Maya pulled back, but kissed his lips between each word. “Take…you…island.”
He tucked her head against his shoulder and led her into the ocean, away from the sandy shore. “My beautiful yellow lily, you’ve traveled very far from home.”
“I hope I am home. Now. With you.”
“Take me to your island, and I’ll show you my welcome mat.”
“I can’t believe you just said that, but I’m so happy, I’ll laugh anyway.” Happiness bubbled down her spine. She wrapped her hands around his face, peered into his eyes, seeing past the deep brown. “Are you all right? Have you been with Mother? That man, at the bar, I was going—”
He silenced her with a quick kiss. “Maya, I know what you were doing. As for the rest, I’m adjusting. I don’t want to talk about this here. I’d rather go for a swim. I want to experience this moment together. The feel of the water as it rushes over our skin. The clarity, the silence found deep beneath the surface. And then I want to lie down in the sand and complete this vicious circle I’ve been spinning in for months. The circle of my life ends with you. It always will.”
Maya kissed the side of his neck and licked his thrumming pulse. “If this is a dream, don’t wake me. Your words give me hope. I’ve been cross with everyone and everything. Without you, I’m lost. I don’t know which direction to turn.”
“Follow me. We’ll figure it out together.” He took her hand and drew her further into the ocean.
“Terran, wait.” She grabbed his arm and towed him toward shore. “You can’t—”
“Watch me.” He dove and pulled her along.
She fumbled for his arm and scissor kicked toward the surface, but only went deeper as he towed her into the sea. Oh, this was amazing, sharing the water with him. How was this possible? He’d returned and hadn’t rejected her. Promising signs—beautifully wondrous signs. She’d take them, even if her bliss only lasted until they reached her island.
He squeezed her hand and together, they swam past schools of fish and coral reefs. Leaving a trail of happiness in the bubbles dancing to the surface behind them.
# # #
The first rays of sunlight glistened against the water droplets pearled on the curves of her nude body. Her wet hair lay tangled in the sand.
“Enjoying the view?” Flat on her back, Maya rested on the beach, her gaze on the sky.
“Most beautiful view I’ve ever seen.” He’d never be able to trick this girl. Never catch her unaware. Out of all the gifts he’d been given, he believed she was the most glorious one. Without her, he’d feel like Sisyphus, carrying the weight of this new life uphill only to have it roll down, flattening his efforts. But he’d made it here, to her island, and now, their Elemental link clamored for immediate attention.
“I see your compass is working.”
He glanced down at his hard shaft straining in her direction. His gaze locked with hers and he shrugged.
She levered up, rested on her elbows, but shifted her gaze to the vast ocean. “I’ve been lost without you.”
Terran kissed her shoulder. “The choice to leave was not mine. I remember falling, and then I woke up covered in a pit of black dirt. I’m sorry I took so long to return.” He paused for a moment then admitted, “I’ve had some difficulty adjusting.”
“I understand. I’m so sorry. So, very sorry you didn’t get to choose. It’s unfair and maddening. I never wished this life for you. I tried to—”
“Maya, please, I don’t blame you.” He turned on his side and ran a finger along her arm. “I see now there was never any other path. My parents, my job, my dreams all pointed in this direction.”
Her ocean blue eyes shimmered with tears, before calming and turning deep indigo. Turning on her side, Maya reached over and traced his body with her fingers.
The shackle binding them began to rattle and shake. The pull to reestablish their connection made him grasp her hand and link their fingers. He kissed her hand, sealing their union.
Her hand twitched in his and she blinked. As startled as he by the jolt of lust his kiss had caused, that simple caress had almost brought him to completion. And by the heated look in her eye, she experienced the same.
“Terran, please. I need to know. Are you truly all right? I do not wish you to feel obligated in any way.”
“No, Maya, I chose to be here.” He gave her hand a squeeze, “When astronaut, Russell Schweickart, returned from an Apollo mission he said, ‘You become startlingly aware how artificial are the thousands of boundaries we’ve created to separate and define. And for the first time in your life you feel in your gut the precious unity of the earth and of all living things it supports. The dissonance in this unity you see and the separateness of human groupings that you know exist is starkly apparent.’ I finally understand what he meant.”
“Good lord, you’ve turned into Nodin.”
He laughed. “Only partially.”
“Mother helped you?”
“Yes. She helped me embrace the unity of earth and all living things. I’ve always felt a connection to the earth, but now I feel so much more. And the artificial boundary I erected between us was placed there out of fear and anger. I want to live a life that properly defines Earthman’s purpose.”
“I’m grateful Mother helped you grasp your role. I was so worried.” Head bent, Maya swirled small circles in his chest hair with her finger. “What will you do now?”
Terran leaned closer, tipped up her chin, and kissed her. “I’m doing it.”
“I searched for you after the cave-in and when I couldn’t find you, your disappearance became too much to bear. I’ve isolated myself here, waiting for your return. I’m sorry I didn’t protect you, and that I returned to the surface. It’s more dangerous now than before. Quint will come. He can find us.” Her clasp on his shoulder became a death-grip. “We must get you to—”
Terran interrupted her by placing a finger against her lips. “Those worries will wait. Right now is what matters. Mother said you contained the BSE and destroyed the vaccine. I think you deserve a gold star for that. Shall I give it to you?”
He claimed her mouth in a possessive kiss and desire flared bright. He stroked his tongue both rough and gentle against hers. The kiss became more fervent, out of control, soothing an ache that had erupted months ago.
Terran pulled back, dropping kiss after kiss on her nose, each brow, her cheeks. Mindlessly, he covered her neck and shoulders with licks and bites. “I need you. I’ve missed this skin that smells of spring rain and mists at my touch.” He closed his hand in a fist, created a pool of water, and poured the liquid down her chest.
She gasped and stared with wide eyes. “How did you do that?”
“I’m gifted. How else could I swim with you? I’m not sure how each Elemental gift works.” He paused for a moment unsure how to explain. “I thought about what I wanted to do and water formed in my hand.”
She took his hand and ran her finger through the water pooled in his palm.
Though he understood he was just showing off, he blew a soft breeze through her hair.
“That’s not fair.” She pushed both hands against his chest. “You got all the gifts?”
He chuckled and distracted her by pouring more water over her chest. Her head fell back and she arched against him as he licked the water from her sun-kissed skin.
He returned to her lips, tangled in her web and reveling in each silky, clinging caress. “Maya, look at me. After being alone for so many years, you deserve to hear the words. I love you. I should have said them before, but three words can’t encompass all this.” He swept a hand over his heart. “Mother said I’m a circle. That may be so, but know this—I begin and end with you. Over and over, I will mark you as mine. Establish our bond in every way. I want to drape gold on each of your fingers as a symbol you belong to me.”
“You truly mean to stay?” Her gaze was direct and seemed to shimmer with hope.
“Maya, how can you doubt? I know yo
u’ve felt alone through the years, but that is no longer the case. I want you at my side as I begin my adventure. I need your guidance and your love.”
Excited delight erupted in her eyes, and her hand worked up and down his arm. “What shall we do? Where do you want to go? Did Mother say we could work together?”
“Look at who has all the questions now. After months of ice and snow, I want to bask in the sunshine. Make love for hours. Everything else can wait.”
The crashing current that had raged through his mind for months stilled. Her presence drenched his heart and rooted deep. He glanced at his chest half-worried flowers would sprout.
She chuckled and placed a kiss right above his blooming heart.
They played and teased for long moments, savoring their rediscovery of each other—mindless to all else.
When they finally joined, they experienced a blessed healing. A glorious rhythm followed the tide crashing against their entwined bodies. The sun’s heat was no match for the erupting volcano overtaking them as together they plunged into the pool of fire. Bursts in vibrant reds, yellow flares, and a golden glow of orange flames flowed like hot lava under their skin. Release pooled and then burst like magma in wave after wave down the fiery fount.
Once again whole. Once again joined. Once again at peace.
Their hearts melded by heat refined into a sharp blade and pierced them both. Two Elementals bound by nature and touched by destiny’s hand, allowed primal lust complete control. Skin against skin, they forged an unbreakable bond.
Chapter 41
Terran stood at the foot of an old mine. Late spring in Colorado brought about the snowmelt, which trickled through abandoned mines and created a brew laced with the dissolved metals: arsenic, cadmium, copper, and zinc. Keeping this toxic discharge from contaminating water sources occupied his spare time.
As the Elemental—Earth, he focused on healing the earth and helping humans in danger—an overwhelming, never-ending responsibility.
Today’s mine survey hadn’t resolved any issues. He kicked the loose rock outside the entrance. How much could he ingest, and how long would it take to heal? Lying naked in a dirt pit when Quint came calling wasn’t an option.
Terran stepped inside the mine, transformed to dust, and traveled home. He and Maya lived in a cabin on the outskirts of Monte Vista near the Rio Grande National Forest. Three bliss-filled months had passed since their retreat on Maya’s Forbidden Island.
He’d landed a job as a consultant for the Environmental Protection Agency. Easiest job interview ever. Guilt remained over that mind meld, but a nine-to-five job was no longer viable with his Elemental duties.
Closer to home, he became aware of another’s presence—an invader of his sanctuary.
This particular creature, he didn’t mind, not that he’d admit it. During his stay in Colorado, he’d learned a lot about his Elemental group and himself. As an only child, he’d never known the intricacies of having brothers. Complete pests one day and someone he’d willingly die for the next. Nodin and Flint served in his quest to become a better Elemental, although in completely different ways.
Terran breezed through his laboratory’s front door, reformed, and grabbed a pair of sweatpants hanging on a hook by the door. Spare clothes were stashed everywhere—in his house, in town, and in the surrounding forest. Nudity remained out of his comfort zone.
Flint sat at his desk, clicking through YouTube videos on the laptop.
Terran wadded up a sock and threw it at Flint’s head. “Make yourself at home.”
“I thought I was.” Flint propped his feet on the desk.
“Where have you been?”
Flint shrugged.
Terran headed for the mini-fridge and pulled out two organic Hoppy Head beers. “Find what you’re looking for?”
“It’s your turn to stay out of my head, Pigpen.”
Terran grunted in answer and skirted the table filled with beakers, graduated cylinders, and an optical microscope.
Flint took the offered beverage and twisted off the cap. “How was Mommy?”
“Very well, as was my father. Thanks for asking.”
“Domestics,” Flint scoffed and shook his head. “Did you tell them?”
“No, but I think my Mom knew something was different. Mother’s intuition and all that.” His parents had been furious he’d been out of touch for so long and had even contacted the local authorities.
He and Maya had returned yesterday from a three-day reassure-the-parents trip. Maya had driven him crazy with worries his parents wouldn’t like her. She’d packed, repacked, and overanalyzed her entire wardrobe. His parents’ warm welcome had laid her fears to rest, and they’d already planned a return trip.
Flint stood and stretched. “I’m heading out. Been in this backwater burg too long.”
“Redheads are known for their tempers. Sure you want to stir up Ms. Levina?” Terran leaned against his table and took a long draw from the only beer he could still drink. Overly hoppy, and not his first choice, but beer was beer.
“She started it.”
“How old are you again?”
“Just focus on keeping me old by defeating Quint, and let me worry about my hot-house violet.”
Terran eyed the samples in the Total Organic Content machine. “Nodin checks in every other day. The problem is we don’t know much about dark matter, and after I read any physics book, I have to stick my head in the mud for hours to recuperate. Physics theories are mind-blowing. Your Violet is our best bet, unless you know where I could get a super-cooled magnet.”
“Just stick a magnet in the freezer.” Flint joked. “Between your science talk and Nodin’s constant philosophical quotes, I should get paid with barrels of silver wire Dengas for speaking to either one of you.”
Flint headed for the door, but stopped and leaned against the frame. “I know you didn’t ask for this life, but you’re adjusting well.” He bumped his fist against the door pane. “I’ve been through it all. Everything. More than once. I know most of the time I’m blowing smoke, but the four of us, we’re all each other’s got.”
Compassion? From Flint? Terran nodded, unsure of the conversation’s direction.
Flint lifted his beer in salute before setting the bottle on a chair by the door. “Take care of Maya. I still don’t understand what she sees in you, when all along she could have had this.” He waved a hand down the front of his body.
“Maya prefers fresh meat, not an ancient hunk, left at the bottom of the freezer then served charred on all sides. Speaking of burnt meat, stay on Violet’s good side, Flint. You have no idea the power that girl harnesses. I’d hate to see her turn on you.”
“No worries, Pigpen. I find most women burn in my presence.”
“You’ve lost your mind if you think Violet is ‘most women.’”
“Levina is Latin for lightning bolt. I’d let her strike my body anytime.” Flint waggled his brows.
“Leave it to you to turn a pleasant discussion into crude perversion.”
“Either that or we’d be drinking lemon tea and breaking out the crumpets.”
Terran tipped his beer bottle toward Flint “You’re the one who just gave the whole emotional spiel. I was about to hand you a tissue.”
“You can take that tissue and shove it—”
“I thought you were leaving?”
Flint raised his middle finger in salute. “Keep it hot, Pigpen.”
Terran shook his head as Flint fired away and left a smoke trail through the afternoon sky. Although it went against “bro code,” he hoped Ms. Levina taught Flint a few things about women and humility. Flint covered loneliness with a cocky demeanor, but there were occasional flares of kindness. If Violet “lightning bolt” Levina decided to shine the spotlight on Flint, she might burn him to ash.
And yet, Violet had not returned to shine her light on anyone. She’d disappeared, leaving them floundering in the dark. Mother’s warning rumbled daily through his mind.
He pounded a fist against his lab table. Glass clanked then settled.
His defeat will come at your hand.
Preparation was crucial. Quint was coming.
Chapter 42
“I’ve been considering a trip to South Dakota,” Terran announced from his perch on their kitchen barstool.
Maya grabbed a glass from the cabinet and filled it at the sink. “Why do we need to go there? Have you sensed something? We could stop at Mt. Rushmore.”
After arriving home from her library job, Maya always drank a full glass of water. Amusement struck at how happy he was to see her each day, like a puppy greeting his master at the door. His “tail” between his legs had even twitched when he’d kissed her hello.
Terran grabbed her arm, kissed her again then answered her questions. “No dead presidents. Though we might strike gold in the Black Hills. The LUX detector is located in an old gold mine at the Samson Research Facility. LUX stands for Large Underground Xenon experiment. Maybe if they ran Quint through their tests, there would be proof dark matter exists.” He took her glass and finished off her water. “Quint’s a WIMP.”
“No, he’s anything but that.” Maya shot him a glance that suggested he was crazy.
Terran chuckled and tweaked her nose with his finger. “You misunderstand. Dark matter is theorized to take the form of particles called Weakly Interacting Massive Particles—WIMP.”
“If those scientists ever met Quint, they’d change that name in a heartbeat. I imagine Quint steers clear of South Dakota and dark matter detectors.”
“I’d still like to tour their facility. After that, we could go to Italy.”
“Oooo, how romantic. We could go to Saint Mark’s Basilica, Pompeii, The Colosseum, and then we could tour the wine—”
“No, no wine…What would happen if you drank wine?” He studied her for a moment then continued, “Never mind, we’d be visiting the Gran Sasso National Laboratory. It’s the world’s largest underground laboratory. They do—”
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