by Lisa Oliver
“Ferdin didn’t strike me as the type of man who’d appreciate a celebration.”
“You can be surprisingly perceptive at times.” Orin twisted his neck and winked at his mate, before settling back in his original position. “Ferdin wasn’t overly pleased, I think he was still in shock. He hadn’t even moved in with Valouf, because Valouf and his wife were still sharing a house. Cathair turned up and demanded Ferdin and Valouf immediately move into the Elder’s quarters in the palace, as was befitting a man of Valouf’s station, leaving the wife with the house. But the best thing for Ferdin was, that as soon as the head of the library heard about Ferdin’s change in status, Ferdin got a promotion. That freaking family of his had been undermining his chances of doing well at the library too.”
Thor yawned and stretched. “It’s going to take that family a while to find all the body parts I threw about. Might give them time to think about what they’ve done now the runt of the family has done so well for himself.”
“Valouf has ordered the whole family under house arrest with anti-magic cuffs until he gets to the bottom of their treatment of Ferdin. Maybe today was the slap in the face he needed to treat his mate with a bit more respect.” Rolling over Orin, blew a raspberry on Thor’s belly. “I really don’t like that realm. Tell me we don’t have to go there too often.”
“Your father can always come and visit us.” Thor yawned again. “Gods, I must be getting old. See what mating has done to me? Turned me into a giant pussycat.”
“You were magnificent today; did I tell you that?”
“I’ll rip bullies apart for you anytime, my sweetness.” Thor’s hand was firm and comforting on Orin’s head.
“It wasn’t only that. Being there when I met my dad. I couldn’t have done it without you. Then the words you said before you ripped those guys new assholes. It’s as if you were proud of me and that meant the world to me.”
Sitting up in one fluid motion, Thor cradled Orin in his arms, which Orin secretly felt was the best place in the world to be. “I dismissed you, when we first met, because of your stature and I was wrong. You’ve shown me what strength truly is. It’s in here,” Thor placed his hand over Orin’s heart. “I’ve been blessed with a gorgeous cat shifter who has the heart of a lion. A man who can charm the birds from the trees, and ride the storm with a smile on his face. I couldn’t be more proud you’re mine, and I love you, always.”
“Always,” Orin echoed. It had a nice ring to it.
Epilogue
Five weeks later
“Fuck, that’s annoying.”
Orin peered over the edge of the book he was reading. Jason was sitting on the couch, rubbing his back. With still two months at least to go, by human reckoning, Jason’s belly was swollen, along with his poor ankles. “What’s the matter? Have you got a cramp or something?”
“I don’t know what it is.” Jason stretched and tried to get comfortable. “Any idea when Lasse and Thor will be back?”
“It shouldn’t be much longer. They’ve been gone two hours as it is.” Thor and Lasse were attending a god conference. Yes, there was such a thing, although they didn’t meet very often. While rumors and most of the fuss surrounding Orin’s necklace had died down, Poseidon thought it would be a good idea for the major gods to get together and put some rules in place, so Orin would be left alone. Lasse hadn’t wanted to go, but as Orin wasn’t allowed to, Orin asked him to accompany Thor, who was likely to throw a tantrum of epic proportions if anyone threatened Orin’s existence. Orin agreed to keep Jason company.
With that in mind, he put down his book and got to his feet. “Can I get you anything? Another pillow? Something to drink?”
“No, thank you. FUCK!” Turning on his side, Jason’s teeth were barred. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think my sphinx wants to come out.”
“Your stone form? Won’t that kill the baby?” Orin eyed Jason nervously.
“Not that. My furry…. Oh shit, move the coffee table, quick.”
Orin waved his hand, sending the coffee table to the side of the room with a clunk. Patches of fur were appearing all over Jason’s naked torso, then disappearing and reappearing in rapid succession. His belly, which was as solid as a rock, rippled in time to Jason’s panting.
“You need Lasse.” Orin didn’t have a clue what to do.
“I need to shift.” Jason screamed at the ceiling as his back arched at an impossible angle. “Help me, help me get my pants off.”
“You and Lasse have a mind link, don’t you?” Orin hurried forward and gingerly tugged at Jason’s sweat pants. “Use it and get him to come.”
“I can’t. Poseidon sealed the meeting to prevent intervention from outside fucking forces. Shit!” Jason tumbled to the floor and Orin watched as his friend’s body twitched and then grew as his shift took hold. Seconds later Orin was confronted with a creature he’d only ever read about. Almost three times the size of a natural lion, the furry sphinx had thick brown fur and a long tail. Beautiful brown feathered wings sprouting from his back in a graceful arch. The four feet were giant paws, and Jason even had a lion’s mane, but the facial features remained human.
“Jason?” Orin knew shifted creatures were sentient, but he had to be sure.
“I think I’m giving birth.” Jason’s voice was deeper in this form.
“Oh shit, it’s too soon.” Orin hovered, his hand automatically clasped around his necklace. There was no denying something was going on. Jason’s back end seemed to have developed a new opening, and his huge belly was pulsating. “Should I, could I, shall I summon Lasse?”
“No little one.” Jason panted as he lay on his side. “To bring attention to you now…shit and fucking hell.”
“What can I do?” Towels? Hot water? None of that seemed particularly relevant when it was a sphinx giving birth in Jason’s and Lasse’s living room.
“Pray to Bastet.” Jason’s pants got more frantic. “Pray with all you are, to Bastet. May the great protectress watch over us. This baby is coming whether we’re ready for it or not. And find a blanket.” The last word ended on a yell.
Magicking a blanket, Orin clasped it to his chest, as he called on his cat spirit and repeated every ancient prayer he’d ever read. Legend had it, sphinxes were created in a union between Amun-Ra and Sekhmet, but Bastet was the goddess of fertility. Jason’s twitches and moans were interspersed with guttural roars, but aside from the opening in his back end getting bigger, nothing else was happening. How long does a birthing take?
“A child will come only when the parent has reached the point of no return.” Opening his eyes at the low female voice, Orin fell to his knees. “Goddess,” he whispered, for indeed it couldn’t be anyone else. Long black hair fell around a triangular shaped face that blazed with the eyes of a cat.
“Orin, child, we should have met so much sooner,” Bastet smiled, and Orin felt as though he was bathed in light. “But indeed, this is the first time you have called on me.”
“I meant no disrespect. My mom spoke of you often in my presence. But my friend, one of your own,” Orin waved to indicate Jason who seemed calmed by Bastet’s presence. “He has need of you.”
“Ah, Ja, my beloved warrior.” Bastet glided across the room and knelt by the sphinx’s head. “I swear this would be your greatest battle yet.”
“Goddess, you honor me with your presence.” Jason sighed as Bastet brushed her hand across his brow. “My regret, I cannot kneel.”
“Silly man,” Bastet chuckled. “Although kneeling is exactly what you need to do. Have you never watched a woman giving birth? It’s not something that can be done with your legs closed. Orin, child, help me.”
Do what? But Orin got to his feet and moved around the other side of Jason, pushing rather ineffectively on Jason’s shoulder in an effort to help him get up. Together, he and Bastet, along with a grumbling Jason, managed to get the sphinx to his feet, his belly swinging low, his back legs spread far apart for balance.
; “A cub may be born to a lion, with a mother on her side, but that’s because they are so tiny,” Bastet explained calmly, as a bowl of water and a rag appeared by her side. Dampening the cloth, she wiped over the sweat of Jason’s face. “You, my beloved kin, are giving birth to a baby, and I fear your child’s head needs more room than your previous position allowed.”
“It hurts,” Jason said between gritted teeth as his body shuddered.
“But, of course it does,” Bastet laughed quietly. “How else are you to receive your greatest gift, if you’ve not gone through the trials of fire first?”
“I swear I’m not letting Lasse near me again.”
“You will change your mind. As soon as you set your eyes on your beautiful child, love will flood your soul. Orin, don’t look so worried. Come closer and massage my beloved Ja right here.” Bastet indicated a spot at the base of Jason’s back.
Time passed, with no sign of Lasse or Thor. Orin rubbed, sending his healing magic as best he could through Jason’s lower back. Bastet wiped Jason’s face, crooning to him at times as the sphinx visibly tried to hide the pain. Orin’s feet were falling asleep when there was a change in the energies in the air.
“It is time.” Bastet gave a beatific smile. “Stand behind him, Orin and be prepared to catch.”
Me? Desperately trying to quell his nerves, Orin stood behind Jason’s twitching back end. The lion’s tail looked as if it was broken, standing at right angles to the body. But the one thing Orin couldn’t unsee, and would never forget was the crowning head of a baby.
“Come on, Ja,” Bastet coaxed him. “One more, big push.”
“I’mneverlettingthatbastardnearmeagain,” Jason roared as all the fur on his body stood up, his back arched, and his legs wobbled under the strain. Orin couldn’t believe his eyes. One second all he could see was skin and hair, and the next a complete baby, like a giant pink-fleshy poop, fell from Jason’s body. Lunging forward, Orin caught it, just before it hit the ground.
“A girl,” Orin whispered, wrapping the precious bundle in the blanket. “A gorgeous, slightly messy little girl.”
“Change forms, Ja,” Bastet ordered quietly. “Change forms and receive your blessing from the gods.”
“Goddess.” The sphinx sketched a hasty bow and then Jason’s form shimmered, and his human form returned. Sweat plastered his hair to his brow, and he was naked, but his eyes blazed with love as he reached for his child. Orin twitched his fingers, so Jason was wearing pants and then laid the quiet child in his arms, before stepping back.
Jason’s and Lasse’s daughter was tiny, but perfectly formed. Her bright eyes shone with the presence of an old soul and Orin felt adrift, humbled by what he’d seen. He and Thor had joked many times about not wanting children, but to see a huge warrior completely smitten in the presence of an infant was a beautiful sight and Orin missed the weight of her in his arms already.
“That will be you one day.” Bastet appeared by his side.
“What? Oh no,” Orin shook his head. “Lasse explained it to me. The only way two males can create a child is for both of them to be part of the god line. Thor definitely qualifies, but I’m nothing more than a half-breed elf and cat. Besides, Thor doesn’t want any more children.”
“The mighty Thor who roars like thunder and comes with the speed of lightening.” Bastet tilted her head back and laughed.
“It’s not always that quick,” Orin mumbled, which made Bastet laugh all the more.
“Oh, my child,” Bastet said when she finally stopped laughing, “Did you never wonder why your mother talked about me so often?”
“I assumed it was because we were sand cats.” Orin was a little confused. There was no way he had ties to a godly line. “Scholars often depict you with the face of my kind.”
“That’s because you are my children,” Bastet explained gently. “There are very few shifter sand cats left anymore, but every one of them is descended from my blood. Your mother, may she find peace and happiness in her next life, was my great-great-great granddaughter, which makes you my grandson five generations back. You are of the god line, my sweet child and one day you too will carry a child in your arms.”
“Holy Fuck!” Thor’s voice behind him made Orin jump. He turned to see Thor and Lasse apparently frozen by the scene. Lasse couldn’t take his eyes off Jason, his love radiating from his aura even though it was as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing, and Thor was staring at Bastet as if she’d grown two extra heads.
“Please don’t hate me,” Orin said, twisting his hands. “I didn’t know, I never dreamed. I promise, we’ll buy a whole condom factory. I’ll only give you blow jobs from now on. Thor, don’t hate me please.”
“Bastet,” Thor inclined his head slightly at the goddess who had a secretive smile on her face. “Many gracious thanks for being here this day to help my friends. I did wonder why you excused yourself from the meeting. I trust your aid was necessary in Ja’s birth, and I thank you for your presence.”
“Poseidon can’t block a prayer from a true believer. They called. I came. I was happy to help two of my children on such an auspicious occasion, mighty Thor.” Bastet’s bow was just as slight. “Lasse, son of Poseidon, you should know your Ja did well during the birth and there will be no complications from your daughter’s arrival. With such an interesting heritage, it will be some years before the opportunity presents itself for you to have another young one, but I can assure you, the darling angel in my warrior’s arms will be more than enough for you to handle.”
“Blessed Bastet, you honor us, and my thanks alone will never be enough.” Lasse gave a sweeping bow. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.” He hurried to Jason’s side and Orin could see it was going to be some time before either man even recognized they still had visitors, both of them so engrossed in their new daughter.
Thor’s blazing eyes were on him; Orin could feel them. “Thor, I didn’t know. I swear….”
“Do not blame my child for lacking the knowledge of his heritage, Thor,” Bastet reproved quietly. “He was Fated to you for a reason and should that union prove bountiful, then any child would be blessed to live in the love you two share.”
“I find myself surprisingly un-upset,” Thor said, shaking his head with a grin. “My own upbringing wasn’t worth writing about, but to see… this…” He opened his hands towards Lasse and Jason. “It’s a true blessing. My only concern, given we’ve been mated a while, is should I be worried my sweetness hasn’t conceived already? I’m considered a fertility god after all.”
Bastet’s secretive smile broadened. “There’s nothing wrong with your fertility. Who said it was Orin who would carry your child?”
“Thor would never stray!” Orin was still coming to terms with the fact he could get pregnant, but he wouldn’t let anyone, not even someone like Bastet insult their mating.
“Don’t fret, my child,” Bastet laughed. “I never once suggested Thor would be unfaithful. What I meant, is there may come a time soon when he needs to increase the girth of his famous belt. Gentlemen, blessings on your good fortune.” Bastet disappeared, her laughter still heard long after she was gone.
“Did she? Does that mean? Oh no.” Thor covered his ass with his hand. “No, no, no, no, no. You’re not getting near my ass again.”
“You said again.” Orin sauntered over, running his hand up Thor’s belly. “Was last night so regrettable for you?”
“Not at all, but...” Thor looked at Orin’s hand on his belly. “Do you think… it was only once…”
“Twice,” Orin reminded him, grinning at the implications of Bastet’s parting words.
“Oh, blessed mother, I think I’m going to be sick.” Orin just managed to swing a chair into place as Thor’s knees gave out on him.
A child of our own, Orin mused as he gently rubbed his mate’s tight shoulders. I’ll have to invest in a lot of handkerchiefs.
The End
Of course, this is nowhere near the end of the G
ods series, especially when we meet new ones all the time. A number of readers have messaged me, or mentioned on my group, how much they are looking forward to Baby’s story, and I am definitely thinking about that one. However, don’t be surprised if Artemas ends up with his first – lol – you all know how my mind works.
If you did enjoy my story, please consider leaving a review where you purchased the book. It only takes a few minutes and means the world to any author you might read, even if they don’t say so. Reviews give new readers an opportunity to read what other readers have said about the book, and it does help them make up their mind whether or not to try a new author to them. With piracy on the rise as well as strong competition in this genre, every little bit helps. Thank you.
I had a lot of fun with this story, but I have so many more to write (lol). The next book out will be a spin off from the Cloverleah series featuring Vadim’s best friend Max, who some of you will remember I left managing the coven in Atlanta. I was writing that one along with this one, so that won’t be too far away. The third Necromancer book, the next Dragon series book and the next Northern States Pack book are also on my radar. Thank you all so much for your continued support – and don’t forget to stalk me on social media. My links are on the next page.
Hug the ones you love, and thank you
Lisa
About the Author
Lisa Oliver had been writing non-fiction books for years when visions of half dressed, buff men started invading her dreams. Unable to resist the lure of her stories, Lisa decided to switch to fiction books, and now stories about her men clamor to get out from under her fingertips.
When Lisa is not writing, she is usually reading with a cup of tea always at hand. Her grown children and grandchildren sometimes try and pry her away from the computer and have found that the best way to do it is to promise her chocolate. Lisa will do anything for chocolate.