling, she asked, “Then why are you bothering to cultivate the plants? It sounds like you’re not going to do anything with them.”
“Ah, that’s not true. We’re just not going to alter them,” Aaron said. “They can be added to flower arrangements, and the scent will help alleviate the sadness of a broken heart. People will simply attribute the lifted mood to the thoughtful gesture and the fact that somebody cares.”
“Or,” Mother Nature added, “if someone buys the flowers for themselves, they’ll attribute the happy effect to bringing the beauty of nature into their homes.”
“That’s wonderful,” Gabriella said. “I love the idea of treating heartbreak in the most natural way possible. A quick fix doesn’t allow for learning and growth.”
“Of course,” Gaia said quietly, “if you know someone whose heart is breaking and desperately needs a full dose, you can give them a cup of tea made with a couple of the plant’s raw leaves.”
“I can? You’re going to allow me to use it?”
“As you see fit,” Gaia said. “I trust you and will share the offer with all my modern muses.”
Gabriella covered her heart with her hands. “I—I don’t know what to say. I’m honored by your trust.”
Mother Nature and Aaron gazed at each other. “We’re learning a lot about trust these days.”
“That’s wonderful. I knew you two could make an unconventional relationship work! So I guess my explanation about like, love, and respect helped?”
“Oh no,” Gaia said. “Your explanation was shit.”
Gabriella’s tinkling laugh filled the greenhouse.
Aaron stroked his lover’s arm. “Gaia learns what she needs to know about relationships from watching successful couples like you and Antonio,” Aaron said. “Every day, you show each other what no one can put into words.”
“You’re both so happy,” Gaia added. “I notice you enjoy spending time together, but you also spend time with friends or doing other things you enjoy individually. That type of freedom to be yourselves—to be your best selves—is rooted in trust and love.”
“Thank you, Goddess. I’d never thought about it that way, but you couldn’t be more right. What about you, Aaron? Do you watch other couples to pick up relationship tips?”
He smiled. “I’m afraid that even though I can use my power of invisibility to lean over people and eavesdrop, I’d feel like a voyeur, but there’s plenty of good inspiration around. Your sons, for instance.”
“Oh my, yes!” Gabriella agreed. “That was my entire goal as a mother. I wanted to see my boys grow up to be healthy and happy. To me, that includes finding and keeping alive a loving relationship.”
“Well, you’ve accomplishe
d your goal,” Aaron said.
“I knew as soon as Luca, our youngest, started dating Dawn that every son had found lasting love. Antonio wanted to retire down here in the Caribbean long ago, but I wouldn’t leave our sons until I knew each one of them had found their mates.”
“And now all but your two oldest have come with you!” Gaia said. “What does that mean?”
“I think it just means we’re a close-knit family—even as large, boisterous, and wildly different as we all are. We can completely rely on one another, and the boys do enjoy one another’s company. Even the two eldest, who live far away, wouldn’t miss Sunday dinner for the world.”
“That’s because I made their mates modern muses, and the minor goddesses can travel through the ether in the blink of an eye. Ah! That reminds me… I always grant my muses some kind of retention bonus. Basically, it’s your chance to ask for anything you want.”
Gabriella thought and thought. Eventually, she said, “I can think of something.”
“Name it.”
“Can you make it so all my sons’ marriages continue to be as happy or happier than they are now?”
Gaia laughed. “I don’t have to make that happen. It’s going to. All I can do is assure you it’s true.”
“That’s all I could possibly ask for. Thank you, Goddess!” Gabriella’s expression became serious for a moment. “Oh, one more thing… I wanted to ask you about the phoenix gene. Will that be passed on to our grandchildren?”
“Since they’ll only inherit one quarter of the gene, it’s doubtful. Of course, if you happen to have any phoenix genes on your side, there’s a greater chance.”
“Do you know if I have any phoenix ancestors?”
Mother Nature just laughed. “My paranormals used to listen to me and wouldn’t have mated with a human. But I may have missed a rebel on your side.”
Gabriella smiled. “You don’t seem angry about that anymore.”
Gaia gazed into Aaron’s eyes. “How could I be? Now I know love can override any stupid rule.”
Acknowledgments
I would like to acknowledge all the people who helped me research and publish four trilogies with Sourcebooks. They include editors Deb Werksman, Cat Clyne, numerous line editors and proofreaders, agents Natanya Wheeler, Nicole Resciniti, plus a plethora of firefighters, police officers, and fellow authors who acted as critique partners. Special thanks to my beta reader Peggy McChesney who created my series bibles so I wouldn’t mess up little details from previous books. Also, special thanks to Joanna D’Angelo for brainstorming with me when I got stuck.
