Beyond the Veil Mira- The Complete Series

by Trina Bates

  “You can touch anyone, yes. Pretty much anyone can touch you as well. Unless they mean you harm. If you feel unsafe or feel a threat of any kind, or simply don't want something or someone touching you, the barrier will follow the way your body feels. The reason you can’t touch me is because when I cast, there is always a possibility my flames will come out. The barrier keeps them in. I make it so no one can touch me for their safety and mine. Yes, you can have sex. I wouldn't have put a protection spell on you that keeps me away from getting what I want to,” he says slapping my ass and getting another heated look on his face before he turns and walks back inside leaving me to try and think over everything he said along with trying to dampen my own heated mind and body.

  Following him in, he goes straight for the couch and I go to make us tea. Two steaming mugs in hand, I sit beside him but have my body turned so I can see him fully. “So what were you doing when I first came out?” I ask cocking my head to the side and taking a sip of the too hot tea, making me bite the tip of my tongue and take in a breath of air trying to soothe it.

  Taking a sip of his drink, he gets a disgusted look on his face and sets the cup on the table to his side. “Don’t care for the tea, I take it?” I laugh out with my tongue still on fire, but wrap both my hands around my mug so the contents don’t spill with my laughter.

  “That shit is not tea. Let me guess, it comes in a little pouch you put in the water?” He holds his hands up and dangles an invisible something, and acts likes he’s waving it around. His question confuses me a little but I nod my head at him.

  “Yeah, that’s not tea. I’ll have to bring you some of mine.” He says while shaking his head and his mouth drops in a frown on one side. Dismissing his comments on my tea, I wait for him to tell me what he was doing outside.

  “I put up a few wards around the property. Much like what I did to you, I did it around the entire house and property. If someone means to harm anyone that's inside your property line, they won't be able to enter. Sorry to say it, but we do have a few enemies. If we are going to be here with you, I want you to have all of the information. I don't want you feeling like we are keeping things from you or have something happen and you're not prepared. Not everyone likes having an Other so close. Hollows may tolerate us, but there are still a lot of them that want our entire race killed off. I can’t, we can’t, and won't, take any chances with your safety, whether you're with us as lovers or just friends. If Ebbin allows it, I will also put a ward on him. You're both family to us now. It's just how we are.” He’s so matter of fact with everything, I barely catch it when he shrugs his shoulders and smiles.

  “I know I would feel more comfortable if he let you. I don't see why he would say no. No matter what the next few months brings, I'm glad you're here. If there are people that don't like what we have, screw them. It's not their choice, it's ours, and we will cross that bridge when and if it happens, but I do appreciate you doing all of this for us.” Leaning into him I change my direction from his lips and decide on his cheek instead. It's not because I don't want to kiss him, I do, but I want him to see the sincerity in my words without getting into anything else. After the quick kiss, I wrap my arm around his hard, lean stomach and cuddle closer into him.

  “Also? Thank you. You didn't have to do any of this. If there's anything you ever need, that I can help with, please don't ever hesitate to ask me, deal?” He places his chin on top of my head and gives me a quick kiss.

  “Deal, now hush. I want to hold you for a bit before Ebbin gets back and takes you away.” Who in their right mind would say no that kind of offer? Sitting in his lap with my head on his shoulder, I finish my tea and we enjoy the comfort of each other and the silence.

  I must have drifted off at some point, strong arms are carrying me down the hall. Without opening my eyes, I'm set into my bed. I feel the bed dip beside me knowing it’s Ebbin, I snuggle back into him and he puts his arm over me. With his hand on my stomach, he starts drawing little circles on my belly, comforting me and calming me back to sleep.

  Waking up too hot, I try to roll away from Ebbin, but come face to face with his sleeping, peaceful face. What the hell? I know I just rolled away from him, and when did he switch sides?

  Muddled, I turn my head and find Rhett staring back at me with a tired but content smile. So he was the one to put me to bed and held me. I'm surprised Ebbin let that happen.

  “I thought you left last night. How did you convince Ebbin to let you stay?” I say to Rhett, trying to keep my voice low and thinking of a way to get out of bed without rousing Ebbin.

  “He was already asleep when I got back home. You both looked too comfortable to wake. I'm sure you both need the rest,” Ebbin answers the question that is meant for Rhett. Startling me, making me turn my head to see his smiling face. He pulls the covers back giving me an amazing view of his bare chest and impressive abs. Sporting some pretty impressive morning wood, I almost roll over to him to touch it, almost. I’m not about to start something I can’t finish. Instead, I make the excuse to use the bathroom. Getting up, I kiss Ebbin once before I head into the bathroom and stick my tongue out at a smug looking Rhett, his arms are above his head and he’s making his pecs pop. So weird, but kinda hot.

  Feeling more awake after I brush my teeth and wash my face, I go to find the guys that have disappeared while I was getting freshened up. Smelling the fresh coffee, I stumble to where the delicious smell is coming from. Walking into a hard body, looking up with a frown, Merrick’s handsome face comes into view.

  “Finally up I see,” he says with a lopsided grin. “Tonight it's my turn.” His words confusing me, I raise an eyebrow at him and frown. “What do you mean, ‘your turn’? I haven't had coffee yet. No cryptic shit this early.”

  “Rhett slept with you last night, I'm calling tonight,” he shrugs like his words mean nothing. When in fact they did. I want that, him beside me. That gorgeous, muscled body under me and behind me, on top of me. Fuck, I need to get laid. I shake my dirty thoughts off and grab a cup of coffee. Taking a small sip I can’t help but be surprised that he made it right. Two sugars and a little cream.

  “Thanks for the coffee. Rhett put me to bed after I fell asleep on him. I didn't even know he stayed with me until I woke up this morning. Maybe if you play nice and toss the ego, we can possibly talk.” Walking out the door I turn and wink at him, causing him to snort and almost lose the coffee that's in his mouth.

  Would have been better if it came out his nose. “I heard that!” I hear him yell after me while I’m walking down the hall.

  “You weren't supposed to! But oh well, now you know how I really feel,” I shout back to him, smiling down into the hot coffee cup before I take a sip. I burn my tongue as I let the warm liquid linger in my mouth for too long, thinking about the fact Merrick just seemed to read my thoughts. I swear I said that in my head, not out loud. Shaking off the strange thoughts, and feelings, I head straight for my seat in the living room that looks out to the woods, I notice a big hard body is already sitting in my favorite spot.

  “Morning Rhydian. Is this going to be a normal morning routine now? All of you showing up and taking one of my spots?” I give him a small smile as he turns and smiles brightly back at me.

  “Well since it's hardly morning, more like one p.m. that would be a yes, as for your spot…” He gets up, bowing with an arm out to me, gesturing for me to take the seat he just left. “I had no idea, forgive my ignorance,” he says in mock fear like I’m some queen that will take his head off for such an offense.

  Shaking my head at him, I take the offered seat and pull my legs under me getting comfortable. “Thank you,” I tell him with a middle finger in the air at his antics.

  He picks up one of the big leather chairs like it weighs nothing and places it right beside me. I know they’re heavy as hell, I’m the one that moved them into the living room from our bedroom a few months back.

  “I can see why you like this spot so much. I think any time, day o
r night, I could sit here enjoying the view, watching all the wildlife. You lucked out on this property.” I have a moment to appreciate him while he stares out of the window. His chiseled features, square chin, dark hair, and bright blue eyes. His strong body and all those delicious tattoos make my mouth water. He really is a beautiful specimen of a man.

  I quickly look down at my lap when he catches me staring and I think back to what he said. “We really did, almost every room has another spot for me to sit and appreciate nature. What's it like where you're staying?” I ask, taking a sip of my coffee, trying to get the blush that has crept in on me to go away.

  “I'm staying with Merrick for now. Rhett and I transferred over here a few months before he sent in his papers, Rhett and I were already transferring over before we met you. Merrick was on the fence but I think you swayed him our way. Thanks for that by the way.” The small smile he gives me has me feeling almost embarrassed but really grateful. I’m glad they’re here too. “He owns a large estate about four miles south of here. I think it belongs to one of his fathers. We haven't done much to air it out since it hasn't been used in a few years, but it's mostly just grass and a circle of trees surrounding the property, nothing like what you have here. You have so much new growth, the animals, the water. We just have a chunk of property,” he stares out of the window once again and exhales. I can tell he likes it here, not only from his words, but the calm that seems to take over him while he’s with me and just in general.

  “Maybe we should change that, for all of you. After all, if one of you is this baby’s dad, I would imagine you would want to spend some time with them there, in your own space. We should look into getting the grounds landscaped and more enjoyable.” I shrug trying to keep my face impassive and unreadable. I don’t want to assume anything but I was glad I said the words. I didn't want there to be any confusion on this. I would never keep a child from their father, or father from child. All I want for my little one is to have as much love and happiness as possible. He’s quiet and doesn’t answer my questions, so I ask more trying to get him to talk. “I’ve been meaning to ask, why you and Rhett didn't have any guards last night, but Merrick did, and what do you mean ‘One’ of his fathers? Rhett said something like that too, but about himself,” I ask peering into his eyes, trying to find the answers hidden behind them.

  “You would do that? You would let us spend time with him or her alone?” A sad look crosses his face. Before I can comment, it changes to one of complete surprise and happiness.

  “Of course. When I said you wouldn’t take it away from me, I meant for good. You want to be involved, I'm all for that, but taking away my rights, to my child? I'm not okay with that. I might not be a mother yet, but I already know I would do anything to keep this baby. Others always have the say over where the child will stay, and with who, I don't want that to happen and since everyone agreed you would stay here, there is less of a chance of them growing up picked on, hunted by the Hounds if they can’t get their powers in check, or taken by the Conclave. I don't want to take that chance, if they do turn out to be a… half breed.”

  Voicing my fears to him, it does ease some of the tension and worry I have been carrying with me. I don’t know how to go about saying it all properly, but I'm glad I got that much out, and that he's the one to be there to help me through it, listening intently and not judging.

  “We aren't like most of our kind, the three of us. My parents were the only ones that were a constant. The guys? They know what it's like to grow up Unwanted; cast out or castaway. I know what it's like to grow up loved. When my parents took Rhett in? It changed something in him. He learned how to feel again, how to love again. Merrick is the same yet different. He has parents, they just didn't care. Rhett was thrown away like trash.” ‘Thrown away like trash.’ That resonates deep within me, my heart breaking for Rhett. He’s so much like me.

  Running his hands through his hair, he turns away from me and stares back out the window again. I can tell he wants to tell me something more than what he did though he keeps it to himself. I will let him keep his secrets. He’ll tell me with time, when he’s ready. I have to trust that.

  “You’re right to worry but not for that reason. A child needs their mother, just like they do a father. All five of us will stop at nothing to make sure this child wants for nothing and always feel love. That, I can promise you,” he says as he leans over, squeezes my thigh and kisses the top of my hand like a true gentleman, making me smile softly at his gesture, the feelings I hold for him blossoming in my chest deeper, with each minute I spend with him.

  “To answer your other question, yes, Merrick has seven fathers. Four are still alive the other three died in a battle against the Hollows when he was eight. That's when I met him.” Getting a faraway look on his face as he stares at his hands, I sit and wait on bated breaths to hear the rest. “I was at a park with my mother and this scrawny little shit came barreling out of nowhere straight for us. Turns out he was running away from his three fathers’ funerals. He was sitting on the bottom of the slide when I found him, crying. That's his story to tell, I'm sure I've said too much already.” He winks at me and closes himself off to more questions and drinks his coffee with one hand on his massive thigh, and the other holding his cup.

  Are you kidding me? I’m going strangle him for leaving me hanging like that! That's not even fair!

  “I have two fathers as well as two mothers.” he says matter of fact and looks to me with one brow raised, waiting for me to comment.

  Two mothers? How does that work? Are the women partnered with each man or are they all, together?

  “Rhett has four fathers they all abandoned him after his mother died giving birth. Yet again, his story.” I squeeze my cup so tightly in my hands, I’m amazed it didn't shatter. My anger and hurt growing inside me. No one should be raised like that, or go through that. I can’t even form words to reply. I sit there gripping my cup tighter and tighter as I glare out the window trying to keep my tongue in check.

  “Now go get ready, Ebbin already got you the appointment with the Fae and we have to be there within the hour.” Rhydian pats my leg once, oblivious to the emotions tearing me apart in this moment. I take a breath and close my eyes trying to calm myself.

  “You seriously just unloaded all that on me and really think my head is going to be anywhere else, but dwelling on that? That’s messed up! This is not the end of this conversation. I will catch you alone, tie you up, and make you answer.” I wag my finger in his face as I stand with a glare aimed right at him. He smirks at my attitude like I didn't scare him at all. He should be scared. That was fucked up, you can’t do that to a person.

  “That is something I look forward to,” he says as he waggles his eyebrows at me. I didn't even mean it dirty, but if he's going to oblige me, then I’ll roll with it. I’m still going to get him back for leaving me in the dark. Teasing me with just enough for my heart to break but not enough to mend it back together. Asshole.

  Mira:

  I walk away from him grumbling unintelligibly under my breath and stalk down the hall to my room. I have no idea what's going to happen today, but I will be comfortable and ready for anything.

  Throwing on a pair of comfy skinny jeans, a T-shirt with Blue’s logo on the front, some flats and baggy hoodie, I run into the bathroom. Throwing on a little khol eyeliner and mascara, with a little concealer since my eyes are puffy and red from the worry and stress that has overtaken me.

  Before leaving our room, I grab the pocket knife I usually keep in my right pocket off the nightstand, and the set of electric rings Ebbin got me last year for our anniversary. They go around three fingers and on the top lays a silver bar, they look like nothing more than a set of silver rings over your hand. There is small button on the side by my thumb, if I need to turn them on I can just hit the button and a current of electricity crackles over the silver. They don’t hurt me since there is a rubber ring on the inside, but if I aim it at someone and hit them t
he current will race through them rendering most unconscious. They’re my favorite accessory, and I haven’t worn them in awhile. Now is the perfect time, going into uncharted territory with a Fae, who knows what can happen.

  Finding the guys waiting at the door, I grab my key card and motion for them to get going. Outside, a sleek white SUV that will fit us all comfortably is waiting.

  “Who’s is this? Looks pretty nice,” I ask ready to jump in and see what kind of buttons are in it for me to play with.

  “It's yours,” Rhett, Merrick and Rhydian say at the same time. My head turns to them so quickly I get a kink and my face contorts in pain making them laugh, thinking I’m going to throw a fit.

  Why the hell would I need this? I have a car. I just don't like driving it. Dang it looks so expensive! They are nuts I can't take this.

  “What do you mean mine? I don't need this. You can't just go buying me a dang car!” I exclaim while rubbing my neck and staring to Ebbin with wide, confused eyes and my jaw slack.

  “You do need this, Bugs. They passed it by me first and I thought it would be a good idea. Not only is it safer than what you have now, but it will fit us all and everyone pitched in. I want you to be as safe as possible going anywhere, especially while you're pregnant and after when the baby is born.”

  I know he's worried, but I didn’t think he was this worried. The waver in his voice has me instantly grabbing his arm and rubbing it trying to sooth some of his discomfort away. I know he means well, but he knows how I am with gifts and surprises. I don’t like them.

  “Fine, but it's not just mine then. I will drive it but any time anyone takes the baby anywhere, it will be in this, and I want to pitch in too. That's the only way I will accept this. Oh, and I'm driving!” I say to them all, trying to find the good in the gift and also spare some of their feelings. I don’t want to seem ungrateful.