18

“Brit? Is it really you?”

Jo blinked at the incredibly beautiful red-haired woman in front of her. “Excuse me?”

The woman gripped her chin and angled her head so that she could peer deep into Jo’s eyes. “It is you!” she breathed with a bright smile. Tears spilled down her face as she seized Jo into a happy hug and held her there.

Bug-eyed, Jo stared over her shoulder to where Cadegan was now rising from the bed to confront the woman holding her.

“Release her!”

The woman turned around and snorted dismissively. “And you!” She pulled him in for a tight hug. “I’ve missed the two of you terribly!” Growling at them, she shook her head. “Why did you ever want to be mortal? I’ve never understood your reasoning. And you must have reconsidered, otherwise you wouldn’t be you now, would you?”

Cadegan exchanged a baffled grimace with Jo. “And here I thought you were the one who confused me most, lass.”

Sadness darkened the woman’s vibrant green eyes. And now that Jo thought about it, she looked a lot like Acheron’s daughter Kat. “You don’t remember me at all, do you?”

“Artemis?”

The joy returned to her beautiful face at Jo’s guess. “You do know me! I knew you couldn’t forget. Not after all we did for each other!” She pulled Jo into another tight hug. “I should never have allowed you to go to Britain. Icky place, that. Why didn’t you come home?” She pouted at Jo, then smoothed her hair. “But you’re back now, aren’t you? Both of you!”

Jo bit her lip, unsure of how to answer.

Artemis patted her shoulder. “It’s all right. You will remember me. In time. I know you will.” She dropped her gaze and turned bright red as she realized Jo was standing there naked and she’d interrupted them in bed. “Oh … oh! I’m so sorry. I didn’t even think. When Katra told me that you were back … I wanted to see you immediately. Forgive my intrusion!”

She took Cadegan’s hand and Jo’s and pressed them together. “You two were always my favorites. And this time, there will be no more of this talk of mortality. No more talk of leaving me or each other, ever again. You are two halves of a whole and I love you both too much to ever stand to see you pulled apart again. Damn the witch’s curse. This will be undone. My word to you both.” She vanished instantly.

Completely stymied, Jo stared at Cadegan. “Is it just me, or do I attract every weirdo in the universe?”

He laughed at that. “You attracted me, so I be thinking I shouldn’t comment on it.”

She kissed him then pulled back with a scowl. “Do you feel reincarnated?”

“Not really. You?”

She shook her head. “Weird, huh?”

“Any idea what she meant about the gwiddonod?”

“English, dude! Speak English.”

Laughing, he kissed her. “Witches, love. She spoke of a witch’s curse.”

“No idea.” She trailed her gaze over his long, muscled body and felt the heat inside her build again. Stepping closer, she lifted her chin so that she could nip at the sexiest jawline she’d ever seen.

Cadegan closed his eyes as he savored the sensation of her lips and tongue on his flesh. Pleasure ripped him asunder. “You keep doing that, lass. And we’ll never leave this place.”

She reached down to cup and fondle the part of him that was already growing hard for her again. “I’m good with that.”

He covered her hand with his and rocked himself against her palm, enjoying the warm pressure of her touch.

Jo frowned as he spoke in his thick Welsh to her. “What?”

“You are the light in my darkness, lass. Without you, I have no hope. No faith. I barely exist. And all I ask is that if you ever leave, you will do me the mercy of tearing out me heart, rather than leaving me lost inside the forever night without you.”

Tears choked her, not just at his words, but at the honest, raw emotion that backed them. “I wish I could be that poetic, Cadegan. I suck at romance and relationships. I always have. Never have been able to find the right words at the right time. But I do love you. Now and always. And I never want to live without you.”

He kissed her then, and drove himself deep inside her body. This time, when he made love to her, it wasn’t soft and gentle, but demanding and fierce. As if he was afraid he might never see her again.

Jo lost herself to the sensation of him hard and thick inside her. She met him stroke for stroke as she sought to ease the pain that never left his eyes. At least not entirely.

But whenever he looked at her, it lessened. And that made her feel special and cherished.

That was all she’d ever wanted. To matter to someone. To have someone she could depend on when she needed them. Someone who wouldn’t break faith with her. Life wasn’t easy. It wasn’t supposed to be. Yet with the right person, even the worst journey was tolerable. More than that, it could be fun. It wasn’t about learning to suffer through the storm to make it to the daylight. Life was about running through the rain and laughing even while it soaked you to the bone. Dodging the lightning strikes and daring it to come for you.

That was what Cadegan made her feel. In his arms, she was invincible. Not because she couldn’t be hurt, but because she knew he wouldn’t leave her cold and alone. He would pick her up and fight by her side until the storm passed.

She wrapped herself around him and came in a blinding wave of ecstasy.

Growling deep in his throat, Cadegan joined her. And even then, he didn’t release her. Still on his feet, he kept the whole of her weight without complaint.

And when he met her gaze, she saw the yellowish eyes of the demon inside him.

Unafraid, she pressed her hand to his cheek and kissed his lips.

Cadegan savored her taste that shook him to the core of his being. “Marry me, lass,” he breathed. “Stand with me, forever.”

She dipped her head to pass him a playful frown. “What is that look?”

“What is what look?”

She narrowed her gaze. “You don’t really doubt my answer, do you?”

“I doubt any time me life is going good.”

Nipping his chin, she squeezed him tight. “You should never doubt me, Cade. Of course I’ll marry you. Name the altar and I’m there, with Selena’s bells on.”

“Selena’s bells?”

“My crazy cousin who sews them into the hem of her skirts. She thinks it keeps evil away.”

“You wear that and it would keep me away.”

She tsked at him. “You’re not evil. Wicked, definitely. But not evil.”

Cadegan closed his eyes as he savored her acceptance. It was the first time in his existence that he didn’t feel as if he were a scourge that should never have been born. He felt whole.

Most of all, he felt happy.

And that terrified him.

Happiness had always been something other men had. Never him. Happiness had run from him as if he were a leper carrying the pox and selling plague-laden bread.

He dropped his gaze to the medallion that he’d put around her neck. Picking it up, he placed it in her hand and covered it with his own. “Should you ever be without me and need me to protect you, take this in your hand and say these words … Ysym arglwydd gwrdd gorddifwng ei far, gorddwy neb nyw ystwng.”

It took her several times before she spoke them correctly.

“Can you remember all that, lass?”

“I can. But what does it mean?”

“There is to me a powerful lord of overwhelming wrath—the oppression of any, he will not tolerate.”

Jo smiled up at him. “It’s beautiful, and very fitting for you.”

“You bring out the best in me.” He kissed the medallion and rested it between her breasts. “You can only use it when you are under attack, never against someone else. For any reason. Understood?”

“Got it.”

With a quick nod, he turned about and frowned as he looked for something.

“What is it?”

“Your most important room is missing. I was looking for a place to wash.”

Jo laughed. “I know it’s an ancient place, but … there must be a bathroom here, right? I would assume such a room, should it exist, would—”

“It’s the door on the left.”

Her eyes bulging at the unknown voice, Jo squeaked and placed herself behind Cadegan to cover her naked body. “Who said that?”

“I did.” It was the stone lamp statue thing, in the corner of the room.

“Who are you?” What was it?

“I am Electra. But fret not. I’m not really sentient, but rather am a smart device, or conduit if you rather, set here for your convenience. I only activate for certain questions. Such as where are rooms, should you need lights, or if you wish to contact another person who calls Katateros home.”

Cadegan approached it slowly. He reached out and touched the cold marble. “You truly can’t feel?”

“Or see. I only hear and speak.”

Jo pulled Cadegan’s robe over her head before she joined them to inspect it. “It’s kind of cool, huh?”

“Aye, but marble usually is.”

“Not, cool, Cade … cool!”

“Ah … the wombat’s on a horse, lass.”

She laughed at him. “Poor wombat’s getting his workout today.” After kissing him lightly, she stepped back. “Where was that bathroom again?”

It actually pointed at the direction.

Still not quite sure about it, Jo went and found a huge, gilded bathroom with a pool reminiscent of an ancient Roman one instead of a tub. “Hey, Cade?” she called. “I think you’re going to really like this.”

He stuck his head in the door, then grinned like an adorable little boy. “Aye, me like.”

Before she realized what was going on, he removed her clothes with his thoughts, tossed her over his shoulder, and dove into the bathing pool. She came up laughing and sputtering while he continued to swim beneath the surface.

Jo froze as she realized something. Cadegan was amphibious. Or he had the strongest lungs ever created.

When he finally surfaced, it still wasn’t his whole head. Only his eyes. He kept his nose and mouth below the waterline.

“Are you breathing?”

He nodded.

“Underwater?”

Again, he nodded. He dove under, swam to her, and brushed her legs before he finally broke the surface and pulled her against his chest. “I’m an addanc demon. It’s one of our powers. Most of my kind are lake dwellers.”

“What else can you do?”

“In the water, I can shapeshift.”

“But not on land?”

He screwed his face up. “Only into me winged demon form and a bird on land. I have many more options in the water.”

“So would we have a baby or a tadpole?”

Cadegan froze at her playful question that slapped him hard.

Children. It wasn’t something he’d thought about in over thirteen hundred years. Before Leucious, he’d possessed no knowledge of his demonic origins. No idea of the powers that had lain dormant within him. Back then, he’d thought himself a man, like any other, and had hoped to marry a woman and have a brood of children with her.

After that, he’d been more cautious. Until Æthla. With her, he’d planned to have one to see what sort of child it might be. Fey or human.

And after Leucious had banished him, there had been no hope whatsoever.

Now …

He saw a reality that truly terrified him. No wonder he’d given her the summoning words when, in theory, she shouldn’t really be able to use them.

Aye, it made complete sense, and that upper connection with her scared him even more.

“Are you okay, sweetie? I was only kidding.”

His hand trembling, he reached out and touched her flat stomach. Biting his lip, he smiled. “I can think of no greater honor than to have a child with you, me lady. Or a tadpole,” he teased. “Mayhap even a wombat.”

She laughed and handed him the bar of soap she’d found. “You’re so silly. I love you.”

“And I, you.”

Jo watched as he returned to frolicking in the water. She wondered if Styxx and the others had known he’d want a pool. Probably. They seemed to know a great deal about him. Much more than she did.

But she was learning. And while he wasn’t perfect—at times, he was downright scary—he was perfectly hers.

She wouldn’t change anything about him.…

They spent the rest of the day just hanging out and exploring each other’s bodies. Their likes and dislikes.

It was the best day of her life. She never wanted it to end. As the sun set, they walked outside to sit on the beach and watch it. Katateros was a strange place. In some ways, it reminded her of Hawaii.

In others, like some of the peculiar creatures who inhabited it, she felt as though she’d fallen down the rabbit hole.

Cadegan ran his fingers through Josette’s hair as she lay on the beach with her head in his lap. For the first time in centuries, he felt truly human. Truly alive.

For the first time ever, he felt loved and cherished.

“So what do we do now, Josette?”

“Are you hungry?”

“Famished, but not what I meant. After this day, what’s to become of us?”

She took his hand into hers. “I don’t know.”

“You can do what Styxx does and work for Acheron.”

Jo sat up with a gasp as Cadegan tensed. A few feet away from them stood a beautiful Egyptian lady dressed in shorts and a tee. Her long black hair was pulled back into a ponytail and she held a sleeping blond toddler in her arms.

With a friendly smile, she approached them slowly. “I’m Bethany. Styxx’s wife.” She pulled the boy off her shoulder to cradle him in her arms. “And this precious one is Ari.”

Jo pressed her hand to her chest as she stared into the face of a curly-haired cherub. “He’s absolutely adorable! How old?”

“He turned a year old yesterday.”

“Really?”

She nodded. “Would you like to hold him?”

“Oh, I’d love to.”

Bethany handed her son over.

Jo melted at the warmth of the boy in her arms. “He sleeps so soundly!”

“Always. His father is forever trying to wake him from his naps. The most you can get is for him to swat at your hand. But he never wakens when he does it. He just rolls over and returns to sleep.”

His little lips worked as if he were speaking to angels. “I’ve always been a sucker for children.”

Cadegan watched quietly as Josette cuddled the boy. Whether it was animals or children, she held a very maternal instinct. She deserved her own son. But her earlier words plagued him now.

What kind of child would they have?

Demon, demigod, or human?

“Are you all right?”

He blinked at Bethany’s question. “Aye.”

She covered his hand with hers. “I know. I’ve only been back in the human world and this one for a short time myself. Not quite two years. It’s a lot to get used to.” She plucked at her shirt. “The clothes definitely take some time. But you have your Josette and you have us. Friend or family … or irritating acquaintances, whatever you choose to call us. We are here to help you in any way we can.”

“I’m not used to such consideration.”

“Like my Styxx. Never trusting. Even now. But every day, his smile brightens more as he comes to terms with the fact that this is his life now, and that no one will rip it from him.”

Bethany touched the scar on Cadegan’s arm. “All wounds take time to heal. But one day, you’ll awaken and the pain will plague you no more. You’ll go days, maybe even months before you think of it. And one day, if you’re lucky, you’ll never think of it at all.”

Jo looked up at her. “You’re very wise, Bethany.”

She grinned sheepishly. “Sometimes. But I am the goddess of wrath, and as such tend to let my temper get the best of my sense at times. Never want to be near me when that happens. It’s truly frightening.”

Ari blinked open his eyes, then widened them as he realized Jo wasn’t his mom.

“I’m right here, sweetling.”

“Mama!” He quickly scampered back to Bethany’s arms, where he rubbed his eyes and pouted. “Papa?”

“He’ll be home soon.” She kissed his plump cheek. Then, she grimaced. “Someone needs his diaper changed. If you’ll excuse me…”

Bethany rose to her feet. “It was nice meeting you both.” Rubbing Ari’s back, she met Cadegan’s gaze. “Don’t worry about the morrow. It will come. And you will always have a place here as a member of our motley family.”

“Thank you, me lady.”

Inclining her head to him, she left them.

Jo scooted back toward Cadegan. “You still look … ill.”

He let out a heavy sigh. “Not about you, lass. I will never doubt you, but … I have a feeling deep in me gullet. Something’s coming for me. And it’s not going to rest until I’m destroyed.”

Shaking her head, she attempted to soothe him. “Don’t think that.”

Cadegan tried to smile for her, but the problem was, he didn’t think it.

He knew it for a fact.