Sea Storm: Children of the Waves Read online

  She leaned into his touch.

  “Don’t be scared, please, Des. I meant what I said. I will never harm you or allow any harm to come to you. Do you believe me?”

  She smiled. “I know. And I do believe you. Just give me a little time to process it all.”

  “All right. I’ll give you whatever you need.”

  “Thank you. I’ll meet you in twenty minutes.”

  “Okay.” He stepped out of the room and closed the door.

  After he left, Des laid her palms against the door, missing his presence already. She turned around and went to get her suitcase. After taking out a change of clothes, she took a quick shower. Not bothering to do much with her damp hair, after running a comb through it, she left it in a ponytail hanging down her nape. To do anything more to it she would need more than twenty minutes.

  Even in such a brief space of time, she already knew what she needed to do. As fantastical as their story was, it appeared true. So, why not all of it? Like what happened between her and Zek, too. What happened to them all those years ago, when he saved her life? He saved her life. Deciding to trust her heart, she smiled and opened the door. She found the object of her desire standing against the wall, waiting for her. He’d changed again into a pair of white shorts and a green t-shirt. Zek fit clothes in a way that had her wanting to take them off him.

  “Are we all right?” he asked.

  Des thought she heard a bit of doubt in his voice. She stared at this man, or whatever he was. In her heart, she knew he belonged to her. Touching the side of his face she said, “We are going to be just fine.” Then, she leaned forward and placed her lips over his.

  He put one arm around her waist, the other about her shoulder and brought her body closer to him. “Mine,” he growled inside her mouth.

  “Yours,” she replied back.

  “Yours too,” he stated.

  She closed her eyes, so she could drown in the feel of him surrounding her.

  When he moved backward, she followed him unsure where they were going. Then, she heard a door behind her slam shut. She opened her eyes, they were in his room and he tugged on her shirt. He raised it up past her breasts and lowered his head to suckle her through her lacy bra. She flinched when someone banged on the door she leaned against.

  “Zek, come on. We need you man.”

  “Go away, Cyrus,” Zek called back. They both laughed but not for long, when their lips fused together again.

  She pulled away knowing they had to face Cori and Xavior sometime, might as well get it over with. Plus, she wanted to know Cori’s plans. Engaged. Des still couldn’t believe it. “I think we need to get out there,” she said.

  He groaned, then rested his head against hers. “I know but they can wait five minutes.” He placed light kisses on her neck.

  “Five minutes. I don’t think so. I’ll need more than five minutes.”

  He laughed and planted a full-mouthed kiss on her neck. “You’re right. I’ll need more than that too.” After giving her one long lick with his tongue, he stepped away. “Okay, let’s go.” He opened the door and holding hands, they returned to the main room.

  Cori sat on Xav’s lap and Aaron remained where they’d left him, but now Cyrus had joined them and took the other single chair.

  Zek headed over to the sofa and sat, tugging her down beside him.

  “Everything okay?” Cori asked hesitantly.

  “Yes.” She glanced at Zek who took her hand again and kissed it. “Everything is fine. But enough about me. Tell me how did all of this happen? How did you guys end up engaged?”

  Stupid question.

  She saw the way they looked at each other, with Cori literally glowing. No drug did that. Since she’d seen them together, they were almost always holding hands or touching. She couldn’t ignore how her friend appeared happier than she’d ever seen her before. That made Des glad for her. In truth, if she didn’t have these strong feelings for Zek, she might have been more skeptical. Maybe she should be. But she couldn’t bring herself to doubt when she looked upon the joy shining from her friend’s eyes, whenever she gazed at Xavior.

  Cori explained to her about what really happened back on the boat. How she’d fallen overboard into the ocean and Xav had dived in to save her. Afterward, he’d taken her to his home under the sea, where she’d been all this time.

  Des suspected she’d left much out in her narrative. Everything about Xav and Cori, spoke of love and tenderness. The way he looked at Cori radiated nothing but love. Xav saved Cori much as Zek had once saved her.

  Zek rubbed his thumb over her palm and she turned to smile at him. For a moment, she couldn’t look away because her imagination told her the same light emanated from his ocean gaze. She blinked. Could he be in love with her, too? Had he really been searching for her all this time? Was she falling in love with him? Impossible. But then, so should the existence of these men who claimed to be the sons of Poseidon. Impossible, perhaps, yet here they stood. A thought occurred to her and she had to know. “What did Xav mean when he said I was already your bride?”

  “Ah.” Aaron grinned and stood up. “I don’t think we’re needed for this convo. Cyrus, let’s go for a quick walk around the water’s edge, make sure nothing is out there. We’ll be back in twenty then I can fly you all to the mainland, so you can get whatever Cori needs for tomorrow.”

  Des watched as Aaron and Cyrus rose.

  “Would you like privacy?” Cori asked.

  Des glanced over at her friend and smiled. “No, you guys can stay. You can help me understand. Since I think you’ve already been through this.”

  Cori smiled and wrapped her arms tighter around Xav.

  Zek caressed the side of her face, capturing her attention. “It means exactly that. Among the Children, male and female, there is only one who can impregnate a female or make a male spill his seed. For males that is his bride, for females their mate. It’s the same thing for either. The one they will spend the rest of their lives with. Mate. Lover. Best friend.”

  “I—I see. But what about love? Doesn’t that enter into the equation? What if you don’t get along with this ‘bride’ or ‘mate’?”

  He grinned. “The gods have decreed you will love your mate. There’ll be no denying it or getting around it for any of the Children.”

  “But—but I’m of the land, Zek, so how can you be sure?”

  Cori spoke up, “Des, among the sea people, they live for hundreds and hundreds of years. Xav is about three hundred years old, but he’d only begun to age about a dozen years ago. They’re called Children for many reasons, but I think the main one is they only age until they reach puberty. At which time, the aging process stops for them, until and unless they meet their destined bride or mate. That one meeting triggers some sort of chemical process if you will, and kick starts the aging process. They only begin to age again, look older than fourteen or sixteen after they’ve met their mates. Then the aging process will slow down, once they reach their prime.”

  Des stared at her friend as she listened to her fantastical explanation.

  Cori shrugged. “Look…I don’t purport to understand it, but I’ve seen them. That’s where I’ve been all this time in their underwater King’s City. It’s magnificent. In truth,” she placed her hand on the side of Xav’s face and he smiled. “We were married in the ways of their people two days ago. But Xavior wanted to give me a wedding in the tradition of the landwalkers. We’re going to be married tomorrow night. My parents, of course, when I spoke to them last night were shocked. But they’re flying out and will be here tomorrow. The wedding ceremony will take place after sunset to give my folks a chance to get here. I wanted to invite yours too, but thought they’d freak. One set of parents freaking was enough. And something else, I’d like you to be my maid of honor.”

  “Ohmygod! What? So soon.”

  “He’s waited for me long enough,” Cori replied. “And come to think of it, so have I.”

  Des squealed a
nd jumped out of Zek’s arms, to embrace both Xav and Cori. “I am so happy for you both. And yes, yes I’d be honored to be your maid of honor.”

  Zek rose and slapped his hands together. “Great. Now that’s settled I’ll have Aaron prepare the helicopter and take us over to the mainland. We can have brunch, then do some sightseeing. And you ladies can do your shopping and afterwards, we can go to one of the nightclubs and have a little dinner and dancing. How’s that sound? It will be sort of both a bachelor and bachelorette party.”

  “I love it!” Cori exclaimed.

  He pulled out his cell phone. “I’ll send a text to Aaron.” He hit a few buttons, then said, “Okay, done.”

  Des peered down at the sleeveless shirt and shorts she’d put on. “I think I better change. This is way too casual to go clubbing.”

  Zek came over and wrapped his arm around her waist, then kissed her hair. “You look beautiful, babe. No matter what you’re wearing. But don’t worry, we’re going shopping first anyway, so just pick up something then.”

  “Okay, good idea, let me just grab my purse.” She moved in the direction of her room, having figured out the house set up with its different wings. It didn’t escape her notice either, her room happened to be directly beside Zek’s.

  “I think I forgot something in my room. I’ll be right back,” she heard Zek say behind her.

  She got to her door and barely turned the knob when a large hand covered hers and pushed it open. Crowding her into the room and pushing her up against the wall. In the next breath, Zek’s lips and body blanketed hers. Making her complete. Eventually, they heard the sound of Xav calling his name. Telling them both to hurry up or the chopper would leave without them. Reluctantly, they separated. She felt the withdrawal of his heat. Leaning forward, she kissed his cheek. “I’m really not sure what the hell I’m doing. I just don’t want to stop with you.”

  He kissed her cheek too, then ran his finger across the area his lips just touched. “Then don’t, because I won’t. Now get your purse and let’s get out of here or we’re not going anywhere for the rest of the day.”

  As tempting as the thought to spend more time alone with him, they couldn’t give into this madness. At least not any more than they both already had. Perhaps, if they stayed among other people, normal people, she’d place all of this into some sort of perspective. Make some sense of everything happening to her and around her. Cori mated, marrying a king tomorrow no less, and she—well she didn’t know what the hell she was doing. Zek left her to freshen up so she did, but after she walked back into the main room, she found him standing near the door waiting for her.

  All bronzed and gorgeous like the son of the sea god he proclaimed to be. Ezekiel made no sense in her world. So, why bother to try?

  Chapter Twelve

  Zek grinned at the expression on both Cori’s and Des’s faces when they saw the helicopter. A different one than the one Des and Aaron arrived on. He’d gotten this beauty at his brother’s suggestion. Boys did love their toys. The latest of its kind, crafted for personal use with room for six people. He used it whenever his staff wanted to go over to the mainland; it could fit an entire family. Also, because he anticipated to one day have a family of his own, he’d bought it. He settled in next to Des in the seat and smiled at her.

  The trip to the main Cayman didn’t take very long. Once they landed, an SUV waited at the heliport for them. Since there were so many of them, he thought this would be more comfortable. But before he got in the car, he took Cyrus aside and asked him to contact the PI he’d hired and let her know to cease her investigation. He didn’t need to search any more…he’d found his bride. Also, he didn’t want any alarm bells going off hurting Des or her family. He’d send the PI her fee to cover her time so far. Even though Des returned to him on her own. Still, why tempt fate and he could use the PI again if needed.

  They all had brunch together, afterward Aaron and Cyrus left to go their own way, they’d meet up with the couples later.

  Zek and his brother took their brides on a tour around the island, eventually making their way to one of the trendy stores. They stopped in front of a three-story concert building.

  He’d called ahead and the manager waited at the door for them. Zek introduced him to everyone. He knew the man, because his daughter had her wedding on one of their smaller cruise lines. It carried about a hundred and fifty people.

  His son-in-law also handled some of Zek’s financial accounts and he’d been invited to the wedding. So, he called Tomas who had no problem doing him a favor and agreed to have someone available to help them on such short notice. It’s not every day a bride needed a gown ready within twenty-four hours, but if anyone could pull it off, it would be Tomas and his staff. Tomas greeted them at the door with one of his fashion coordinators.

  After introductions were made, the women went off with Yvonne, the coordinator, in one direction and he and Xav went off with Tomas in another.

  “Thanks for setting this up for me, Tomas.”

  “Not a problem. Shaha’s wedding was absolutely perfect and I knew you did everything to help make it that way. I can do no less for your future sister-in-law.”

  “Where are we going anyway?” Xav asked.

  “I thought you gentlemen might like to stay in a private waiting lounge. When the women are ready if they want to model anything for you, they’ll find you there. You’ll be the only clients in the room.”

  “Sweet,” Zek said grinning.

  Tomas pushed open a set of smoked-glass double doors and they entered what could only be deemed a gentlemen’s lounge. There were two oversized dark leather wing-backed chairs against one wall. A table sat between them with a bottle of red wine and a large bottle of sparkling water. Ice and a couple of wine glasses as well as drinking glasses near them. On the coffee table in front of the chairs were various magazines from sports to finance, and Playboy. In the center of the table rested a platter of an assortment of cheeses, crackers and fruits. On the wall, a fifty-two inch television turned to CNN.

  “Wow,” Xav exclaimed.

  “Nice.”

  “Gentlemen, if there’s anything else I can do for you, just pick up the phone in the corner.” Tomas pointed to a red phone on a small stand beside the television. “Press 101, it’s a direct line to me. Now, please, have a seat and enjoy.” He shook their hands then left.

  Zek turned to look at his brother, a grin on his face. They raised hands and slapped high fives. After taking a seat, Zek picked up the remote and channel surfed until he found a soccer match.

  Xav put some ice in a glass and filled it with water. He took a sip and turned to look at his brother. “So Des, huh?”

  Zek kept grinning. His face might as well be stuck in that position ever since he set eyes on her again. Only just yesterday, she’d returned to him, though time meant nothing to the Children. “Yes, Des.”

  “I’m happy for you, bro.”

  “I’m happy for you, too.”

  Xav raised his glass. “Cheers to us man.” Then, he took a sip.

  “Since we’re here, do you need to look for a suit?” Zek asked.

  “Nah. I’ve got quite a few of them back at the house I’ve never worn, that should be fine. You?”

  “I just got a delivery of some custom suits. In fact, two of them are yours. One’s a light gray that would work. They’re in your closet.”

  Xav grinned. “Sounds good. I’ll take a look when we get back.”

  Zek always shared his home on land with Xav and then Cyrus. Both men had a closet full of clothes there. Even Aaron kept a few things in the room set aside for his use whenever he stopped by.

  “I think Aaron knows who his mate is,” Xav revealed.

  “No shit. Then, why hasn’t he claimed her?”

  “Not sure. I asked him outright once and he changed the subject, so don’t know what’s up with him.”

  “Any clue who she is?” Zek asked.

  Xav shook his head. “Not a
one.”

  Zek shrugged. “Well, if only Cyrus could find his mate.”

  Xav frowned. “He’s aging. Perhaps he already has?”

  “I thought so too, but he said he never stopped aging.”

  “Still doesn’t mean anything, you know that. He’s one of Poseidon’s, there’s no doubting he’s of our line and a brother. The parameters apply to him, too. He had to have already met her, his bride.”

  “I wonder who she is.”

  “Don’t know. I didn’t know who Cori was until I saw her one night on the boat. And if it hadn’t been for the dolphins making all that damn noise and telling me to look under my nose, I might never have found her even then.”

  Zek grinned. “Yeah, you would have.”

  When Xav stopped smiling, Zek suspected where his thoughts had gone, and his next words confirmed it.

  “I’m going to have to do something about that witch,” Xav stated with finality.

  “Yeah bro, no question. She’s gone too far if she’s pulling demons from Hades’ depths. How’s she even controlling them?”

  “The white witch has always posed a threat to Poseidon and all his sons. But this is something else. She can’t control those things. At least not for long. And if she’s opened a breach to this world and those creatures get loose, there’d be no stopping them, or anything else from coming through.”

  “What?”

  “Yeah.”

  Zek curled his fingers around the glassware. “Can you put a stop to it?”

  “I will need her sister’s help to find the breach and then yes, I should be able to seal it. With any luck, seal her on the other side, too. How two sisters could be such polar opposites is beyond me.”

  Zek frowned. “I think they provide balance, light and dark.”

  “Perhaps. I promised Cori at least a week here in the little cottage off the main house, so she could spend some time with her friend before we return home, but I’m going to have to hold off.”

  “I don’t sense the dolphins being agitated. Have they sighted any more of those things?” Zek asked.