by Livia Quinn
Tempe
Tempe? It was Jack's voice. I whipped around but his voice was in my head. "Jack, where are you? Darling—"
Up here. I looked toward the house.
No, up! His voice gently suggested. My head tilted and suddenly I understood why the entire property behind Harmony looked as if it were bathed in sunlight. Jack was floating above me, his shine quotient pumped up exponentially. I had to shade my eyes to keep watching as his wings and tail feathers fluttered like waves in the breeze. His head angled as he peered down at me.
I said, "You're—"
He…grinned. I know, flying, right? But his dragon expression changed to one of doubt, You're not doing this are you? he asked, the suspicious note reminiscent of the old Jack.
I laughed, reminding myself to communicate with my mind. I'd discovered I could read his thoughts months ago, but this was the first time we'd had an intentional two-way conversation. I can call the wind, Jack, but I didn't make this happen. You've finally discovered your wings. Though… I frowned. When I got closer to him, I saw that his 'skin' and even his body were different than before.
What is it? Voice wary, he cocked his head.
It's just that your wings look more like, I don't know… like flames, and you don't look like any dragon I've ever seen.
Jack
What did she mean, I didn't look like a dragon? The breeze was so quiet as I gazed down on her. There was no wind to speak of yet without any effort whatsoever, my body simply floated. What do you mean? I flapped my wings to show her that I might not look like a real dragon by God, I was flying.
I drifted lower over the water trying to catch my reflection but the breeze made my image on the surface ripple and shift. I glanced over my skinny shoulder and down the length of my body at my wings. They weren't wide and flat like Conor's wings for sure, more like… the shock almost made me fall into the swamp but I caught myself. I'm—I look like my mother.
Tempe watched me thoughtfully for several minutes then she turned and looked down at the pile next to her. "Jack?" her voice was odd and I tensed. "I think—” I know why you thought your dragon wings were broken.
Why? I asked. It seemed so natural to just float in the wind above her now.
You're not the same as you were before...
Spit it out, will you?
"I—" Mindlink, Tempe. She tried again. I think your mother is a phoenix.
The clouds cleared and the moon shown on my reflection and what Tempe was seeing. The mirrored image from the black water looked like a silvery image of the air currents I'd studied in flight school. Well, this was a new wrinkle. I understood why I was floating but could I actually fly, with some kind of propulsion, and on command? How would I make it happen?
With my eyes locked on Tempe's, I stretched out the entire length of my wings, lifting them until they were at a forty-five degree angle. Then I aimed my snout or beak, or whatever the hell, at the moon and slammed my wings down toward the water. I wasn't prepared for the thrust my fluffy looking plumage achieved. The sky tilted, the moon disappeared from sight and I tumbled backwards onto my ass feathers into the swamp, displacing a ton of water.
As first flights go it wasn't a total loss. I focused the next time on control and shot out of the water imagining myself into spirals and loops, shooting light into all the night creatures' hidey holes. I rolled and turned and played, then I froze in mid-air probably looking to Tempe like a very smart otter pup on his first swim.
Tempe's eyes were bright with longing. You're awesome. I'm so happy for you. Her hands rose toward me and wind rushed in a wave lifting her up to my eye level. Somehow she climbed onto my neck and I thought, Hang on! or hoped I did.
"To what?" she screamed. I felt something curl around my neck. She'd figured out a way to ride securely so I put the hammer down, flew higher, and tested my wings with a few wide loops… How fast could I go?
What about a barrel roll like you did in our dream?
That's my girl. I set the spin in motion and shot toward the moon. She must have thought I was taking her there because she squealed with excitement. It was better than being at the controls of a fighter jet, because the propulsion was part of me. I was in sync with the sky and the currents I’d understood only as theory before. As we turned toward the lake, time seemed of no consequence and long after midnight we settled into an easy pattern drifting among the clouds.
It's so peaceful. The lake is incredible from up here. Tempe's voice was full of awe.
For the first time in my life I felt whole, and I wanted to make love to Tempe again. Her fingertips ran over my scales causing sparks to fly at her touch. It was like being plugged into the sun. Then her cheek touched my skin and my heart pounded out of control, galloping like I was in a race. What was happening?
Tempe
I could fly, I discovered as I watched the water race by hundreds of feet below and we drifted through the night sky. Not with wings like him, but together we were one with the elements, drawn toward the light of the moon. He was fire and I was air. He was light and I, the wind. I felt my corporeal body shifting as the elements were drawn from me, creating a spiral of water droplets that spread out across the sky below us.
I hugged the dragon's body once again and watched as the beauty of our creation unfolded around us—like a giant moonbow. You said you wanted to make love on a moonbeam… He changed and I became my lover once again. He knelt on that carpet of beams, his eyes blazing up at me with love. My breasts swelled and my womb ached as I gave myself to him. As our spirits merged among the clouds, the moon and stars bathed us in their blessings. On his release, he set fire to the mist and my raindrops exploded into tiny fireworks that hung suspended around us, a magical curtain for our eyes only.
Time had no beginning or end, until the sun began to ease up along the horizon, fading the moonlight and connecting us back to the earth. We'd been coasting… how long, I didn't know.
The horizon tilted as Jack turned. I see a beach below. I'm going to land. His elegant silver form, looking a bit more like his dragon now, glided in a wide circle. The last vestiges of the refracted light created a lens effect magnifying part of Fierce Winds Isle and exposed a beach.
No longer riding the dragon but in tandem with him I sensed his hesitation as we neared the ground. What do you see? There was nothing but sand and blue green water but he'd stopped, suspended above the beach and his emotions swirled through me.
Jack
The scene unfolded before my eyes like a dream, but in my heart, I knew it was my future. A tiny red headed girl straightened from the ankle deep waters, splashing droplets into the air. She was dressed like a princess complete with crown and magic wand. When she saw my shadow her green eyes sparkled. "Daddy," she cried happily.
On closer inspection I saw that the crown was made of small puffy clouds circling her head and her wand was a child-size bolt of lightning—blue. The tinkling sound of her giggles made my heart swell.
I dropped to the sand in my human form with my Tempestaerie in my arms. I just held her, overwhelmed that I could finally appreciate my new life. She gazed up into my eyes, a little concerned. "Are you all right?"
I nodded. When I could speak past the lump in my throat I said, "I've never been happier. I love you, Tempe," and kissed her.
The kiss was interrupted by a familiar voice as a heavy hand landed on my shoulder. "I thought I heard thunder so it had to be you, aye?" We broke apart to find Conor smiling at us. "There are no storms on Fierce Winds Isle, ye ken?"
"Conor? What are you doing here?" I asked, surprised to see him, though I don't know why. He had a knack for showing up when you least expected it.
Conor's chest expanded when he crossed his arms. "I'd planned on bringin' ye both here today so yer arrival is timely."
He nodded toward the beach where Montana led a craft that looked like an ancient canoe. She jumped out into the water and dragged it onto the sand. Two people rose from the seats, wobbly legge
d.
Tempe cried, "Inez and Mr. Jackson—"
Phineas paid no attention to us. He helped Inez rise, kissed her hand and said, "Come here, Mrs. Jackson. I don’t want to waste a minute of our new life."
Tempe glanced at Montana. "But how?"
"Well, it was your idea. I told Conor and he arranged it," Montana said. She helped the older man out first and allowed him to lift Inez onto the beach. Inez bent down and pulled her shoes off wiggling her toes in the sand. They walked slowly at first then in front of our eyes, the feeble woman next to Phineas straightened and started pulling him backwards. Their pace picked up, then like the newlyweds they were, they took off down the beach, their youth mysteriously restored.
"What just happened?" I asked Tempe, scratching my head. She clasped my hand to her heart, tears brimming on her lashes as we watched the once frail lovers frolic like teenagers.
Montana smiled as she watched them, "Conor arranged for them to live here as long as they want. He's a sweetie, my dragon." She winked at Conor who reached out to draw to his side.
I laughed as Inez shoved Phineas into the water, splashed him and darted away, high stepping through the waves to the beach. He caught her and took her in his arms, the change in him extraordinary.
"How long will it last?" I asked Conor.
"Ach, for as long as they remain here, which could be a verra, verra long time. We've arranged for them to be caretakers."
Montana said, "This side of the Isle is like a resort for Paramortals. They'll have everything they need, and work, to keep them occupied."
Conor's golden eyes narrowed on me then his eyebrows rose, "So, you finally have your wings, aye?" He said meaning, I told you so. Which he had.
His soft words dropped into the silence, "And ye've mated."
Tempe
Mated? Zeus neon stars! Was it true? I looked from Conor to Jack seeing him through fresh eyes, the eyes of someone who'd seen his brashness in the beginning, the cockiness, then the loss of all his core beliefs and the resiliency that allowed him to bounce back again and again until now. I was stunned as I really saw at him.
He stood eye to eye with Conor. With his new brawny strength, his long flowing bronze hair and confidence, he was the most magnificent creature and the very best man I'd ever known, and he was mine.
Nodding at Conor, Jack looked at me and winked. "Yes, though I don't know if there's a name for my… hybrid form yet."
"Ach,” Conor waved a hand, “yer a dragon, mon, albeit a verra pretty one." He grinned. "I guess the healer was right then; we'll wait and see what happens with the wolf. In the meantime, let's get some ale. You will need an official introduction to the Moat of Morpheus."
"Conor, have you seen River?" I asked.
Conor's face sobered, "No, Tempe. He has nae returned."
Jack cupped his hand around my neck and kissed the top of my head, "Don't worry, Tempe. We'll find him. I promise."
I looked at the six symbols carved into the stone over the entrance of the tunnel. Onyx wings encircling a red poppy. "Why do they call this the Moat of Morpheus?"
Conor said, "Morpheus is the god who reigns over the Isle and metes out judgment on those who disobey the ancient rules. Those symbols are a reminder to all who enter."
"Don't worry," Montana said, "I'll fill you in on the rules as soon as we order." But the second we entered, I felt the pall of violence hanging in the silence. All eyes were on a being standing in the middle of the great hall.
And he was looking straight at me.
Chapter 42
"Frejya's sword, Conor, I told you to give the orientation outside."
Tempe
The creature was a giant harpy and though they were not kin to me, they did have some wind power. I looked down expecting to see bird feet but his legs were covered in baggy gray leather, his entire frame draped in a tattered cloak that swirled about his knees. I couldn't see his face as his hood covered it but a curved beak protruded above the wide mouth. Nah, it was more like a large rimless hole.
I felt his focus on me as he hollered, "You, Tempestaerie, child of AbaJehban."
I glanced out the corner of my eye at Conor, "Who's… AbaJehban?"
Conor's eyes were fierce and Jack bristled. "It's your father's true name," Conor said, his voice a deep growl.
Zeus, Hera and Hades! True names held power. Every Paramortal knew this. The sheer fact that an enemy knew my father's name didn't bode well.
"As usual I’m the last to know,” I muttered. I addressed the variant. His skin reminded me of a dead rat's, and he smelled twice as bad. "Maybe we should go outside. You're stinking up the place." And we should create havoc elsewhere, I thought.
His voice came out of that hole in his face in a roar. "Your family stole my power and I will take it back. I challenge you—"
"Who are you?" I interrupted his diatribe as his voice escalated and his holey cape started to sway, though there was no breeze in the hall.
He had an impressive voice; I'd give him that, like a roar coming up from the bottom of a deep cave. "I am Lord of the Wind, and I will destroy you."
He shoved his hood off, going for intimidation but any hope of a threatening facade was ruined by his baldpate and the bad comb-over of sparse frizzy hair. A vain harpy… had to be a first. I laughed, "You're yanking my chain, right?"
His head tilted in confusion. Then he shouted, "No being will chain me."
"You really believe you're The King?"
"The Lord," he corrected.
I waved my hand as if his words were silly, "… of THE wind, yeah. Well, I don't get that because, see, 'the wind' belongs to us all." I punctuated those words with a show of my own strength, forcing him back a step without lifting a finger. I let my eyes go wild, spark with lightning. "And as far as there being a king, or pardon me, a lord of it, well, if you're the Lord of the Wind, then I'm the Queen of Storms."
I laid down a rumble beneath the rock floor that should have made him think twice, but like so many "lords" he lacked common sense.
He took in a big—obvious—breath, cheeks puffing out like a round-faced cartoon cloud and exhaled a gust of wind that, granted, toppled a couple tables and rolled a few patrons across the floor. I wasn't impressed and decided he needed a lesson in real storm power.
"Like a wise man once said, 'one should have less thunder in the mouth, and more lightning in his fist'." I redirected the air he'd expelled. It circled his feet and as his anger built, it fed off his own energy creating a dark thundercloud above his head.
His voice came from over the top of the vortex, "Fight me to the death or you will never know who holds your brother's life in thrall."
That did it. I was through playing around. He was going to tell me what he knew about River. Lightning shot out of my fist, and thunder cracked from the cloud above his head. But the air was suddenly too thick to command, my head felt as if it were wrapped in cotton. Then the world came to a halt.
The lightning bolt hadn't left my hand, my opponent was suspended above the ground under my thundercloud and the silence in the room was palpable. I sensed Conor next to me as someone appeared behind the harpy. He materialized slowly, a giant in black leather battle gear, his aura letting me know immediately he was ancient and powerful—a demi god. With massive black wings he looked like a dark angel of destruction. I tried to speak but I was paralyzed.
His voice boomed, "I have intervened on behalf of the gods to protect this child. This one," he nodded at the frozen harpy before him, "has violated the rules of Morpheus and will be punished."
The tip of one giant black wing curled around the harpy's calf. His eyes snapped shut and he dropped to the floor. Dead? The golden eyes of the dark angel bored into mine as if to say, this is what happens to those who act out in my bar. Then the two faded from view leaving no trace. But one final word rang in the room like a gong, “Remember…”
As soon as he was gone, my fist relaxed and the activity around me resumed. "Zeu
s holey boxers! Who was that?"
Conor's eyebrow arched with a hint of wonder and he blew out a relieved breath. Looking at me he said, "Ye didn't recognize him, then? Yer mighty lucky the harpy challenged you 'to the death' or you might hae been lying there yerself, lassie."
"Why, what did I do?"
Montana said, "That was Morpheus! Frejya's sword, Conor, I told you to give the orientation outside."
"Ach, it all worked out." He threw his arm around Jack, "Now, how about that ale, Lang?" and he stalked toward the bar dragging Jack with him.
A slender man in a leather hat approached from the other end, his hand extended toward Conor, then Jack. It was Alej, or Alejandro. I looked at Montana. She shrugged and introduced Alejandro to Jack. Now I knew why Montana had reacted in class. She'd known who he was.
Conor turned to me and said, "Your father sensed there were still enemies among us and with most of our elders gone, he asked Alejandro to lend us a hand, aye? Alej has obliged."
As we walked out of the Moat and back through the tunnel to the beach, I looked over my shoulder. Where once there'd been six symbols, now there were seven.
The sky was clear, the water an impossible teal. As I stood on the bank with Jack and our friends I realized how much things had changed. For a while it had seemed Destiny might be lost to the dangers of the Para-moon and the ensuing Chaos, but with one test after another we'd come through.
Jack's arm circled my waist and he pulled me in front of him, resting his chin on top of my head as we gazed out across the lake. I no longer felt trepidation at what might lie ahead but anticipation of our future.
My brother's trials however, were not over, but I trusted these friends and… my mate. I tilted my head and met his smiling silver eyes, tenderness and love washing over me. Whatever our enemies had in store for us, or Destiny, we could handle it.
There have always been Paramortals defending Destiny but that had seemed like another time, for past generations like my father and mother. Now the torch, the mission to protect mankind from those who would do harm had been passed to us. And we would be ready.
