Dalir's Salvation (23 page)

“I feel that I should know you. Have we met?”

“Yes. We’ve taken an important journey together.”

An elusive recollection slipped into Ari’s mind. A blond man regarding her with malice. The flash of a blade in her hand. Her lifting it. As if it had a mind of its own, it homed in for the perfect strike. She’d killed him. Queasiness rolled in her stomach. But she’d had no choice. She’d done it to save someone. The images faded.

“Why are we on this beach?”

“To enjoy the sun.” Taliana’s smile widened as she pushed back the hair blowing into her blue eyes. “To decide where you’ll go next.”

“Me? What about you? Aren’t you coming?”

“I’m going there.” Taliana pointed to the marsh behind them. “You’re welcome to come with me.”

An older woman wearing a yellow dress stepped out of the thick marsh grass. She smiled as her gaze connected with Ari’s. The love radiating from the woman’s deep brown eyes brought recognition.

“Grandma.”

Ari stood. She took a step. An innate knowing rooted her in place. She wished to join MiMi again, but she couldn’t. Not yet.

Taliana grasped her hand. “It’s all right. You can join us next time.”

“When will that happen?”

“A few hundred years, give or take a few decades.”

Tears clouded Ari’s eyes. “I don’t understand. Why can’t I go now?”

“You have something else to do.” Taliana pointed to the ocean.

A wave with a diamond-brilliant light inside of it rose from the surface. It beckoned.

“What’s out there?”

“You already know the answer. Look closer. You haven’t forgotten.”

An image of a dark-haired guy standing next to a horse emerged in the cascade of water. He held a dark-haired toddler in his arms. They stood next to a black horse. As the guy smiled and spoke to the boy, he stroked over a star shaped spot between the horse’s eyes. The guy looked over his shoulder. His smile widened. He held out his hand to someone. Love shone in his gaze.

Ari’s heart seemed to grow in her chest with a sudden rush. She moved closer.

The image shifted.

The same guy stood alone on a ridge, framed by a gray sky. The sadness marring his expression gripped her. She reached out, wanting to hold and comfort him. She couldn’t look away. “Who is he?” Ari turned to Taliana, but she was no longer there.

“Someone who needs you. He must fulfill his destiny. Go to him. It’ll come to you.”

The light still hovered in the wave. A sense of rightness pulled her forward. With each step Ari took, the wave grew brighter. And she remembered.

On his third day at The Drift, Dalir wandered through the main house. Sun shone through the windows. But the warmth of the rays along with his green button-down shirt and jeans failed to banish the chill inside of him. After a couple months of sharing the space with the team, and Lauren and Celine, the silence overwhelmed him.

Through their renovations, the women had transformed the house into an eye-catching place meant for enjoyment. Small touches had come together to make all the difference. Vibrant colors and live plants were in every room. Large picture frames made of crushed blue and red stones from the lake hung on the walls. They held breathtaking photos taken from picturesque mountain ridges, the middle of the meadow, and at the lake. The kitchen had a lived in feeling with a bowl of lemons decorating the table and jars of apples and peaches from the garden on shelves in the pantry closet. They’d created a place meant to be filled with noise, life, friends. And more importantly family.

Sunlight glinted off of a picture collage in the hallway. Square cut outs within the frame featured Thane and Reid posed with their fiancées on the front porch. Another showed Colby, Mace and West tossing a football on the lawn. A third featured the team in their tactical gear, posing in a no nonsense, all badass way in the gym under the Alandian coat of arms. Another showed the guys on the back deck playing music. The final one was of just Ari. Celine or Lauren must have contributed it from their personal cache. She wore peach shorts and a cropped tee that highlighted the warm rich coloring of her skin. The photographer had captured her beautiful smile at just the right moment as she leaped into the air on the beach.

Dalir stroked the photo. An ache grew in his chest, stealing room, making it hard for his heart to beat. He missed her terribly. Dalir phased to the back porch of the cottage. The hammock swayed. Too raw to claim peace at the main house, he’d stayed there over the past few days. He’d sought understanding about his past and his future in the last place he’d experienced happiness.

As he wandered into the garden, Dalir breathed in the scent of chilled earth, flowers warming in the morning sun, and pine trees. And Ari. Her scent lingered in the shirt he wore. She’d borrowed it from him when she’d been there. Finding it underneath the bed at the cottage was torture, but it also kept her close.

He stopped at the ridge overlooking the lake. Memories of lying in the grass and making love to Ari replaced the high, snowcapped mountain and the mostly green valley before him. Sorrow clawed into his chest and teased through his veins. The vision of her, a small, trivial sip unable to fulfill longing and loss.

Dalir undressed. The breeze rushed over him. As he walked to the edge, he shivered. He leapt over the rocks and arrowed his body into the icy lake. Chilled water streamed over him. As he swam downward, pond weed, wild celery and grasses brushed across his belly. Lake trout skittered out of his path. His muscles ached with the strain, but he pushed himself harder, punishing his body, trying to banish the images of the past weeks from his mind. His lungs burned from lack of air and he kicked to the surface.

Chest heaving from exertion, he called up his energy to stave off hypothermia as he floated under the sun.

The pang returned and lingered in his chest.

The council had ruled in his favor, but he’d never escape the hardest punishment of all. Opening his eyes every day and remembering Ari was gone.

A strong hot and cold wind raced over the lake. The ground vibrated. Trees rattled with a whisper of ancient energy. Dalir shot upright, searching for the source. It dissipated like a fading whisper.

Suddenly, feet away, a light shot into the water like a missile.

He called up his own energy, prepared to fling it out.

A circle of bubbles foamed and burst like water in a heated cauldron. Ancient power emanated from it, but he didn’t recognize the energy signature.

The circle of water churned harder.

Compelled, he swam closer.

The water settled. Ari’s image appeared. Frowning, she tilted her head and reached out. Dalir’s heart sped up. He plunged his hand into the water. Her image shimmered with ripples.

He obliterated it with a hard swipe. “Ari.” Dalir shouted. His voice echoed. He was seeing things. Awake. Asleep. He couldn’t get her out of his mind.

The circle reappeared in the water and morphed into a golden light. It hollowed out.

A time portal.

“Dalir.”
Ari’s voice called to him from the tunnel.

He didn’t care where it led. If Ari was there, he had to see her again. Dalir dove into the portal in the lake.

The water grew turbulent, keeping him submerged. His lungs burned from lack of air. He swam harder, growing light headed as he followed the trail of light. Finally, Dalir surfaced, gasping for breath. He combed back his hair.

Sun lit up a sandy white beach. Warm waves splashed his torso as he floated in the ocean.

A woman in a flowing tunic stood near the edge of the shore.

He swam closer.

She shielded her eyes as she stared out. Ari’s face lit up with joy and she launched into the ocean.

Dalir swam faster. His feet touched bottom and he waded through waist high water. Blinking tears from his eyes, he crushed her to him. His heart pounded with deafening, explosive beats. “Ari.” He ran his hands up and down over her, absorbing her warmth, her very presence. He leaned away, struggling to find words. “It’s really you.”

She laid her hands on his chest. Her caress stole a breath. She smiled. “Of course, it’s really me. Who else were you expecting?”

Light burst into the dark, lonely places inside of him. He kissed her, reveling in the heat and softness of her mouth. He didn’t want to stop, but he had to breathe. “How are you here with me?”

She laughed and shrugged. “I’m not sure. I just am.”

But maybe this was just a visit. One last chance for him to say goodbye before she moved on to another dimension. Joy faded. He cradled her face. “For how long do we have.”

“At least a few hundred years, give-or-take a decade.” As she smiled softly, a pinpoint of light glowed in her brown eyes. It grew brighter and larger. The brilliant blue light of the oracles grew brighter in Ari’s gaze.

Warrior, don’t question fate or destiny. When it offers you the unexpected embrace it.

Jalan’s final advice.

Dalir grasped Ari’s waist. “Marry me. Whatever dimension this is, whatever separates us, we’ll work it out. I don’t care. Just be with me.”

Ari cupped his cheek. “Yes, to the first part, but you have to stay close to Alandia.” She frowned. “You have to fulfill destiny. Taliana gave me that as a message. Do you know what it means?”

He brought her close and leaned in, bringing his lips within a fraction of hers. “Yes. It means I need you by my side.”

She arched a brow and looped her arms around him. “As in equal partnership and you not ordering me around. Right?”

“Me order you around? I wouldn’t dream of it.”

“Oh, yes you would.” She nipped his lower lip and soothed it with a soft kiss. “But if you forget, I think I can come up with a few ways to help you remember, but I do have one important question.” She stroked his cock.

His heart tripped a beat. Blood coursed through him as he swelled into her palm. He stifled a groan. “What?” He’d give her anything and everything she wanted.

A gleam of mischief joined the oracle’s blue glow. Ari threaded her fingers through the hair at his nape and kissed him. “How much longer do I have to wait for you to get me out of this dress?”

Present-Day

Earthly Dimension

Thane jumped on stage with the band at The Song. His stage presence and voice immediately sent the crowd of mostly women into a frenzy. West drove the beat on drums. Mace on electric guitar twanged out soul-stirring chords. Reid blended in on keyboards while Colby added in a heart-bumping rhythm on bass. The crowd cheered louder as Thane’s Redemption went full throttle into their signature song, “Shadows on the Road.” Thane and Reid played for the crowd, but both of their gazes strayed often to their fiancées.

Celine and Lauren, gorgeous in form-fitting white and burgundy mini dresses danced in front of the stage. They smiled, waving at their guys as if they didn’t have a care. For the moment, they didn’t. But soon, Thane, Reid and the guys would get back to what they felt they were meant to do. The undertaking that Dalir had tasked them with five years ago. Save the world. But they’d do it in the present, not the future. So they believed.

Tingles spread over Ari with a sense, a knowing. She tamped it down and forced an even breath. They’d find the right path. And more importantly, Thane and Celine, as well as Reid and Lauren would continue to have a future. Together.

Strong arms wrapped firmly around Ari’s waist.

Dalir nuzzled her neck. “If you keep moving like that it will be a very short outing.”

He’d made it. Earlier in the day, he wasn’t sure he could. “No way.” She leaned back into his embrace. “You promised we’d spend the whole night with Celine, Lauren, and the band.” And he needed a break. Since he’d become his father’s main advisor in Alandia, Dalir worked long days. Despite bordering the line of workaholic, he thrived in his new position, and she still received chills of delight over hers. The yellow solitaire diamond surrounded by rubies winked in the strobe lights. His wife, his princess, more than she could have ever imagined.

He grasped her hips. His erection pressed into the short skirt of her blue dress. Warmth pooled between her thighs. After a month of marriage, one touch from him still weakened her knees.

A young guy, intent on catching up with two pretty girls, bumped Ari.

“Watch it.” Dalir growled.

The guy held up his hands in apology and quickly moved on.

“Ease up.” Ari laid a hand on Dalir’s cheek. “I’m fine. Stop being over protective, and while I’m on the subject, what’s up with the three Alandian warriors? I thought we agreed on one? I mean, look at them.”

“What’s wrong? It’s not like their brandishing their swords. They’re dressed like every other guy in this place.”

“But they’re still noticeable. They’re practically standing at attention. They’re also bigger than the bouncers in this place. Someone accidentally cut in line on the way into The Song and they nearly dragged them off. I had to jump in and stop them. They’re stressing me out and spoiling my fun. I’m spending more time keeping my eye on them than they are on me.”

He scowled. “Forget it. I’m not letting you travel between dimensions without protection. Especially not now.” Dalir rested his hand protectively over her stomach. “You shouldn’t be here. This place is too crowded for you to relax. You should be resting at home.”

Ari placed both of her hands over his. When he’d come for her through the portal on the beach, they’d lingered and made up for their separation. In eight months or so they’d have a son, just like her visions had revealed. “Stop worrying. We’re fine. I don’t get to see Lauren and Celine every day. I miss them. And, I’m not the one who’s all stressed out these days. You are. Relax and enjoy the music.”

“I know the perfect place to do that.” Dalir interlocked his fingers with Ari’s and led her through the crowd.

He received more than a few appreciative looks from women and nods of respect from guys who got out of his way. His loose dark hair was like a sleek pelt resting between his shoulder blades. A dark T-shirt showed off his muscular torso and jeans fit nicely to his butt. She could stare at the view all day.