Nimara: Children of the Gods

by Patricia Halladay

  “Do you want to see your momma little fluff butt?” Scott makes faces at Talisa as he brings her over to me. She’s laughing at her daddy, but as soon as she sees me, she has this huge toothless grin and I take her from Scott. Talisa snuggles in and falls asleep, without attacking me. Tears start to trickle down my cheeks, and I try to wipe them quickly, I don’t want them to fall on Talisa and wake her. This is the most peaceful she has been for me in her two short weeks of life.

  “That’s better.” Hades says, he smiles at Hecate and gives her a hug and adds “I will see you soon Hecate. Thank the gods it’s nothing horrible like mine was.”

  “What do you mean she will be going home? When? Why?” I ask, scared Hecate’s going to be attacked. Hades comes and cups my face.

  “Don’t stress yourself, she and Tank come when you and the others ascend. That isn’t for another hundred years. So calm down, just enjoy your little ones, and keep being a good momma! You were before, what happened was not your fault. They knew better, this isn’t the first time they tried this. They got caught this time, only a true god’s able to call the Blade of Life to them. Not even the current Gaia can do this, so you being able to, was something truly amazing and was a signal to Zeus that something was really wrong.” Hades says using his thumb to wipe my tears. Then he ruffles my hair because he knows I need both hands to hang on to Talisa, ass-hat. I can’t help but smile and the guys are laughing. I sit in the cuddle chair and Kai brings both Nyssa and Jessica over to me. Onyx brings a large blanket to wrap us in and helps get us all positioned so that all three girls are in my arms. I can feel their incomplete heartbeat, just like mine used to be. I hope they find amazing mates like their daddies.

  We all fall asleep; Nyssa’s in her lycan she moved above the blanket and is sleeping with my hand cradling her. Jessica has her wings out in the crook of my neck and Talisa’s still curled up on my chest. I wake up in the wildflower field again, but this time I don’t have to go searching for my girls. They are standing with 3 much older women, all 3 women look like grandmothers you wanted to see and spend days, weeks, years or even centuries with, to learn everything you can if it were allowed.

  “Dear Nimara, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you. You and the other 6 children are the biggest news in the heavens. I am Clotho, and I am the one of the original Fates.” Her voice is soft and caring, like she would put great love in each strand of our threads before setting us on our Path of Life.

  “The pleasure is all mine, and you must be Lachesis, and you Atropos. I thought Zeus said that my daughters were not to be trained until they were 13.”

  “You are right, I am Lachesis. We are not here to train your girls. We just want to come to meet and spend time with them. It has been eons since we have been around children. So we’re a little out of practice. No training, unlike our daughters, we’ll not break Zeus’s command. We also won’t anger your father! He doesn’t show it, dear Chronos is much stronger than Zeus, but humbler.” Lachesis says while sitting with Talisa asleep in her lap.

  “That’ll be greatly appreciated. I want them to have as much family as possible to connect too. My family keeps growing, even with mom and dad not being with me. Every one of the Leaders have treated me like one of their children.” I say watching the girls sit peacefully with the Fates.

  “They will, and although I am Atropos, and known to be the end of life. I will gladly make sure these three, get as much family they could ever ask for! Many of the gods are excited to meet these precious ones. Like you, they are the first true goddess to be born, well since us. It’s a very rare gift. It’s why you were able to call the Blade of Life. Only the true gods are able to. Hades, Zeus, Poseidon, Ares, Athena, Artemis, Apollo, Chronos, Hermes and I think Hephaestus are the only true gods left. All the others are children that came into being when a god was horny, and then ascended to take their parents place. Aphrodite might be too, but I’m not 100 percent on that one.” Atropos says playing with Nyssa’s hair.

  Each woman spoke with such grace and love. There was little to no difference to them. They all looked and dressed the same. Gray-white hair pulled back into a bun at the base of the head. Beautiful lightly tanned skin, that had soft wrinkles that hid their true age. Gorgeous gray eyes, each had little flecks of either blue, gold, or green in them. They have a chipmunk face, soft and round with plum cheeks, just adding to the loving grandmother look.

  “Ok it’s time for all of you to go home and have dinner. Listen my little goddesses. You mind your manners and do as your momma and poppas tell you! Do you understand me?” Atropos gave the girls a stern look. To which my girls smile and nod. “Good, now go on. We’ll all play tomorrow! We love you Little goddesses.” The three women gave my girls each a hug and kiss, then they came and did the same to me. “We love you Nimara, just keep trying, you will do well!” Lachesis whispers in my ear and then we all fade away.

  When I start to wake up I hear growling of all sorts and then get pounced on. Nyssa’s going after Talisa’s tail, while Talisa’s trying to get Jessica’s. It looks just like a pup does when chasing its own tail, but with 3 bodies going after each other instead. I hear Onyx chuckle as I try to get the 3 girls off of me. Just for all three to pounce on me again. I pick up Nyssa by her scruff and hand her to Onyx, I then also hand Talisa to him. I pick up Jessica and we all head upstairs to get ready for their feeding. I place Jessica on the bed and go into my lycan. I lay down on the lower bed and Onyx puts the girl with me. It doesn’t take long, and they are all feeding. While keeping an eye on the girls, I am bombarded with their comments. The link the girls and I has come back, and they are just as talkative as before. Most of their chatter’s about what game to play next, or if they should shift and play with their daddies. Nyssa says she may be able to get daddy Onyx to do a puppet show with the water again, goddess please do it in the tub this time. Not in the living room.

  When the chatter dies down I know the girls are finished and probably asleep. I shift, pick up each one, getting them cleaned and settled in their cribs. I grab the baby monitor, get redressed and head downstairs for dinner.

  “They all asleep again? They are growing so quickly! Even Nyssa has grown, she’s the same size as Talisa and Jessica now.” Scott says and comes to give me a hug and kiss.

  “I like having our 3 girls the way they’re supposed to be. I am glad, the gods figured out what was wrong. Nimara, no more having the kids take over for one of the gods. Please. That was just horrible for all of us, especially you. They should have known better.” Kai says just looking at me with expectant eyes.

  “True, they will have to wait and ask the kids themselves when they turn 18. It’s up to them not me or any of us.” I say and the guys nod in agreement. Just as we sit down to start to eat, there’s a knock at the front door. When I get up to answer it, I hear screeching. I open the door quickly and see Tenelle fighting with a large animal. I run out to help her, this animal is trying to rip her wings off. I go into my lycan, slamming my full weight and force into him. He lands a few feet away, and already up for another attack. It’s a grounder, but not from Emily’s group or from Kai’s either. He starts to move in again, Evren steps out and slams the grounder back down.

  “Shift!” Evren roars, he looks back at Tenelle and I to make sure we are ok.

  I switch back and start to work on getting Tenelle bandaged up, Scott’s on the phone with Sue and Onyx is still in the house with the little ones. The grounder has to submit and shifts back. The guy laying under Kai’s massive hands looks dirty and rough. He just keeps his eyes on Evren and realizes he’s much bigger than a normal gargoyle when he’s picked up by his throat.

  “Not too smart, attacking the Messenger of the Gods, or my mate Mother Earth. What business do you have here?” Evren’s voice is deep and gravelly. The guy just looks at him and doesn’t say a word. Not the smartest idea because Evren starts to squeeze. “Are you going to talk, or do I let my mate have her way and MELT your skin off?” He asks. The
guy looks at me and I give him a wicked smile, Tank’s by me instantly when Evren says melt. I swear that Hellhound has ultrasonic hearing.

  “I was hired by King Harold to help kill his Queen and daughter. My brother was killed by this bitch! Since the contract included anyone that helps them, she’s my first target. Then your sister, once I find her.” The guy says trying to breathe. Evren has this strange look when I start laughing and it is anything but a friendly laugh.

  “You must be fucking stupid! Tenelle’s the Messenger to the |Gods. Killing her will be an instant death for you. As for Queen Emily, she’s in the mountains with her Earth Dragon mate and his family. So have fun with that little adventure, especially if you're skinless.” I say resting my arm on Tank’s shoulder. Tank has an evil smile; it goes well with mine.

  “You do know that my step-father’s dead right? The contract has been voided with his death. Can’t get paid if your boss is dead.” Evren says loosening his grip enough for the guy to breathe. I honestly don’t care what his name is, I want him dead. Tenelle has shifted back and Scott gave her a t-shirt and shorts to put on. She walks over to me and I can see the damage to her arms.

  “Hey Nimara, I was coming here to see if you have anything for the new clans out East. Like a gift, letter, or an alliance treaty for them. This fucker decided that was a good time to shoot me out of the sky. Can I please rip out his eyes?” Tenelle asks ready to kill him and honestly if he hadn’t tranquilized her to slow her down, he would be dead.

  “Not yet, I want Jax to play with this flesh bag, for coming after Queen Emily. After I melt his skin off for coming after you my sweet girl.” I say moving away from Tank and walk over to Tenelle. “Before I do though, let’s get you healed. It’ll be a long flight!” I say pulling energy from my surroundings and a light blue glow encircles Tenelle and I. I hear bones crack, and feel flesh knit together again. When the energy dies, I look to see she’s in her owl. Snow looks happy to be healed and ready to take off again.

  “I called Sue and Queen Emily. Her, Jax and Queen Nyssa are currently traveling here. For Queen Nyssa to move in and be accepted in the clan. They should be here any minute, and Sue said she would love for you to skin him Nimara. I think we should ask Hecate to shrink his ass down to the size of a mouse and let the girls hunt him! Jessica would enjoy it the most since she’s a gargoyle too. Nyssa might get bored and Talisa wouldn’t have interest. She bit Kai while playing and I swear she almost puked at what a gargoyle tastes like.” Scott suggests and I shrug, it’s a pretty good one. I hear wings, 4 pair to be exact. I look up to see a large bald eagle, a dragon and two gargoyles coming in. Wow, I haven’t seen Sue’s bird up close like this before. Jax manages to land again, he’s doing well. He doesn’t shift down; he’s eyeing the guy Evren has lifted by his throat.

  “Hey Jax, can I melt his flesh off first before you play with him? Please?” Tank asks excitedly. I shake my head, Tank’s in love with melting people.

  “I will let Tenelle, and my mate decide. My Gorgeous Queen Emily, what’s the fate you decide for this hunter my beautiful mate?” Jax says bringing his head down to Emily and she strokes along his cheek with her claws.

  “Snow, what does Tenelle wants. He never got the chance to harm me, so I think this is really your choice. You are a beautiful snowy owl too!” Emily says, directing her attention to Snow. I never knew that gargoyles and the messengers can talk to one another when shifted. I found that out when Tenelle was here and she talked to Evren in her owl.

  “She says to let him go, he’s a rogue and he will be hunted.” Emily says. She’s right, no matter what, someone will get him along the way. Either here or along his route back east.

  “Then let him go. If she’s not going to wish harm to him then so be it. Snow you get going now and get a head start. Keeping this one from taking you out of the sky again. Jax can you connect with the other dragons along her flight? Maybe they will help keep her safe if this jackass tries something again.” I ask Jax, he nods, and I watch his eyes go white. They don’t need to be of the same family or cauldron of dragons. They can talk to each other as long as they are on this continent. So European dragons talk to all European dragons and North American dragons talk to all North American dragons.

  “Done, the Dragons of Air will protect her while in flight and the Earth dragons or Water dragons will take over when she’s on the ground. They aren’t happy to hear why they’re protecting a sacred being. Don’t be surprised stone creature that you end up dead before you leave this province. You have angered some very powerful dragons.” Jax says. Queen Emily gives Jax a kiss, and Queen Nyssa pats his leg.

  Onyx comes out with the three girls in their stroller, and hands Snow a large envelope. She puts it in her satchel and hops over to her mom. After rubbing her face and head on Glory, Sue’s eagle, Snow takes off. Evren drops the grounder, then lifts into the air also and takes her to the edge of our territory. A dragon of Air is waiting, and Evren wishes her safe travels. The dragon nods to Evren and then follows Snow east. How long this dragon will escort her I don’t know, but at least she’s safe for now.

  The grounder was released on the edge of our territory and honestly he didn’t make it far. Rogue wolves attacked him; we were sent a message from another pack that he died a few days later in their care. We informed them of what he had done, he will be buried in their common cemetery. Queen Nyssa was accepted with open arms, and she found her second chance mate. One of our warriors, he’s our trainer for the newly shifted. The tree house for Queen Nyssa was modified for them. It’s a perfect blend of Earth and Air. Queen Nyssa spends a lot of time with me and the pups. When I need some time to myself, she steals them for a “Grammy’s Day,” which is code for shopping and toys. Life’s getting to be normal, and the guys agree it won’t be for at least 2 years before we add to our family

  Epilogue

  At the eastern edge of Mont Tremblant National Park in Quebec, a large snowy owl sits high amongst the trees. Best thing about this beautiful park is when it snows everything is white, even the evergreen trees. Small rodents scurry past, and a squirrel sits on the owls feet to help stay warm.

  “How are you doing little friend? Are you warmer now? I am sure that fox is long gone. You can get to your home, one tree over I am sure.” I say to the smoky grey squirrel. She chitters back and I laugh.

  “Fine, stay there and I will take you over in the morning. Good night my little friend.” I tell the creature and close my eyes. Thinking of the dragon I will meet in the morning, and of the dragons that helped me this far.

  4 hours before…

  “So why are the dragons angry that they were asked for help in protecting me? My name’s Snow too by the way. It’s a great honor to meet you.” I say to the Dragon of Air that has been escorting me since I left Silver Shadow territory.

  “Everett, my name’s Everett. All birds of prey are considered sacred animals. You are directly linked to the gods. There’s a reason, those who kill a Bird of Prey, die instantly. There are not many of you left, and you specifically are an extremely rare gift. The last Great Owl messenger was Hermes himself when he was earth bound. That’s why we dragons are angry someone would hurt you.” Everett says continuing our flight East.

  “Well Thank you Everett for the company and protection. It’s greatly appreciated, but I am going to stop here for the night. Mont Tremblant’s the best place to stop, everything’s white.” I say laughing and start lower into the treetops.

  “Yes I can see that. I stick out like a sore thumb, even with my scales being a very light blue. I could be used as a homing beacon with all this fresh snow!” Everett says laughing.

  “I think I should be fine. I am going to stay in my owl form and sleep up in a tree away from the ground. So I don’t think an Earth dragon’s needed and I know sleeping in a tree wouldn’t work for you. You're too big!” I say laughing when he looks himself over.

  “Well a 5 foot tall Great White Snowy Owl isn’t exactly normal eith
er. Smart ass!” Everett says as I turn my head weird to look at him.

  “Here, this is a good tree. That and it’s my usual tree when I fly out East to visit friends. Hey, look at the worm! What the hell? That is one huge fucking worm!” I say looking at Everett.

  “That’s an Earth dragon, his name’s Rock. He’s sticking his tongue out at you and called you a smart ass small fry. Oh goddess, have fun you two. Thank you for giving me something to do today Snow. It was a pleasure to meet you and protect you. I hope our paths cross again some time!” Everett says giving me a kiss on the top of my head and ruffle my feathers. Bastard! He did that on purpose. I can hear him laughing as he climbs back into the sky to travel home.

  “Hey birdy come here for a moment please?” The Hella big worm asks.

  “Hello, I am Snow and my human name’s Tenelle. It’s nice to meet you Rock.” I say landing to sit on a tree branch that’s at Rock’s eye level, which is still 10 feet off the ground.

  “Very nice to meet you Snow, will you be traveling down here for a bit? I can drive you to the edge of my territory. That will make your trip shorter if you like.” Rock says.

  “Thank you Rock, no I am alright. I can smell fledglings on your scales. You must have little ones at home. I am going to stay in the trees to sleep. Go home and take care of your children. I am a good 6 hours ahead of the gargoyle, I should be fine.” I say and the dragon smiles.

  “Oh thank you Snow, yes they hatched today. My mate’s nervous being home by herself right now. I will come back and check on you. I have a friend that will pass by too and check on you. He’s a dragon too. You might see him, but highly doubt it. He’s a midnight blue, so he blends in with the sky at night. Anyways, I’ll see you later.” Rock says giving me a kiss on the head too. I wonder why they are doing that. I move back up to the top of the tree and sit in my usual spot. At some point a very scared little grey squirrel timidly comes under me.