by JL Madore
Kobi gestured to the hanging tapestries and winked. “I told her it looks like a carpet sale at a housing store, but I suppose, as the woman of the house, she has the right to overrule me.”
Zophia smacked him in the stomach and rolled her eyes. “It’s my loom station, or at least part of it. Seeing the babies this afternoon, and hearing all the exciting news, I wanted to record it. Kobi and I went Behind the Veil and took all the tapestries for our Haven family and friends. Then, we set them up here. Now, I can do what I love, and my meddlesome sisters can’t affect their lives.”
Aust strode over to the hanging frames of fabric and ran a gentle finger over the intricate weaving. “This is a wonderful idea. I wish I had helped you.”
“We knew you’d say that and not to worry,” Zophia said, taking his hand. They walked through the spacious new home, toward the enclosed garden off the library. “You’re helping me with the second part of my plan.”
Aust had seen portal mirrors several times since moving to Haven but wondered why there would be one affixed in the middle of an atrium garden.
“This opens up to my mother’s property. I want to keep up her sanctuary and everything she loved. It’s too much for me to do alone. Even with her powers now, you’re far better at communicating with the animals. I thought you might like to help me keep her passion alive.”
“It shall be my honor.” Aust fought to swallow past the lump constricting his throat. “The celebration at Jade’s brought about a decision for me as well—if the two of you are agreeable.”
Kobi shrugged.
Zophia nodded. “We’re game. Whatever you want.”
Three days later, I stood on the lush, manicured grass of Jade’s back lawn, dressed to impress, and in the company of several other stunning ladies. Jade, Lia, Gemma, Elora, Abbey, and I were decked out in the style and hemline of our choice, and the six of us awaited the arrival of our men.
The guests of the Highborne commitment ceremony milled around an intimate semi-circle of highboy tables, drinking their refreshments of choice, everyone ready to stand witness. Lexi and Bruin each held one of the twins, while Julian took their pictures and recorded everything with his latest, high-tech toy. All three of them were utterly captivated by their newborn niece and nephew.
I had hoped Savage would come. No one had heard from him since Abaddon’s defeat. I wasn’t sure if he’d taken our brother’s death as a good thing or bad. Didn’t matter. We’d both been wronged by our siblings. With that common ground and our lives and friends at Haven interwoven, someday, we’d find a way to be close.
Grandfather Hawk and Mika walked past me to set carnival-glass vases in the center of each table. Then, Iadon and Nyssa followed, placing two or three small bottles of fine white sand next to each.
My table had three.
“You look resplendent, Zophia,” Elora said, joining me as I brushed a fly away from our table. “Thank you for doing this for him. Aust is beyond excited to have you both honor our traditions.”
“Why wouldn’t we?” I said, more curtly than I meant to. “When you love someone, you want nothing more than to make that person happy, right?”
“I deserved that,” she said. Her genuinely warm smile made me regret my comment. A little. “And you were right. Aust is free to love as his heart demands. We live in this realm now. It is difficult to ignore ideals long taught, and accept happiness without the restrictions of guilt and judgment. I made amends with him and hoped you can forgive me as well.”
I exhaled. “There’s nothing to forgive. I’m irrationally protective of Aust. He’s been hurt too often. I don’t want him to suffer anyone’s sleight ever again.”
“Then we are one in that.” She raised her wine and smiled. “May love conquer all in all our lives.”
From your velvet lips to the ears of the gods, Cameron said, beside us. Life is long and wonderous. It is meant to be shared.
Though Elora couldn’t hear or see her deceased husband, I thought it lovely that he came to give his blessing. It seemed, being protective of the ones you loved defied even death.
“Reign must be thrilled about your mating.”
Elora nodded. “He is. Despite the harsh edges and autocratic command Maximus shows the world, he is a true romantic with endless heart. He accepts my eternal love for Cameron without pause and is confident enough to know he has his own place in my heart. He is my future . . . and a wondrous future he is.”
Right you are, my love. Be well and blissfully happy, my beautiful wife. Blessed be. Cameron’s form faded away, and I knew deep in my soul that since Aust and Elora had made peace—with each other and with their futures—he’d finally passed to the After. He didn’t need to protect them anymore.
That was someone else’s honor now.
I blinked back tears, hoping if Elora noticed, she’d think me emotional. Music started, and I glanced toward the back deck of Jade’s home.
The men emerged as a group, a virtual runway of hot and handsome. Castian led the pack, stunning in an ivory pantsuit. His trademark blue velvet cloak billowed in the breeze as he jogged down the tiered deck toward us.
Galan, Tham, and Aust wore traditional suede pants, crisp white tunics, and tailored embroidered jackets. They three strode out the sliding glass doors, their Elven grace in motion, a thing of breathtaking beauty.
Reign came next. The brawny warrior wore a fitted, ebony tuxedo with his brindle hair loose and long as it flowed behind him. Though his outfit was sleek and designer, it didn’t lessen the intimidating edge the man always radiated.
“Looking good, old man,” Lexi catcalled, letting off an ear-piercing whistle.
Then came Kobi. Tall and sleek, he wore black leather pants and jacket, and a white dress shirt with the top buttons undone.
As they drew closer, Kobi took Aust’s hand, and the two of them became the only men I saw. Aust’s smile lit up my whole world, while Kobi looked green and almost ill. I knew the reason, the moment they drew closer. Without his piercings, black eyeliner or lipstick, our husband had laid himself bare for our commitment ceremony.
“So,” he said, his voice thin and breathy. “This is me. You still game to claim me?”
I raked my fingers into the silky strands of his hair—the chestnut of mine and the blond of Aust’s a stylish highlight. I pulled him closer, and his body fit against mine perfectly. “I saw the whole you from the start, tough guy. You couldn’t get away from us if you tried.”
“I said as much inside,” Aust said, giving Kobi a smug look.
Kobi lowered his forehead to rest on mine. “I wanted to be a hundred percent authentic today. No smartassed comments. No ego. No deflection. This is as real as it gets for me.”
I kissed the clean shave of his cheek, and let his sacrifice sink in. “We’ll take you however you come. You’re not going to screw this up, I promise. We won’t let you. Now, relax. Let’s get hitched and excuse ourselves early. We still have quite a few rooms to christen.”
“Sixteen,” Aust added, “to be exact.”
Kobi laughed. “But who’s counting, eh blondie?”
Aust shrugged and directed us toward the tables.
When everyone stood at their table with their respective partners, Grandfather Hawk smiled at the group and began. “Highborne Elves mate for life—that is common knowledge. What may not be known by other members of the realms is that they take the oath of commitment just as seriously as their pledge of fidelity and love. With any mating comes struggles.”
He smiled over at Mika and Bruin, and the congregation laughed. “And, with time shared, there will inevitably be obstacles and conflict. The merging of the sand is a physical reminder that your lives are forever intertwined.”
He lifted a shaky, weathered hand and gestured for each of us to pick up our bottles. “As you pour the sand, slowly into your vase, watch how the grains mix and grow together. They jostle and fall, giving way and settling, to make room for the next layer and the next a
fter that.”
Aust, Kobi, and I each tipped our little bottles and watched the sand mingle and rise.
“Now, if a mated Highborne pair ever wished to end their commitment, the disgruntled lovers must first sit down together and separate each grain of sand back to their original bottles.”
Kobi snorted, eyeing the millions of identical grains. “Good luck with that.”
Aust chuckled. “That is the point. The task is impossible.”
“Elven logic at its best,” Galan said.
“So,” Tham said, smiling at Gemma, as he dumped the last of his bottle, “you are well and truly stuck with me, neelan.”
Gemma laughed. “I’ll deal. Besides, who else would take either of us? We’re ghosts.”
“At least everyone can see and hear you now,” Samuel said, setting down his empty bottle next to Lia’s.
“And thank the gods for that,” Bruin said.
“No. Thank my mate for that,” Lia corrected. “No offense to you, sire.”
Castian chuckled and kissed Abbey’s temple as she set the lid on their vase. “None taken. Free will over fate, for the win. From now on, carve your own futures.”
“And Zo will record them,” Jade said, waving to Lexi and Bruin to bring the babies to join them.
“Yeah, thanks for rescuing our tapestries,” Lexi said, taking Ember to her mother. “We all breathe easier knowing you are safeguarding access to our lives.”
“It’s what I live for,” I said, smiling at my Haven family. “As the Keeper of Lives, you’d think I might have known where my own life would take me.”
Kobi snorted and pointed at our vase of sand. “Bet you never saw this coming, did you, Lacy?”
As if they’d practiced the move, Kobi and Aust each kissed one of my cheeks and the group laughed.
“Honestly, no, but I couldn’t be happier. One year ago, three Highborne elves began their Ambar Lenn, but it seems we were all part of Fate’s Journey. Amin mela lle, everyone.”
“Amin mela lle,” everyone responded.
My two husbands closed in, and the world fell away.
Ironic, don’t you think, Zozo, Castian said into my mind, that Fate’s Journey should end with the journey of a Fate.
I smiled across the tables of commitment vases and lovers and friends to meet the emerald gaze of my uncle. Ironic, eh?
Or had he orchestrated these Happily Ever Afters all along?
THANK YOU FOR READING
I sincerely hope you enjoyed Zophia, Aust, and Kobi’s story in Fate’s Journey. If you’d like to share your thoughts on the novel and/or the Scourge Survivor Series, please leave a rating or review on Amazon.
Reviews help other readers find books. I appreciate all reviews and look forward to reading your thoughts.
Directly following the Author notes, you’ll find the first pages of Watcher Untethered, Book One of the dark angels paranormal, Watchers of the Gray Series. Happy reading.
In gratitude,
JL
Social Media
Amazon – www.amazon.com/J.L.-Madore/e/B00CGCR4UO
Facebook – www.facebook.com/JLMadore
My web page – www.jlmadore.com
JL’s Email – [email protected]
Newsletter subscription – JL Series Updates
Other Books
The Scourge Survivor Series (Fantasy)
Book 1 – Blaze Ignites
Book 2 – Ursa Unearthed
Book 3 – Torrent of Tears
Book 4 – Blind Spirit
Book 5 – Fate’s Journey
The Watchers of the Gray Series (Paranormal)
Book 1 – Watcher Untethered (Zander)
Book 2 – Watcher Redeemed (Kyrian)
Book 3 – Watcher Reborn (Danel)
Book 4 – Watcher Divided (Phoenix) – Summer 2018
In the Shadow (Roman Time-Slip – Episodic Serial)
Episode 1 – Back In Time
Episode 2 – A Strange New World
Episode 3 – Pompeii
Episode 4 – Vesuvius Erupts
Episode 5 – Allies, Enemies, and New Beginnings
Author Notes
Written on 20/07/2018
As a novelist of many genres of romance—fantasy, paranormal, timeslip historical, and contemporary—I love to twist Alpha heroes and kick-ass heroines into chaotic, hilarious, and magical situations, and make them really work for a Happily Ever After.
My journey with writing began in 2008, when I moved with my husband and our children to a rainforest area in Panama. We went to start up a wildlife sanctuary and help animals displaced by the copper mining industry there, but the crash of the world economy soon after changed the course of our plans.
But, for one glorious year, we lived another life. Galan and Jade came to me there, and stayed with me, even after we moved back to Toronto. The only problem was, I didn’t know a thing about writing a novel. So, I learned: I studied, took courses, wrote badly, learned more, wrote better. I even became the president of my local writing community and guided our 300 members on their paths of writing.
It’s never been work to me. I love the hours. I love my characters. And I love, most of all, that readers like you find enough value in my stories to trust me with your time. Thank you. I hope my imagined adventures continue to live up to your expectations.
While I said this was the last in the series, and I’ve wrapped up the five affinity females and the three Elves on their Ambar Lenn, you never know. Savage and Julian, might still have something to say.
I’ll keep you posted on that.
All the best to you and yours.
JL
CHAPTER ONE
“This asshole’s head is mine. I mean it, Tanek.”
Zander swerved the truck down a shadowed side street, the squeal of rubber on road echoing off brick buildings. The dark fury in his blood had him lit to explode. That he could even drive astonished him. He couldn’t believe any Otherworlder—Dark or Light—could be so massively stupid.
“He’s headed for that alley, Z. Get closer.” Tanek popped the passenger door open and swung out onto the step bar. “Man, this one’s quick.”
Quick? The pro-wrestler build of their bad guy was deceiving as hell, because boots to asphalt, the daemon ran Usain Bolt fast—even with the added weight of an unconscious blonde slung over his shoulder.
A growl rumbled deep in Zander’s chest. Nothing ranked lower in his playbook of evil than daemons who preyed on innocent females, except maybe a daemon who preyed on innocent females who happened to be at his nightclub.
Zander strangled the steering wheel as his foot ground harder on the gas. As the Navigator’s engine revved, he banked a hard left down the alley. The tires screamed into the night and he almost lost Tanek. The space between the buildings was tight, the walls zipping past on both sides of the truck in a blur.
There wasn’t much in life or death Zander cared about—except maybe pissing people off. Celestial guardian. Soulless assassin. Despised bastard. Meh, all one and the same. He was Nephilim, and this daemon would be schooled in what it meant to provoke a Soldier of the Choir.
“My club is a safe zone, Tanek. My house. My kill.”
“Victori spolia,” Tanek said, launching off the side of the truck. His size fourteens landed heavy, his momentum pitching him into a run.
“To the victor goes the spoils, my ass.” Zander stomped the brakes and slammed the shifter into park. He bailed out and tore down the alley after his commander. The guy’s leather vest flared like a cape behind him, the Nephilim runes etched into the back, glimmering silver under the lights of the sleeping city.
Lost in the shadows, Tanek unsheathed his blade and Zander followed his lead. Three a.m. in an industrial section of Toronto’s fashion district left few humans to witness the excitement, but it only took one industrious looky-loo with a cell phone and the Otherworld was exposed and going viral on the internet.
“She isn’t human,” T
anek said, over his shoulder. “Could be worse.”
Zander checked the sightlines from the rooftops and wondered how Tanek did it. The guy still spouted optimism and he’d been trapped in this thankless existence longer than any of them. They barreled through another back alley and spooked a pair of scavenging raccoons. The rotund little bandits scattered in a flurry of hostile chatter.
Yeah, human would be worse.
One tenet galvanized all members of the Otherworld. It had nothing to do with character alignment or their feeding needs, whether blood, flesh, spirit, or fear. It had everything to do with the food source.
Humans must remain oblivious.
The two of them hurdled overgrown boxwoods, their boots propelling them through backstreets, around graffiti-covered dumpsters and over broken wooden skids littering their path. Most nights, obstacles kept the chase interesting, but tonight, Zander wanted to skip the calisthenics and get straight to the decapitating part.
Shit. They’d lost visual.
Tanek vaulted over a concrete barricade and signaled for Zander to flank left and cover the next building. Zander changed course. They weren’t out of this. The only place the daemon could take cover was in the cluster of dilapidated, two-storey warehouses ahead. Working a quick and dirty grid, they melted into the overcast night, cranked door handles, and eyeballed what windows they found.
Zander focused his energy and summoned his gift. With a low-level current arcing within his cells, he scanned the area, his senses heightened. He itched to detect the acrid scent of daemon. He strained for any movement shift or the faintest rustle in the distance. He sensed—nothing.
August air hung deathly still and heavy in his lungs; no breeze to carry scents and no sound of movement to point them in the right direction. He wiped a wrist across his brow and cursed. The storm brewing over Lake Ontario flashed angry strobes and threatened its wrath.
