by Lynn Daniels
Jasmine’s Joy
The Mach’doshna Realm
By: Lynn Daniels
Cover Design by: Storied Graphics
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
For Becca…
11/20/2007-08/17/2019
I would like to thank my friend and amazing cover designer, Lynn Veveers. Not only do you make the most amazing covers, but you also make the most amazing friend!
Also, by Lynn Daniels:
Felisha’s Faith
C’olan’s Companion
Ki’shien’s Kindred
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Glossary:
Note from Author
Chapter 1
Mount Olympus
Aphrodite watched the woman she had planned to mate to Jo’siah, as she was thrown into the frigid waters of the Pacific Ocean by the man whom she thought she loved. The very same man, who had pledged his love only moments ago, blood money would now pay for the boat he steered away from his betrothed.
She glanced over at Até, “Did you have anything to do with this? I know how you like to get into mischief, as your past deeds have proven. Did you lead her out here, then cause her to be thrown to her death?”
“Of course not! I’m just a minor Goddess, I don’t cause these things. I don’t help people out of the jams they get themselves into, but I certainly don’t create the messes they make. Humans do enough of that on their own, without interference from us.”
She cocked her head at Até, then gave her a sidelong glance. “You don’t, by any chance, know if any other God’s might have been messing around with her life? Perhaps making a small wager on what the outcome would be?”
Até and Brizo looked at each other, unspoken words seemed to pass between them. Até gave a slight nod, then looked away.
Brizo looked at Aphrodite, “What business is it of ours, if one or two Gods do or do not interfere with the lives of humans. I only wish to protect those who call to me for aid when they are in my kingdom.”
“Kingdom? This very small section of the mighty sea that Zeus has deigned to present to you, is that what you mean?”
“Yes, please. Make your decision quickly, the foolish mortal has chosen to swim further out to sea, instead of back to shore.”
Chapter 2
Southern California
Jasmine was so excited; they were going to go out on Marcus’ new boat today. It was a huge cabin cruiser he had purchased just a few days before, and this would be her maiden voyage.
They had met two years ago, while still in high school, and immediately felt a connection. Both had grown up in foster care, and at one time were living in the same home. The romance just seemed to be the next step. After all, they came from the same situations and could relate to the other as no one else could.
Marcus’ family was an on again, off again thing. He would spend anywhere from a few weeks up to six months in foster care, then go back home. His father was abusive after a few drinks and would sometimes beat his mother so badly they had to call an ambulance. The police would come and haul him off to jail, and Marcus would find himself back in the system.
His father would stay dry for a month or two, and then it would start all over again. It was always the same, he would beat his mother until she was on the brink of death, then he would come with promises of how this time it would be different. Once Marcus reached fourteen, he put his foot down. No longer a helpless child, he decided he wasn’t going to stand for his father’s abuse any longer.
He had come home drunk one night and raised his hand, only this time Marcus was ready for him. That night he left the house for the last time, and nobody had seen or heard from him since.
Although, she thought it strange, that sometimes she would see his mom, she would have bruises on her arms or legs, and even a black eye occasionally. She told Jasmine that she had become clumsy with age and was always falling down and hurting herself. Just last week she had run into her at the store, her arm was in a sling, and she had a black eye. Nervously, she told Jaz that she had fallen down some stairs.
Jasmine suggested she go see a doctor, maybe there was some kind of infection in one of her ears that caused a balance problem. She had promised she would look into it, and that was the last time they had spoken. She hoped everything was okay.
The major differences in their situations, were their parents. She barely remembered hers. Her mother had loved her with all her heart, and her stepdad had always treated her like she was his own baby girl. She was only six when they had come to the house and dragged her away, screaming and crying for her parents. As time went on, her mom had jumped through hoops to get her back, but it seemed no matter what she did, it was never good enough. Jasmine never gave up hope, she just knew that one day she would be reunited with her loving family.
That is, until that night, her foster mother had awakened her with the news.
Her mom and stepdad split up shortly after she was taken away, each blamed the other. Her mother, deep in the depths of despair started drinking. One night, in one of her drunken stupors, she had left the apartment, a few days later a hiker found the car at the bottom of a ravine. They said her blood alcohol was three times the legal limit. They had no way of knowing if she did it on purpose, or if she had just passed out behind the wheel. Those were questions she would never have the answers to, which would haunt her for the rest of her life.
Jasmine’s mother had taken out a million-dollar insurance policy on herself, just a year before her death, and Jasmine was the sole beneficiary. On her eighteenth birthday, she found herself suddenly a millionaire.
She had great plans for the money. She was going to open a haven for foster children, someplace they would find love and understanding. A place where they would never go without, due to the greed of people who were only after the checks from the government.
The moment she had been informed; she started the process. The funds were put into an account that would be used to care for the children, and someone was appointed to continue drawing in more money to keep it sustainable. She could hardly wait to share the news with Marcus.
A horn from outside in the drive announced his arrival. As she ran from the house, she called back her goodbyes to her foster parents on her way out the door.
“Hi, Marcus! I’m so excited to see your new boat! I told my parents that I would be gone all weekend. This is going to be so much fun! Wait until you see what I brought along, something spe
cial just for you.” She winked at him, blushing a deep shade of red.
“I can hardly wait, baby.” He sounded distracted, then turned his attention to the couple who were still standing in the driveway, watching as they drove away. “Hey, listen, how come you’re still living with those people?”
“Because, silly, they’re my family. Besides I’ve started looking for my own apartment, I should be able to move out by the end of the month.”
“They aren’t your family, they’re just people who are collecting a check, who decided to let you live under their roof for a while. How much are you paying them to stay there?”
She turned in her seat to face him. “Marcus, I know you’ve had some bad luck with foster parents, but they aren’t all like that. These are good people. They don’t need for me to pay them. They love me.”
“Yeah, whatever.” That was Marcus’ way of telling her he was done with that conversation.
She knew if she brought anything else up, they would just argue, and she didn’t want to start the weekend off like that. She was delighted; this would be the first time they spent the weekend together.
~
They had finally arrived at the marina, she unloaded her bag, and helped him carry the groceries down to the boat. Her head was bobbing back and forth, anxious to get her first peek at the new boat.
Marcus finally stopped in front of a blue cabin cruiser. “Here we are! What do you think?” He beamed with pride.
“Oh, Marcus! This is beautiful! How can you afford such a nice boat? It must have cost a fortune!”
Jasmine stood on the dock looking at the biggest boat she had ever seen, it was so big there were stairs leading up to the deck from the pier.
“Nothing’s too good for my baby. Wait until you see the cabin below. Stow your gear and help me push off, will ya?” He pointed to the dock where the boat was tied off, “Just unwind those ropes and pitch them over here.”
Jasmine ran up the stairs, then over to a doorway that led deeper into the boat. She climbed down the steps then dropped her bag on a large sofa just inside the door, and was looking around in awe, when Marcus called out to her, “What are you doing? Come on, I don’t have all day!”
“Coming!” She ran back up the stairs and over to the edge of the boat. Then stood for a moment looking down at the distant pier, wondering how she would get back up once she threw the ropes onto the boat. When she looked up, she saw Marcus was glaring at her with his hands on his hips. He started rolling his hands in the air, his patience had nearly reached a peak.
Climbing down, once again, she grabbed the ropes, unwound them and pitched them to him, but they fell short and landed in the water.
“What the hell, Jaz! How hard is it to throw a rope? Let’s see if you can get the other one, this time be more careful.”
Again, the rope fell short, “Shit! Now they’re all wet.”
Once they got the boat out on open waters, Marcus went below and came up with a couple of beers. They spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying a day out on the ocean.
The sun had just started setting, when Jaz finished fixing dinner. Walking over to the open door, she called up to Marcus, “Hey, how about you drop anchor so we can eat?”
“Already on it, babe. Bring it on up here. I have something I want to ask you.”
She was a little nervous, she had suspected that Marcus might propose while they were out there. Just in case she was right, she had packed up a sexy little teddy to celebrate.
As she started up the few stairs, she stopped and was amazed at the transformation. Tiny lanterns were hanging all around, and the table was set with candles, a bucket sat in the center with what must have been a bottle of wine on ice. She was amazed at what he had done, everything looked so romantic. After admiring his work, she continued up the steps, only to find Marcus on one knee, with a box held out toward her.
“Jasmine, my love, would you make me the happiest man in the world by consenting to be my wife?”
“Oh, Marcus! Yes!” She dropped to her knees in front of him, as tears ran rivers down her cheeks. Unsure of what she wanted to do first, take the ring or throw her arms around his neck and kiss him. So, she decided to do both, one hand reached for the box, while her other reached up and pulled him closer.
“Was there ever any doubt? You know how much I love you, Marcus. You’re everything to me, you know that.”
“Yeah, me too, babe. Here try it on.” He pulled her to her feet and pushed the ring onto her finger, only to find it stuck before it went past her first knuckle. “Wow, your fingers must be bigger than I thought.”
“What size did you get?”
“I didn’t know, so I told them you were really little, so they suggested a four or five. I went with a four.”
“Four? Oh, my goodness, Marcus! A four? I wear a size six. I can’t even imagine how small someone’s fingers would have to be to wear a ring that tiny.”
He put it back in the box, then put the box down on the table, “Well, we’ll go get the right size when we get back. The most important part is that you said yes.”
They sat down and started eating. About halfway through dinner, she set her fork down, “I have some news of my own.”
Marcus continued to eat, “Oh, what’s up?”
“Well, remember I told you about my trust fund, and how I would have access to it when I turned eighteen?”
He looked up, with a slight grin, she had his full attention now. Setting his fork on the table, he leaned closer, “Yeah, I remember you said something about that.”
“Do you remember when I told you I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with it?”
He sat back in his chair, the smile from before faded into a frown, his brow creased, “What do you mean?”
“Well, I have decided. I wanted to do something good with all that money.”
“We are going to do something good with all that money, sweetheart. How do you think we’re going to survive without it?” He waved his hands around indicating the boat, a forced smile crossed his face. He really hoped she hadn’t done something stupid.
“Marcus, nobody needs that much money.”
“Jaz, what did you do?” He spoke in a low even voice. His food was long forgotten, as his temper rose.
Chapter 3
“I started a project. It’s a large apartment type building, only for the orphans and foster children. It should be completed in a few months. I’m hoping it’s just the first of many more. I’ve put the money into an account that will fund the whole thing. I’ve hired some people to run it, and more people that will help raise money to keep it going. Isn’t it wonderful?”
“Yeah, but you didn’t put all of the money into it, right? Because, do you know how stupid that would be?” Marcus was beginning to panic; he had a feeling that was exactly what she did.
She stared at him, her joy of a moment ago forgotten. “Of course, I put it all into it. I don’t need that money. I can take care of myself. You have a job, and obviously you’re doing very well.” She waved her hands around to indicate the boat, as he had done a moment ago. “I’m sure that ring was expensive, and this boat, whew! I bet that set you back a bunch.”
“Really? You think I make this kind of money being a mechanic? That I could afford this ring, let alone this boat?” His voice continued to rise, as did his temper. “Didn’t you think you should have asked me before you decided something that would effect both of our futures?”
He got up so suddenly, his chair flew away from the table, then he started pacing. He waved his hands around in the air, then fisted them and glared at Jasmine. “I can’t believe you would do this! How could you? I knew you were stupid, but I had no idea you were that stupid!”
“Marcus, I don’t like the way you’re talking to me. I want to go back, right now.” She got up and started toward the steps to the cabin below deck, only to have him grab her arm, then jerk her back around to face him.
“Oh, no you don’t! Yo
u don’t get off that easy. How am I going to pay for all this? Huh?” He turned his red-faced scowl on her as his voice rose, “Have you thought about that? Have you thought of anyone other than yourself? Have you considered how this would affect me? No, you didn’t, and do you know why? Because just like every other woman in my life, you’re nothing but a selfish bitch!” His hands clenched on her arms; each sentence was punctuated with a shake.
“I don’t think it’s my problem. Now, take me home. Oh, and you can keep the ring.” She tried to pull away, “Let go, you’re hurting me.” Again, she jerked on her arms, which only seemed to make him angrier and his grip tighter. Her eyes got bigger; she was sure that at any moment her arm would snap from his iron grip.
“Wow, how generous of you, to tell me I can keep my ring. Oh, but did you know, there’s a no return policy on engagement rings? So, once again, I’m fucked!”
“Well, maybe you can find someone else to abuse.” She was starting to panic, she pulled away again, and when that didn’t work, she tried dropping to her knees, if anything, his grip increased, feeling more like vices, as they tightened on her narrow wrists.
“Marcus, please, stop, you’re hurting me.” She fought against his hold but was unable to get away.
“You know,” He suddenly looked crestfallen, a tear ran down his cheek, “everybody is going to be so sad when they hear about what happened.”
She felt her heart melt a little, “I’m sorry, Marcus. It just isn’t going to work between us.” She tried to raise her hand to cup his cheek.
Jerking her hand back down, he picked her up and walked back up the steps, then set her on the ledge of the boat. “You know, you really should pay more attention to what you sign.”
“What do you mean?” She was feeling totally confused now. He seemed like he wanted to make things right, and now this.
“Remember when you brought your car in for a tune-up last month? I told you it would be on the house, but you needed to sign a waiver for it?”
“Yes, it ran so much better after the tune up, do you want me to pay for it now?” So, that was what was up with him, he wanted her to pay him for the work he had done before. She couldn’t believe he could be so petty, but if that’s what he wanted, that’s what she would do.
