“Okay.” His arms wrapped around her waist and under her knees. “But you need to lie down.”
“No, Vince, please. I want Linda.”
“I’m here, little sister. Let me help you upstairs.” Her sister came from beside Vincent.
Elaina nodded. “Linda will help me. Just…go back to your meeting, Vince. I’ll be all right. You can fill me in.”
“Elaina.”
The hurt in his voice tugged at her heart. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt him, but she couldn’t face him. Face any of them.
Everyone in Shilo City and their cat seemed in attendance when Elaina emerged from the bathroom. She covered her face, as if that would hide the rest of her from the stunning Angel of Love and the four magnificent men of Meridian. How could she be accepted by these people when she was a lowly Terran?
As they ascended the stairs to their third floor suite, Vincent quietly followed. Her chin quivered at the thought. I don’t want him to watch me. He can’t see me undone like this!
As they entered the room, he waved his hand and the lights dimmed.
Elaina crawled into bed and rolled to her side to keep from looking into Vincent’s eyes as he knelt beside her. “Thank you, Vince,” she murmured. “Linda can help me now.”
“Elaina there’s nothing to be ashamed of. My first experience with a deity almost knocked me to the floor. You handled meeting an angel with grace.”
“I threw up, Vince.”
“The air was so much sweeter than you’re used to. Don’t let this get to you.”
But she had. She couldn’t help it. She’d acted like a child, stepped into an arena she had no business being in. She’d bowed to an angel, eliciting the being’s emotions. Iaami had glowed!
“Vince, please leave. I need some time.”
“Yeah. Okay.”
His tone sounded as if she’d broken his heart, but right then, all Elaina wanted was to bury her face in her Terran sister’s shoulder and cry; away from magical forces, away from the ethereal beings.
As the door clicked, she sat up and reached for her big sister who’d protected her from bullies as they grew, who’d comforted her when her heart had been broken.
Linda’s brows arched upward, and her head leaned in a sympathetic gesture. “Oh, little sister, don’t be embarrassed.” She sat beside Elaina and held her. “That sweetness about got to me. And I had to hold onto James’s arm just to stay where I was and not do what you did.”
A sob punched from Elaina’s chest. “I can’t face them.”
“Shhh.” Linda guided Elaina’s head to rest on her bosoms and stroked her hair. “You don’t have to. When you feel up to it, I’ll call Vince in to help.”
“I never want to see him again, Linda. What was I thinking? I’m not meant for all this.”
“You were thinking you’re in love. Face it, Elaina, you love a Meridian man. There’s no shame in that, no matter how you look at it. They’re amazing in their own right. Forget that they commune with gods and angels. These guys are hot, and they chose to have us in their lives. Just be yourself. It’s what Vince fell in love with.”
She made sense. Linda always did, it seemed; factual, forthright, Linda with her feet on the ground and fighting for what she thought was right.
A small squeak sounded in Elaina’s throat as she tried to speak past the tightness. “I do love him. With all my soul. But Linda, I want to be special too. Is that so bad? Nothing about me is any different than any of Vincent’s other wives he’s had on Terra.”
Linda huffed. “You’re kidding me right? Hasn’t he told you that you’re his soul mate? The way I understand it that’s the highest form of love there is for them. He’ll search for you from now to eternity.” She shook her head. “James hasn’t told me that. Nothing near it. But I’m not sobbing into your boobs, am I?”
Laughter popped from Elaina’s lungs. “No.” She sat up and swiped the tears from her cheeks. “But you gave James something no one has ever given any of them.”
“Like what?”
“A chance to be a father.”
Chapter Fifteen
Mianna released the tie on the package, and Cole hardly held back his anticipation. He tapped his fingers to his thumb and watched the thin twine fall away from the parchment. What would his love have to do with his father, and why would a book be given to him that had to do with her lives? No wonder the man found interest in the woman who’d fallen in love with his son. But to the point of wanting her for himself? Were they meant to be together all along? Did Mianna fall in love with the wrong Shilo?
He scratched his palms with his fingernails to dispel the itch. Surely she hadn’t felt the same attraction to Sylis as she had to him. She had, after all, refused his attentions over several life spans.
James held up his hand. “Shouldn’t we wait for Linda and Elaina to return? This will affect them if it affects us.”
A knock came at the study door, and as if she’d heard his concern, Linda entered with a nodded. “I have a feeling this will have to do with all of us. I want to be here.”
“Where’s Elaina?” Vincent asked as he stood.
“She’s lying down.
“Should I go to her?”
Linda squelched her cheek. “I think she really wants to be totally alone, Vince. Sorry.”
Patience wavering, Cole shuffled his feet. “Let’s just get this underway. You can fill her in later, Kid.”
At Vincent’s nod, Rhune spoke the words, “Eko silyst.”
The room entombed them in protective silence.
Mianna gently pealed the parchment way from the book, and a soft glow enveloped the tome in an ellipse. She sucked in a deep breath, and the cover opened at her ginger touch. Chromatic swirls filled the pages and, as if by instinct, Mianna placed her hands on them. Bright beams of multicolored light shot through the spaces between her fingers and thumbs, her eyes opened wide as a cloud of mist bathed her face.
“They are virtues,” she said, with awe in her voice. “I was to learn these during my lives on Terra.”
Her pupils grew within the light, and Cole knew she opened her soul to handle as much as she could. Her lower lip quivered, nostrils flared, and her brows rose to mid-way up her forehead. Goosebumps appeared on her arms, and her hands flinched on the book.
“Mianna?”
“There are so many,” she whispered. “And I’m to understand the feelings and consequences of them all. Oh…I chose to come here to help one man remember who he is, and what his true goal must be. This book, the book of the experiences I needed to learn here on Cornerstone Deep, contains things I must try to recall and put into perspective before I meet him again, or I could fail.”
Cole placed his hand on her back for support. “We’re all here to help you, my love.”
A small nod. “Unconditional love. It’s the one underlying goal of every circumstance… And what I must remind Allant when the time comes for his decision.”
Ambrosia swirls filtered from the chromatic pages of the book, and a loving voice spoke, familiar, gentle.
“Iaami,” it sang, as if calling her home. “It is time.”
Veneration flowed from every soul, joining with Cole’s. Mandy and Mechenzie came into his periphery, quiet awe on their little faces.
White light settled around Mianna, and the scent of lavender touched Cole’s senses. As if the study melted away, a vision of the beautiful violet flowers surrounded the gathered family members. Mianna breathed deeply and, as if she could touch the flora, she slowly brushed her hands through the air. “Hmm. I’ve longed to roam these fields. It has been so long.”
“You’ve been gone for a time among the mortals,” came Arylin’s loving voice. “Have you learned what you hoped to find?”
Riveted, Cole watched Mianna’s smile fade, and she gazed toward the misted horizon. “I’m afraid I’ve lost much. As Mianna I have learned of the love I will need. As Anna…I find her strength carried her through som
e most difficult times.”
“Yes. But the lifetimes you have lost through the transformation would have also aided you in your task.”
Cole blinked to the side and lowered his gaze. He didn’t need reminding of his failure. It seemed at every turn, the consequences mounted. But this moment was for Mianna. For her learning and counsel with her Goddess. Perhaps it was mercy that allowed the rest of them to experience the moment that they may help Mianna in her mission. He leaned his head to the side as he witnessed the divine conversation.
A ladybug fluttered onto Mianna’s finger, and her soft smile returned as Arylin spoke.
“If you wish to abandon the promise, you may do so, my sweet sister. No one will expect you to fulfill a task when the gift, through no fault of your own, was maimed.”
All eyes turned to view Mianna. Sister? She’s the Goddess of Love’s sister? What was he thinking? It could only be the truth. Her entire life as Mianna had been proof of her deepest nature. No other looked beyond outward appearance, to the goodness within, without judgment. No other accepted a person for who they were to the extent Mianna had.
Lifting her hand high, Mianna helped the ladybug launch into flight. “What other important things must I know that I had learned, but lost, Arylin?”
The ambrosia swirls floated to clothe the glorious Goddess of Love as she appeared. Her golden hair rested on the downy feathers at her shoulders and cascaded down her back in thick waves. Silence held the room as Arylin’s sky blue eyes peered at only Mianna. Cole had to wonder if Linda and the girls were able to see the Goddess. He knew the rest of them could.
Linda’s hands rested on her bosoms as she sank to her knees. Mandy and Mechenzie’s wide gaze didn’t vary from where Arylin stood. They could definitely see the ethereal being.
“Iaami, my darling little sister. I knew you would not back away.” She took Mianna’s hands in a gentle hold. “I will help every way I can, but it is your heart and soul that must learn from these things. Study the book Father and Mother have prepared for you. Use insight to relate all teachings to the experiences I will show you. Contemplate and study reactions, and most of all, relate love to each outcome.”
“I will. And with the help of everyone here, I know I will succeed.”
Reverence flushed Cole’s heart, and his soul wanted to weep out of love for her.
Arylin nodded, but her gaze didn’t leave her little sister. Soft wisps of burgundy and sage surrounded her as she squeezed Iaami’s hands and then let go. She faded along with the light showing around Mianna.
No one dared speak for fear of disturbing the glorious moment.
Vincent’s whisper could barely be heard within the silencing spell of the room. “You really are the Angel of Love.”
Mianna slowly stroked the page of the book, until the ellipse faded, and then spoke as if she hadn’t heard him. “I know I have help, from heaven, and from you all. But to relay the message to Allant in a way that he will know I understand; that I’d experienced the needs he had…” She looked at Cole, a sadness in her beautiful blue eyes. “Cole, how can I experience so much in such a short time?”
Regret hit him anew. He’d done this. He’d taken the precious moments that had taught her how to complete her call by casting that blasted spell and sealing it with his kiss. Arylin’s words from the night of her transformation flashed in his memory.
“Advancement made over her last five life cycles has been lost. A crippling toll for a soul to pay.”
Very crippling, in light of this new information. A deep flush burned his cheeks. Would the consequences of that one unharnessed kiss ever be completed? The tragic unbinding attempt on her soul, the loss of five life times, and then glorious reprieve as Gryffin, the God of Conformance, pronounced judgment for him to serve Mianna for the rest of his existence. But it was all for not, as he was to fulfill a mission on a faraway dimension, away from the love he swore to protect.
He expelled the hot breath that filled his lungs as further realization of the situation hit him. Mianna was the Angel of Love from the prophecy, chosen to sway his father into making the right choice that would save a world and his soul. And that meant she would be accompanying him to Midway Summit.
A puff of laughter shot from his lips. Inappropriate at the moment, but he couldn’t help it. This couldn’t be more perfect! How did the counsel know? What am I thinking? The Gods instruct the counsel, who only performed their duty and relayed their wishes.
Renewed honor to the gods filled him, and he pulled Mianna into an embrace. His arms tightened around her, holding her close to his heart. “The Gods will guide you, my love. You’ll accomplish this mission with favor.”
Vincent’s thoughts broke into Cole’s mind with clarity. “But will I? James expects me to fill Mother’s role.”
The unspoken question caused Cole to wonder so too. How soon would the prophecy take place? Vincent could never manage the knowledge of an aged soul, in wisdom or skill, in such a short time. Cole once said he believed Vincent had been born to fulfill a purpose, other than to fill the third member of the Triad in the family. Could this be it? But a soul is the greatest source of strength and stability a being can have.
He looked at the little girl standing beside her sister. Mechenzie had such a soul. The answer came strong to his mind. She would need to be trained to fill the role of her previous life as Lilith.
Cole looked at James, standing at the head station of the desk, jawline clenched and lips pressed tightly together. “James, you know, don’t you. You know how this must be done. She could train in Meridian. She would learn quickly, and the time would seem short to Cornerstone Deep standards.”
James’s response came in the form of a telepathic statement. “I can’t take her to Meridian without Linda and Mandy, Cole. It would break her mother’s heart.”
Cole cleared his throat. “For this mission to succeed, we’ll need the strongest most pure talent available in Mother’s position.”
Vincent looked to the side, and then lowered his gaze to the carpet. “And that’s not me.”
Rhune placed his hands at his waist.
“We can’t separate the family,” James said in a low tone.
Linda’s brows jumped. “What family?”
“That little girl and mother won’t have any place in Meridian,” said Rhune in a factual tone. “Even with my blessing, it would shorten their lives considerably.”
“Wait. Are you talking about Kenzie? You’re not taking my baby.” Linda rushed around the desk and positioned herself between the men and her girls. “Taravaughn said she could stay. That she could stay if…” Color drained from the woman’s face as she quietly finished the sentence. “Your gods find favor.”
Rhune nodded. “And clearly, she’s needed elsewhere.”
His tone couldn’t have been blunter, and Cole growled before James had a chance.
“No!” Linda’s screech filled the enchanted room and wrenched Cole’s heart.
James dashed from the desk and wrapped her in his arms. “Leenja.”
“She’s my baby! Mine! She was given to me to protect and love. I won’t let you take her to some other worldly dimension I know nothing about. I can’t!” She spun, lowering into a squat and throwing her arms wide. The little girls rushed into her arms.
Thoughts whirled from Linda’s mind and rammed into Cole’s consciousness.
I’ll run with them, hide! In the deepest places on Terra, we’ll hide.
Cole pitied her. Oh Linda. Don’t you know; you can’t hide from the gods?
Chapter Sixteen
Elaina rolled onto her back, and looked at the newly refurbished chandelier above her. Vincent had done a beautiful job of reassembling it. Even though it took three tries to get it all right. Thank heavens he didn’t call on James like he’d wanted.
She dragged her hands down her face, pity eating at her heart. “I’m being such a baby, but I don’t belong around these people. I have nothing to offer t
hem.”
Squirrels chattered outside the west side window, and Elaina rolled her head on the pillow to see the cheery things. Muted light filtered through the tree limbs and leaves while the lively little souls scampered among them. She furrowed her brows as she focused beyond, to the darkening sky. The sun is going down? How did it get so late so fast?
She didn’t think she had fallen asleep. Her mind whirled. Vince did say time fled when the ethereal was present. And Anna has definitely become an ethereal being. “Her skin glowed like liquid gold,” she said to the squirrels, as if they’d hear her. “And when she laughed it was like a tinkle on the breeze. Iaami. How beautiful is that?”
Throwing her hands to her face, she attempted to make it all disappear; the images of Iaami, the vomit session, and her close relationship with Sentinels of Cornerstone Deep. “What am I doing here? Gods, I don’t belong!”
Tears welled under her lids again, and she pressed her palms to her eyes. Was that why Venus hadn’t answered her prayers? No, she couldn’t believe that. The Goddess loved to be prayed to and answer humble prayers. Doubt whispered another possible answer. She’s a Goddess of Midway Summit, not Terra.
Light spilled over the foot of the bed as Vincent opened the door and quietly stepped inside. He closed it behind him. She barely heard him whisper something over the jabber of birds.
Gnawing the inside of her cheek, she slowly let her hand slide to the side of her face and feigned sleep.
The light from the bathroom illuminated the room as he turned it on. A moment later, water ran and clothes rustled. He’s getting ready for bed already?
The mattress dipped as he sat down, and the weight of his hand sat on her hip. “Elaina?”
How could she face him? How could she ever look into those beautiful ebony eyes again without feeling like the puny soul she was? She moaned with a little stretch as she rolled to her side.
Destiny (Cornerstone Deep Book 3) Page 8
