Earth Borne

by Rachael Slate

  ***

  Thereus’s horse reared. A laugh bubbled inside him. He hadn’t located Melita. She’d found him. In that terrible sea of voices, she’d drifted to him and extinguished the pain. He’d recognized her the instant she’d connected with him. Nothing would disguise her essence from him.

  His passion for her erupted through his formless being. Damn. He’d confused her by unleashing it upon her. Here, she was different. His mind twitched in restlessness. He must bring her back. If too much time passed, the world they ventured to wouldn’t be the same one he’d left.

  Opening his mouth, he attempted to speak, but his efforts were worse than a newborn babe’s. He lacked the ability to transform his thoughts into words, yet he must convince Melita to desert this existence and follow him. How could he speak without words? He hated that she possessed no true emotions. Here, she borrowed his.

  Cursing, he hunkered down and focused. What would convince Melita to follow him? Lucian. If anything would convince her, her son was it.

  He reached out to her again. “Come.”

  “Why?”

  He formed an image of Melita carrying Lucian and projected it toward her. “That is Lucian and you.”

  Her essence stilled. “Who are you?”

  Images of him and Melita together flooded the space between them. Visions of them laughing and clasping hands. His lips pressed against her skin, devouring her. Their bodies tangled in the sheets as he made wicked love to her.

  “What is…this?”

  “This is love.”

  “Love,” she whispered in reverence. “I do not know love.”

  “You did. With me. With our son, Lucian.” Her regret, nay, sadness, blasted through him.

  “Why did I leave love?”

  Damn, he’d been hoping to avoid such questions, but he should have guessed Melita would ask. “To save me, our people. We are safe, my love. You can return. We need you.”

  Time passed with infinite sluggishness as she digested his answer. He fought the urge to add more. Inside, he pleaded she would say yes. Deeper still, the terror of her refusal brewed. Before she responded, he reached out again. This time, he reined in his lust, displaying only his utter devotion to her, and how he would wither into dust without her. His love.

  She broke contact with him, and suddenly, she vanished.

  He spun around, searching for her in the sea of blackness, but she was gone.

  ***

  Her questions had been answered. Melita. She’d been loved in her mortal life, and she’d cared for a man and their child—a family she’d sacrificed her life to protect. The man she’d loved had risked the same to save her.

  The notion overwhelmed her. She had to break away from this male, for a moment, to ruminate, so she went to the one called Mother. “What should I do?”

  Mother embraced her with her essence. “Go with him, child. This world is not for you. He is your destiny.”

  She caressed her mind with Mother’s. Then she drifted back to the male. His mind was clouded from hers in sadness. “I will go with you.” Even speaking the words sent shivers through her essence. Any resistance faltered before this male. The love he’d revealed called to her. She craved it more than sunshine. Beside him, she was no longer empty.

  His essence surrounded her, blocking out the world, gleaming with the elation of joy. He shared with her this “love” and through him she embraced it. “Take me away, show me love.”

  “I’ll show you more than that.” His tone rang with masculine confidence. “I’ll show you home.”

  She brightened. “Home.” Yes, that was what she desired.

  “Come.” He led her toward the strange presence. “No matter what, I will be with you,” he promised as they leapt through the darkness together.

  ***

  Thereus crashed to the ground. He groaned, groggy as though recovering from the most bizarre dream. His limbs flopped heavy against his body, refusing to obey the commands of his brain. Frowning, he observed how his fist was clenched. He whistled low as he opened his hand to reveal the glowing seed within. Instinctively, he closed his fist again, terrified of dropping the precious seed.

  “Warrior,” a soft feminine voice called to him. Grunting, he angled his head to the side. Small, delicate feet wrapped in sandals. He struggled to gaze higher. A silk robe, hands, a neck, and then… Persephone’s divine face, barely distinguishable against the bright silhouette of the sun.

  “You have succeeded, Thereus.” She smiled at him. “Place the seed in the locket. Once you reach Halcyon, you must plant it. Your mate will be restored, and not into a tree, do not fear. Remember, she must never leave the sanctuary.”

  He nodded, trying to gather his wits.

  “Hurry, her soul is no more than a child’s, waiting to be born. Should you fail, she will forever remain in emptiness.”

  He opened his mouth to argue that Persephone could open a Portal. At her perfectly arched brow, he thought better of it. This test was for him alone to complete.

  Thereus drew his gaze to his fist. His limbs were dense with fog, his muscles stiff. He willed his other hand to open the locket. Sucking in a deep breath, he opened his fist, and with precise movements, placed the seed within. Once closed, he clenched his fingers around the locket. His life rested within this piece of silver. He’d guard it with every ounce of his might.

  “Warrior, deliver a message to Arsenius for me. Lena’s true love shall await her with the rising of the next full moon. You must seek him out.”

  Just as he was about to question her, the goddess vanished.

  Thereus reclined on the meadow’s grass until sensation was restored to the rest of his body. As awkwardly as a foal learning how to walk, he struggled to his feet. He glanced around. The valley? A moment of panic seized his chest at the missing tree, but he calmed his horse. Melita was the seed, yet he couldn’t eliminate the erratic beating of his heart. Not until he planted her safely in Halcyon, and embraced her once more. Only then would he breathe with ease.

  He set his jaw. Everything was in order at Westgard. He’d stop by to collect Lucian, they’d journey to the coast, and hire a ship. Soon, Melita would be whole again.

  ***

  “You must take care of them, Thereus.” Alkippe embraced him. In many ways, guilt gnawed at Thereus. Because of him, Melita would never see Westgard again. Because of how he’d arranged things, Alkippe was not free to visit often or set up residence in Halcyon. It seemed so logical before, but the centauress’s tears slammed the truth into him. Once again, he was abandoning his home. His reasons this time were as selfish. May the gods spare him.

  What hurt even more was that the moment he was gone, Alkippe would recall nothing. Persephone would work her powers on the inhabitants. No one, save himself, would ever grasp what happened to Melita. This was the only way to keep her safe. From her brother and the other gods who would claim her powers for themselves. It protected the nymph world as well, from the lust of gods like Zeus.

  He forced a smile at her. “I will, Alkippe, I swear it. You’ll see Melita again.” She veered away, likely before her grief overwhelmed her. The centauress wouldn’t recall the truth, yet she was also clever enough to figure out why the Lord of Westgard left. He vowed he would fetch her for a visit soon.

  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.

  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, hal
f-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 Lapith
s.”

  “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.