Page 79 of Above Cursed Winds

Jeremiah had been in their lives for less than a week and already he’d become integral to their continuing existence. Without him here, the house would feel empty. Every time she’d look at the kitchen cabinets, run water in Myko’s bathroom, or climb the stairs, she’d be reminded of the Elemental who’d done those things without prompting—simply because he’d seen a need and filled it.

From playing with her son to massaging her scalp, Jeremiah had offered them exactly what they needed. A friend for Myko, and a mate for her. Squeezing her eyes shut, Zia battled with her decision.

When she’d asked Jeremiah to leave, she’d stolen happiness from not only herself and Myko, but from the Elemental, too. If he hadn’t voiced as much, it was because he’d been far too good to her in the aftermath of her poisonous words.

Jeremiah hadn’t stooped to her level.

Regardless, the issue of Zia’s curse was still potentially unsolved. She remembered her earlier stray thought: Jeremiah had fallen from the skies already.

Key’s prophecies were arcane and obscure, but part of what she’d said had come to pass. As she thought through the nuances of the prediction she’d lived her life by, she wondered if Jeremiah was safe. Perhaps there was no longer any risk.

Later that night, Zia was still mulling over the possibility and a feeling that it had been too easy. Myko was snoring soundly in his own bed for the night, and Gideon and Rona had returned to their borrowed condo, leaving Jeremiah in Zia’s capable hands. The wind Elemental hadn’t so much as moved in the hours since his feat earlier today, and he continued to slumber upstairs.

A psychic knock sounded only moments later, and she responded immediately. Sovereign.

Zia, may I come visit?

As soon as she accepted, he teleported into her living room. Emanating pure power, the buzz of his residual psychic conversation with another sovereign lingered in the air around him.

“I have news.” Her sovereign took a seat when she motioned to an open recliner. “Isaiah has reached out to inquire about Myko. He’s offered to aid in his training and become his mentor.”

“Isaiah? The Sylth sovereign?”

“He apparently has the gift of Vision, and he’s heard that Myko’s ability might be similar. He reached out to me via telepathy just after we brought Jeremiah back here.”

Worry ran riot among sparking notes of hope. “How did he hear about Myko? My son has never left the island; no one knows about what he can do.”

“Seems our Elemental friend upstairs pulled some strings. Isaiah is mated to Rukia, another one of Paracel’s leaders. Jeremiah knew of Isaiah’s ability and took the initiative to ask for a favor. Clearly, we owe him for more than just saving us all today.”

Zia teeth scoured a line on her lip, hunching over as emotions assaulted her. When they’d flown together just days ago, she’d mentioned a Raeth with the gift of Vision could be of help, in passing. The Elemental had taken the murmured hope and found a solution.

“Jeremiah asked on Myko’s behalf?”

“He knew Myko was struggling. I’m sorry, Zia, I didn’t know about Isaiah’s gift, or I would’ve asked earlier.”

Biting her lip, Zia asked, “But you trust Isaiah? He’d be good to Myko? Safe?”

Nero cracked a grin. “Yes, I do. Had you asked me even two years ago, I probably would’ve said no. But he’s mated, has a child of his own. And believe me when I say he’s a different person now.”

While it went a long way toward soothing her inner mama bear, Zia only nodded briskly. “As long as you’re vouching for him, then yes, I’d love for Isaiah to help. Myko needs it.”

“We’ll have to thank Jeremiah when he’s awake.” Nero looked toward the stairs. “Has his condition changed at all?”

“No, but Gideon said it’d be a while.” Nervously pulling at the hem of her shirt, Zia asked, “Nero, has Key ever said anything to you about—about Jeremiah’s ‘fall’? I can’t help but hope that today might’ve been what she meant.”

“As you know, Key never shares insight with me about her visions, and even when she does, it’s cryptic.” Nero sat back in the chair, the leather huffing as the massive Raeth male settled in. “Hell, she’s told me next to nothing about my own mate, other than giving me a visual and a few snippets of our future together.”

Zia admitted, “I love her to death, but sometimes, I really hate her.”

He gave her a genuine smile of mutual understanding. “You let me know once you’ve talked it over with Myko. If he’s game, let’s do it.”

Chapter Thirty-Six

The hurricane-level winds no longer vibrated the clan buildings, nor did the rain pelt against the shingles. Sunlight lit their yards, illuminating what little damage had occurred before Jeremiah’s astonishing display of power.

The able-bodied Raeths were busy clearing debris, while the new mothers stayed inside and coddled vulnerable younglings.

Zia’s home was quiet. Myko, still asleep in his room, hadn’t stirred at all when she’d gone in to check on him.

---