Earth Borne (36 page)

She embraced and kissed Lucian fiercely, before placing a hand over her mouth and waving her farewell. Thereus tossed Lucian onto his back. With one last glimpse, he led his family to found their new home.

Chapter 33

Thereus lay awake, gazing at the stars, one hand clutched around the locket, the other wrapped around his son. He grasped the two things most precious to him on this Earth, and he wasn’t about to let either of them go. The floorboards creaked underneath him. The ship was cramped, a far cry from the elegance of the
Adrasteia
, but it was the only vessel available for hire to Halcyon on such short notice. Human ships were off-limits. He wouldn’t risk bringing a human crew anywhere near the sanctuary. A set of satyrs manned this vessel, half-animal creatures like him. He’d scented them. They were trustworthy.

The cabins were full, so they slept on the deck. Had he been alone, Thereus would’ve paced the length of the ship, yet Lucian accompanied him and the lad had fallen asleep at once in his arms. Lucian didn’t comprehend what happened to his mama, but Thereus promised him a grand pyrate adventure, and the treasure? His mama.

He grinned as he recalled the boy’s wide-eyed smile.
A little longer, Melita. May Poseidon bless us with wind in our sails. Soon, my love, you’ll be in my arms again.

***

The next morning, Lucian fearlessly climbed the mainstaff. His father, much less fearlessly, watched him. “Lad, get down!” he growled.

The first mate laughed at them. “Best get that lad a mother and quick.” He chuckled.

“Aye, I’m working on it.” Thereus grinned back, his hand grasping for the locket. He was about to discuss the charts with the captain, but the ship breached the curve of the shore and there it was.

Halcyon.

The sanctuary’s boundaries appeared nothing more than a rocky beach, studded with driftwood. Hardly worth a second glance. If one followed the stream inland, one would be stopped by an invisible barrier. A human wouldn’t notice. They’d simply go around, none the wiser.

Those descended of the gods would know better and recognize the barrier for what it was. A boundary ward. A powerful one. A series of words spoken with the correct intent of heart, allowed one access. Thereus’s own heart pounded in his chest, threatening to break his ribs. In a few minutes, he would hold her again.

Unless Persephone hadn’t spoken truth.
With a grimace, he shoved aside the vile doubts raging against his mind. This would work. It had to.

That Apollo’s rays hadn’t burned holes through their sails meant Persephone’s hand was at work, guiding their ship and likely even cloaking it from the sun god.

“Come, son!” he shouted. “Let’s go find our treasure.”

The lad scampered down and the two of them, after a quick smile of gratitude to the satyrs, dove off the boat. Too eager to row to shore, they swam. Thereus kept the locket dry, raising it above his head as he glided through the water.

On the shore, he stepped into a dream. A future with a family he’d never envisioned, yet was so desperate to claim. A thousand emotions rolled through him. Joy. Pride. Fear. Clasping Lucian’s hand, he squeezed and followed the stream to the ward.

Uttering the passwords
asphodelus
,
eros
,
aionios
—daffodil, love, eternal—he prayed they hadn’t changed since his last visit. Relief crushed the breath from his lungs as the air shimmered to allow them passage. Lucian squealed with delight. Thereus’s hooves shuffled in the dirt. Odd, to be here. Even more so, to have brought his family with him. He flashed into human form and bade Lucian do the same,
clothed
, so they’d blend in better and buy time before reports of a centaur spread through Halcyon.

Everyone would likely be stunned at his return, especially with a small centaur lad by his side. Once they met Melita, he hoped they’d understand.

He rubbed his bicep. If she was willing, he’d wed her by sunset. Grinning, he strode down the dirt path with Lucian, who was bursting with questions.

“Do mermaydes truly live in this place, Pappas? What do they eat? Will the Winged Ones carry me off to their nests?”

Thereus chuckled. “Son, let’s find your mama first. Afterward, I’ll give you both a grand tour.”

A rustling in the trees caught his attention. He squinted upward at a red-tailed hawk. Thereus inclined his head at the bird. “Hello, Nazrin.”

The hawk squawked, then flew to the ground in front of them, shimmering as it performed the
morphos
into a large, tall male with angelic white wings.

Thereus knew better than to mistake him for the creature humans called angels. Wind Borne were ferocious, deadly predators, half-raptor and half-human. Descendants of the wind gods. One only had to peer into Nazrin’s dark stare to witness the lethal beast within.

Hmm.
The male appeared to be in the same grim spirits he had when Thereus had last encountered him. No news of his mate, then? He peered at Nazrin’s left arm. No bonding mark.
Huh.

Nazrin copied Thereus’s greeting and bent to address Lucian. The lad’s brows puckered as though his thoughts shifted between fleeing behind his father and stroking Nazrin’s wing.

“Hello, little warrior.” Nazrin offered him his hand, and after a glimpse at his father, Lucian extended his.

“Allow me to introduce Lucian, my son.”

Not much surprised the winged male, and Thereus took a measure of satisfaction from the fractional widening of his eyes.

“We’re pyrates, on the hunt for a great treasure,” Lucian proclaimed.

“Indeed?” Nazrin chuckled. “Well, what kind of treasure do you seek? Your father can find just about anything, I’m sure.”

“Of course he can.” Lucian beamed and Thereus’s chest puffed. He loved being the invincible father. “My mama. We’re going to plant her.”

Nazrin smiled at the boy, his perusal drifting to Thereus’s left arm, before he directed a questioning raised brow to Thereus.

“I finally gave into fate. Let’s just say, I made my own pact with Persephone.” He gave a sheepish shrug. “Will you help me locate a patch of land, somewhere safe, within the borders of Halcyon?”

Nazrin didn’t question him further. Thank the gods he was the one Thereus had run into. The winged male knew too much about pacts with the rulers of the Underworld to demand more of an explanation. He simply nodded. “Follow me.”

Of course, everywhere within Halcyon was safe, but Thereus sought a special, private place. Nazrin led him deep into the fields on the other side of the village.

“Is Arsenius in the village?” He scanned the distance.

Nazrin tilted his head. “He received a letter from you, stating you would not return.”

“’Tis a long story, one I’ll gladly share.” Thereus lifted and dropped a shoulder. “After.” He unclasped the locket from around his neck and stared at the soil, suddenly unsure. Was there a proper method for planting the seed? A ritual? He raked a hand through his hair.

“May I?” Nazrin jerked his chin at the necklace.

Opening the locket, ever so carefully, he revealed the seed. The winged male examined it, a frown creasing his brows. “I didn’t know that was possible.”

He relaxed his shoulders, grateful Nazrin perceived what it was. “With your permission, I would fetch Gaven’s mate, Aedre. A Water Borne, in case the procedure requires water.”

His offer made sense, and Thereus nodded.

Nazrin shot into the sky.

Lucian paced restlessly. “Where’s my treasure, Pappas?”

Thereus paced. He withdrew his knife and dug a small hole. A few minutes later, Nazrin came back, carrying Aedre, a spritely mermayde, currently in human form, with long dark hair and keen turquoise eyes. Judging from her rounded belly, she would soon become a mother.
Gaven, you hound.

“Milady.” Thereus stepped forward to greet her. Despite her small form, he knew better than to underestimate her strength. Aedre was Halcyon’s skilled healer. If her powers matched Melita’s, they’d rival a god’s. He grinned at her, glad she was on their side. “Congratulations.” He inclined his head toward her abdomen.

“Thank you.” Her smile beamed and she rested one hand on her stomach. “A pleasure to see you again.”

“Aedre, this is my son, Lucian.” He placed his hands on the lad’s shoulders with pride.

“Hello, Lucian.” She bent and clasped Lucian’s small hand in hers for a moment. As she focused on him, he held out the locket.

“This is my mate, Melita.” He opened it and revealed the seed.

She frowned at him, and then at Nazrin, who nodded in reassurance. “Melita is a honey nymph, a
Meliae
. My guess is she transformed herself into a tree?”

He stiffened. “Long story, but her sacrifice prevented a war with the Lapiths.”

“Why the seed?” Aedre peered at the tiny treasure. “Isn’t transformation permanent for a nymph?”

“Thereus made a pact with Persephone.” Nazrin answered for him.

She returned his smile. “Well, let’s see about meeting your mate, Thereus.” She tilted her chin to the hole he’d dug.

His hands trembled as he plucked the seed from the locket and placed it upon his palm. “This had better work, Persephone,” he mumbled and set the seed in the hole. After he covered it with the soil, Aedre stepped forward. Water dripped from her glowing turquoise hands, moistening the soil. Aye, all Water Borne possessed some degree of power over water.

They stepped back and waited. And waited.

Just as he was about to let out a curse, the ground shook. Then glowed. A shining green mist rose from the hole. Upward it swirled, the vapor condensing. His body froze in this one moment of time. At last, the mist shattered and there she stood.

His Melita.

***

Melita awakened with an intense awareness, as though someone plunged her into frigid water. Swaying on her feet, she blinked. An enormous warmth enveloped her, sweeping her off her feet and embracing her in a darkly masculine, earthy scent.

“Melita,” a deep voice rumbled against her, hot lips caressing her skin. She angled her head toward his face. Toward laughing verdant eyes.

“Thereus.” She smiled and raised a hand to caress his rough cheek. He closed his eyes and nuzzled her palm. His heat spread through her whole body. He opened his eyes, revealing a familiar temptation. Her belly clenched in remembrance.

A male cleared his throat.

A younger male called, “Mama!”

“Lucian.” Her heart leapt as Thereus set her on the ground. She scooped her son in her arms and clung to his sweet little boy scent. Caressing her cheek against his hair, her tears wet his soft locks. Tall mountains and dark forests surrounded her. The hint of briny ocean filled her nostrils. This was not Westgard.

The male who’d cleared his throat spoke. “We’ll leave you. When you’re ready, come to the main square.” He opened his enormous white wings, gathered the female at his side into his arms, and shot off into the sky.

Was he the winged male, Nazrin, that Thereus had spoken of? If so, he’d brought her to Halcyon. How? Why?

She didn’t have a chance to ponder further as Thereus joined their embrace. He squeezed them tightly, until Lucian had enough and scrambled out of their arms. Thereus kept his wrapped about Melita and they sank to the ground. The sun beat down on her, but its heat did not compare to the warmth of Thereus’s love. She leaned against him and sighed. A million questions swam in her mind. What had happened? The blur of images whirling through her made no sense. Yet, an enormous feeling of ease filled her chest and joy sprang into her heart at being reunited with her family.

Beside them, Lucian dug around in the dirt, singing, “Treasure, treasure!”

“Treasure?” She twisted around.

“Aye, the lad and I are pyrates. But I’ve already discovered my greatest treasure.” He smoothed a finger down her cheek and tilted her chin to draw her lips to his.

The heat of him seared her; his taste ignited her passion. Had they been alone… He drew back and cleared his throat, obviously forming the same conclusion. She bit her lip and studied him. His body was tense, hard and coiled, his eyes dark with hunger. He was barely in control of his lust. She smiled. Only she had the power to bring this magnificent creature to his knees. Her smile faded as she shifted in his lap and detected how hard and ready he was for her.

“Thereus,” she whispered, “why don’t we join your friends, and after, find someplace private?” In response, his lips devoured hers. She moaned and only Lucian tugging on her arm dragged her to her senses.

“Mama, Pappas promised me we’d go see the mermaydes,” he whined. She arched a brow at Thereus, a twinge of jealousy poking through her skin. Thereus had spent some time in Halcyon, no doubt acquainting himself with many of the females. He clasped her face in his hands.

“Worry not, my love. If you’ll recall, I’m at your mercy.” He playfully rubbed his bonding mark. “I swear I’ve not touched any of them, though,” he cleared his throat, “rumors may abound otherwise.”

Ah, yes. His ruse, all to conceal his bonding to her.

“I’ll wear this mark with every ounce of my devotion to you.”