“What?”
“Outside the mansion. There are two hooded people right outside the door.”
Eirik cursed. “Crap! Those are Idun-Grimnirs. Mom must have sent them to find Cora and they just did. I have to stop them before they scare her.” He planted a kiss on my lips. “I love you, Stjärna mín. Start packing for home.”
He raced away from the throne. The second he left the room, the image disappeared. Damn, now I was going to miss the meeting between him and Cora. I hoped she agreed to meet with the goddess.
A WEEK LATER
CELESTIA
Taking a deep breath, I pressed a hand on Dev’s chest and closed my eyes. Warmth spread from deep inside my core as my life force unfurled. It flowed out as though looking for an outlet. I directed it to my arms and into his warm body. His heart was beating, although slowly, and his temperature was almost normal, yet he was still not waking up. We’d started on Friday, and today was Sunday. I feared my efforts were wasted, but I dared not say a word and disappoint Cora and the Druids.
Eir had been specific in her teachings. The body had to be of a person recently deceased and the soul had to be nearby in order for this to work. Dev’s soul had been in Cora’s cell phone, so that was close, but his body was a millennium old even though Rhys had protected him and kept “fresh” with runes. Could that be the problem? I hated to give up, but what if I couldn’t help him? The hope in Cora’s eyes and the desperation in his Druids kins’ eyes urged me to keep trying.
I listened to my body, so I knew when to stop the transfer, but I could hear the voices of the guys mixed with Nara’s filtering through the partially opened door. We were at Echo’s house in Miami, where Rhys had brought Dev’s body. Eirik had talked to Cora a few days ago. I’d given them their sister-brother moment, so I hadn’t gone with him, and later he’d said it had gone okay. I wasn’t sure what that meant since Cora hadn’t decided to meet with the goddess. Instead, she’d insisted on being in Miami while we revived Dev, claiming he needed her. The second Dev had left her cell phone and entered his body, there wasn’t much she could do, but wait. She was just as stubborn as Eirik.
A chill crept under my skin, and I knew the empty void would soon follow. I removed my hands from his chest and opened my eyes. Cora reached for the glass of apple juice on the night table and gave it to me and went back to holding Dev’s hand, squeezing it and rubbing his knuckles slowly with her thumb as if silently begging him to wake up. She was seated on the other side of his bed and had been there since Friday, even sleeping by his side at night to make sure he didn’t wake up while I rested and boosted my life force.
Needless to say, Echo had not been too happy about it, but he was smart enough not to say a word. Every night, he’d pick her up, take Cora’s chair, and hold her while she held Dev’s hand. He might fool the others by claiming he was worried about Cora, but I knew better. Eirik had heard him snarl, “damn it, Dev, fight to live,” under his breath while we slept. Our temporary “bed” was opposite theirs and Eirik refused to sleep anywhere else but with me. It had been a crazy vigil with the five us sleeping in the spacious guest room while Nara and Rhys slept in the living room. Daiku and Ranger stopped by at least twice a day. I knew they were checking on me. They also brought us more juice and food. Trudy and Jessica were here earlier too. I had no idea where they were now. Probably out shopping. The two were becoming as thick as thieves. I finished the drink, but still felt thirsty.
“Do you want me to get you more?” Cora asked.
“No. I’ll do it. I also need to rest. Get me if he gets worse.” Cora nodded silently, half understanding and half begging me not to stop. I couldn’t give her what I didn’t have, and I had reached my limit.
The voices in the living room rose. I couldn’t tell whether they were playing chess or arguing. At first, they’d hovered inside the bedroom and watched me work, but the three Druids in the same room were like kegs of explosives. After a few exchanges, Eirik threatened to rip their heads off if they interrupted my concentration. He already said today was the last day and even though he respected my work and choices, I knew he meant it. Three days of constantly draining my life force could mess with my abilities. Eir had said two days was the safe zone.
The door opened and Torin’s distinct British accent reached me before Raine peered into the room. Someone must have told them what was happening since they’d disappeared to Torin’s castle on Friday after school. I’d met the two the day Eirik told Cora the truth. Raine smiled tentatively at me before hurrying to Cora’s side. They hugged. Raine sat on the arm of Cora’s chair and rubbed her back.
“How is he doing?” Raine asked
“Not so good. Celestia’s been great, but he’s still not waking up. He has more color in his cheeks though,” Cora said.
I looked at Dev’s face, but I couldn’t tell the difference. I placed a hand on his forehead. His skin was clammy.
“Yes, he does,” I said to placate her.
“His skin is warmer, too,” Cora said, squeezing his hand. She sounded desperate to believe he was improving, and Raine touched Dev’s hand and nodded. I was happy she was around because I would have hated to lie to Cora.
“I’ll feed him a few more times, then he should have enough life force to open his eyes,” I said. “His heart is beating steady, and his soul is sealed in.”
“Really?” Cora’s eyes clung to mine. I was beginning to feel sorry for her.
“Yes. I can feel it. I’ll be right back.” She nodded, but her eyes were back on Dev’s face.
Sighing, I stepped out of the room and closed the door. Five pairs of eyes looked at me. Torin, Echo, Rhys, and Eirik got to their feet while Nara stayed seated. Eirik put his arm around my shoulder and poured more apple juice into my glass. My hand shook slightly and he growled. I’d given Dev a bit more than I should this time around. I really needed to rest now. Without saying a word, Eirik lifted me, sat on the nearest chair, and tucked me under his chin. He was pissed. I felt it in his breathing and pounding heart.
“His temperature is almost normal,” I said, trying to appease him. “I need to give him a few more doses and he should be okay.”
“No, you are not touching that man until you nap. Close your eyes.”
I didn’t bother arguing with him. “Where’s Jessica?”
“Trudy came for her. They went back home for swimming lessons,” Eirik said.
Eirik had been our swim coach, so I wondered who was teaching them. Jessica had changed a lot since she told the truth. She was sweet and loving, and the goddess and Baldur continued to treat her like a daughter. Marguerite and her three stooges were still keeping Crazy Granny company in Corpse Strand. I glanced over at Echo.
“Go to her, please,” I said.
He glowered, not moving. Impossible man. Ever since he found out Cora was Eirik’s sister and the long lost daughter of Goddess Hel, his attitude had changed. Sure, he’d held her the last two nights while she slept, but he kept his distance the rest of the time. He hadn’t gone reaping either, and when not brooding in the living room, he paced in his bedroom. Yet, whenever he checked in on Dev, his eyes often went to Cora and stayed, until she looked up. Then he’d go back to studying Dev while she studied him. Their relationship had definitely changed even though I could see they were pining for each other.
“He’s an idiot,” I overheard Nara say.
“No surprise there,” Rhys added.
“Shut up, both of you,” Echo retorted. I had no idea what had happened between Cora and Echo, and Eirik refused to get involved, but Nara and Rhys obviously knew.
“Celestia!” Cora yelled, and I jumped up from Eirik’s lap, tripping in my haste. I would have landed face down if Eirik hadn’t caught me. Man, I was weak. He was behind me when I rushed back into the bedroom to Dev’s side.
His skin was paler than before. His chest slowly rose and fell, his breathing shallow as though he was struggling to breath. Cora was sobbing. Echo was by her side
, hauling her into his arms and replacing Raine, who slipped into Torin’s arms. Nara and Rhys appeared at the foot of the bed.
“He’s getting cold. What’s happening?” Cora said in an urgent voice.
I touched Dev’s neck. His pulse was slowing down and he was getting colder.
“I don’t know, but I think we might be losing him. The life force is leaving his body. It’s like it is not holding anymore. Like he doesn’t want to come back.”
“But you can fix him, right? Please, Celestia. Help him.” Cora’s voice caught on a sob, and Echo muttered a curse under his breath. It was now or never. I looked at Eirik, but before I could open my mouth, he shook his head.
“You are too weak already. You need to rest, Stjärna mín.”
I gripped his hand. “One last time. I promise.”
“But what if…” I silenced him with a kiss.
“Then you’ll catch me,” I said, looking into his eyes. I knew he would be there, supporting me. I turned around and moved closer to Dev. Eirik moved behind me, his warmth reassuring, as I placed both hands over Dev’s chest.
“Now you listen to me carefully, Dev. I have spent the last three days here with you, giving you my life force when I could have spent it with Eirik, so you better wake up because I’m not letting you go. Do you hear me? You and I are linked now and anyone with my life force in them isn’t a quitter. They’re fighters. Tammy fought and won. Merle did. And you damn well better or I swear, I’m going to personally make sure Eirik drags your soul to Corpse Strand for a week before you’re allowed in a Resting Hall.” Cora stared at me as though I’d lost my mind.
I took a deep breath, and once again I felt my life force unfurl from my core and flow through me to my arms and into his body. The silence in the room was deafening as the minutes passed.
“And if you didn’t already know, Cora hasn’t left your side or slept in a bed since Friday. She’s been by your side, holding your hand and urging you to wake up every night. She’s fought so hard to help you, fought so you can be back with your Druid family, so now it’s your turn to fight to live. Fight like you’ve never fought, Dev. Echo is here too. He hasn’t reaped in three days although, I’m sure he’ll not admit he’s worried about you, but he is. He’s driving me crazy with his grouchiness and constant pacing.” He was probably more worked up over his situation with Cora, but I was willing to say and do anything rather than focus on what was happening to my body. I was playing Russian roulette with my life now and could really hurt myself. “Then there’s Rhys,” I continued, my voice sounded funny. I was slurring my words. “The guy acts like nothing bothers him, yet he’s preserved your body for a millennium, hoping someone would come along and help you. Well, here I am.” Cold crept under my skin and my stomach grew tight. “Then there’s Nara…” The cold was spreading fast and wooziness washed over me. “Nara, tell him how you feel.”
“I’m not going to cry over you, you insufferable, arrogant bastard. You’d better fight and get up so I can knock you on your ass again. Don’t think I’ve forgotten our last fight.”
“He’s warmer,” Cora whispered. “And his color is improving.”
The void inside me spread. “Keep talking. Cora… Nara…Guys… One at a time.”
“Come on, Dev. Fight. Students at Mystic Academy will need you in the fall,” Cora begged.
“Damn it, Dev,” Nara added, moving closer to the bed. “You are a fighter, so stop dragging your feet. I have souls to reap instead of cheering for you to reach the freaking finish line.”
“I didn’t keep your body in that tomb for a thousand years so you can quit, pal. Fight!”
They kept talking, but Echo stayed silent. My body grew heavy. Eirik’s arms wound tightly around me as though getting ready to pull me away when Echo snapped.
“Listen to me, you waste of space,” he snarled. “I didn’t want your sorry ass back anyway because of one thing and one thing only. I’d have to apologize to you and I don’t do apologies. Now I’m pissed off at the way you’ve made Cora cry. You want an apology? You got it. I’m sorry I overreacted and killed you. I was an ass and said terrible things before that and afterwards. You and Rhys are my brothers. Always have been and always will be. And Nara, when she’s not being a pain, could pass for my sister. Now, get your sorry ass back to them or I swear, I will keep your soul tethered to me for the next millennium for the tears Cora has shed over you.”
Dev’s heartbeat shot up.
“Yes, Dev,” I whispered. “That’s it.” Even as I spoke, I knew I couldn’t do it anymore. I tried to pull my arms away but I couldn’t lift them. The room started to spin. I knew I had to stop or get sucked into the void. I’d wanted to help Dev for Cora and the Druids, and I had failed.
“Eirik,” I manage to whisper.
He lifted me away from the bed. At the same time I heard a loud gasp and a cry. I opened my eyes, but everything was blurry. I closed them again and took a deep breath, fighting with everything I had to stay awake.
“You did it, you brought him back,” Cora said. Her words gave me the final push, and I opened my eyes again and focused on her. She was sobbing and laughing at the same time. Her hand was on Dev’s cheek, but he stared straight up and kept blinking as though he was trying to clear his eyes. Echo was smiling while Nara and Rhys high-fived each other. They had brought him back. I’d just been the catalyst.
“He’s really back,” someone said in awe. I couldn’t tell whether it was Rhys or Nara.
“She did it,” another said.
“How do you feel? You want to sit up?” Cora said.
He nodded, and she helped him sit up, propping pillows behind him.
“You still glow a stór,” he said in his beautiful Irish accent.
Cora laughed. “I have no idea what that means, but I love it, Dev.”
They hugged. Even though I was exhausted and would probably be asleep for hours, I was proud of bringing him back. It felt good, but keeping my eyes open was becoming impossible. I closed them and felt Eirik move. I knew he was leaving the room.
“Don’t leave, Eirik,” I heard Cora say. “Dev, I want to introduce you to the person who brought you back, my amazing sister, Celestia. She’s my, uh, brother Eirik’s chosen mate.”
“Is she going to be okay?” Dev asked in his beautiful accent.
I couldn’t speak let alone open my eyes, but I heard Eirik say, “Yes. She gave you her life force and needs to rest now and rejuvenate. Thank her later.”
“Celestia.” Cold lips planted a kiss on my cheek. “Take a piece of my heart with you until we meet again, a mhuirnín. I’m forever your humble servant.”
“Damn,” Eirik muttered as he moved away from the bedroom. “Another person you share a bond with and it had to be Mr. Suave. If he calls you darling again, I’ll kill him.”
I smiled. At least, I think I did. I wasn’t sure where Eirik was headed and to be honest, I didn’t care. I needed to sleep and I wanted him to hold me.
“Is she going to be okay?” I heard Echo ask as though from afar.
“Yeah. Open a portal for me. I’m taking her home.”
A blast of cold air told me he’d opened a portal to Helheim. Someone draped something warm around me. I was sure it was Echo. Eirik confirmed it with, “Thanks. Where’s Dev going to stay now? He can’t fit inside a cell phone anymore.”
Echo chuckled. “He can stay here until Lavania finalizes other accommodations at Mystic Academy. Is she warm enough?”
“I’ll keep her warm. Fix whatever is broken between you and Cora, man. I don’t want to be involved, so just take care of it.”
Somehow, I’d known Eirik would interfere in their relationship. If I were not close to passing out, I’d tell him to butt out. Echo didn’t respond, but I felt the rush of cold air on my face, so I knew we were in the cave, heading home.
“Eirik, wait up,” Cora called. “I’m so sorry helping Dev did this to Celestia. And I know I pushed her too. Will she be okay?�
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Eirik chuckled. “My Celestia is a lot tougher than she looks.” He pressed a kiss on my forehead. “Besides, she knows I’d hound her in the astral plane if she’s gone for too long and she has an army of goddesses who will be pissed if she doesn’t wake up. I hope you heard that, Stjärna mín. I will contact the Ásynjur Court if you don’t wake up in the next six hours.”
“You really love her,” Cora said, sounding wistful.
“With every breath in my body. Just like Echo loves you.”
There he goes again. Stay out of it!
“I know,” Cora said, sighing. “But sometimes it takes more than love. Do you think they’re ready to, uh, meet me?”
“Mom and Dad? They were ready the moment I told them about you. No, the moment they learned you were still alive. They’ve been giving you space because I told them you needed it.”
I grinned inwardly. Space indeed. The goddess had been sneaking out of the realm to watch her daughter from afar and I was guilty of helping her. Only Baldur had yet to see Cora.
“I’m ready to meet them,” Cora added. “Will you and Celestia be there? I’ll need the support.”
“Of course, we’ll be there, but you won’t need it. They’re pretty awesome as far as parents go. Okay, I need to take Celestia home now, but I’ll be back for you.”
“Thanks, Eirik. It’s weird thinking of you as my brother, but it just seems right.”
“I don’t know. More weird than right,” he said, laughter in his voice.
“Thanks, Celestia.” Warm lips touched my cheek. “I look forward to getting to know you. Later, Eirik.”
I lost track of time after that. Then I felt the soft sheets on my cheek. He kissed me gently on the lips. I wanted to tell him that I was proud of him. He had finally achieved what he’d wanted for so long—his family complete.
“I couldn’t have done this without you, Stjärna mín,” he whispered. “With you by my side, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do.”
I couldn’t respond, but I heard him clearly. He was wrong about one thing. This wasn’t about me helping him. This was about us as a couple and a team. As long as we had each other and worked together, there was nothing we wouldn’t do. I was looking forward to our next adventure.
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