“Wish granted.” Genie smiled whimsically. “Now where does one locate a god?”
Chapter Seven
Kai floated on his back, staring up at the sky. He’d known what would ultimately happen. In fact, if Riley hadn’t chosen to sever the bond, he’d have ultimately followed that path himself, simply to give the man a choice. The whole damned thing had been doomed from the start. The swell of the ocean lifted and carried him further from shore. He turned his head just a bit, watching the brilliant lights of Miami against the night sky. He liked the city. He’d been honest with Riley; he’d spend eternity right here if it made the other man happy. He’d spent years wandering alone, looking for the man who was his other half. For the briefest time, things had been perfect.
Well, things had been perfect up until they started talking. The minute he’d opened his mouth, everything had fallen apart. He should have just pretended to be a merman without a voice.
Kai knew the exact second that he was no longer alone. Beneath him, the sea life paused, and then scattered. Wind kicked up and Kai drew upright, assuming a respectful attitude. He didn’t always like Maui, and certainly didn’t necessarily agree with his archaic attitude, but the old trickster was definitely formidable. And though he’d given plenty of grief to humans over the centuries, he also did his best to protect them. The water around him boiled as his grandfather surfaced from the depths.
Maui sometimes took the form of a horse or a bird. Now, he was in the form of a man; an elderly, magnificent man. He’d borrowed the image of Poseidon; he’d probably seen a statue of the Greek god somewhere. Hell, he might have run into the real thing at some point. He rose from the water, easily seven feet tall, silver-green hair floating in a wind that wasn’t there.
He slowly settled back into the water, sitting on a low chair made of churning seawater. “You’ve found him.”
Kai took a deep, painful breath and nodded.
“Kimber told me you planned to give him a choice. I did not instruct you to give him a choice. You were to find him and free him. Not fuck and bleed him.” His voice held a chill that went straight to Kai’s bones. He shivered. “If you’d done as you were told…”
“This would never have happened in the first place.” Kai nodded. “But Maui, the first time I saw him all those years ago, I knew.” He looked at his grandfather. “He is my other half. I cannot live without him. But I cannot force him to bond with me. I know that now.”
It was surprisingly quiet this far from shore. The wind gentled and the warm water slapped softly against his skin.
“We don’t belong in their world, Kai. And they don’t belong in ours.”
“I know. But for a time, that year, our worlds blended. Even here, there are places that welcome us. I can walk in the city, and eat in their restaurants without hiding. There are others… paranormals. It can be done.”
“You understand why it must not be done.”
“It’s wrong to pull humans from their families and their homes. But Maui, his only family is dead. He walks through his life without real joy. His happiness is on the water, not the land.”
“That is not for you to decide.” The water began to boil around the sea god once again. Kai wasn’t sure if Maui was angry, or if he was preparing to leave. “It is forbidden for us to meddle with humans, Kai. You will return to our home. You will cease this foolishness.” Maui morphed into a stunning man, very similar to Kai. This was the true appearance of the trickster.
“I should go with you. I started this; I need to be there when you end it.”
For a moment, compassion lived in Maui’s harshly beautiful face. “I am sorry, child. I am sorry for the pain this will bring you.”
Kai swallowed hard and nodded. For him, the memory would never end. The needing would never cease. He’d never taken another to his heart, not since Riley. It was harsh punishment for an impulsive act from his youth, but even then, he’d known this could happen. He’d known that Riley might reject him or that his grandfather might pull them apart. He just hadn’t believed it would. Losing Riley all those years ago had been bad enough, but he’d had the search to give him hope. He’d been able to console himself with the occasional lover. Yesterday, he’d marked Riley and set his own fate. Riley would be free, but Kai would remain forever bound to his lover. This would hold him for the duration of Riley’s life, and upon Riley’s death, Kai would be released from the mating. Or he might die as well.
“Go home, Kai. Wait for me. I will join you after this is finished.” Maui didn’t wait for him to answer; he took his grandson’s obedience for granted. And Kai felt too crushed to fight the issue. For a moment, he watched, even after Maui vanished under the waves. He’d be at Riley’s side in just minutes. He’d sever the tie and erase all of Riley’s memories of their time together. The human would become mortal and mundane, with only the occasional longing for something unknown. However, he’d be free to move forward, to finish out his life.
Riley would be free. He should celebrate that fact. Kai tried a shaky smile. The salt of his tears blended with the salt of the ocean. “Goodbye.” His heart ached; his soul grieved. He turned his back on the city and dove deep, down in the darkness where the sun was only a glimmer.
Then he went deeper still, until he entered the hidden slipstream that carried him home.
* * *
Riley had been unable to sleep.
He’d lain awake, tossing between giddy happiness and morose sadness. The sadness won out because he knew damn well he’d never see Kai again. He’d been right to send the demi-god away; he’d taken away Riley’s freedom to choose his own future.
Never mind that given the choice, he’d have gladly accepted the bond all those years ago. Now he knew how wrong that would have been.
He got up from his rumpled bed and used the bathroom, gazing at his young-old face in the mirror. Would that go away? Once Maui ended this bonding, would he look different? It didn’t matter because he wouldn’t remember.
Oh shit.
Riley sat on the sofa in his living room, looking at the space around him. It felt like the house of a stranger. The furniture had been here when he’d moved in. A photo of him and his father on the Melody was one of the few personal touches in the room. So much of his life had been lost when the Melody had gone down.
All those years ago, Kai had been everywhere they’d sailed. When they’d taken tourists to St. John, he’d been lounging on the beach. He’d been fishing off Dominica. Riley had hung around with him at docks and nightspots at every island they’d visited. Eventually, Riley had recognized that it hadn’t been coincidence, and had become infatuated with the handsome young man. It had been odd, since he’d never felt attracted to men before. Now that he’d seen Kai again, the memories flooded back.
Once, when they were sailing, Kai swam amidst a pod of dolphins, hanging onto the dorsal fin of one of the sleek, grey mammals, letting them speed him through the water. Many times, he’d floated past the window of Riley’s cabin, smiling and gesturing.
Come, go with me, Riley…
And he remembered that night he had finally gone to Kai, swimming in the glowing water, touching, stroking, letting go of his amazement as he kissed another man for the first time, surrendering to the heat and passion of youth. They’d thrust and rubbed one another to climax, and Riley remembered the cloud of seed that had released into the bioluminescent water, almost like a baptism.
“I knew. I knew and I let it happen.” He stood, walking to the sliding door that let out onto a tiny balcony. “I knew. Do you hear me, Maui? I knew what would happen!”
The only answer was the touch of the warm breeze. And shit! He’d sent Kai away. He doubted there were cell phones wherever Kai came from.
He rushed back into the apartment and dressed, then hurried to the elevator. Once outside, he ran, not stopping for breath until he reached his shop. With trembling hands, he unlocked the door and keyed in the code to deactivate the alarm. He had no idea
what to do, but Riley knew this was where he needed to be. Maybe the boats… He could find Kai…
He ducked into his office and skidded to a halt. Kimber sat in his chair. But damn… it wasn’t Kimber, it was someone else completely. She leaned back lazily. The chair squeaked as she rocked it.
The door slammed shut behind him. Kimber propped a sandal-clad foot on his desk, knocking a stack of statements to the floor.
“My original plan was to kill you, Riley. If you were dead, the bonding would die with you and my grandson wouldn’t suffer.”
Riley remained with his back to the door. “I changed my mind. I remember… how it was between me and Kai. I want it back.”
“It’s not your choice, Dave Riley. It never was. Now come and sit down.” Kimber -- or whoever she was -- gestured to the chair at the client side of the desk. Riley opted to stand. Irritation flashed over her face, but she didn’t push the issue.
“You aren’t Kimber, you’re Maui. Are you… occupying her, or are you a shifter too?”
Maui smiled from Kimber’s face. “You are astute. My granddaughter is at her home, sleeping. I thought her form would be less threatening to you.”
“Well, it’s frigging creepy. And your toenails… Hers were painted purple this week. You missed that detail.”
Maui shrugged but didn’t shift form. “You understand what has happened to you?”
“Kai started a bond with me when we were kids. He took it a little further yesterday. He told me everything.”
“And he explained that in order to break the bond, your memory must be severed.”
“Yes.” It bothered him. Memories of him and Kai were precious, especially since more had begun to surface. “If you do this, he’ll continue to suffer?”
Maui looked grave. “Yes, much as he has these past decades. But for Kai, the binding cannot be broken. He will eventually learn to tolerate it.”
“Then I change my mind.” Riley’s heart pounded in his chest. Even as the words came out, they frightened him. “He was willing to let me go, even knowing he’d be the one to pay. I can’t let that happen.” He wrapped his arms around himself, suddenly cold. “I don’t want to live forever. I don’t want to be… whatever this is. But we’ve both paid enough for the past.”
“It’s not payment for the past. It’s the penalty of the present. Kai bled you, Riley. Before, you could remain underwater as long as he touched you. Now you can breathe for short spells on your own. Before, your shifts were subtle, now you have control. You have changed on an elemental level. Kai cannot go unpunished.”
Maui stood, flowing smoothly from the petite young woman to a tall, magnificent warrior. His similarity to Kai was strong, but Maui was more… taller, broader and more powerful. His features were similar to Kai’s, but more exaggerated and fierce. He was seductive, and if the tales Riley had heard were even close to true, Maui had taken advantage of scores of human women. Which made him think…
Riley cocked his head. “Just who was Kai’s mother? Or his grandmother? Were they human?”
Maui’s thick black brows shot up.
“They were. But you never bonded to any of them, did you? You simply seduced them and left. Why is that acceptable behavior compared to what Kai wishes to do?”
“If Kai bonds with you, he will have no children. Ever.”
Riley watched his face for clues. Maui wasn’t a god, but he was a creature of awesome power. He didn’t want to push his anger too far. “How many grandchildren do you have?” he asked gently. “Last night, I thought long and hard about what Kai did and what he is willing to do for me. He was thoughtless and impulsive, but the more I think about it, the more I realize that’s just the way he is. He’ll always be a bit rash. But he made a mistake and he’s willing to take the consequences. He loves me enough to set me free, at great cost to himself. I refuse to allow that sacrifice.”
Maui’s face went dark with anger, but Riley didn’t back down. It helped that he had his back to the wall.
“I’ve changed my mind, Maui. I’m not willing to lose him again. I will accept the consequences of bonding with him.”
Maui’s face gentled slightly. He looked a bit sad. “I respect that you are willing to give up the life you know for Kai; I love him dearly. I love all my family. But this is not your decision to make, Dave Riley. I will not change my mind. I cannot allow a human to cross over.”
He raised a massive hand, and Riley braced, wincing at the pressure that built in the air. And yet… nothing happened. Thunder rumbled and the furniture shook, but Riley was unaffected. He squeezed his eyes against the building wind and reached out for the door behind him. It was already open. He opened his eyes and moved toward the door.
“Dave Riley, what have you done?” Maui’s voice filled the room, and probably the entire building. The furious power died down slightly, and then built in another attempt to sever the bond between Riley and Kai. He took another step toward the door. He didn’t know what was blocking Maui’s power, but wanted out of the way. Something was going to give, and he didn’t want to be around when it blew. A cool hand gripped his arm and he jerked, unable to break the grip.
“Save your power, Maui. It won’t work.” Coco’s friend Genie entered the room. Her cool presence tamped the winds that lifted and scattered the papers that had been whipping around in the air.
Maui glowered, but she didn’t flinch. Slowly, the trickster toned down the storm. With both fists, he struck the desk, shattering it into splinters. In his fury, he grew even larger. It took a few moments, but he eventually gained control over himself, pulling the power back in.
“Who are you?” Maui’s voice wavered between rage and incredulous shock. Clearly, he was unaccustomed to such defiance.
Genie ran a hand through her dark red hair. It was immaculate. “I’m Genie Talison.” She glanced at Riley, and he knew she was addressing him as well. “You know, shifter communities are incredibly close knit. My mates are Siberian shifters. Not long ago, Riley here saved the life of our cousin Coco. Her family wanted Riley rewarded. I volunteered to grant him a wish.”
“Genie… as in genie?” Maui hovered between shock and interest.
Genie slipped her hand from Riley’s arm to his hand. “Yes, I’m a genie. I’m without a master, and able to grant wishes at my discretion. And last night, Riley here uttered the true wish of his heart. You cannot undo it.”
He thought back, trying to recall when he might have voiced a wish. He probably had, and just didn’t remember. Things had been pretty crazy.
“Riley wished to sail away with Kai. He wanted it to be like it was when they first found each other. The bond that the boys started is in place, all that remains is to complete the ritual. And you cannot interfere, Maui.” She rubbed Riley’s arm comfortingly.
“I will not be manipulated by a… a mere djin!” Maui’s power began to build again. It whirled around them fruitlessly.
She gripped his hand a bit tighter. “Hold on, Riley.”
Before he could react to her words, they were out of the office and in the boathouse. No sooner did his feet hit the wooden dock than Kai exploded into view, rising up on a water spout.
“Riley!” He lost his balance and scrambled toward the dock. “Riley, are you all right?” Kai grabbed Riley, wrapping him in a fierce embrace.
Riley’s feet left the dock. “I’m fine!” He coughed, recovering his breath. Carefully, Kai set him down. Behind him the water boiled, and Maui rose up, awesome in his anger and fury. He hovered in the air, feet supported by a spray of seawater. Behind him, Kimber also emerged from the water. She skipped lightly to the dock and hopped up.
Maui rose higher. Suddenly, all the painful, hot power ebbed. The storm began to abate. Riley took a deep breath, glad to be able to breathe freely again. He gazed up at the god with a sensation of foreboding. He was certain the trickster had never been thwarted so completely. Kai was behind him with his arms wrapped protectively around Riley’s shoulders.
>
Kimber turned and faced the men. From the subtle way her face altered, he guessed she was speaking for her grandfather. Maui simply glared. Then he looked down as though saddened.
“You must forgive Maui for the pain he’s given you. He could not allow Kai to take such a permanent step at such a young age. Yet he knew that Riley would not survive long enough for their commitment to be tested. That is why he allowed the two of you to begin the binding.”
The entire tone of the altercation had changed. Again. He looked up at the giant levitating over the water. Kai’s grip on his shoulder loosened a bit.
“Your feelings did not abate over the years, Kai. And Riley, time might have dimmed your memories, but not your emotions. Yet for a binding to be truly permanent, there must be sacrifice. Kai offered his heart for your freedom. Riley offered his mortality and the life he knows for Kai’s heart. By these offerings, you have closed the binding. It is done.”
At those words, Maui clapped his hands. The noise thundered through the room, echoing off the beams and metal walls of the boathouse. When the noise settled, he turned to the small group on the dock. This time he spoke for himself. “Djin, we are fighting the same battle. However, I had to test Riley to his limit.”
A dimple appeared in her cheek, and Riley had to wonder if Maui’s words were honest, or if the trickster was saving face.
They’d probably never know. It didn’t really matter. Maui would never admit it. Riley closed his eyes, leaning back into Kai’s strong embrace. Was it over? He turned his head slightly, meeting Kai’s gaze.
Kai understood Riley’s unspoken question. “It’s over, Riley.”
“Good. Then I’m on my way.” Genie smiled, stepping up to face the men. “You have friends, Riley, if you ever need us. This wish was a gift from Coco and all who love her. What you will see when I’m gone is from me.” She winked and vanished so suddenly that both Kai and Riley took a step back.
“Well, damn.” He looked around for Genie and saw… the Melody. She floated in the furthest slip, a behemoth among the smaller boats. She was as fresh and pristine as she’d been when his father had first bought her.
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