by Nini Church
Disbelief written all over her face, Thany demanded, “Are you toying with me?”
“Always, ma pico. I could toy with you forever.”
Rad’s smile was wise as was Zulu’s. Both warriors were of the same mind – Met was a marked male.
Conn only shook his head, refusing to consider the ramifications of what might be – if Thany were to consider…shite! A God for their clanswoman? A vortex opened in his mind, threatening to swallow him whole – too complicated, too impossible – Thany and Met were fecking polar opposites – one a giver, one a taker. Aye, they’d all hear the clash of thunder before long. That eased him, it did.
Reno snickered at the same time Jericho snorted.
A God was a God was a God.
And, when that particular God chose this particular female with such abandon and dedication at the same time, it was hard to miss Met gunning for the Healer.
“Thany, lass.” Duke roared, entering the kitchen with Esme in tow. “What the feck are ye wearing? I can see yer body, lass.”
She glanced down. “Holy feck…” Thany’s head shot up so fast everyone heard the crack of her spine. She didn’t care for the free show she’d just given – without even knowing it.
Met tore off his shirt as overhead light hit the material and he saw her completely fucking naked. In seconds, he had his shirt draped across her shoulders as she slithered her arms in and tucked it closed in front with her fist.
Thany’s face turned the color of deep, red wine.
They waited politely for the two to settle until Duke impatiently lost it. “Will ye get on with it, fer feck sake! What did ye find?”
Met answered. “It’s not what we found, but who. Aili mentioned to Bethany that she’d heard a female voice speaking a few words shortly after she entered the first stages of the Fade which, by the way, is where Fate was doing her dirty work. I had my suspicions and Bethany and I checked it out. Turns out Fate fucked with a lot of souls passing through the Fade, including drawing those in before their time. Like Aili.”
Thany huffed impatiently. “Quit dithering already. What it’ll take him an hour to say is that Fate was stealing portions of souls, many of them, to feed off their final energy. By doing that, Fate fecking ensured their passing remained incomplete just as she did to aer Aili.”
“And?” Esme’s voice was high pitched with a mix of near panic and relief.
Met squinted – it wasn’t often he was asked to explain himself or what he did, but here in the Third dimension it was necessary. And besides, there was no real mystery here, yet normally he would hedge admitting anything. “I’ve banished Fate to punish her for her crimes against Aili and others. She’ll be gone for a while. Destiny will maintain the balance. She’s quite capable. We’ve retrieved what belongs to Aili.”
Soft cheers from many layered over the kitchen. Esme and Duke hugged Aili, but she returned to Reno quickly.
From his pocket, Met pulled out a tiny item, cupping it in his hand. Both golden cuffs on his wrists glowed briefly.
Aili let out a long gust of air as Reno drew her into his arms. She felt wobbly as if she were split into parts and a gaping hole left where a piece of her was gone. Yet, she felt a light within that hadn’t been there before. It gave her hope this might be really happening. That what Thany and Met had brought back – would fill that gaping hole inside – and make her whole again.
“Then we’ve not a moment to lose. What’s to be done?” Esme eagerly motioned Aili and Reno to come closer.
Met opened his palm to show a small, clear teardrop. Unfortunately, it didn’t occur to him until recently, that Fate may have also stolen Aili’s essence.
Aili and Reno were riveted on the small teardrop.
Met held out his hand. “Aili, you must take it from me freely and swallow it.”
Aili did with a big smile. Nothing happened, she felt no different.
Everyone crowded round, waiting and praying it worked.
When Aili let out a Whoop of pure joy and then, another, they all cheered and Reno swung her around like a rag doll.
It was impossible now to stop the healing wave washing over Aili and like a jigsaw puzzle’s final pieces falling into place, she experienced bits fitting back together, meshing again somewhere deep in her being.
Light headed, she couldn’t believe it was happening. That gaping, black maw inside her wasn’t exactly filled up, but shadows and shapes flitted across it. A gushing breath erupted and Aili clapped her hands and did a fast jig.
After a swift kiss to her mate’s cheek, Aili rushed Metatron, her arms not going all the way around the big God’s waist as she hugged him hard. “I’m so grateful, Met. I canna ever thank you enough.”
Then, she turned to Thany and they hugged so hard Aili groaned.
A wide, warm smile lit Thany’s features– she was happy, sensing Aili’s mind rapidly healing. She tried not to look at the big, looming God – a God who had just swept her away on a frightening and thrilling adventure of a lifetime…
Reno and Aili watched the play between Metatron and Bethany.
Aili nodded several times and whispered, “I told you so.”
Reno reached down, cupping her chin, drawing her in for a quick kiss. “Mo leannan, we’ve got enough catching up to keep us busy for the next life time or two. Let’s stay focused on us. You. Me. We. And, everything in between, baby. I love you, You’re mine. Forever.”
Aili smirked. “I love you. And, Reno, you’re all mine. Forever.”
Seems love was in the air.
And, everywhere.
EPILOGUE
Leaning against the back door with his arms crossed over his massive chest, Reno studied Aili on the far side of the backyard with Abe, swinging the twins around as they loudly giggled with delight. She hadn’t had an episode of slipping back to that hideous Nothingness for weeks now. Her journals were proof of it as she listed the daily items that took up her time. But, that wasn’t what convinced Reno all was truly well with his mate.
It was her constant – and thrilling – pursuit of him. Aili was relentless when she wanted that deeper connection with him and often insisted he take a break. In Reno’s terms, he was in fucking heaven and always eager to satisfy Aili’s need for sex and intimacy.
And, everyone else noticed it too – ‘cause Aili wasn’t shy when searching for him, asking around and then, he’d disappear for a couple of hours... Hell, Reno didn’t care, he found it fuckin’ awesome. His Aili was sexy as hell when she wanted him.
Jericho shifted in beside Reno. “Hell, you better scoot or you’ll be taking another break once Aili spies you.”
With his Hollywood white smile on full display, Reno shook his head. “She’ll never get enough of me, if she has her way. Is it always gonna be like this?”
A Cheshire smile graced Jericho’s face. “Damn straight.”
Reno insisted they take some time to themselves and when Duke suggested a lovely little cottage at Skye that sat by the sea and had all the amenities his daughter liked – Reno was all in.
Except, he swore Duke to secrecy and neither shared with their mates.
When Aili awoke that morning, it was to find her suitcases packed and Reno carrying her out the front door of the compound.
Their journey to the fair isle wasn't wasted as they made love over oceans and seas, flying along in many ways. A slice of bliss for Reno and added memories for Aili.
They didn’t head into Edinburgh, but out into the country. After miles of nothing but hills and sheep, Reno asked, “Are we there yet?”
Aili snorted out a laugh and shook her head. They were still an hour away from Skye, but she wasn’t going to share that with him. Nor had she shared any details about her home, the family seat of Clan McFeerson.
When they finally rounded a wide curve and headed towards a big mountain with a wash of blue sea right beside it – Skye revealed herself.
She was glorious and impossible, but really there. How was it
possible? The beauty of her architecture, smooth planes and rounded curves all drew the eye in with wonder.
The splendor of Aili’s home wasn’t lost on Reno. His eyes roved over stone balustrades, sweeping staircases and the long winding drive, all making the massive structure feel alive to him – in balance and working as she should. She?
Was it…possible a castle could hold such energies?
Reno grinned widely, he was coming to believe that truly anything was possible – with those who were from the Fair Isle and while visiting it too.
Pure magic this place – as was the magnificent structure before him. Was it made from stone mixed with a bit of magic?
Skye was built into the side of a gray granite mountain, only it’s stone was pure white. Turrets strutted upwards and a bounty of flowers flowed out of window boxes, dotting the sheer white face of the massive castle. Waves crashed and the air was layered with the enticing smell of the sea, drawing Reno’s eye to the private, very large cove that obviously serviced the castle.
Reno was mesmerized by the engineering, the ability to build a huge castle into a fucking rock face. It looked like a fairy tale – all white and glistening in the sun. “Well, mate, if this is the house, I’m wondering what the fuck the cottage is gonna be like.”
“Oh, maybe I didn’t mention it, but the cottage is much, much smaller. It only has about twenty or so rooms.”
“Seriously?” Reno was thinking more along the lines of a three room shack with a fireplace to make love in front of. This, any of it, he wasn't expecting.
After he accepted Duke’s kind offer of a cottage on his lands, Aili’s Da had added for good measure that Skye was only a wee pile in the countryside. Duke stressed it wasn’t anything grand or fancy, like, but it did fine for him and his family.
Reno couldn’t believe it – Duke had snookered him again.
Skye was no wee pile out in the middle of barren rolling hills.
She dominated the landscape, capturing the eye, the imagination and refusing to let go with all her crenulated surfaces, curves and twisting turrets.
A wide smile lit up his curious blue eyes.
Adding to the splendor – above the peaks of the castle hung a wreath of misty, frothy, fairy tale clouds.
Pure fucking magic, man, just like his Aili.
A week later, Reno never wanted to go home. He was too busy keeping six on Aili, who was healing a few strays that had wandered in – not true, he’d discovered his Aili slipping away to hunt for strays and injured animals. All by herself. Alone.
Not on his fucking watch. Ever.
They went together and Reno couldn’t remember the last time he found such peace, such harmony, helping Aili hunt for wounded sick animals. No threats, no killing, no death, no nothing that wasn’t pleasant and nice. A total fucking respite from his daily world.
Today, Aili packed her knapsack full of delicious treats to tempt Reno’s taste buds. Tender pasties and a cold pasta salad along with mounds of shaved beef – cured in her Da’s storehouse – and rounded out with a jug of the finest ale from Skye. A loaf of Ma’s best crunchy bread and a hunk of Reno’s favorite – blue cheese – and their picnic feast was complete.
After trudging along in heavy undergrowth for over two hours, Reno was wondering when they were going to get to finding some injured animals when he spied a beautiful little stone cottage, no bigger than two or three rooms with smoke wafting from the chimney.
“It used to be broken down and wrecked. Me Da knew I loved it and set me and my brothers the challenge of setting it to rights. Now, its officially ours. It’s our piece of Skye and I wanted to share it with you. Maybe spend the night…”
Reno let out a loud Whoop of joy just because he could. They were safe, protected and ready to enjoy. No, he hadn’t missed that a contingent of Duke’s finest warriors accompanied them at all times. Well trained, they mostly stayed out of sight, but Reno had seen an eager gleam in an eye or two when landing on him.
When he had some time, he was going to thank all of them. As Duke would say, Reno owed them a boon.
They made love in all the rooms and stayed for two whole days.
This place was Nirvana for Reno. He could actually feel his batteries recharging, his soul mending, his outlook growing and best of all Aili was right beside him.
His mate.
“I love you, Aili, heart and soul, baby.”
“Reno, I love you. I think I fell in love with you the first time we met.”
“So, Doc, you wanna lay on the couch and tell me all about it?”
Aili laughed and kissed Reno long and hard and when she broke their kiss, he demanded, “What? You’re ready to leave this sweet cabin so soon?”
“No, never. I could stay here forever with you. But, we’ve got to get back to Skye. There’s a formal dinner tonight and I want to show you off.” Aili grinned wickedly and threw in a sexy wink. “As a boon, I’ll not wear any panties. Just to keep you on your toes.”
In absolute heaven that his Aili meant to tease him – all fucking night long – Reno purred.
Thanks for reading RENO, Book Two of The Jinn Cycle.
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Next in the series is Metatron. Turn the page for a sneak peak.
METATRON, Book Three of The Jinn Cycle
METATRON, The Jinn Cycle – Book Three
PROLOGUE
Metatron Mykos Evergreen was a God.
A bona fide God.
A God of old with a powerful reputation on all dimensions and those well beyond and unknown as they were chiefly empty now since most of those Gods were annihilated during the First Jinn Rebellion. And, those Gods had deserved annihilation.
He considered himself one of the lucky ones who had retained his innate equanimity to hold level - no matter what was thrown at him - and not seek out the darker side of revenge, self-aggrandizement, or his own betterment above all others. Gods had a bad rep for casting others aside, taking what they wanted and to hell with consequences.
Metatron wasn’t one of those Gods.
Met learned at a young age at the knee of his father that consequences were everything. Every action brought a reaction and the only way to control it was to take the right step and thereby ensure the correct outcome. It had held him in good stead for the whole span of his life. A true blessing of knowledge he'd never forgotten.
Just shy of six foot seven, skin bronzed to a tawny lustre, eyes of gold and a mane of wheat blonde hair all combined into a beautifully handsome God. He wore black jeans with a black silk shirt – sleeves rolled back to reveal heavily etched golden cuffs gracing both wrists. Under his shirt, gossamer thin, revealed roping, hard muscle across all parts of his amazing body.
It was hard to tell Met’s exact size as he seemed to change - growing smaller, then larger. All beauty and perfection with his long golden wheat hair trailing down his broad back and his bronzed skin glowing.
Metatron was all God – all male – and beyond fantastically good looking.
In the flesh for now.
The old adage that good looks were only skin deep was absolutely fucking true. He had known many who were beautiful on the outside and rancid with corruption and darkness inside.
Met always understood, since his inception, that being a God gave him more power than most and for that he’d always been honored, accepting and aware that he held enough power within his being, he didn’t need more. Nor did he ever covet what another held.
Until now.
Right now, he understood completely why males from all dimensions went bat shit crazy over their chosen females - their mates. Bethany Mithrail lit a fire within him that nothing could staunch.
He craved her.
Bethany blended so naturally with him - he sensed the exclusive and all-encompassing space she took up within him - as if it were just
waiting for her to appear and fill it.
From the moment his feet hit the floor - God’s don’t sleep, but rejuvenate and rest - his thoughts were solely on Bethany. Where she was? – hopefully, safe. What was she was thinking? – hopefully, about him on occasion.
Metatron Mykos Evergreen was a God without his chosen female.
The one female he wanted above all others.
The one female he needed more than anything - for she completed him.
A handsome male, he never had problems with females, except for Bethany. Without any experience in rejection, he was still in disbelief that she didn’t come to him with open arms. Every other female always embraced his attentions - eagerly.
As anyone can imagine, sex with a God is pure bliss.
All females are well aware of this and never turn down the opportunity.
At least in the past that had been the case.
Now?
Nada.
That Bethany dismissed him without cause or reason was no longer amusing.
It hurt. Deep within his being. Nobody, as in no body, had ever done that before.
Yet, his Bethany had left him - snuck away from him at the first opportunity. Fuck! Truth? He’d never actually had her to have her leave him high and dry and therefore lose her, but it felt like it and that’s all that mattered to Metatron’s heart, rumbling with displeasure.
Profound questions bombarded him, questions he couldn’t answer. That was a first. Their connection was instant for him so how could Bethany not feel it too? How could he lose something cherished beyond anything else? Had he frightened her away?
Unable to come up with any answers, Met shot beyond the sphere of simple dimensions into space, allowing his natural replicate form to spread over vast distances. Colorful squares, circles and every shape imaginable rippled through his form, blending, combining into unique patterns.