Beyond the Veil Mira- The Complete Series

by Trina Bates

  Walking up to the short woman, I smile into her gorgeous eyes and welcome her with a handshake.

  “I’m Mira, it’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard nothing but amazing things,” I say to her and she smiles back to me with blinding white teeth.

  “I’ve heard the same about you! I can’t wait to hear the rest. Torunn was pretty vague on all the details but these are my guys, Casey, Adam, and Brad.” I look to each of her men, smile and introduce my men and the rest of the group, my family behind me.

  After a few introductions, I go into the entire story of what has happened, what is happening and what needs to be done. I don’t leave out a single detail and when I ask if it’s something they would be interested in helping me with, they huddle up and within five minutes come back with a perky ‘yes’. With that, Merrick shows them to another room and I take the chance to sneak out the back door with Cynide hot on my heels, but not before I told my guys where I am going.

  We find our way through the snow and come to a gorgeous valley that is littered with freshly fallen snow, and Cynide takes off, chasing after one of the little rabbits that is running in front of us. I can’t help but laugh at the sight, which alerts the little thing to our presence and Cynide says, -Thanks, now it’s going to be that much harder to catch my dinner.-

  -Well, we can’t have a fat, lazy kitty on our hands. Gotta keep you well trained and all that!- I laugh again, making her growl out loud. I flip her off and shake my head when she so humanly sticks her tongue out at me.

  -You really need to practice what you preach. Telling me all the time that my manners suck, well look at yours,- I tell her and watch as she trips on something in the snow, giving her prey that much more of an advantage.

  -You really are a jerk, Mira!- She howls into my head.

  -Meh, you’ll get used to it, sooner or later. So, tell me about you and Vie?- When I say his name she stops dead in her tracks, prey forgotten and makes her way back to me with a longing look in the rabbit’s direction.

  -I don’t know what you think, but these are not things you say when our minds are in others. Don’t you have a saying here, ‘girl talk’ well, that’s what this would need to be...if, there was even anything to talk about.-

  I decide to talk to you out loud for the moment, so she knows I’m sincere in wanting to talk to her about anything, and that she understands it will stay just between us. “Cynide, can you unlink your mind for just a little bit so we can talk? I can tell there’s something going on, and I want you to be able to tell me anything without thinking your thoughts and feelings will the knowledge of everyone around.”

  -I can, and thank you. Give me a moment,- she says with relief in her little tone that is now sounding much more womanly than so young like it was when she first popped up and scared me out by the barbecue pit.

  I wish I knew all the ins and outs of Agathions, so I don’t have to ask her so many questions, making her uncomfortable along the way. I really do want to know how Agathions mature, and not to be rude, but Vieruz seems so much more ‘adult’ when I first touched his mind. His voice already deep and that of a full grown man’s, where hers was childlike and bubbly.

  -I am ready, are you?- she asks, interrupting my inner thoughts.

  “Give me just a second,” I say, and close off my mind after I tell them I need a few minutes alone with Cynide for a bit, but show them an image of where I am in case anything happens.

  -Be safe, Bugs, you’re not far from what Merrick says, just stay there. Keep your feelings open so we can at least be alerted that way. Well, Rhydian, we are already almost down the mountain. Love you,- Ebbin tells me, I can tell he knows what’s going on, but he thankfully says nothing and I pull away from them all seamlessly. Telling him I love him before.

  “I’m ready now. So tell me, what’s going on with you, not just with Vie, but with everything,” I whisper to her watching with a smile as her little head turns to the side in thought.

  -I do not like that we spend so little time together, I feel like I am a bad Agathion for it, but at the same time, I like it, because yes, I do seem to have some feelings for him. He is kind, understanding and very well mannered. I think he might feel the same for me, but I have yet to ask. I don’t know if it is out of fear or embarrassment. I think I will find the courage soon. We are compatible in many ways, though I don’t think a relationship with him, like the ones you have with your mates, will ever ensue. I have never heard of such a thing, but companionship with another, with a mind like mine? That is a wonderous thing,- she finishes with her own little sigh and comes to lay at my side when we find a large enough log to sit on.

  -Cynide, the questions that I ask you aren’t meant to be rude, I just don’t understand so much, still. So please bear with me and don’t think I am saying or asking these things to be mean, okay?- I ask, worried she might take my own lack of knowledge wrong.

  She giggles in my mind, I think she knows what I’m going to ask, so she says, -It’s alright, I know you were not raised knowing who you were, or what would happen to you. Ask your questions.-

  I huff out a breath happy she won’t judge me for knowing so little and decide to dive right in. -Why do you seem so young, whereas Vieruz seems so...- I trail off, trying to find the correct word to use, but also hesitant to say anything, fearful that I will offend her

  -Why does he seem so much more aged?- she asks, and I laugh at her term, frustrated that I didn’t think of it.

  -Yes.-

  -I had to come across the Realms to find you, and when I did, I was without my second form. So I will age, while coming into my still growing powers and strengths. Vieruz had both, and was in his own Realm with Gorumund when they bonded. It’s all quite simple, when you know about our ways.-

  -It’s not simple in the least,- I tell her, laughing and still trying to wrap my head around it all, but glad to know a bit more, -but we will get there. Okay, next question, why can’t you have a relationship like I have with my guys with Vie? Are you meaning that in a… sexual way?- I ask, feeling like a complete weirdo for even having to ask.

  -We can have that type of relationship in my Pegasus form, though, I do not know if we would breed, and that is not something Agathions can ever do. We are meant to protect our Demons, not have the worries of our own to deal with. We, like you, would automatically put them before our charges and if that were to happen, if something were to happen to you because I had the wrong instincts, I am not sure what would happen to me, but I know it is not good, plus I could never live with myself if you were to be hurt under my care. If you die, I die as well. And where would that leave my offspring? I do not want that.-

  She says the words, but I can feel the longing in her as well.

  -There will come a time when there is peace, when Alastor is gone and we can all take the chance to really see where this life can take us. Don’t close yourself off from anything. When you do, you have seen what can happen. Look at what Blue just went through,- I finish, rubbing my hands together, feeling the cold settling in.

  I pull some of my Hellfire to the surface and warm myself, Cynide might have fur to keep her warm, but with my fire safely beneath my skin, I pull her little form into my lap, laughing when she growls at the adjustment, and hold her close taking some warmth from her and giving her my own.

  -I do like him. He is very attentive to me, always wondering if I would like to go and explore this Realm with him. He loves it here, the cold, the beauty in nature and the throws of the hunt. You should see him when he stalks prey with me. At first, I thought with how large he is and how many legs he has, that he would alert everything around us, he is surprisingly stealthy and can sometimes beat me to the actual catch. I do not know if I like it yet, but sometimes it is nice.- She sighs audibly and wiggles her little head in my lap, getting more comfortable.

  I absentmindedly pet her head while I try not to laugh at how cooperative she is. He’s being a gentleman, or whatever, but she doesn’t see it that way, she’s t
oo proud and I love her even more for it, for being so strong.

  -I think with time you’ll learn to appreciate it sometimes. When I first met Ebbin, I hated how he always tried to do the ‘manly’ things. If there was ever something wrong with my motorcycle, he would try to take over and fix whatever issue it was instead of letting me do it. I bought the damn thing and know a lot more about vintage vehicles than he does. But, with time, I came to see it for what it really was, love,- I tell her, while I replay the memories in my mind, smiling to myself and wishing we could go back to that time, when things were simple and easy.

  -Your little one, she is strong! She keeps kicking me. The feeling is strange but I find I like it. I think she can feel me here with you, and wants to play.-

  Cynide’s assessment makes me laugh out loud and I lean back, rubbing my large belly, enjoying the feeling of her kicks and punches. Though, not that she’s doing it, I really have to pee, and when I tell Cynide, she nuzzles my belly once and jumps up, leading the way back to the house.

  We might not have gotten a lot of time together, but this was perfect.

  Warming up by the fire with a book in my hands that I haven’t even opened, I sit here with Rhydian behind me, rubbing my belly with caressing, gentle circles and talk about what we are going to make her room like.

  “I doubt she’s going to actually need her own room. She’s either going to be sleeping in one of our arms, or in a crib or bassinet in my room. I don’t want her far from me, ever,” I tell him, not wanting to sound rude, but it’s the truth. I want her protected, and always around one of us.

  “Fine, then we are all going to need a bigger bed because there’s no way I want her out of my sight either,” he says, tickling my sides making me squirm and giggle. “Do you even want her to have a nursery at all though?” he asks with what sounds like worry.

  I turn my head and look up to him, trying to gauge his body language and facial expressions but he gives nothing away.

  “I do, but for the first few months, I really do want her with me. Her own room for naps is fine but at night? No,” I shake my head vigorously at him to push my point, his laugh rings around us making me smile. I love hearing him happy and so free of the worries of our lives, even if it’s only for a few moments.

  “Fine, what do you think about pink?” He laughs out trying to calm himself. I turn once again and glare at him.

  Pink is a big NO from me. Mint green with some purple and a few browns, just like the room I’m in. Like a forest, calm and muted.

  “Nope, nope, not going to happen. Think fairy colors, pastels, light, calming. I don’t like the idea of pink, no matter that she is a girl,” I finish, raising a brow at him, waiting to see if he’s going to try and tell me something different. I feel bad for setting this in stone, not discussing it with him, but I’m a mom, that’s all there is to it.

  “Alright, alright. You got it, just don’t rip my head off babe,” he says, throwing his hands in front of me in surrender, fake fear lacing his voice.

  I slap his thigh and roll my eyes even though he can’t see it and moan when he starts kissing my neck, sending shivers down my spine and warmth to my core. I wrap my hand around the back of his neck, pulling him harder into my own neck and he accepts my little challenge. Devouring me from behind, I’m a wet needy mess by the time he finally lays me down and places himself carefully over me, taking my mouth with his with an urgent, eager need. I squirm beneath him, wishing we were less clothed and more private, but the way he’s rubbing against my clit has me almost ready to cum. He rips my shirt up and starts playing with my nipples, when his mouth leaves mine and I feel the sweet sting of his teeth lightly biting my nipple I cry out and cum right then. Panting like a fiend, I thrust my hand down his pants, pumping him with fervour and smile under his lips as he groans into my mouth and I feel his hot cum shoot into my hand as he bites down on my lip.

  When I look into his eyes, he’s grinning from ear to ear, dopey-eyed and sated. I giggle under him and gross him out when I take my hand out of his pants and wipe his own cum on the front of his pants.

  “Mira! What the hell?!” He hollers out, standing up and looking down at his now wet crotch.

  “Well, Mr. Smug. I figured since I have to go change my pants, it’s only fair you do too. Plus, I was thinking we needed a shower,” I tell him with a wink, shrugging when I get up and walk away.

  His growl follows me up the stairs, and I know he’s hot on my heels so I pick up the pace and rush into my room, and slam the door, albeit unlocked, behind me, trying to jump out of my clothes as I rush into the bathroom.

  “I hope you’re ready for the real deal babe, because you’re not getting away from me once we’re in there and I’m already ready for you. You roused the beast inside when you ran away.” His voice, oozing sex and it makes my own tighten once more with need and my heart races in anticipation.

  “Always ready for you, big guy,” I moan as I turn the shower hot, trying to wash the sweat away before I add another layer to it.

  Sated, tired, and in exquisite pain, I lay my head against the stone wall of the shower trying to catch my breath after Rhydian left. I get out and put on a fluffy robe that’s hanging behind the door, throw on a little mascara for no real reason other than to feel good for myself, a little gloss and walk out to get dressed.

  Coming down the stairs in my long sleeve shirt, skinny jeans and comfy tennis shoes, I smile at Rhydian when he holds a sandwich out to me and sit down inhaling the entire thing in only a few bites.

  “It’s been hours, where the hell is everyone?” I wonder to him through the last bite of my food, making him laugh at my lack of manners.

  “They’re all here, I don’t know how you haven’t heard them. Moving around new furniture and banging on the walls. It’s driving me insane,” he grinds out glaring at the sandwich in his own hands.

  I rub his shoulder, kiss him on the cheek and rush off, trying to see where everyone is, and what they’re up to.

  Torunn and Gor are in their own room, setting up a new giant bed while Vie’s giant form lays down on what looks like a giant dog bed. I wave and smile, leaving them to it and venture further down the hall.

  Lyanna and her three men are all laying down on their own big bed, Casey, throwing a pillow at Brad while Lyanna lays safely in Adam’s arms.

  “Will you two chill the fuck out? If you hit Lie, I’m gonna fucking knock both of you in the dicks. Then what are you gonna do?” Adam’s voice gravely, but his tone is full of happiness.

  “Hey Mira, sorry about them,” Lyanna says to me with a smile, halting the others playfulness. “They don’t get out much.” She giggles, and rolls her eyes.

  I decide to stay and get to know them all better for a minute before I go out and find Merrick and Ebbin. I gesture to the couch and she nods, “Of course, come on in!” She smiles, getting up to clear away the stack of blankets that’s taking up the seats. “So, I feel like a dick, bringing you all here, in my battle, and I don’t even know any of you. I was thinking we could take a little time to do just that. I know Torunn told you what is going on, but that’s nothing to do with my character, or my guys. I don’t want you to come to the conclusion later that we’re all a bunch of assholes,” I laugh out, fidgeting with my hands, feeling a little awkward.

  “I know what you mean,” she says with a smile. “You could find we’re the same. I mean, I’m still coming to terms with what I really am. It was just a short time ago that I was trapped in my own mind, and then these three goofs woke me up. I was put under a curse by a Demon. So, if I can do anything to get back at another that is causing the Realms this much strife, I’m all for it.”

  The fury and revulsion in her tone take me aback. I feel for her, just with that little bit she gave, and find I instantly like her. She’s vengeful for the right reasons, not simply out of spite. She doesn’t hate all of our kind, just the ones that do wrong.

  “Thank you. My back story… I thought for my entir
e life that I was a Hollow, a simple human as you call them. Then, I spend one night with my four, and my life gets turned upside down when a few weeks later, I find I’m carrying this little one.” I rub my belly and look down fondly where my little girl is safely inside me. “We didn’t know they were Other, and when we saw them again, they told us. The clock was ticking to find out what my little girl was, and then we found out, well, I’m an Other, and a pretty powerful one. My father, who I was hidden from, since he thought I was dead, found out I was alive when I rescued Rhett, who you haven’t met,” I pause, taking a deep breath, trying to keep my feelings about that in check, and look to her with a sad smile, “he was held captive in Hell, I knew who Alastor was, and then he knew who I was. Well, he wants me for my soul, my daughter’s too. He doesn’t yet know about Gor, thankfully, who is also his child, but if he does ever find out, he will no doubt try to capture him, and take his soul as well for more power.” I huff out a breath. I wasn’t expecting to tell her so much, but she and her men need to know it all. I want them to go into this, knowing who we are and what we are trying to save the Realms from.

  They all wear masks of anger and hate. Casey stands up and starts shuffling around the room, I can feel him from here. He hates what Alastor has done, and yet, he, they don’t know the half of it.

  “How the fuck haven’t any of your deities stood up and done something about him? How has he gone unchecked for so long?!” he seethes out, his hands clenched into tight fists.

  “Free will. It’s given to all beings.” I shrug, and look to the ground, unable to peer into his eyes anymore. They are filled with the darkness I love to be under. I can’t let myself go there. “It’s up to me, us, to get rid of him,” I finish with a sad smile, knowing how far I really am willing to go to see that he never hurts another being again.