by Lyn Horner
“Ah, the golden fleece and its hidden treasure. I’ll get there, sweetheart. Eventually.”
“Now!” she protested. Ignoring her frantic pleas, he seemed intent on exploring every inch of her except where she desperately needed him. Half mad with frustrated desire, she reached her breaking point.
“Damn you, Dev Medina! Take me now or get out and I’ll do it myself!”
He lifted his head and grinned wickedly. “That’s a threat I’d like to watch you carry out, but not this time, honey.” With that, he rose to his knees, spread her legs wide and moved between them.
“Dev, you’re bleeding again!” she cried, horrified to see a small patch of red marking the white bandage on his side.
He glanced down. “It’s nothing, just a little seepage.”
“But you might tear open the stitches. We’d better stop.” She tried to wriggle away, but he caught her knees, stopping her.
“You want me, don’t you?” His cheeks were flushed with desire. He was as desperate for her as she was for him, she realized.
“Yes, but –”
“Then relax and let this happen, Goldie. We both need it and the stitches will hold, I promise.”
He couldn’t know that. She should resist, but he was petting the inside of her thighs, gaze locked on her damp center of pleasure, turning her insides to liquid fire. Giving in, she nodded consent. He smiled tenderly, lifted her hips and pushed into her, filling every empty inch. Clutching his arms, she closed her eyes and followed his lead as he drew out and slid back in over and over, gradually increasing the pace. Her heart hammered, her breath came fast and loud just like Dev’s.
Unmindful of anything but reaching the pinnacle of pleasure, she wound her legs around him and met his thrusts with wild abandon, crying out his name. Her inner muscles spasmed and she screamed in joy as the glorious release washed through her. Dev’s cry of ecstasy joined hers almost instantly.
As soon as it was over, he shifted off of her, careful not to put any weight on her bruised midsection, just as he’d been throughout his loving. Exhausted, they molded together in a tangle of arms and legs. Drained of all worry and fear, Michaela felt more at peace than she had in years – since Tara’s death, she realized.
“I love you, my golden goddess,” Dev whispered drowsily, curled on his side next to her.
She couldn’t smother a small laugh even though it hurt. “I’m no goddess, my hunky hero, but I love you back.”
He raised his head, suddenly wide awake. “Do you mean that, Michaela? If you do, you’ve just made me the happiest man on earth.”
She gazed adoringly into his serious blue eyes and wove her fingers through his thick, shiny mane of hair. “I mean it, Dev Medina, with my whole heart. You’ve opened my eyes. You would have been a wonderful father for Tara. Loving you isn’t betraying her. On the contrary, denying my love for you would be the ultimate betrayal of both her and myself.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you,” he said hoarsely, “but I’ll never give you a reason to regret giving me your love. I swear.”
“I’ll hold you to that.” She tugged his head down, bringing his mouth to hers for a light kiss. Then she twisted a springy curl of his chest hair around her finger and gave it a playful tug. “But right now I want to check your wound. And I want solid food more than words of love, no matter how much it hurts to chew.”
Howling with laughter, Dev flopped onto his back. “Woman, pumping up a man’s ego only to pop it like a balloon isn’t nice.”
She laughed and winced, hugging her tender stomach. “Sorry.”
He stopped laughing, sat up and patted her hip. “Come on, darlin’, play nurse if you want to. Then let’s get you fed. Can’t have my girl fainting from hunger.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Dev felt like a new man after a night of loving his golden goddess. That’s what she was and would always be to him, no matter her denials. This morning, despite her facial bruises, she seemed to glow from within as she lay gazing at him, her pale blue eyes warm with love.
“I’d like to keep you in bed all day,” he said huskily, rising on his elbow to nuzzle her throat, “but we need to put some miles behind us by nightfall.”
“We need to give our statements to the police,” Michaela reminded him, voice delicately vibrating beneath his lips.
“I haven’t forgotten. That’s another reason we’d better get up.”
“Plus, I hear Bianca downstairs. She’s probably wondering what’s going on up here.”
“Oh, I bet she figured that out pretty quick after your shriek a while ago.”
She cringed. “Was I really that loud?”
Straightening, Dev grinned down at her. “Honey, you screamed loud enough to wake the living and the dead.”
She groaned and covered her face with her hands. “Oh Goddess, I’m so embarrassed! How am I going to face her?”
“She doesn’t seem like the type to be offended that easily. Just play it cool. Oh, and maybe later you’ll tell me who this goddess is that you keep calling to. Hmm?”
Looking startled, she nodded. “All right, I will.”
They showered, dressed and ate the breakfast Bianca fixed, peppered with knowing, good-natured smiles that made Michaela turn red. As soon as they finished, Dev ushered her out to his SUV and followed her directions to the police station. Giving their statements to the detective assigned to the case proved painless. He’d already read the account they’d given the uniformed patrolmen the night before, as well as the report of Michaela’s kidnapping. He took one look at her face, asked a few straightforward questions and had them sign some forms. That was it, case closed. They were free to go.
On the way back to Michaela’s place, she asked, “Dev, where do you plan to take me after we leave here?”
“Good question. Lara would like me to bring you to her. She’s hiding out in the back country of Arizona with Conn O’Shea. How do you feel about that?”
She frowned. “I don’t know. There have been other attempts in centuries past to steal the scrolls. For that reason, Guardians avoid being in close proximity to one another except at the yearly conclaves. The location of which is closely guarded. But now, I … I just don’t know. What do you think?”
Dev shrugged. “I see the problem, Goldie, but I think the safest place for you until the Hellhounds no longer pose a threat is with Lara and Conn. But it’s your decision. I’ll be with you no matter where.”
After a moment, she said, “All right, Arizona it is. I’ve always wanted to see that part of the country.”
He smiled and gave her hand a squeeze. At her house, he came inside just long enough to assure himself all was well, with no sign of more intruders. Then, leaving Michaela to pack a few things, he took the Range Rover to be serviced. He didn’t want any car trouble during the trip west, which would cross dry, empty country where repair garages were scarce.
While waiting for the car to be ready, he called Conn O’Shea. He was actually glad to hear the other man’s voice, thanks to Michaela. Her gentle questioning of the reason for his blind anger at Conn had made him do some hard thinking. He’d faced the truth about who was really to blame for the accident that burned him and killed Ray Douglas. It was time to own up to his guilt and bury the hatchet with Conn, but not over the phone.
“Conn, it’s Dev. I’m calling to let you know Michaela and I will be leaving Galveston today. She has agreed to join you and Lara. I’ll stay with her.”
“That’s good news, Dev. Lara has been worried. How did you talk the doctor into going?”
“I had some help convincing her. It’s a long story. I’ll fill you in when we get there.”
“Sounds good. You remember where to find Josie Tseda? She’ll guide you to us.”
“I remember. And, Conn, when we arrive you and I need to talk.” Receiving a guarded reply, Dev ended the call with a grin. That should give his old buddy food for thought.
; He headed back to Michaela’s house a short while later. She met him at the door, packed and ready to go. With a hug and a goodbye to Bianca, who agreed to take good care of the house in the doctora’s absence, they pulled away a little before two o’clock. A few minutes later, Dev drove onto the causeway leading back to the mainland.
Michaela gazed out her side window, watching Galveston Bay, Dev assumed. She didn’t say a word but her drooping shoulders spoke volumes. Leaving her home hurt and worse sadness lay ahead at her daughter’s grave.
“The turnoff to Hitchcock is coming up,” he said as they neared the end of the causeway.
She looked at him. “You didn’t forget.”
“No, I didn’t.” He reached for her hand. “Visiting Tara is important to you. That makes it important to me.”
“Thank you.” Her voice choked up a bit.
It took only a few minutes to reach the small town that served as a suburb for Galveston. Dev stopped at a florist so Michaela could purchase flowers then followed her muted directions to Galveston Memorial Park. The cemetery setting was beautiful, with moss-covered trees and a bayou running through it. He meandered along driving paths to a newer section.
“Park there,” Michaela said, pointing to a curb.
Dev pulled over and shut off the car. “You mind if I go with you?”
She shook her head. “No, I’d like her to meet you. Does that sound crazy?” She shyly shuttered her eyes.
“No, it doesn’t, and I’m honored.”
They walked about thirty yards to a small heart-shaped headstone. It read ‘Tara Peterson, beloved daughter taken too soon’. Dev stood near the foot of the grave, hands stuffed in his pockets, while Michaela knelt to brush a few leaves away and place her bouquet in a sunken holder in front of the stone. She bowed her head and he followed suit. After a few moments, she looked up.
“Hi, baby. I’ve brought someone to meet you. His name is Dev. He’s a good man, not like the one who hurt you.” She smiled at him tearfully. “I love him and he loves me.”
Returning her smile, he cleared the sudden lump from his throat. “Hello, Tara. Your mom has told me a lot about you. She loves you a whole lot.” He felt foolish talking to a gravestone but added, “I want you to know I mean to take real good care of her.”
“Thank you,” Michaela said and gave him another watery smile.
Nodding, he walked off a little way, allowing her privacy. After a few minutes, she joined him and they returned to the car. Her eyes were red-rimmed from crying and her bottom lip trembled as she silently buckled up.
His heart went out to her. “I’ll bring you back here, honey, as soon as the Hellhounds are dealt with. I promise.”
“I hope that day comes soon,” she said, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. Let’s go.”
Starting the SUV, he pulled away and retraced their route to I-45 north. Michaela remained silent for the most part and he let her be, figuring she needed time to regroup. When they reached Houston a short while later, he exited onto I-10 west, the highway they would follow across south Texas.
Noticing Michaela shift in her seat and grimace, he asked, “Are you okay?”
“My stomach muscles are still sore.”
“You need to move around. We’ll take a break as soon as I spot a place to stop. I thought we’d spend tonight in San Antonio. It’s a three to four hour drive. Think you can stand it?”
“Yes, I’ll be fine. How long will it take us to reach Lara?”
“Two to three days. Tomorrow, we face a long drive from San Antonio to El Paso. It might be too much for you.”
“I can handle it if we stop for a few minutes now and then. You’re the one with wounds in your side and your arm. How are you feeling?”
“I’m okay.” His side was hurting some, but he hardly noticed the arm wound. “We’ll see how we both do tomorrow. There’s no need to push it, and there are a couple small towns along the way where we can stop overnight.
“From El Paso, we’ll cut across the southwestern corner of New Mexico and north into Arizona. We’ll meet up with a woman who will guide us to Conn and Lara. She’s Navajo and lives on the reservation in the Four Corners area.
“Who is she? How do you know her?”
“Her name is Josie Tseda. Conn and I met her in Afghanistan. She flew a helicopter, pulled us out of some rough scrapes.”
“She must be brave.”
“Definitely, and tough as an army boot.”
“My, what a flattering comparison.” Laughing, Michaela shook her head.
Dev grinned, relieved to have his golden girl back from the dark place she’d slipped into.
“So, we have a long way to go and plenty of time. Do you still want to know who the Goddess is?” she asked.
“The Goddess? Oh, sure, tell me about her.” He’d forgotten all about the subject.
“Very well. Her name is Danu. Some people say she was named after the Danube River or visa versa because the Celts are believed to have originated in central and eastern Europe, where the river flows. I don’t know about that, but in Irish mythology Danu is the Great Mother of the Tuatha Dé Danann, which translates to People of the Goddess Danu. They are the ancient Irish race of demi-gods. According to the old tales, they came from islands in the west and possessed magical powers.”
“Yeah? Like what?” He’d never heard of these so-call gods.
“Powers like mind reading and foretelling the future.”
Dev shot her a startled glance, meeting her puffy, lopsided grin. “What are you implying, Goldie?” he asked, jerking his gaze back to the road ahead.
“I’m not implying, I’m telling you I’m a direct descendant of the Tuatha Dé Danann and I suspect you are too.”
He gulped. Goosebumps broke out on his arms. “There’s a story in my dad’s family that’s been handed down from my Irish great-great granny Jessie. Her maiden name was Devlin, my proper name, though I hardly ever use it. Anyway, the story goes that her mother, Nora Devlin, learned she descended from Irish Druids.” Hearing Michaela catch her breath, he glanced at her again, seeing her eyes widen. “Does that tie in with what you’re telling me?”
“Yes! The Druids were a class of the Tuatha Dé. They served as priests and teachers and advisers to the kings. And they were the special ones blessed by Danu with powers of the mind, powers like yours and mine, Dev.”
“So you were right when you said we’re related, what, centuries ago?”
“More like millennia but, yes, I’m quite sure we stem from the same ancestral tree.”
He sighed and scraped back his hair. “You’ve given me a lot to think about, honey.”
“There’s more and I think it’s time you heard it all. If you plan to be a part of my life long term, that is.” Sounding very serious, she stared at him, waiting for a respond.
“You know I do, Goldie.” Spotting a sign he’d been watching for, he said, “But let’s hold off on you telling me anymore for a while. There’s a rest stop coming up. Time for a stretch.”
Later, when his head was filled with facts about ancient scrolls preserved and protected for thousands of years by hereditary guardians, scrolls that prophesied a future he hoped he wouldn’t see, he kind of wished Michaela was just an ordinary woman. But then she wouldn’t be who she was, his golden goddess, the woman he loved.
*
Hanging back just inside the door to the small adobe bungalow, Michaela watched Dev and Josie Tseda greet each other with hearty laughter and a hug. The Navajo woman only came up to his shoulder, but when he slapped her on the back, she punched his arm hard, giving as good as she got. Set off by a broad smile, her copper features were striking with high cheekbones, a strong nose and deep dark eyes. She wore her long black hair tied into a tail at the base of her neck.
“Man, it’s good to see you, Josie,” Dev said, holding her at arms length.
“You too, you big blond bear.”
Dev laughed. “Did Conn tell you we were on
our way?”
“Yeah, he called, said to expect you soon.” Stepping around him, the woman smiled and stuck out her hand. “Hi. Since he’s too dumb to introduce us, I’m Josie.”
Michaela smiled and accepted the proffered hand. “Hello, I’m Michaela. It’s nice to meet you, Josie.”
“Sorry, ladies. I didn’t mean to be rude,” Dev said, rubbing his neck and looking shamefaced.
“We know. You were just being your usual dumb self,” Josie jibed.
“Hey, watch it, Tseda. That’s twice you’ve called me dumb. Do it again and I might –”
“What, bear-hug me to death? You don’t scare me, big guy.” Josie pointed at Michaela’s fading bruises. “Since I know the bear didn’t do that, I hope he pounded the creep who did into the ground.”
“Yes, he did.” Grinning, Michaela decided she liked this feisty, outspoken woman very much.
“Good for him.” Taking hold of her elbow, Josie tugged her into a small living area that took up half of one room, the other half being a utilitarian kitchen. “Come have a seat. It’s not much but mi casa es su casa.”
Shortly thereafter, Michaela sat installed on a brown tweed sofa that had seen better days, sipping from a cup of hot, mildly scented Navajo tea. Listening to Dev and Josie reminisce about their army exploits, she felt a little left out but didn’t really mind. After the long, tiring trip across the desert landscape of south Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, she was glad just to sit on a surface that wasn’t moving, without having to shield her eyes from the blazing sun.
Her body grew so relaxed that she felt like she was melting into the soft cushions supporting her. All of her cares floated away. She had a hard time keeping her eyes open.
Taking notice, Josie said, “That tea is putting you to sleep, isn’t it, hon.” She rose from her chair and motioned toward the back of the house. “There’s a bed made up for you two in the extra bedroom. If you don’t mind sharing.” Her dark eyes glinted with humor.
Dev chuckled. “We don’t mind.” Catching Michaela’s hand, he drew her up with him and circled his arm around her. “Point the way, Pilot Tseda.”