by S. E. Smith
Angeni squeezed his hand. “Don’t worry. Father has him,” she said with a laugh.
“Thank goodness,” he muttered.
He softly groaned when a magnificent Golden Eagle suddenly swooped down and scooped up Tuwa. George’s curses echoed off the canyon walls. The Englishman’s shouts of displeasure were drowned out by Tuwa and Tadi’s squeals of laughter.
“How the bloody hell am I supposed to keep those two safe when your family ignores all my precautions?” George shouted.
“I wonder what the new addition will be like the next time we come here,” Angeni mused.
“He’ll bubble-wrap the kids,” Aditsan teased, caressing Angeni’s protruding midsection.
“Father, Mother, and my siblings are excited about our growing family,” she said with a sigh.
“So is George,” he ruefully added.
He surveyed the neatly graded path they were walking along. The area had become an impromptu meeting place for him, Angeni, George, and the kids and Angeni’s Spirit family. Between George and Angeni’s family, there wasn’t much else that could be done to safeguard their trip down to the canyon floor.
George had taken on the role of adopted uncle with a vengeance when Angeni became pregnant with the twins six years before. Her family had surprised him and Angeni with their acceptance of the Englishman. It might have had something to do with all the ‘improvements’ George insisted on overseeing to safeguard the kids.
He gazed around him with pride and contentment. The path was smooth and contained a beautiful rock safety wall courtesy of Angeni’s father. This was to prevent the kids from falling off a cliff like their father.
“It looks like most of my siblings have come to say hello,” she exclaimed with excitement.
“They aren’t the only ones. I think George has his eye on Tayen,” Aditsan said with a grin.
Angeni smiled when she saw her sister, Tayen, messing up George’s short hair. Tadi’s laughter pulled her attention to her son. Carried on her father’s strong wind, Tadi flew along the canyon as if he was riding a stallion across the desert. A sense of peace settled over her. While she and Aditsan’s life in this world would be brief compared to the universe, their lives and that of their children would continue in the Spirit Realm. That was the deal her father made with her when he realized the pain of her broken heart.
“It is good to see you happy,” Dyami said.
She grinned up at him. “How did you escape Tuwa?” she asked.
Dyami laughed. “Be warned, Mother is showing her how to grow flowers,” he said.
“We can handle the flowers. We were called to their school four times after our last visit. Tayen showed her and Tadi how to make dust devils with the wind, and Huyana showed them how to make water! Aditsan had George make a generous donation for a new school,” she dryly retorted.
“Wait until I show them how to transform,” he teased.
She groaned. “Well, you’d better be careful. George has banned Askuwheteau from appearing before either one in his fire form. I imagine he’ll do the same to you if he finds out you want to show them how to shift into an animal,” she informed him.
“He is very bossy for a human,” he muttered.
“Yes, but his heart is in the right place,” she laughed.
“How is Aditsan adjusting to living here?” he asked.
Her gaze softened when she thought of her husband. Aditsan’s decision to live on the reservation had surprised her. They lived the first six months in his grandfather’s home while he oversaw the construction of a larger one for them.
There had been additional changes. He and George worked on moving the main headquarters of Claw Corporations from Seattle to the reservation. Aditsan also implemented internship programs for high school and college students.
Their decision to stay in Utah gave her and their children more freedom. There were times when it was difficult to explain to guests how a dozen dust devils or an unexpected rain shower on a clear day could suddenly appear out of nowhere and hover outside to play with the kids. The move also allowed her new family to have frequent visits from her Spirit family—especially her parents who adored the twins.
“I’m adjusting very well,” Aditsan remarked.
Dyami grinned. “I’ve seen your homes around the world. I enjoyed your home in Sydney,” he said.
“You gave our housekeeper a heart attack,” Aditsan retorted.
“Yes, but I revived her after she fainted,” Dyami replied with a wicked smile.
“Uncle Dyami, I want to fly with Tadi,” Tuwa called.
“I am being summoned,” Dyami said before Aditsan could respond.
“You didn’t tell me about Sydney,” she teased when her brother strode away.
“George handled it,” Aditsan said with a sigh.
She leaned against him when he sat down beside her and wrapped his arm around her. They watched their children laughing and playing with her family. Out of habit, her gaze moved to the spot next to the cliff where they first made love.
“I wonder if George would be interested in babysitting tonight,” he murmured.
“He already volunteered—and Tayen said she would help,” she breathed, laying her hand over his arm.
“Perfect. I love you, my beautiful Spirit Angel,” he murmured, pressing a kiss against her throat.
“I love you, my warrior,” she said, turning to capture his lips.
A sigh on the wind swept around them. Angeni pulled back and listened. She knew from Aditsan’s inhaled breath of shock that he heard the soft whisper. Her heart melted at the expression of love in Aditsan’s eyes.
I am happy for you, Grandson, Niyol whispered.
“Thank you, Grandfather,” he murmured, knowing his grandfather would hear his soft reply on the wind.
Additional Books
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Recommended Reading Order Lists:
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About the Author
S.E. Smith is a New York Times, USA TODAY, International, and Award-Winning Bestselling author of science fiction, romance, fantasy, paranormal, and contemporary works for adults, young adults, and children. She enjoys writing a wide variety of genres that pull her readers into new worlds.