Her father pulled back only to re-embrace Dana tighter. “Dad, you need to share,” Ashlynn said with the uncertain smile.
Their father stepped to the side seemingly too choked up to speak a word.
“Can you ever forgive me?” Ashlynn’s words came out in quick succession.
Dana’s brow furrowed. “Oh, Ash, for what?”
“For everything. For never standing up for you. For not stepping forward at the wedding.” After Jessie left, Ash realized how life must have been for Dana. Her sister had never had it easy, and although Ashlynn could cast most of the blame on her mother, she had to bear some of the guilt as well.
Ashlynn found herself pulled into a loving embrace of her big sister, possibly the first time they had ever hugged. Their mother had never allowed any form of affection between the two. As far back as her earliest memories, the sisters had been kept apart. “You aren’t to blame, but if it’s forgiveness you need, you have it.”
Tall, Dark, and Intimidating grunted, giving her a pointed stare.
Dana glared at him. “My forgiveness is mine to give. Your views on it are crystal clear.”
“You are too forgiving,” Rekkus said but, unlike Dana, he didn’t bother to lower his voice.
What defense did she have to a statement of truth? After another brief hug, Ashlynn pulled back. “Dana, you’re gorgeous. You’re glowing.”
Tears welled from deep within her. “I learned of your accident today. I am so sorry. I would’ve come to visit had I been made aware of the accident. Oh, where are my manners?” Dana reached behind her and pulled Rekkus forward. He grunted or maybe growled. It sounded like a growl, almost animalistic. “Rekkus, I want you to meet my father Dr. Eugene Stone….”
The distance between them and Rekkus she had no intention of crossing. He intimidated her, and she could sense his mistrust of them. In a formal, almost military voice, he greeted them. “Dr. Stone, welcome to the island.”
“Please call me Eugene. Thank you for taking such good care of my daughter. I have great amends to make, and I hope we can get to know each other better while we are here.”
“Dana would like that.” Rekkus leaned back as another man came to whisper into his ear. He nodded in the direction of the boat. Following his line of sight, Ashlynn realized their mother hadn’t followed.
“Dana, I think I should warn you….” Ashlynn began, but she wasn’t really sure how or what to say. She was silently thankful when Dana reached out and touched her arm.
“It’s about our mother. You don’t need to warn me about anything. Some things will never change in this world. She is one of those things.”
As much as she hated the way her mother treated the situation and Dana, she had to be thankful she didn’t have to explain the nastiness. Even after all this time, her mother couldn’t show a degree of motherhood toward Dana. Dana did what she always did. Showing compassion, she reached forward, grabbed Ashlynn’s hand, and gave an understanding squeeze.
“Two out of three family members isn’t bad, right?” Even though through the bravado, Ashlynn could see her emotions brimming. Her husband must’ve detected it because the gigantic man’s arms wrapped around her.
“We can deal with her if you like,” Rekkus said.
Dana looked over her shoulder at her husband. “Deal with her how?”
“I can either have someone cater to her demands or she can be treated like a regular guest.” To Ashlynn’s surprise, Rekkus’ voice softened.
“And who would you have cater to her every need?”
“Oh, I think Telly would be the perfect choice, don’t you?”
The man in the sunglasses and gloves groaned, but his lips switched. “Poor boy. One mistake will forever be his doom.”
“Telly?” Ashlynn asked.
“He is a teenager who comes to the island once a month.” Dana nudged the man in sunglasses. “Cyrus, please meet my father and my sister, Ashlynn. Dad, Ash, this is Cyrus Rowan and his brother Cemil. The Rowans own the Wiccan Haus.”
Cemil, light and friendly, welcomed them both with open arms. He had an air of happiness from within, very carefree, but also exuded strength. Cyrus extended gloved hands for her father. His darkness relayed a deep sadness. Despite their differences, identical ice-blue eyes stared back at her.
“I say let her carry her own bags like a normal guest,” Ashlynn mumbled, casting a glance back to the dock where their mother sat on her bags, refusing to move.
“The second group of arrivals are due here, and we need to get her settled. I got this,” Cemil said, patting Rekkus on the shoulder. “She can’t be as bad as Sarka.”
“I could debate you there,” Dana said, but her voice lacked conviction. “Let’s get you into your room. There are some rules you need to familiarize yourself with but I’m sure….” Dana sucked in a breath, her hands reached for support. Both men were quick to assist. Although Dana reached for Rekkus, she squeezed Cyrus’ gloved hand until her knuckles turned white. Her husband lifted her chin, forcing his wife to focus on him.
Concern etched every inch of his stern face. Rekkus asked in a voice far softer than she thought possible of this man, “What is it, what’s wrong?”
“Your son kicked me hard.” Dana’s voice held even, but Ashlynn could hear the struggle underneath.
“When are the babies due?” her father asked. “I assume there’s more than one.”
“How did he know? How do you know?” Cyrus threw up his arms in frustration. “Am I the only one not to know?”
Dr. Stone patted his shoulder and chuckled. “I’m an OB/GYN. Years of working with pregnant women gives you a good inkling of such things.”
“Dana?” Ashlynn watched her sister force a smile then let out a cry of pain as her lips began to tremble.
“That’s it. I am taking you back to our cabin to rest.” Rekkus lifted his wife into his arms as if she was a child instead of a size-eighteen-on-her-skinny-days, pregnant with two babies woman.
“Do I have a say?” Dana laid her head on his shoulder.
Rekkus stopped for a moment and nodded. “The Haus or our home.”
“I can walk, Rekkus,” she mumbled but, as she closed her eyes, it became obvious she wouldn’t make it far. Perhaps the burden of carrying multiples so close to term or maybe the emotional strain of her family dropping by had become too much to bear.
“I’m well aware you can walk, but why do so when I can carry our whole streak. Let me do this for you.” Rekkus left the group without so much as a “by your leave.”
“He’s very protective of her, isn’t he?” Ashlynn watched him carry her into the resort. Rekkus had wanted to leave earlier. Although he never pushed, he had made his feelings known. She put her concerns to the back of her mind. He took care of his pregnant wife when Dana had shown signs of not being able to move another step. So why did his manner of control concern Ashlynn?
“You have no idea,” Cyrus said with a chuckle. “We here on the island, those who know him best, are still getting used to the softer side of Rekkus.”
“Softer?” This was soft? Other than the care he took when he cradled Dana in his arms, Ashlynn had not witnessed a degree of softness in her brother-in-law. Even then she’d seen overprotectiveness, not softness.
“Yeah, softer. Come along. Let’s get you settled in.” Cyrus waved her toward the Haus.
Tinges of pain edged her brain. Rubbing her temples, she prayed they could get to her room in time. Where had she packed her meds? “I think I need to lie down. I am not feeling so well.”
As they entered the lobby, Cyrus pointed to the line at check-in and winked. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”
She didn’t have the energy to argue. Cyrus walked behind the receptionist desk, said something to the woman there, and grabbed a key. Placing his hand on the small of her back, he led her to the elevators. “Remember, you must use elevator three. The others won’t work for you, or
at least they won’t go to your floor.”
Inside the empty elevator, he pressed the single button. As they rode up, he went through some of the other rules, like never miss dinner. Partway down the hallway to her room, he stopped and cupped her chin. “Trust us and we’ll do our best to manage your pain but, without trust, we can do nothing.”
“I’ll try.” Reaching the last room of the hall, he slid the key into the lock, opening the door wide.
“This was your sister’s room. It helped in her healing, and I hope it will yours. Get comfortable. I’ll find my sister Sage. I think you need her more than any of her other guests do.”
“No need.” A soft melodic voice filled the room. Around the corner came a small blonde woman, a light to Cyrus’ dark. She bore a great resemblance to Cemil. But the eyes would have told her they were siblings. “Cyrus, can you help me pull those curtains? We’ve had light-reducing drapes added to your windows, Ashlynn, to keep the room dark as you might like it.”
Sage moved through the room, plunging it into forgiving darkness. She appeared to float. Her steps as light as a butterflies wings, she made no sounds, one with her environment. “I’m Sage, but I think you figured that out already. It is such a pleasure to meet Dana’s sister.”
Ashlynn forced herself not to cringe. She sensed no hostility from the other woman. “I can’t imagine she said many good things about me.”
“Dana has never spoken a word about you, except to say you existed.” Sage approached. “Now, let me examine you.”
A wave of pain not associated with her head washed over her. It would have hurt less to have her sister bitch about her than to be thrown into the category of “she lives, but I have nothing else to say about her.”
“Do you need more light?”
“No, this is fine. May I touch you?”
Ashlynn nodded, and even the small movement sent shards of agony rippling up her spine. The trigger signs of a killer migraine sent her into a state of nervousness. She had no idea where her meds were and her bags hadn’t arrived in her room yet. Stay on top of the pain, her nurse had advised. The darkness of the room helped by easing the sharp stabbing behind her eyes and sudden exhaustion filled her. “May I lie down first?”
“Of course you may.”
She braced herself for the prodding and the poking she associated with doctors and nurses. Pleasant surprise filled her at the light brush of fingertips. There was no pain, well, no extra pain. She closed her eyes and allowed Sage to knead her way over her scalp.
“You’ve been using some of my cream.”
“Jessie brought me some in the hospital. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Don’t be silly, I’m happy for you to use it. I’ll make some more for you and remind me to make some for Jessie as well. There is little more I can do for your scars, you understand. I’ll focus on these headaches. You have one forming, don’t you?”
“Can I be of assistance?” Cemil’s voice filled the room. Ashlynn hadn’t been aware he even entered.
“Perfect timing.” Sage patted the bed. “Cemil is going to hold your hand. I want you to relax.” Sage’s fingers moved from her neck up and over her head. She heard Cemil grunt in conjunction with the tender spots Sage touched. Odd. Only once did the pain get so bad Ashlynn gasped.
“I’m so sorry I had to touch you to assess the damage.” More to herself than to Ashlynn, Sage spoke a series of mental notes. “I think we need some butterbur, perhaps willow mixed with a touch of valerian. Yes, that might do it.” She returned her attention to Ashlynn. “Your shakes will have peppermint with a good dose of caffeine. I have some candles I think will do the trick, for now, but I have to work up some different soaps and sachets. Okay, to bed you go. I want you to drink the shake I’m leaving you. Take your medicine. It’s policy to remove all medications from our guests, but, until I have the right mixture of herbs, I don’t want to eliminate your pain relief. I promise the shake tastes better than it looks.”
“I can’t find my pills,” Ashlynn murmured eyes closed, rubbing the bridge of her nose. No sooner were the words out of her mouth than two pills were dropped into her other palm. “Where?”
“Your nightstand,” Sage whispered, indicting the orange containers sitting in plain sight.
Ashlynn’s stomach protested the thick, ash-colored substance. Then she heard Cyrus’ voice whisper trust. So she took a deep breath and gulped. Surprisingly, the shake tasted rather sweet and smooth. She finished it and allowed the two siblings to help tuck her into bed. Her lids grew heavy. Maybe she could rest for a few minutes.
Chapter Three
Shadedor, or Shade as his friends called him, hated these damned portals. He loathed the way they made his insides churn like they were being pulled through his nose. The feeling of having no control and flying though an immense space, the claustrophobia. Each person dealt with them in their own way, and the few times he had talked with others about what they experienced going through them indicated each species had its own issues. Shifters who weren’t as powerful could be forced to shift and arrive a tangled mess of animal in human clothing; witches had been known to lose all short-term memory for sometimes days, and his people experienced a sensation of having their souls ripped from them. But portals were a necessary evil and the one way onto the island, at least for him. Due to his paranormal status, he could not ride the ferry without special permission from the Rowan siblings themselves, and, according to the council, he didn’t have time to go another route.
Taking a step from the abyss, he walked into the light of the Wiccan Haus. He was somewhat surprised not to find Rekkus guarding the portal. The anonymous security guard greeted him without checking his reservation. Something to broach with Rekkus once they had a moment to chat. Security had been beefed up since a recent breach. All portals to the island had been permanently closed except for the one from Lochmage, the capital city. Even then, those scheduled to travel at unusual times received special charms. Without them, a being would be lost in the abyss until the portal opened back up at sunrise or sunset the next day.
The Syndicate had a handful of charms in their possession for occasions like he found himself in now. The three council members were concerned about the pending labor of Rekkus’ mate. With his being the last of his streak and the uncrowned prime of his people, a great deal rode on the babies Dana now carried.
Something big must have happened for Rekkus to be absent from the portal on arrival night. He was not known for delegating where the safety of the Rowans was concerned.
Myron, his favorite gypsy card reader, sat at the reception desk throwing down cards while directing the paranormal group before her to their accommodations. Her hand stopped mid throw as their gaze met.
Violet eyes widened then filled with joy. “Now, you I wasn’t expecting. Get over here.”
He walked around the long reception desk and into her open arms for a warm hug of welcome. “A kind soul as always.” She pulled back as he chuckled. “So you are ‘Delphina’ now?”
“What? It’s the first badge I picked up this morning. So, tell me, what is a soulpath, who doesn’t have a reservation, doing here?”
Shade retrieved a letter from the outside pocket of the linen duster he wore and handed it to Myron. It stated by order of the Syndicate he would be allowed on the island for however long as deemed necessary. He’d be given free rein and any other information and all of the assistance he could possibly need…blah, blah, blah.
“Huh?” Myron said, picking up her cards.
He placed his hand on hers, stilling her movement. “No need for you to consult your cards, my friend. It’s no secret. I’m here to read Dana and Rekkus’ cubs to make sure they are safe and sound. We need to ensure Dana’s safety through the last few weeks or days of her pregnancy.”
“They send the soul reader?”
“Of course they did,” Cemil said in a voice full of goodness and cheer. “Shade, what a wonder
ful and welcome surprise. I think even Rekkus might relax once he sees you. Well, as much as the man knows how to.”
“That is unlikely.”
Cemil frowned. He could read anybody’s feelings, even if they didn’t want him to. One of the most powerful empaths the Syndicate had on record, his powers were at present unrivaled. But Shade had long passed the age where he felt anything. Occasional joy at seeing an old friend, genuine happiness when a new baby came into the world, but true feelings and deep emotions eluded him. He did his job, read his books, and continued living as his people had all done through the centuries. “If you have information you think might upset the tiger, I’m not sure this is the week to share it with him.”
“And certainly not the day,” Myron said with a nod to Sarka’s closed office door.
Interest piqued, he thought to ask more but he would find out the rest later. “I’m here to read the souls. If, as we suspect, one’s an alpha male, there is concern with the full moon approaching.”
“Sage has the same concern. Rekkus and Cyrus are working with the teen shifters who arrived moments before you did. They are setting them up in the barracks. I can walk you down there. But it’s bound to be chaos. We have two alphas these two weeks. One wolf and one bear.”
“What kind of bear?”
“Polar.”
“Double the trouble.”
“Perhaps we should get you set up in a room first.” Myron cleared her desk.
“May I request something away from the Haus? Cleanse my paths without the overwhelming sadness I sense here getting in the way. I also sense something else—something sinister.”
“Mrs. Stone.” Cemil cringed as he rolled his eyes. Even the most patient of men had their breaking point. “Myron, is the cottage on the west coast open?”
“Would you prefer the one on the cliff or on the water?” Myron asked.
“Is there a great deal of active sea life in the area?” He doubted he needed to go into more detail about whether he meant real sea life or were sea life.
Healing His Soul's Mate Page 3
