Beyond the Veil Mira- The Complete Series

by Trina Bates

  “Love, you and Alyria about ready?” Merrick yells through the small house. I look down at my doe eyed little love, putting the little purple bow snuggly on her head and lean down, giving both sides of her chubby cheeks raspberries.

  “They’re so demanding, always in a rush, aren’t they, little bug?” I say to her and lift her up, putting her in the stroller.

  “Yeah yeah, coming,” I bark with no bite in my words, wheeling the stroller out and rolling my eyes when Gor pushes me aside, taking my babe away. He goes and sits in a chair, taking Alyria out of her stroller and starts to coo at her, kissing her like the best uncle in the world. I don’t know why I even bother trying to put her down. There’s always someone there to pick her up.

  Ebbin swoops in behind me, grabbing at my ass and groaning as he grinds himself on me. I roll my eyes once again and shake my head. It’s been so long since any of us have enjoyed each other. I’m not in the mood and with how little sleep we all get, our hormones get all of us at the worst, and strangest times. Yesterday, it was Rhydian in the market when I was trying on new sandals, later it was Merrick when I was feeding Alyria. Rhett… well, I think he’s the only one of us that doesn’t show any signs of wanting to slow down. He’s always ready, and always needy.

  “Get off, you brute.” I swat at Ebbin and go into the little kitchen, grabbing myself some dried meat, more so for Cynide than anything. She’s been gone a lot these last couple of weeks. Her relationship with Vie deepening. She’s terrified that once we leave, they won’t see each other. I keep telling her she can mist here at any time. Gor and Torunn are so in love with Alyria, they’ve already assured me they will be visiting as much as they can, and we promised the same, once everything calmed down. Vie will be with them, but for her little heart, I do understand what it feels like to leave behind someone you’ve grown so close to.

  -Cy, you doing okay? Talked anymore with Vie?- I ask her when she doesn’t take the offered meat I’m nearly waving in her face.

  -Yes and yes. I think I’m ready to go back. What I’m not ready for is feeling alone, like I’m going to be the only one of my kind, anywhere in that realm. I’m sorry Mira, I do not mean to bring you down. You said it will get easier, and I will be coming here, and his home as much as we can, but that doesn’t keep my mind from the worry.- She admits and my heart goes out to her.

  I lean down on my knees and take her little Lynx form into my arms, hugging her tight.

  -You won’t ever be alone. Anytime you miss anyone, go. You know when I’m in danger. There’s no reason for you to feel this way when there’s never going to be an issue of me trying to keep you with me, or away from anyone you love. I’m sure there are others like you back home, I know there’s other Demons. For now, just enjoy what time we have and the rest will come, okay?-

  -Deal, but I require more meat, peasant,- she quips back

  “Peasant?! How dare you!” I say aloud and overly dramatic, my skirts fluttering harshly around me as I stand and turn sharply around, going to get her more.

  “What about peasant?” Rhydian asks, already knowing since he’s gotten the same thing from her a few times already. He drops a giant leg of raw meat in front of her and I can’t help but swat at his arm. He loves her so much. Always spoiling her with bloody goods that stink to high heaven.

  “You couldn’t have given that to her outside?!” I whine already plugging my nose as I step over her and go back into the living room.

  “Why? She’s hungry…” he trails off looking sheepish.

  “I hope you don’t do that with our daughter,” I mumble and watch him shrug his shoulders, wink, and disappear down the hallway. I give his back the finger and laugh.

  “I felt that!” he laughs, knowing exactly what I did.

  I look over to Gor and smile graciously. I love it when he comes over just to hold his niece. They have both taken to each other like peanut butter and jelly. He makes her giggle so hard when he dangles his now ear length hair in her face, tickling her little nose.

  “I am going to miss these mornings,” Gor says sadly. His eyes never leaving Alyria, but a frown draws his face and I can feel how sad he really is, that this is really going to be it. We leave tomorrow, after Blue.

  “I guess that means you and Torunn will have to make some more, just like her. Fill up an entire little hut with them!” I wiggle my brows at him and his shoot sky high.

  “We, uh, uhm…” he stutters and turns his beat red face away from me, a small joyous smile now on his face instead of the frown. “That is not something that has been discussed. I would imagine we have a bit of time before we get to that point, little sister,” He tells the window that he’s staring at, instead of me.

  I leave the subject alone, happy in my smug state to already be pushing him, if no the both of them in that particular direction. I stand up and go over to Rhett, sitting on his lap in the rocking chair, leaning my head on his shoulder while he rubs the small of my back lulling me into a dazed, comforted state.

  “Merrick, Ebbin, what are we doing today after Blue and her guys go back? I know I have to be the one to take them, but should we all go? Portal to your dad, beefcake? See how things are there?” I ask Ebbin directly.

  Rhydian walks back into the room at that moment, perfect timing and I wait for them to chat it out, seeing what they want to do. Ebbin is anxious to see his family again, there’s so much he can learn from his father’s people that I’m anxious as well. I also know the inevitability of having to call on Apollyon. It needs to be done. He said he would tell us when my own father’s life ends. But my doubts of him coming to this place, Yggdrasil, only deepen with each passing day. I don’t want to think he was holding off, until we had time with Alyria, he’s the fucking Devil for fuck’s sake.

  “He is, but he gave us his word. I don’t think that’s something he takes lightly either, bugs. We don’t have faith in a lot of things, minus each other, in him, as fucked as it sounds, I think we can. I think we have to. He’s too invested in this. We all know he has something else up his sleeve, something devious and will only work to his gain. He will get it done,” Ebbin grinds out.

  I know how much he hates to give the man any merit for anything, but I also know… he’s right. He made the deal for time, but there’s something he left out. We all know it, the thing that grates on us all is the fact that, though we made the deal, our terms out there, in the open, he left his shrouded in secret. It might be his prerogative, but it’s utter bullshit.

  I nod my head and say nothing. There isn’t anything that can be said. I’m an open book with them, they can hear my thoughts, feel my wants, needs, desires, not the pain of course, but they know.

  “Babe, come with me, I want to show you something. Gor, you good with Alyria? She’s fed, changed and ready for some sleep if you’re up for it?” Rhydian asks my brother.

  The immense amount of joy that takes over his face is so adorable I can’t hold back the happy pout I have on, seeing how in love with her he is. I hate the idea of leaving her, though I know he won’t keep me away long. Plus, the others, from the look of it, since they’re still all sitting down, or holding up a wall with their leaning, relaxed bodies, they’re staying here. She’s safe.

  “Go, make her smile.” Gor nods vigorously at the request and I’m pulled off of Rhett’s lap and tugged out the door.

  * * *

  “Grun!” I screech when I see my loveable, humanoid Spriggan standing with a bright smile and outstretched arms.

  I rush into his embrace, hugging him tight and taking a moment to bask in the feeling of comfort and peace he always emits.

  “You are not accompanying your mate, but me. I have something, rather someone, I would like you to meet before you leave here,” he tells me.

  I run back to Rhydian, kissing him heavily and pulling away only to smile at the heated look he’s giving me. His chest rising and falling heavily and the tent in his gym shorts making my mouth water. I wink at him, pulling one fr
om his book and walk back to Grun, turning around once more to mouth, ‘thank you’ to Rhydian.

  “So, where are we going?” I ask as we walk the hard stone path, passing rows and rows of tiny houses, almost exactly like the one I stay in. I take in all the plant life, wishing I could pick some of the illustrious flowers. I can’t though. Grun has warned me, most are either poisonous or will cause an adverse reaction in some way that will dull the senses. I can’t ever afford to let that happen, it’s kept me away from even trying to smell the pungent scents that waft through the air here.

  “I want you to meet the mother, the tree of life that gives us so much. My creator, and a constant that has never left, and is accepting of what I have become,” Grun says with a small smile and takes my hand, placing it on his arm as we walk.

  My interests fully piqued, I look sideways at him wishing he would tell me more, but knowing he won’t. I end up tripping on a lose stone, and before Grun can catch me, or save me from the fall, I pull my hand away from his arm so I don’t take him down with me and scrape my hands up enough I curse and tears spring to my eyes. They’re dirty and on fire.

  Grun quickly drops to the ground, his outstretched, healing hands ready to fix the small wounds, but I pull away, knowing I can do it myself. I need to learn more and the only way I can do that, is by doing things on my own sometimes.

  “I’ve got it,” I tell him calmly so he doesn’t worry more than I can feel he already is.

  I pull on the dueling powers within me, calling them to the surface and let the light take over, washing through me completely and healing the aches. I smile up into Grun’s proud face, stand and dust myself off, ready to continue on.

  “You are advancing much faster than I could have dreamed since training with the Valkyries. How are you liking their ways, and them?” he asks. I haven’t told him much of what’s been going on while I leave for my two hours a day when Alyria is asleep. I haven’t told anyone. Torunn is there, she knows but she’s also keeping things under the radar until we’re all ready to show this little city, in this huge realm, the things we’ve learned.

  It’s seems so strange to think that there’s an entire government here. One not unlike our own. Torunn might be the direct descendant of the greatest Valkyrie to live, but she’s not the all-powerful being that I thought she was to begin with. There’s so much more to this world, so many places to see, different sides of people that live elsewhere. I can’t wait to come back here and learn about them. But for now, training with the others, teaching them new ways to hone their not only birth-given powers, and strengths, but teach them about the gifts that have laid dormant within them. It’s been wondrous.

  The powers that be, here, in this realm, they don’t like change, so everything we’ve been doing has to be kept secret, of sorts, until we are all ready to show this realm how much more it can be. Corinthea, the house mother, and the General of Valkyries, has already called for the Powers to be in attendance tomorrow when the sparring match between us takes place. We will each take a partner, and duel with another pair, all of us using our gifts, weapons, and amazing talents to try to persuade the Powers that there are other ways, better ways to battle. Ways that will lessen the deaths of our kind and push wars in our favor instead of the enemies.

  I can only smile at Grun and tell him, “It’s going really well. I was nervous at first, worried that I would be the forever outsider, but they welcomed me with open arms. They all have taught me so much and I can honestly say, I love it even more now, being here. Their values are true to heart and they are honorable, purely good people. Can’t say I don’t hate the fact it’s a matriarchy either.” I laugh and watch the twinkle in his eye shine brighter.

  “This place, the people… They have given me so much. I can’t imagine leaving them, but I am ready,” he breathes out reverently. His words throw me.

  “Wait, you’re leaving!? I thought, I mean you said, you said you weren’t sure if you could with how you’ve changed!” I all but scream, scared he will be trapped somewhere. Also, knowing he’s leaving leaves a hole inside of me. I feel like he’s leaving me, us. Tears well in my eyes and as much as I try to hide them, I can’t, not from Grun. He knows all.

  “Do not fret, let the mother speak to you. Can you do that for me before you assume much more?” he asks wiping a tear away from my cheek. I feel absurd for acting this way, letting my emotions take me over that way, but it doesn’t matter to him. He knows how much I care for him, as he does for me.

  I nod to him and keep my lips sealed, but hold onto him a little tighter, not wanting to let him go. “I will wait, but after, you have some explaining.” I lift a brow to him and he laughs nodding back and pulling me along with him once more.

  We finally come to where he must want us because his steps slow and his shoulders square as he stands taller. Beyond us is a gigantic stone wall with wood gates so high, I have to crane my neck to see the top. He lets go of me and pulls one of the gate doors open and my breath catches in my throat.

  A giant tree, more than seventy feet tall from the looks of it, even though we still have a ways to go to make it to it, stands tall in front of us. Where Grun’s branches were filled with white tufts of fluff, this one has every color you can imagine, some I don’t even think I could name. The bark, white and black, it looks like it’s been lit on fire and then put out with the cracks of white showing through. My words don’t come, but the emotions do. With each step I take, closer to the gorgeous being in front of me, I can feel the same sense of calm that Grun always seems to carry wash over me. The buzzing in my mind starts immediately and then a motherly voice, hushed, but commanding. Loving, yet strong speaks to me.

  -You are more than I could have ever foreseen. Two futures were seen, one lived. You have surpassed every test and shown the realms who you truly are. Beautiful, unbridled love. The purest form of darkness. There’s been no other like you before, nor do I see there being. Come child, let me tell you a story,- the mother states and without knowing how I got there, I’m at the base of her trunk, sitting with both hands on her bark and leaning my head into her.

  -Balance is a fine line. One that was broken when the mate of your child left his world. When your father decided to take on the role of evil for himself, he did not follow the rules set forth. His end was meant to happen many moons ago for you, but when a father’s call tears one away from their duties, the executioner has no excuse but not to heed the call. The pain and destruction caused from his actions has torn many realms apart. That is why your mother, Siv, was chosen to leave her home, her people. She wasn’t given a choice, it was a duty all Valkyries must agree to. She did not know what she was to do, only to keep her heart open and learn of the people on Earth. If she was told, you would not be here. She knew of the darkness that he invoked, but thankfully, not his name, or what he might look like. We put your mother in his path to breed you. Your upbringing was a necessity we hated to give you, but if it was not to be, you would not be who you are on this day. I have given you back what was taken, what was forced and now I give you a gift if he so chooses and you. What I give is Grunwald. And from this day forth, your destiny is completely what you make of it, not what we intervene and make so. Choose now child, the gift of choice will always be yours, but to take on the man that has become so dear to you, is something you must choose, and choose wisely.-

  “What!? I can’t make that choice for him. Of course I want him with me, but what of his gifts, powers? How will he… be, in what form?! It’s his choice as well as mine. Please, don’t make me be the one to choose for another. I am so angry at what you’ve told me, I know there’s nothing to be done about it now, but it’s not right!” I scream aloud and cry into Grun’s arms when he lifts me up and away from the mother.

  “Shhh, I have made my choice, but I must hear yours, that is the only way this will work. Tell me what you want, tell the mother, my little one.,” Grun whispers to me while I cry harder into his shoulder, barely able to hear hi
m over my cries.

  “How can you make that choice?! If you stay, what happens if you go, what then?! I can’t do this Grun.” I cry out the sobs so immense my body is shaking and I can’t see from all of the tears. I don’t know if it’s just from making this choice or hearing how our lives, my life was essentially not my own, not something that was supposed to happen but did because… wait…

  “My daughter’s mate?!” I scream, letting go of Grun and stalking back to the mother, staring at where I wish eyes would be so she can see the glare, the fisted hands at my side and the sheer anger on my face. “What do you mean her mate, you can’t possibly be talking about the fucking Devil!” I scream stomping my foot on the ground like a petulant child, but still so angry I can barely breath.

  “Calm Mira, the mother has little patience for things like this. The only thing she will tell you now is what will happen after you choose, nothing more. There's no way to know the rest,” Grun tells me hesitantly, his voice laced with panic as he pulls me away.

  I turn on him, glaring still and have to try really hard to bring in my emotions. They aren’t aimed at him. “I’m sorry Grun, but this is about my daughter. Something has to be said, I need to know. It’s already starting to fade away, like my memories are being taken about what she told me. Don’t let me forget this. If Alyria is in danger, which is all that… man can bring, I have to know. I’m her mother, Grun!” I shout pounding his chest once with my fists in frustration.

  “Some things must be said, but they must be taken after. You won’t forget it all, it will feel like a dream and parts will be… skewed. Mira, you must hurry. The mother grows impatient. What is it you would choose of me, to have me stay here or be with you?” he asks reverently, the pain in his tone deflating everything inside of me.

  “You, I will always want you with me, Grun. You’re my family,” I whisper, the tears coming again after I say the words. I feel like I just sealed some unseen fate for him. I hate it. I turn away, the betrayal I have inside for saying those words out loud tearing me apart.