Earth Borne

by Rachael Slate

  “I buried her,” Melita whispered, “beneath the honeysuckle.”

  His gaze followed where she pointed. The sunlight shone on the delicate petals, warming them and spinning them to gold. As he clasped Melita in his arms, Thereus had never admired anyone more. “Let’s begin anew. The circumstances under which the Fates have brought us together might seem like a dream, but my love for you is real. Trust in it, trust in us.” He rose and knelt in front of her. Aye, it was high time he made this incredible female his wife.

  Lucian sprinted to them. “Pappas, what are you doing?” Green eyes like his peeked at him, full of curiosity.

  “Well, son, I’m asking your mama if she will do me the great honor of marrying me.” He winked at Lucian before focusing his attention on Melita, who smiled at them both mischievously.

  “What do you think, Lucian?” She arched a brow at him. “Ought we to keep him?”

  Lucian giggled at his parents. “Well. Only if he promises to let me play with his sword, and…” He spurted out a list of requirements.

  Melita laughed, sweet and clear, a sound he’d never hear enough. He grinned at her as their son rattled on, and seized her hand, drawing her mouth toward his.

  “Ugh, you’re not going to kiss her again, are you, Pappas?” Lucian wrinkled his nose.

  He peered into his beauty’s shining eyes. “Only if she says yes, son.”

  ***

  Thereus’s smile teased hers back. His devotion was enough to stop her heart. This man, whom she’d loved forever, was at last asking her to be his. Truly his. Tears mixed from joy and the sadness of many years fell from her eyes. One small word, and everything she’d ever hoped for would be hers.

  Melita leaned forward and caressed his face in her hands. “Yes.”

  Thereus lost not a second in claiming her lips and sweeping her into his arms. His precious nymph’s body burned, her lungs filled with air, her heart beat, only for him. This was life. Lucian laughed beside them, so Thereus scooped him up as well. He held the both of them in his arms, grasping her so tightly she could barely breathe, but she’d not tell him to release her. She prayed he’d never let her go.

  She gripped them both back, causing Lucian to squeal louder and demand to be put down.

  After both of them kissed Lucian’s cheeks, Thereus released him and Lucian galloped off. Again, she was alone in his arms. “You ought to enjoy this moment.”

  “Hmm? Why?”

  She laughed as he nibbled her neck. “Because once Alkippe learns of our engagement, this is going to become a mad house.”

  “Ugh.” He chuckled. “But I’ll do it right this time.” He set her on the ground. “To show the world my bride, to truly bond us as a family.”

  She smiled at him, but sadness sank into her heart. Her father and brother despised her. Her mother had discarded her. “I have no family to offer you, Thereus.”

  “Shh, my love. They may have forsaken you, but I never will.” He clasped her chin as she glanced aside. “No, look at me. I will never forsake you, Melita. So long as I live and breathe, you will have a home. I am your home. As you are mine.”

  His words flooded her with warmth, with love. On her tiptoes, she pressed her lips against his, sealing the promise. “As I am yours.” They stood, foreheads pressed together, her arms wrapped about his neck, his strong arms about her waist, lifting her, for endless moments. It was perfect.

  Until Alkippe burst into the room, squealing with delight.

  “Ah, Melita! Thereus!” She broke them apart, embracing them. “I told you this would come to pass, in the end.” She winked at Melita. “Milord, when is the wedding to be?”

  Thereus chuckled as he tossed his hands in surrender. “I’ll leave such plans to you, fair ladies. So long as it’s soon,” he added, his heated gaze raking over Melita. She shivered under his scrutiny, her body quaking in anticipation. I’ll never have enough of him.

  “Splendid.” Alkippe interrupted their stares. “Once you are wed, the bonding will at last be complete.”

  Melita frowned at Thereus, whose mouth gaped open as wide as hers.

  “What do you mean?” His features bunched into a scowl.

  “’Tis the last step, of course.” Alkippe snorted.

  “I’m not bonded to her?”

  Alkippe shook her head. “What you have is temporary. For the bond to last, ye must wed her.” She regarded Melita. “’Tis why I was certain you’d tell him the truth, as soon as you gathered the courage. You wouldn’t lose him again. Once you’re bonded, Melita’s life force will be connected to yours. She’ll live as long as you, barring any tragedies.”

  Melita nodded. Like Thereus’s mother and Oreius’s wife.

  “Of course, as she’s half-nymph, she’s stronger than a human. She’ll probably live longer too.” Alkippe shrugged. “It matters not, for you two will be joined, and we’ll at last have an occasion to celebrate at Westgard.” She smiled at both of them. “Come, Melita. We’ve a wedding to plan.”

  Melita peeked at Thereus, unwilling to be parted from him.

  “Pish posh, the two of you,” Alkippe scolded them. “‘Twill be enough time for making babes after I’ve seen you properly wed.”

  Melita flushed with embarrassment and Thereus chuckled, but his fingers clasped hers, as though reluctant to release her.

  “Very well, Alkippe,” he grunted. “I know better than to interfere in such matters. However, I do demand you return her to me later. Wed or not, she’s mine.”

  Melita beamed under his declaration. At last, he’d claimed her as his.

  ***

  While the women searched for material for dresses and such, Thereus had less frivolous things to consider. He must make a choice. Or perhaps, he already had. In marrying Melita, he was making a statement. The action stated he was at Westgard, to stay.

  He would renounce pyracy. Whatever war Hades and Persephone planned, Thereus wouldn’t be a part of it.

  He strode to his study. Resting at his desk, he withdrew a quill, ink, and a fresh piece of parchment. This was a letter he’d never pictured himself writing. How to begin? He mumbled as he wrote.

  Dear Arsenius,

  What I’m about to disclose might come as a great shock. Gods know it has to me.

  He cursed and balled up the paper, tossing it into the fire. He’d never fathomed handing in his resignation. Especially not when he’d yet to repay Arsenius. Had the son of Ares not appeared on that shore, had he not fought back those bandits… Well, Thereus would either have been murdered or enslaved, as Arsenius had been. A centaur valued nothing above his freedom.

  Yet he would renounce his.

  His mind stumbled over the right words, so he penned a different note, this one to his quartermaster. He’d command the Adrasteia to sail to Halcyon, to Arsenius, without him. Once he sealed the letter and sent it off with a hawk, he stepped away from the window.

  At his desk, he dipped the quill in ink, and let the words flood the page. He confessed everything. Those secrets he’d never discussed, not even with Arsenius. If he was going to abandon his best friend, Arsenius deserved the truth. Hopefully, he would understand, especially after mating his bonded female, Kyme.

  Sure, Thereus would miss the adventure, the excitement. Yet wasn’t he embarking on a new journey? One which would have its share of clear skies and rough waters.

  Of course, he was free to keep both of his lives, but he knew Melita. Halcyon, the violence, and the war to come, they were not for her. He wouldn’t bring her to live in Halcyon, nor would he abandon her for months at a time. Not when Lucian needed him as well. As would any future children.

  No, his two lives were incompatible and he must sacrifice one. He grinned, envisioning Melita’s belly full and round with their child. Aye, he’d made the right choice.

  He signed the letter and poured the wax to seal it. Attaching it to the hawk’s leg, he murmured, “Forgive me, my friend.”

  Yet in his heart, he knew this was w
here he was meant to be.

  Home.

  The Great Hall was a flutter of skirts, and the feasting table was unrecognizable under its burden of silks, ribbons, and flowers. Eione and Delia had traveled through the Portal to join them in planning the wedding. Indeed, it seemed as though every female in the kingdom sought a hand in the preparations.

  Other than the curious glances cast in her direction by servants and villager well-wishers, few acknowledged her new identity with anything other than a, “Milady Melita” and a bow or curtsey. Doubtless, Alkippe had given her staff strict instructions. One Lapith female might be the same as the next in their minds. Or, her heart secretly wished, Melita had already proven herself their capable, and deserving, Mistress.

  She reclined, regarding them with a smile upon her lips, as the females argued about which ribbon best accentuated Melita’s hair, which flower fit the season, and so on.

  Above them rose Alkippe’s stern voice, commanding the final decisions. She might be threatening them into submission, but she loved every second.

  Melita cared not for wedding plans. Tomorrow, she’d be Thereus’s wife. Forever. A joy so unfathomable once. Her love for him renewed, deepened. He truly loved her, for who she was. The smile remained fastened on her lips.

  “I know that look,” Eione teased as she came to sit beside Melita and handed her a teacup. “I’ve often worn it upon my own face.”

  Melita laughed. “Guilty.”

  Eione gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “Ka—Melita,” she blushed as she corrected. “I wish you had told me. Had told all of us. We love you. We never would have let harm come to you, especially not over this.”

  Melita squeezed back. “Thank you.” She studied the women scurrying about.

  Eione scoffed. “I do wish someone had mentioned about the bonding not being complete until after marriage. Mayhap I’ll follow in your footsteps soon.” She sent Melita a small smile. “I wish you true happiness. When Agrius told me your identity, I was shocked. Horrified. You have every bit as much royal blood in you as Kalliste and Philaeus. You should have been a Princess.” Her smile turned mischievous. “I should have guessed, since I’d met them both before and you are naught like them.”

  “Do you recall ever meeting me? Once, in an attempt to please Kalliste, our father invited a dozen or so girls to play with her.”

  “Oh yes, she was horrible.” Eione wrinkled her nose.

  Melita hummed. “As I recall, she went beet red with jealousy about a doll you brought, so she tore off its head.”

  Eione laughed ruefully. “That was my favorite doll. My mama had given it to me before she died.”

  Melita nodded. “And then…”

  “A sweet servant girl gathered the broken pieces and mended the doll.” Eione’s eyes sparkled. “Oh, that was you. You’ve no idea how much that meant to me.” She embraced Melita firmly, squeezing out her breath.

  Her shoulders sagged at being able to share her past with her friend.

  “When I believed you to be her, I put that incident behind me. We were children, after all. Though I’ve never forgotten I was not invited to the palace again.” She released Melita and regarded her at arm’s length. “You are so sweet, Melita. However did you live with Kalliste, let alone live as her? It must have been so awful, everyone having such bad opinions of you. Especially Thereus,” she added in a whisper.

  “Kalliste might have had her faults, Eione, but kindness existed in her as well. She saved me. By insisting I accompany her to Thessaly, she saved my life.” She hugged her arms across her middle. “I owe her so much. Even Lucian. He means everything to me.”

  Eione inclined her head, though by the slight furrowing of her brow, Melita judged her friend didn’t fully comprehend.

  “Well, I for one am glad you’re Melita, my nymph friend. And that Thereus has bonded with you. You deserve every ounce of happiness.” Eione smiled at her before lowering her voice. “I was right, was I not? About bonded males? They truly are the most delicious lovers.”

  Melita clapped a hand over her mouth to hide her laughter. Delia cast them a stern frown from across the room. Like a couple of schoolgirls, Eione and Melita broke into an even deeper fit of laughter. Despite the impropriety, none save Delia regarded them with disapproval.

  “I never envisioned being with any male would be as wondrous as it is with Thereus.” She stopped laughing. “I simply love him. I cannot imagine living without him.”

  Eione clasped her hand. “I feel the same for Agrius. We’re so happy for you both. After everything you’ve been through, you’ve earned this happiness in your lives.”

  Melita smiled, but a cloud formed over her happiness. “What about this war? Thereus is torn. I’ll never understand his feral nature. He was born fighting. But I’m a nymph. I can’t bear the idea of bloodshed, of hurting another. Even Philaeus. When he was about to execute me, I almost killed him. Sometimes I wish I had, or that I had allowed Thereus. But then, where would we be? I would never recover from such violence.” She shuddered, visions of Philaeus’s crimson blood staining her hands flying through her mind. “Thereus believes so strongly in his friends, in Hades and Persephone’s War. What am I to do?”

  “Well, I’m afraid that’s part of the sacrifice.” Eione puffed. “When you love someone, you must love all of them. Even if you don’t fathom every component. To ask him to renounce his nature is impossible. It would be like asking him never to take centaur form again. They’re creatures of passion, violence and tenderness alike. You must take comfort in King Cheiron’s decisions. He’d never agree to war without cause.”

  “Where will this leave us? How will I live when he’s gone for months, training his recruits?” Melita’s chest grew heavy, her smile grim at the prospect.

  “I don’t know, dearest.” She squeezed Melita’s hand. “Love can overcome anything. I’ve abandoned everything to be with Agrius. My homeland, my family, my people. I don’t regret it for a second because without him, I’d be nothing but an empty mess.”

  “These men do turn us into nothingness without them, don’t they?” Melita laughed. “You’re right, of course. I rather do appreciate that Thereus can defend Lucian and me with his entire body.”

  “Everything will be as the Fates intend. Trust in that.”

  Melita smiled at her friend, and past her, at the preparations for her wedding. True, the Fates never made sense in the beginning, but the ending was worth the struggle. Even in losing her daughter, she had gained a son. Through the dark cloud of tragedy, Thereus’s heart shone bright as her reward.

  ***

  “A toast to the bridegroom.” Hector saluted Thereus with his glass.

  “Aye.” Agrius raised his cup as well.

  Thereus lifted his glass to his brothers as they reclined in his study. He downed his drink in one gulp and eased back with a huff. Though Alkippe hadn’t allowed him to see Melita today, in this moment, he was impossibly content. Having his brothers with him added to his bliss. Oh, and the knowledge that by this time tomorrow, he’d be contentedly thrusting between Melita’s sweet thighs. He fully intended on escaping the wedding feast to dine on his bride instead.

  Such would be his revenge on Alkippe for keeping Melita from him. He’d considered several places, one hidden cave in particular that he’d explored as a child, where they’d never be found.

  Alkippe, the witch, had informed him he wasn’t to view his bride until the ceremony. No matter what threats or power he commanded, she hadn’t budged.

  The centauress embraced her role of traditional wedding planner. “A night apart,” she had explained, “will fortify your bond.” When she’d presented him with a lock of Melita’s hair and explained his mate wished to follow custom, he’d acquiesced. Hence the imbibing with his brothers. Anything to distract him.

  He was damned curious to test the completed bonding. Was it even possible to crave her more?

  As though following his thoughts, Agrius grumbled, “It would h
ave been bloody nice if one of you had pointed out that you need to be wed to finish the bonding.” He rose and refilled their cups, before slumping into his armchair.

  “Don’t look at me.” Hector raised his hands. “I was already married when I bonded to Delia.” He paused, rubbing his jaw. “’Twas the same for Oreius.”

  Thereus swirled the liquid in his glass. He couldn’t bear the thought of losing his mate, yet Hector’s indifference toward his was as unthinkable. A marriage of convenience was one thing, but a bonding of the same? He shuddered.

  “I’ll have to convince Eione to speed things up.” Agrius puffed. “I don’t like the idea of her aging even a day differently from me.”

  “’Tis a wonder Father never bothers to mention these things,” Thereus noted drily.

  Hector snorted. “Our sire has his reasons. The longer you’ve been alive, the easier it will become to fathom them.”

  Thereus tossed back his second swig. “Like how he hid Melita’s identity from me?”

  “Aye.” Hector tilted his head. “Had you returned to Westgard knowing who she was, you very well might have thrown her in the dungeon.”

  Thereus scoffed at first, but the words twisted in his mind. As the eldest, and with six centuries, Hector’s wisdom deserved serious consideration. What would he have done? He wouldn’t have executed a female, but he might have punished her. At least, before he learned the whole truth. Would he have been too hot-blooded to bother asking? The idea gutted him.

  He might not have fallen in love with Melita. Or bonded with her. The notion struck him hard, and he rubbed his arm. “What think you Father makes of this situation?”

  “He’s been aware of her true identity for years, brother.” Hector scratched his jaw. “King Pirithous has been ill for nigh as long. Father didn’t trust Prince Philaeus’s reaction to the news of the death of his sister. While Pirithous understands the fragile peace between our races, Philaeus doesn’t. I’m not certain if Father ever intended to tell them.”