by S. E. Smith
Creon, Kelan and Trisha had talked to Ha’ven and Adalard about Paul’s ranch in Wyoming. Trisha had told them that only a few humans were aware of what had truly happened. She had asked them to meet with Mason Andrews, her dad’s ranch manager and Chad Morrison, his childhood friend and attorney who was managing the financial side of the ranch.
“I’d like for you to check in and make sure everything is okay,” Trisha had asked. “Tell them dad is happy and that Carmen, Ariel and I are all safe and well. Mason and Chad are aware of where dad is and will help you if you need anything.”
Ha’ven had left Adalard to meet with the men while he and Emma had traveled to a place called Long Beach, California to retrieve her mother. He told Adalard that they would be a few days as Emma wanted to pick up a few personal belongings to bring back with her. They had traveled to her home first and spent two days packing and transporting the items back to the warship before she was ready to go get her mother.
“I want her to have familiar things around her when we pick her up,” Emma had explained when he asked her if she wanted to see her mom first. “The doctors say it helps patients with Alzheimer’s settle more quickly if they are surrounded by familiar things from when they were younger. She loves looking at the photographs of my father. I also have some of his records that were converted to CDs and some home videos. I wanted to get my Hope Chest as well. Momma was filling it for when I got married. There are some things that have been in our family for generations,” she added.
It had been a shock when they arrived at the nursing home. One of the nurses who knew Emma stopped her in the corridor outside her mother’s room. The woman looked at Emma in surprise.
“Miss Watson!” The nurse had exclaimed. “We were told you had been kil…” her voiced faded as she suddenly realized Emma wasn’t alone. “Oh!”
Emma smiled softly. “Hi Peggy, as you can see, I wasn’t killed. I was kidnapped. Ha’ven, my husband, rescued me. I would like to check my mother out. We are going to be taking her home to live with us.”
Peggy Mills looked at Emma in shock before a sympathetic expression filled her eyes. “Didn’t anyone tell you? Your mother passed away in her sleep almost a month ago.”
Emma swayed in shock. “No,” she whispered as grief washed through her. “I…,” she closed her eyes and leaned back against Ha’ven as he wrapped his arms around her. “Oh God!”
Emma turned in Ha’ven’s arms and buried her face. Hot tears poured down her cheeks as she thought of her beautiful gentle mother. Sorrow that she had not been there at the end for her mother tore at Emma.
Peggy timidly stepped closer and rested her hand on Emma’s shoulder. “She wasn’t alone,” Peggy said. “I had stayed late that night. She wanted me to read a letter she had written to you. I was reading it to her when she passed away peacefully in her sleep. I have the letter.” Peggy quickly walked back to the nurse’s station.
Emma turned to face Peggy as she returned with a small box. Emma reached for the box with trembling hands. Her mother’s life was in this small container, everything that she had become at the end of her life. Emma choked out a soft thank you as Ha’ven guided her back out the doors of the nursing home.
“I am so sorry, my Emma,” Ha’ven whispered, pain at not being able to prevent the sorrow from touching her pulling at him. “I am glad that we came back. You will be able to say goodbye.”
Emma nodded, biting her lip as more tears flowed down her pale cheeks. Ha’ven helped her into the small car that she had left behind before her trip to South America. She stared out the window as she quietly directed Ha’ven to the cemetery where her mother would have been laid to rest next to her father.
Ha’ven was silent during the drive. He held her hand as he drove the strange but simple transport through the tree-lined streets. They turned into the long narrow drive cutting through the manicured graveyard. Headstones stood as silent sentinels to those who had died.
“Stop here,” Emma murmured thickly.
Ha’ven parked the car and turned it off. He climbed out and walked around to Emma’s door, opening it for her and helping her out. She carried the small box in her arms as she walked along the narrow path between the graves.
Under a tall tree stood a simple headstone. On it were the names of Alice and Fred Watson with the dates of their births and deaths. Emma knelt in front of it and opened the small box.
On top was a small picture frame of her mom, dad and her when she was little. She pulled it out and ran her fingers along the glass protecting it. She laid it against the headstone.
“I love you, Momma. Poppa, she’s come home to dance with you again,” Emma drew in a ragged breath before she continued. “I want you both to meet Ha’ven. I love him. He makes me want to sing and I dance on the clouds when he holds me,” she whispered. “Just like you did for Momma, Poppa. I… I… won’t be back but I want you to know I love you both very much and you were the best parents any girl could wish for.” Emma put the lid back on the box and smiled weakly at Ha’ven when he bent to help her back up.
She stood wrapped in Ha’ven’s warm embrace and sighed. She leaned back against him and lifted her eyes to the soft clouds that floated by for several minutes before she nodded. It was time to go home. She had nothing left here to hold her. Her home was now on a world far, far away.
“I’m ready,” she murmured.
Ha’ven kept his arm wrapped around her waist as he guided her back to the car. Once she was settled in, he walked around to the driver’s side. He waited until he had turned back onto the main road before he spoke.
“We will return to Paul’s ranch tonight,” he said. “Is there anything else you would like to do before we leave?”
Emma shook her head. “I would like to talk to Chad Morrison,” she said thickly. “I want to sign whatever paperwork is necessary to sell everything here. Momma and Poppa,” she stopped when emotions overcame her again. “Momma and Poppa left me very well off. I want to set up a foundation in their names to help children around the world discover art, dance and music. Chad should be able to do that for me.”
Ha’ven squeezed Emma’s hand. “You are a very special person, my Emma,” he said quietly. “I will always be thankful that you have chosen me as your mate.”
Emma gave a strained laugh as she brushed the tears that continued to fall. “Aikaterina said that I was your balance. She told me to stand by you, hold you, balance you… and love you,” she replied laying her head back against the headrest and looking at him. “I do, you know… love you. Not only that, you balance me. When you touch me I feel safe. I feel like I could dance on the clouds.”
Ha’ven saw the new tears spill from her eyes and pulled over to the side of the road. He put the car in park and leaned over to kiss her. He brushed the tears from her cheeks before a frown creased his brow.
“Wait a minute,” he said as the name she mentioned suddenly sunk in. “Aikaterina? The Goddess Aikaterina? The ….”
“She is very sweet and beautiful,” Emma said. “I liked her.”
“Goddess!” Ha’ven muttered looking at Emma in awe. “She did send you to me.”
“Of course,” Emma said with a tender smile. “She knew we needed each other.”
“Let’s go home,” he muttered as the scope of the gift given to him hit home.
Emma nodded suddenly feeling lighter. Her eyes lifted to look at the clouds above and for just a moment, she thought she saw the golden figures of her parents dancing together on one of the clouds.
Thank you, Aikaterina, Emma said silently knowing deep down the Goddess was trying to ease her sorrow.
You are welcome, child, came the soft reply.
Chapter 29
Ha’ven watched as his mother embraced Emma in a fierce hug. They had arrived back on Ceran-Pax early this morning. He and Emma had spent the journey back learning more about each other.
He discovered his power, when joined with hers, was beyond anything he had ev
er thought possible. They had locked themselves in one of the lower storage bays and he had created a world just for the two of them. Not to be outdone, Emma had created a few illusions of her own. They had made love in tall meadows and in a crystal dome under the sea. They had flown through the air on the backs of giant birds and they had danced across the clouds on a starlit night.
Emma sang songs her father had taught her and she told him of her life. He had slowly drawn from her what happened during her captivity and held her as she cried. Afterwards, he had made slow tender love to her on the clouds they had created together. That was the night he had given her his seed and felt it spark to life deep inside her.
It was a magical time for him. He finally understood what Creon meant when he said Carmen filled his life. Emma filled his to overflowing.
His eyes softened as she looked over at him with a small, relieved smile. Her soft laughter filled the air as his father pulled her into his arms for a fierce hug. Her face glowed with her essence. The colors bursting out in a vivid array that warmed his heart.
Emma had been terrified when he told her his parents were looking forward to meeting her shortly before they left the Rayon I. He remembered how she had clung to him with her face buried in his chest.
“What if they don’t like me?” She had mumbled. “What if…”
He had silenced her doubts with his lips. His love for her overflowing as he buried his fingers in her hair. He kissed her over and over until they were both breathless and trembling with need.
“They will love you as I do,” he promised her.
“Do you really think so? I’m not like your species,” she whispered as doubts filled her mind. “What if they…”
He kissed her again, letting her know she had no reason to doubt him. It was only when Adalard had growled at him that they needed to leave that he had pulled away. He looked at his brother’s sour face and frowned.
“What is your problem? You have been in a bad mood ever since we left Emma’s planet,” Ha’ven growled back.
Adalard grimaced and looked away. “Nothing. I just have a lot on my mind,” he said. “If you are ready, mom and Melek are waiting.”
“We’re ready,” Ha’ven said sliding his arm around Emma’s waist. “Adalard,” he said quietly as he paused in the doorway.
“What?” Adalard said, looking defiantly back at his older brother.
“If you need assistance, I will help,” Ha’ven replied quietly.
Adalard’s face flushed. He glanced at Emma who was watching the exchange in silence before he shrugged. He looked back at his older brother with a crooked smile.
“I can handle this,” Adalard said quietly.
Ha’ven studied his brother for a moment before he nodded.
*.*.*
“Ha’ven,” Narissa said looking at him with tears in her eyes. “She is absolutely beautiful.”
Emma blushed as she looked at Ha’ven with bright eyes. His own darkened with desire as he saw the flush that touched her cheeks. He was remembering how she looked earlier when she was riding him.
Ha’ven! Emma’s voice whispered through his mind.
“I think I deserve a kiss from my new sister-in-law,” Arrow said mischievously as he swung a distracted Emma around and into his arms. “Oh yes, at least one kiss.”
Emma opened her mouth to protest and found her lips covered by a set of warm firm ones. No sooner had his lips touched hers that she found herself standing in Ha’ven’s strong arms. She looked at the tall muscular man who was lying on his back on the ground.
“Damn, you are getting the hang of those new powers of yours,” Arrow said with a good-humored grin as he picked himself up off the ground.
“You’ll find yourself six feet under the ground if you try to kiss my mate again,” Ha’ven growled in a dark tone. “This one is off limits, Arrow.”
“I know that,” Arrow said as he studied his older brother. “I just wanted to see what colors your and Emma’s essence changed to when you were upset. I’m working on a new theory.”
“I swear, Jazar,” Narissa tutted. “You and your theories. Come Emma, let me show you your new home.”
“You know you are in trouble when she uses your real name,” Melek muttered under his breath. “So, what did you find?”
“Emma essence definitely is needed to increase Ha’ven’s power,” Arrow said rubbing his ass. “By the way, can you hit me a little softer the next time?”
“I wasn’t kidding about the six feet under, Arrow,” Ha’ven replied. “Keep your hands, lips and experiments off my mate.”
“Possessive characteristics,” Arrow observed with a grin. “I’ll have to add that as well.”
“You’re such a jerk sometimes, Arrow,” Adalard said as he walked by.
Arrow looked at his twin’s sour face before looking back at Ha’ven. “Who stuck a rod up his ass? Has he been hanging with Zoran again?”
“No.” Ha’ven watched Adalard disappear down the path leading to his living quarters. “I’m not sure what happened. He has been like this ever since we met up with him on Paul Grove’s ranch back on Earth. I finally had to tell him to take a break on the Rayon I. He was working himself and his crew into the ground.”
Melek turned to look at Ha’ven. “Tell me what happened with Kejon.”
“Yeah!” Arrow said. “By the way, Crom and I rescued that Marastin Dow captain. The guy didn’t even give us a ‘thank you’ before he and his crew disappeared.”
Ha’ven sighed as he realized he wasn’t going to be able to escape with Emma any time soon. His eyes drifted back to his mother and his mate. His heart warmed when he saw his mother tuck a strand of Emma’s hair behind her ear as she talked with her. He had definitely found his miracle.
*.*.*
Narissa smiled as she listened to Emma describing the gardens back on Valdier. When she had first heard that her oldest son had taken a mate from a different species, she had been concerned. She knew that some females would do whatever they could to entice or trap one of her sons. After all, they were not only royalty but they were very powerful warriors.
“How did you and my son meet?” Narissa asked curiously.
Emma bent to pick up a fallen bud off the ground. She gently touched it with the tips of her fingers. Her eyes glowed with happiness as she thought of their first meeting.
“It was in the dining room at the palace,” Emma said softly. “I was… not well. Sara, another human girl, and I were sitting at the table. Suddenly, I felt like someone had sent a huge shock through me. When I looked up, Ha’ven was standing in the doorway looking at me.”
“It felt the same way when Melek and I saw each other for the first time,” Narissa said with a grin. “You must have been very excited to have captured his attention. He is a very handsome and powerful man.”
“Actually, I didn’t want anything to do with him,” Emma admitted, blushing. “He kept trying to feed me. It made me mad. I left but he followed me, thank goodness.”
Narissa stopped and looked down at Emma’s bowed head. “Why? What happened?”
Emma looked up at Narissa before her eyes turned to search for Ha’ven. I am close, my Emma.
I just needed to know, she whispered back.
Emma glanced back up at Narissa before she continued to walk slowly along the path. “I told you I wasn’t well. I had been hurt… very badly back on my world. Creon Reykill and his men saved Sara and I. I… had given up on life. If Ha’ven hadn’t been there…,” Emma’s voice faded as she thought back to those dark days of her life.
“I will always be there to catch you, misha petite,” Ha’ven’s strong voice said as he walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Emma was lost in a dream of dancing with her father,” he explained to his mother. “She almost slipped over the side of the cliff. I caught her and kissed her,” he said huskily.
“Yeah,” Arrow said with a grin. “Then she kneed him really hard according to Adalar
d.”
Emma groaned in embarassment and buried her face in Ha’ven’s chest. She hadn’t planned on telling Ha’ven’s mother that part. She peeked up as Melek and Narissa chuckled.
“Narissa did the same thing to me when I kissed her the first time,” Melek admitted.
“You did?” Emma breathed out in surprise as she looked at Ha’ven’s mother.
“Yes, I did,” Narissa chuckled. “He deserved it. He was very arrogant.”
“Wow,” Emma said, looking up at Ha’ven. “You are just like your dad.”
Ha’ven chuckled as he swept Emma up into his arms. “You are damn right and you better never forget it,” he growled out. “We will join the rest of you later this evening.”
Narissa watched as Ha’ven carried his tiny mate down the path. She sighed, a smile curving her lips as Melek wrapped his arm around her. Arrow snorted and shook his head.
“I doubt we’ll see them for a few days,” he commented. “If my calculations are correct, the glow of their entwined auras are saying he has serious plans and it is all horizontal. Oh, and she’s breeding,” he added with a tilt of his head.
Narissa rolled her eyes and looked at Melek who was shaking his head. “Arrow,” Melek said quietly. “One of these days your observations are going to get you into big trouble.”
Arrow grinned and shrugged his shoulder. “As long as it isn’t the same as what Adalard is having, I think I can handle it. Now, did someone say food?” He asked with a grin.
Melek chuckled before he and Arrow walked down the path back to the main rooms. Narissa ignored them. She knew they would be talking about the shortening list of traitors soon enough. Her eyes focused on the path that her oldest son and his mate had taken before she smiled.
“I am finally going to have a grandchild,” she whispered, happily.
*.*.*
“Ha’ven,” Emma whispered as he laid her in the middle of his bed.
“I’m going to love you, in our home, in our bed,” he said quietly. With a wave of his hand, they were both undressed.
Emma raised her arms and ran her palms over his shoulders as he leaned over her. Her eyes darkened with desire as she felt the muscles bulge under her palms. It never ceased to amaze her that strength in his lean body. Her eyes rose to meet his. Violet flames stared back at her.