by Cassi Carver
He kissed her again and murmured his love against her cheeks. “I thought I’d lost you both. If you ever mean to travel to the Abyss again, take me with you. I’d be just as lost without you here.”
Kara smiled. “I don’t think we’ll be going back again.”
“It worked?”
She squeezed him tight. “Yes, baby. It worked. Brakken isn’t going to be coming back.”
Gavin closed his eyes and pressed his forehead to hers. “Praise the Maker.” And when he pulled back, he glanced at Julian’s sleeping form. “It was hard on him?”
Kara rubbed the heel of her hand over her eyes. “I think so. Honestly, I can hardly remember it. I have a feeling he did most of the work.” She reached her hand out and rested it on Julian’s thigh. “Julian? Hey, Jules…wake up.”
His black lashes fluttered, and when at last they fell open, his eyes widened, his gaze darting from Gavin to Kara. Suddenly, he jumped to his feet. “Ha!” He half laughed, half shouted.
Gavin was momentarily worried for the black-wing. It was as though the Abyss had addled his brain. But then Julian did something even stranger—he dashed over to Gavin and picked him up bodily, twirling him around and then setting him on his feet, and all the while he continued his strange Ha! noises.
“Ha!” Julian started jumping up and down, hugging Gavin like he hadn’t seen him in a hundred years.
And everything in Gavin stilled. “Julian?”
“Yes!” the man shouted, grinning like a proper idiot. “It’s me!”
Kara stood, her face a mix of concern and waiting for the punch line to a joke she hadn’t yet heard. “What’s going on?”
Gavin couldn’t help it, he squeezed back and jumped in time with his friend. “It’s Julian!”
“Yes, I see that,” Kara replied.
Julian released Gavin with a playful punch in the shoulder as though he hadn’t just been rubbing his naked self all over Gavin’s buckskin, and then he took Kara by the shoulders. “It’s me!”
Perhaps the carefree grin was what finally convinced her. “Oh my God. Julian?”
“Yes.”
She stepped back. “Let me see your wings.”
As though curious himself, Julian cast a glance over his shoulder as his wings expanded. His black wings.
“They’re black,” she said, seeming suddenly unsure. “Which you are you?”
He stepped forward and took her hand. “I’m both. It’s as if the Abyss connected both halves of my soul.” Then he looked to Gavin. “I remember everything. The centuries we passed together. The battles we fought. And I remember the rising as well. It’s just not as difficult to fight the urge to kill you now.”
Gavin took in the awesome power of Aniliáre before him and coughed. “That’s good news, Jules.”
“And can you…” Kara’s voice was almost a whisper. “Can you remember me?”
“Oh, my love,” Julian told her, and when he wrapped his arms around her, Gavin felt nothing but joy. “I treasure and remember every moment.”
“Every moment?” she repeated.
“Except the break-up. I don’t remember ever doing that, do you?”
Kara laughed. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. What break-up?” But then she suddenly looked to Gavin and froze, as though she’d said something wrong. “Gavin…”
Gavin turned to Julian, and he saw the spark of life he’d always remembered in his friend’s eyes. “We said when Julian rose he could decide. That was our agreement. Well, now he’s truly risen.”
No matter what happened today, Gavin was thankful to have the two people he loved the most restored to him. “What do you say, my friend? Is there any chance that we could both have a place in Kara’s life?”
Kara was gazing at Julian hopefully, but he shook his head, the hard glint returning to his eyes. “Not a chance in hell.” Then he came to Gavin and put his arm around Gavin’s shoulders, reaching under his arms to pinch his biceps.
“Ouch!” Gavin bellowed and grabbed Julian’s hand so he couldn’t pinch him again. What exactly was he up to?
“You see, Kara—” Julian stood tall beside Gavin, his arm still hooked over Gavin’s shoulders, and his black wings displayed jauntily over his back, “—it’s not a matter of us having a place in your life. I would like to know if you would like a place in ours.”
Kara’s eyes widened. “Really?”
Julian looked to Gavin, and Gavin nodded.
“Yeah,” Kara said, her cheeks flushed and her smile radiant. “I think I could handle that.”
And when she threw herself into their arms, Gavin simply held on—his dearest friend in one arm and the love of his immortal life in the other.
He kissed Kara’s damp hair, then pulled back and met Julian’s eyes. “But don’t think we’re going to spend all of our time in the Shadowland at that little apartment of yours. You’ll have to split your time between the realms now that you can travel to the surface. We have a clan to govern.”
“We?” Julian asked.
“Yes. Your memory is back and so are your duties to the clan, Lord Julian.”
Julian looked to Kara. “I’m sorry…who is this man next to me? Do I know him?”
“Nice try. Don’t make me take you for another swim in the Abyss.” Kara put her hand to Julian’s naked hip. “And besides, the two men I love on one island?” Her hand grazed his waist and delved lower. “That’s sounding like a pretty solid plan to me.”
Gavin laughed, long and deep, and it felt as if his soul was being woven back together with threads of joy and contentment. His father was gone. His child was safe. His friend was healed. And his woman was back from the very mouth of hell, flying on her own two wings.
Suddenly, Gavin’s smile drooped.
“What?” Kara asked, seeing the shift.
“Nothing. It’s just—” he ran his hand over Kara’s smooth, bare back, “—your wings. Your gift from the Sanctiáre. Are you going to miss them?”
“Trust me, they were not all that,” Julian teased.
Kara smacked him on the shoulder. “Hey! They saved your ass. And they were cool while they lasted.”
“Well, now you have silver wings and black wings at your beck and call.” Gavin expanded his wings and the tips of his feathers brushed down Kara’s side. “You’ll want for nothing, princess.”
“Yeah, it was still awesome. I’m always going to remember how it felt to fly. Just—poof! And there were my bony wings.” But when she flexed her back and poofed, her bony wings burst from between her shoulders.
Only they weren’t bony any longer, and Gavin was speechless.
“What?” She waggled her shoulders, as though afraid to turn around. “They’re still there? Please tell me they’re still there.”
“Not exactly,” Julian replied, seemingly as tongue-tied as Gavin.
So Gavin simply reached around and gently brought the tip of one wing into Kara’s peripheral vision. They were magnificent. Stunning. He’d never seen anything like it. White feathers with the edges thinly laced in black.
“What does it mean?” Kara breathed.
Julian’s smile was purely wicked. “This theory may need to be tested, but I’m fairly certain it means you need to be made love to—immediately.”
When Kara’s lips parted and her naked skin flushed, sending the essence of her arousal into the air around them, Gavin slid his hands around her waist and pulled her near. “You may be on to something, my friend. Let’s go explore what wondrous mysteries this woman’s body holds.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
“These Mercury men know how to party!” Abbey shouted over the music, a virgin piña colada in one hand and Jaxon in the other. Kara couldn’t get over her best friend’s belly, or more specifically, how Abbey had no shame grinding on her husband with said belly bouncing to the beat. It was awesome.
What was less awesome was all the speculation surrounding the impending birth. Even the O.P.A. had co
me calling, offering to run blood tests and DNA panels on the unborn child. Some speculated it was the blood Julian had given Abbey that made her body more susceptible to the event, but regardless of how it had happened, the last time a witch and one of the Fallen had produced a child—the product was Julian.
Theories abounded over whether or not this child could also become a black-wing, and if it was therefore possible to create a second generation of Aniliáre—possibly stronger than the first. Abbey figured the only way to prove that theory was death and the slim chance of a Shadow Rising, so when asked what she thought the child would grow to be, she always answered, “High priestess, like her mommy.”
And as for Kara’s strange wings, they’d decided that when it came to the O.P.A. and the residents of the Shadowland, what they didn’t know wouldn’t hurt them.
Kara looked out over the island—the lights, the games and all the festivities. Not only was every warrior, lady and human camp companion in attendance for the birthday celebration, Gavin had even invited Nefren, Mazeki and Hexa to share in his joy. Kara had issued an invitation of her own, but so far her guest hadn’t arrived, and she was starting to get worried.
Rachel and Darrinda, both looking so beautiful in their formal gowns, made their way toward the dance floor. They adored their new home, so much so that they rarely got out to the mainland. But Kara had to admit they looked happy and healthy right where they were. Rachel bounced Rafael on her hip in time with the music as she sashayed in Kara’s direction.
“Well, there’s the birthday boy!” Kara cooed, and Rafael lifted his tiny little hands to her.
“Do you mind?” Rachel asked. “I haven’t been to a party like this in two hundred years.”
“Are you kidding?” Kara laughed and took Rafael in her arms, nuzzling his cheek and blowing a raspberry on his neck. He dissolved in giggles and then planted his cheek on her chest, making nonstop chatter in his own language the entire time.
Darrinda’s boy was growing so fast. He’d been in regeneration for the first year of his life, but when he’d awoken, he’d gone from newborn-sized to a hefty toddler in a little under three months. He and the island’s only other toddler were the best of friends—and partners in crime.
“But you’re perfect, aren’t you?” Kara murmured to Rafael, and he smiled his one-toothed grin, agreeing with her completely.
Darrinda had hold of her son’s hand as they danced—she and Rachel and the boy. Darri needed him with her most of the time since he’d woken from regeneration, and who could blame her? Many of Brakken’s former females were still adapting to a life of safety and freedom. And besides, for Darrinda, the teen years would come soon enough when he wanted his space. For now it was all about healing for mothers and for son.
Kara sucked in a breath through her teeth against Rafael’s cheek to make a big, squeaky, kissy noise. Rafe giggled, openmouthed and drooly, and raised his cheek to her again.
“Save some of those kisses for me, princess.”
Gavin ran his hand over her rump, and Kara blushed. “Um, there are children present…”
“Only three on an island of three hundred. I’m fairly certain that means I can do this—” he closed the gap behind her and gave her ass a squeeze, “—anytime little eyes are pointed in the other direction.”
“You mean an island of three hundred and forty-seven. That’s a lot of eyes watching your hands, big guy.” They had lost warriors in the battle, some who were gone for good, and the clan still mourned them. But with the net migration of Brakken’s females and the scores of other warriors and servants who’d come crawling out of the woodwork, ready to swear allegiance to “Prince Gavine”, the island’s population had grown dramatically.
“Kara, may I speak to you?” Mazeki asked, causing Kara and Gavin to glance up as though they’d just been caught. Mazeki wasn’t much into dancing, but he seemed to be enjoying his time on the surface.
Kara waved and gave him a smile, then turned to Gavin. “Duty calls, Daddy. Here’s your boy.”
Kara waited for the moment that always came when she handed Rafael off. His lips curved into a deep frown and his eyes went wide and watery, and yes, she was probably going to hell for it, but it still made her feel like a million bucks.
Gavin shook his head, trying to calm little Rafe. “What a gift you have for turning grown men into babies.”
“Hey, Rafe is already a baby. I can’t be blamed for this.”
“I was talking about myself,” he said, and then he kissed her.
Kara was still smiling when she weaved her way through the crowd to where Mazeki stood by Hexa. Since Jaxon and Abbey’s wedding, Hexa was trying to visit more often, and folks on the island were trying their best to act like they didn’t want to reach out and pet her. Kara was amazed how much good it had done both Hexa and Jaxon to feel like they’d had a part in bringing Brakken to justice.
Now was that newfound confidence helping Hexa to send out sexy vibes or helping Mazeki to act on them? No. Not even close. But it was adorable to see those two, always finding themselves side by side, accidentally rubbing shoulders, fingers grazing the other’s wrist when they passed the dinner plate. In another hundred years, Kara thought Mazeki might even get up the nerve to ask her on a date.
Kara greeted them with a hug, accidentally losing her balance and causing Hexa to bump sideways into Mazeki’s chest. “Oh, sorry!”
Mazeki brought his hands to Hexa’s arms and they lingered there. “Were you hurt?” he asked, as though Kara had really plowed her down.
Hexa could barely lift her chin to meet his eyes, but to Kara’s astonishment, her female wiles seemed to kick in and she glanced up at him through her lashes. “No. I’m quite all right.”
And when Hexa backed away and folded her hands in front of her, Kara had to change her estimate. Oh, yeah, they’d be dining alone in twenty years—tops.
Kara schooled her face into an innocent mask. “You needed to speak to me?”
“Yes, yes,” he said, but he was still so flustered that his braid was swishing down his back like a horse’s tail. “Did you give Jaxon the key to the journal yet?”
“I’ve opened them with a well-placed claw before,” Hexa chimed in.
“Ah, no, not a little metal key, more like a code. I found it in the chest that Kara’s father gave me,” Mazeki said.
“Oh,” she answered, seeming embarrassed.
“You can really open a locked journal with a claw?” he asked, as though she’d discovered one of the secrets of the universe.
Hexa smiled, her lips pressed together in a gently curving line. “Well, yes, in a time of need.”
“Amazing. I would love to see that sometime. I have several journals to which I’ve lost the keys. Well…” he stammered, “you’d have to see my library to believe it. It’s immense! I probably have dozens of journals. Maybe hundreds. It might be more of a task than you’d be interested in undertaking… But I could arrange for some dinner—from the surface. Anything you like.”
“Ooh,” she breathed, perhaps seeing for the first time what Kara had suspected for months—that Mazeki was hot to trot. “I would be happy to help you with your journals.”
He just blinked, smiling, staring into Hexa’s eyes.
“So…” Kara prodded. “Was that all you needed to know?”
“No.” He grudgingly tore his gaze away from his furry female and met Kara’s eyes. “What did he find?”
Kara glanced to Hexa, wondering if it was appropriate to discuss this in front of her. But she was Jaxon’s mom, for crying out loud, and Kara’s parents were long gone. They didn’t have much of a reputation to protect anymore.
“Well, because Deanna was so…verbose, Jaxon’s only been able to finish it recently. I’ve read through it, and I don’t know why she bothered to encode it, unless it was to keep it from Ailexon. It’s all pretty basic stuff, to be honest. She loved my dad, couldn’t live without him, being a queen was boring, blah, blah, blah.�
�� Yeah, Kara was a big talker. She’d read the thing every night for the past week before bed.
“Nothing interesting, you say?”
“Nope. Some drama in Ailexon’s court. Questions as to whether or not they should eat food made of will or try to import fresh stuff from the surface. You know, that kind of queenly duty stuff.”
“Kara.” He shook his head. “You are smarter than this.”
Her mouth went slack. “I am?”
“You’re telling me what the journal says. Tell me what it does not say.”
Her brow wrinkled and she was just about to ask him what the heck he was talking about when he extended his hand to Hexa and bowed. “My lady, would you do me the honor?”
“I…why, yes.” Kara could swear Hexa’s rich brown fur rippled with crimson as she put her hand in Mazeki’s and was led to the floor.
Gavin caught her eye. Rafael was sleeping in his arms, and Gavin’s expression as he watched Kara and Mazeki could only be classified as intrigued. “What is it?” he mouthed.
She opened her hands and hitched her shoulders. “No idea,” she mouthed back.
To be fair, Mazeki might be as cryptic as a bowl of alphabet soup, but the man had a way of knowing things he shouldn’t know. Julian had even speculated that either he was a mind reader or he could foretell the future. Neither of those was something Kara was ready to deal with.
She glanced over the dance floor, smiling when she saw the contrast of Mazeki and Hexa’s formal dance with Eva and her new harem’s. Ted didn’t seem to mind that he was now one of nine. Looking at him smiling back at Eva, shoulder to shoulder with one of his harem brothers—he didn’t seem to mind at all.
Kara wasn’t sure the good word she’d put in for him had had anything to do with Eva’s decision, but she still enjoyed the fruit and wildflowers Ted brought her in gratitude. Let him think what he wanted to think. It was a free island.
When two pairs of wings appeared on the horizon, one black, one dappled silver, Kara almost squealed with joy. Since Gavin couldn’t see them from where he was standing, Kara smiled and pointed to the sky. “Find Aiden,” she mouthed.
