Beyond the Veil Mira- The Complete Series

by Trina Bates

  Closing my eyes tighter, I pray to Alyria.

  -I don’t know if I can keep the promise to come back in a time of war. I want to say that I will but, I can't leave my daughter like my mother left me. If there was a guarantee that she would be safe, I would bring her. I love it here and the people have quickly grown on me as well. The fear of Death is there, but I would die for any of my men, and especially my daughter. I would fight till the end. If you require me to make a promise to you, I can't. I can promise you that if you do call, and I am able to secure my daughter, I would never hesitate. That is a promise I can make. Please hear me. Please.-

  With a jolt, I’m flung forward and race to brace my arms in front of me before I crack my head on the base of the statue.

  -You are part of me Mira, so is your daughter. I will always do what I can to keep every one of my daughters safe. You love without bounds. Your promise to me is one easily accepted. You make me proud and I will give you all I can. Accept who you are in your heart, take my essence into you and embrace your new future.-

  Alyria’s words don’t shock me, it’s like they were there all along. I need to listen and hear them, to follow them. I open myself to her, the Valkyrie ways, the people and beings of this world. I accept it all. With another jolt, my back tears and I’m in agonizing pain, but as soon as it came, it’s gone just as quick.

  -Be safe, little one. I will be watching over you.-

  Opening my eyes, the only thing that feels different is the weight at my back, looking behind me, wings shoot out and scare the fuck out of me. Trying to get away from them, I fall forward off the bed, but the wings follow me, and I race wide-eyed and scared, on all fours trying to figure out what’s going on.

  -Fuck, I’m scared of my own damn wings!-

  They’re so big and gorgeous! Like everything about me, they’re different. The only true Valkyrie I have seen since being here is Torunn and her wings are pure white.

  Mine? They’re white closest to my body, but further out, the tips turned into a deep red, like my hair.

  “Fly now, Mira!!” Ebbin shouts at me, making me forget about the wings and remember the words written in the book about having to take flight immediately. I stand up and jump into the sky, my body and wings know what to do which is good since I’m totally freaked out and lost. I move my shoulders trying to help but it doesn’t matter, my wings take care of me. I need to take control, so they can accommodate to me, not take control of me. I remember Torunn’s words. I need to bond with them so they won't become stunted or take on a mind of their own. Pulling my arms to my chest, halting their movement, I yell for them to stop.

  Moving my shoulders and arms at first, I’m finally able to get out of the glide I’m in and start going higher with each beat of my wings behind me, spanning out so far I have to crane my neck to see them fully.

  The view is incredible. Everyone that is below is shouting, crying, and giving thanks. My men all stand with arms crossed and proud looks on their faces.

  -You did wonderfully.- Torunn’s voice in my head says, surprising the hell out of me. Looking up at the sound of wings, she’s stopped in the air looking proudly at me as well, with her own wings flowing facilely in the heavy air, holding her body effortlessly, as she stays with me suspended high above the ground.

  -Mira, you're amazing!-

  Cynide exclaims as she flies to my left side, and swirls around me a few times, taking in my new wings.

  “This is so freeing! I don’t ever want to come down!” I yell to both my companions.

  “We need to descend Mira, your muscles aren’t used to so much so quick. You will get stronger with time,” Torunn says with a sad smile, but I know it’s okay. We will have many more chances.

  Listening to Torunn’s words, though doing it with a pout, I land in a heap on the ground right in front of the guys. They laugh at me instead of trying to help me up.

  -Assholes.-

  On my knees about to get up, the last person I ever wanted to see again is standing in front of me. Looking down at me, with my wings proudly on display, he sneers at me, his arm out, reaching for me. I know if he touches me, I’m going to be taken away and the guys will have no way to get to me.

  Trying to scuttle away, he comes at me faster. All the while, there are screams from people in the crowd, shouting from my men. They’re only a few feet away, but can't seem to move, and my fear is permeating the air, choking me, halting my own movements. Before he can reach for me, Siv’s face is in front of mine.

  “I never stopped,” are her last words to me, as my father's hand wraps around her throat, and my world goes black, seeing them disappear before me.

  Rhydian:

  Watching Mira take flight, her gorgeous white and red wings catching the wind and soaring like she has been doing this her entire life, was something I will never forget.

  What happened after, is another one of those times as well.

  Torunn told us to let her land on her own. We were not to touch her before she stood proudly and showed everyone in attendance that she was now one of them. A Valkyrie.

  When Alastor winked into existence right in front of her, we all tried to rush to her, but there was some unseen force holding us back.

  We were all rooted where we stood. All we could do was scream. Kigiree was trying to force a shift, and I welcomed it. But even that was futile.

  Right before that vile piece of shit could get his hands on her, Siv, Mira’s mother, jumped in front and was taken away as Alastor teleported out. I doubt he knows what happened at first, but there’s no time to worry about that. Mira, my amazing, gorgeous, strong woman, is sprawled on the ground passed out. I have to get to her. To feel that our daughter is okay. Alyria. Thinking of her makes hope and fear take over in my heart.

  Finally feeling the barrier fall, we all rush to her prone body. Her heartbeat is steady and her breathing strong. I put my hands on her stomach and feel for Alyria. I feel her trying to get as close to me as possible. She’s so strong and doing fine.

  With relief washing over me, I sit back on my haunches and let the rest fuss over her for a moment.

  “How is she? Is Alyria okay?!” Ebbin's worried voice strikes me in the chest. I should’ve said something immediately.

  “They’re both fine. Strong. I think she collapsed from the shock,” I explain to them.

  Three sets of shoulders sag in relief.

  Ebbin picks her up and starts to carry her back to our little cottage.

  -I want Grun to look her over. Just in case. After that, he knows we’re here. We need to leave.- Ebbin says in my head.

  -I agree.-

  -Rhett, he has her blood and can find her anywhere. Can a Blood Fae like Lyra somehow cloak her when we return?-

  His voice in my head sounds strained and tired.

  -I have no idea. When we get there, I will portal to her and fucking find out. This shit has to end. That asshole needs to die. Mira might not be on good terms with her mother, but she is not going to handle the fact that she sacrificed herself for her very well.-

  He’s right. This is going to be painful no matter what.

  Taking up the rear as Merrick takes the lead, Rhett walks by Ebbin's side as we make our way through the people. Torunn and Cynide are walking behind me. I have no words of comfort for anyone. All I could say, I already had. The rest is up to Mira now.

  Finding the little cottage was easy after coming and going so many times the last few days. Out of all the cottages we had, this is where the most memories as a family have been made. Where we’re free to laugh, love, and enjoy the company of those around us without the threat of the Conclave looming over us or Others trying to challenge us for our woman. Now it feels tainted by one man and the few seconds he was in this world.

  Watching Ebbin lay our woman on the ground, she appears so fucking small, and fragile. I hate it. She’s the glue that holds us all together. A Trenary, a Black Schuck, a damn Metal Fae, or Smith as he was called by his peo
ple, and that little shit of a Warlock. We’re the strangest damn harem I have ever heard of but it works for us because she makes it work, with us. Without her in our lives, we would be alive but not really living, working our asses off day and night, doing shit to keep Others in check when the Conclaves turns a blind eye. We had our dalliances with women, sure, but when Mira and Ebbin crashed into our lives, everything changed for the better. We have a purpose again. We found a connection we didn't know we were missing.

  Grun's branches wrap lightly around her, secure enough to hold, but soft enough not to cause any harm.

  -My little friend is fine. She sleeps deeply but her dreams are filled with anguish. When she awakens, be calm, tend to her needs and love her more fiercely than before. She will need you, all of you. The blame and hurt she is carrying will not fade until she finds her mother. Safe travels.-

  Grun shuts us all out before we can reply. I can feel the affection he has for her, that of a father. He’s hurting because she is. If a tree could weep, Grun surely is right now. His branches hang lower and oddly enough, the color of his bark is much darker than what I remember. I make a silent promise, as soon as she’s well enough, we will bring her back here, and to him.

  Saying our goodbyes to Torunn and promising a quick return, she kisses the top of each of our heads, including Mira’s, and walks away with her shoulders pulled in and her head hanging low.

  Rhett opens a portal, and we all go through one by one. Ebbin going second with Mira in his arms after me.

  Met with the cold chill of the frosty air, I run through the cabin turning on the heater, and starting a fire. Ebbin places Mira on one of the large sofas and covers her in plush blankets.

  We all crowd around her giving her our warmth. Cynide placed her little body over Mira's and starts to purr.

  -The vibrations and my heat will warm her and give her comfort,- she says to me with despair in her little childlike voice, tearing my heart apart with each word.

  Mira:

  Waking with a haze clouding my mind. My eyes search around the cabin. This isn't right. I must be dreaming. And what the hell is on my back, fuck that is really uncomfortable!

  Twisting and trying to get whatever was behind to move, a giant white and red wing swings out, pulling me with its movements and knocking a plate off the ottoman. I wince at the loud crash and smile affectionately at my wings. I’m no longer scared of them.

  Shit, shit, shit! I'm not fucking dreaming! I’m a Valkyrie now! With wings and shit. But why the hell are we home? When did that happen?

  My head is pounding and I need water badly. Trying to sit up, I’m stopped by a weight on my chest. Peeking down, Cynide's cute little face is staring up at me. Her light blue eyes lit with concern.

  “What’s wrong, Cynide? And when did we get home?” I ask confused.

  -How are you feeling? We returned a few hours ago. Do you not remember your ascension?-

  Rubbing the sleep out of my eyes, still wanting that water, I shift more trying to get her off of me so I can get up.

  -I have a headache, I’m still not fully awake, give me a second. Let me up?-

  She jumps down and follows me into the kitchen, but right before I turn the corner, everything falls into place. The guys standing there laughing, Alastor teleporting in. My mother getting in the way so I wouldn't be taken.

  “I never stopped,” I whisper to myself, her last words to me, carving into my mind and heart, I feel like a knife has been run through me and I do everything I can to not fall. I know exactly what they mean and I feel fucking terrible. She never stopped looking, no matter what I felt. She never stopped. And she never stopped loving me or trying to protect me.

  Falling to my knees on the hard floor hurt, but not as much as the pain in my chest does.

  I was so mean to her. I didn't give her a chance to tell me everything. I was so fucking selfish. Only thinking about my feelings. I never put hers into perspective and now it's too late.

  Under my hands, I feel the vibrations on the floor before I hear the beating of footsteps running towards me. Four men fall around me. Hands touching me everywhere and someone is wiping the tears from my eyes. I can't focus on anything. My mind is filled with grief and my body is shaking with fear.

  “Love, what’s wrong?” The strong deep baritone voice of Merrick cuts through my thoughts.

  “I, I can’t. What? How?” I can't form a fucking sentence, I’m a stuttering mess. “What the hell happened?” I finally stammer out.

  Ebbin's smooth voice is laced with concern. “Bugs, we’ll find her. I promise.”

  He always seems to know what I’m trying to get out. Without needing to be in my head.

  Sliding my arms around whoever is in front of me, I collapse in big, strong arms and wait to hear more. I need them to tell me everything.

  When I’m able to breathe right again, I can smell the leather and sweet scent of pine. I’m in Rhydian's arms. I pull his arms around me tighter while they start to explain everything.

  “You passed out after Alastor stole your....” He was going to say mom, but catches himself, “Siv. He was aiming for you, as I’m sure you're aware, but she jumped in front you just in time.” The sob that tears through me has everyone pausing their words and movements.

  “I already fucking know that part. Get to the after, and how we got here,” I cry out. I don't mean for so much anger to flow into my words but the torment keeps growing inside me.

  “When we raced you away, we took you straight to the Spriggan, Grunwald. He went over your body, but nothing was wrong. He told us you would be fine, but you were haunted. We need to come up with a plan. We have a few in mind but we want you there. You are after all… The Valkyrie of Death.” Rhydian says into my hair, I know he means well, but it was the wrong thing to say.

  That title, it should sound amazing, bringing fear and respect but I hate it. It tells me that one: I come from a piece of shit father that wants me dead for my powers, and two: that my mother was taken from me before I had the chance to get to know her.

  “Don’t fucking call me that, I’m Mira, that’s it. I’m a Demon and a Valkyrie, I don’t want ‘Death’ associated with me. He will fucking pay.”

  I’m filled with rage and they don’t need that from me. I push myself off of Rhydian and stand. I need to move. The disgust simmering inside of me is growing. I’m not about to let it get out of control, but I need something, anything to help.

  “Ebbin, can I have Rigar? Cynide, would you like to fly?” I ask, but I’m staring at the large chest in front of me, too riled up to look anyone in the eyes.

  Cynide shifts without a word. She had told me before she wanted to fly with me, as well as Rigar. It will be the perfect distraction and I might be able to get a few clear thoughts out while I’m up there.

  Ebbin stands and starts taking off his clothes. “Of course you can, Bugs,” he tells me, his voice muffled by the shirt getting stuck on his head. I wish I could laugh, but I can’t.

  As much as I want to take the time to enjoy his body, I need flight more.

  With Rigar and Cynide by my side, we all beat our wings and dart into the cold night air like torpedos.

  The chill is a little more than I would have liked, but with me pushing myself and my wings so hard, I soon break out into a slight sweat.

  Rigar’s gorgeous black lightning clad feathers fill my view and I take a moment to enjoy his large frame. I love how his lightning cracks around him and his eyes don't miss a thing.

  -I was surprised to hear you ask for me so soon. As happy as I am for this time with you, I can’t help but worry as well. You are deeply troubled by recent events. Would it be easier for you to talk to me about them?-

  -I let her down. I never gave her a chance, Rigar. I passed her off and turned her away because of my own feelings. I feel like an ungrateful, petulant child.-

  -Mira, your feelings are warranted. You felt left behind. The memories I have come across in my Doyen’s head sh
owed me a conversation you had. One where you both found you were…. Unwanteds. The life you both had was horrible. You can't blame yourself for things that happened. Your mother was a good outlet. She did try, yes. But you were also left at the hands of those vile creatures because she didn't make it to you in time. You must sort through that information. I am always on your side. Though seeing you so torn, it has all of us on edge. If you want to give her another chance, then do it. Find her and see where it goes.-

  Fuck if that all doesn't hit me right in the heart. He voiced every feeling I have been having. But he’s right. I do need to sort through it all. I need her here, with me, to do it.

  -Any ideas on how we can get her back? I know that fucking asshole has her in hell. I can get there, but I would have no idea where to even find her.-

  Cynide is the one to answer that question. I should’ve asked her first. She’s the one who spent her life there before she was sent to me. She even watched over my father a few times. She would know where he was.

  -He has many homes in Hell, but the place he will have no doubt taken your mother, is in Lucifer's domain. You will need a very sound plan to get past the hounds and his minions that still occupy those lands. Lucifer might be gone, but his Faithful are still there waiting for his return.-

  -Okay,- I say, beating my wings harder, flying higher. I need a plan to get into fucking Lucifer’s home… that should be a fucking breeze.

  -Into the bowels of Hell we go. Cynide, we need to get back, get with the guys and see what we can do. Rigar, I need to ask. Out of all the companions you have with you, which out of the two others will be better suited in hell? I will be asking Rhydian to shift while there since he appeared much more sinister and also be able to fight better.-