Page 93 of Above Cursed Winds

“I’m fine. All back in one piece.”

But Rukia wasn’t appeased. “Damn it, Jeremiah—you could’ve died!” Another water spray hit him squarely in the face.

And then suddenly, the anger that’d amassed within the water Elemental dissolved, and she was clutching him in a fierce hug. As Jeremiah gently folded her against him, Zia could only marvel. Rukia’s mate, Isaiah, slowly walked over to them.

“She’s been upset, Jeremiah,” the Raeth sovereign said. “Don’t risk your life again. I’d never hear the end of it.”

“Anything to appease you, Raeth.” But her mate was smiling, still combing his fingers through Rukia’s hair. “I promise, Ruk. No more death-defying stunts, no more coercion, no more dissolving into nothing.”

“And no more mating without my permission.”

Gripping Rukia’s arms, Jeremiah straight armed her out in front of him. “No more mating, huh? Pretty sure it’s one and done, squirt.”

“I hate that nickname!”

Jeremiah and Rukia dissolved into a wrestling match, with the water Elemental using her abilities to spray him in the face multiple times. Pretty soon, the play-fighting had turned into a Raeth clan-tattoo comparison contest between the two friends. Zia laughed at their antics, petting Myko’s hair while he gripped her hand tightly, and tried not to feel too self-conscious when the Raeth sovereign Isaiah came to stand by her side.

“Children, both of them,” came his deep voiced comment.

While she would’ve tensed at the words, the playful note beneath his tone had her shoulders loosening. Myko’s curiosity got the better of him, and he blinked up at the massive Raeth male.

“Who are you?”

A genuine smile tugged at the man’s lips. “Isaiah, sovereign of the Sylth. And you’re Myko, aren’t you?”

The sovereign held out a hand in greeting, but Myko winced. “I—my power isn’t nice. I don’t think I should shake your hand.”

“If you always fear it, you’ll never control it,” came Isaiah’s reply, “but if you’d prefer not to, I can respect that.”

And still, the man’s hand hovered before Myko. When the boy drew in a deep breath and his tiny hand slid into Isaiah’s, Zia watched the Raeth sovereign carefully.

As soon as their skin made contact, Isaiah stilled. His eyes widened almost imperceptibly; his breath stuttered for half a moment. And then those eyes were catching Myko’s, not in fear, but in awe.

“You’ve a gift, Myko. I’m impressed, truth be told, and that’s not easy to do. If you’ll have me, I can help teach you to control it.”

Chapter Forty-Three

When Rukia suddenly stilled, Jeremiah followed suit. Her head swiveled to regard her mate, blinking through whatever had translated through their mating bond.

Jeremiah glanced over, seeing Myko’s hand in Isaiah’s, and he understood.

“Myko’s ability is to show a person their worst fear,” Jeremiah said quietly, feeling Gideon’s presence enter the room behind them. “It’s led him to live a solitary childhood, and I asked Isaiah for his help with tutoring him.”

“He mentioned it.” Rukia’s expression became quizzical when she turned to Jeremiah. “He showed you yours, didn’t he? What was your fear, Jeremiah? What did Myko show you?”

Shoulders sagging, he put his hands in his pockets and couldn’t meet their eyes. “He didn’t have to pull very hard. It’s already happened.”

Nothing more needed said. Gideon grasped Jeremiah’s shoulder sympathetically, tightening the grip as he spoke. “I’m sorry, Jeremiah. I—I shouldn’t have let you drown afterward. I let it go on too long.”

“We let it go on too long,” Rukia added softly. “My sarcasm didn’t help.”

“I’m not a child,” Jeremiah chastised, but it had no heat. “It’s not your responsibility to make sure I don’t go off the deep end.”

Gideon grimaced. “No, it isn’t our responsibility, but it is our privilege. You did it for us when we circled the drain. We failed you, Jeremiah. Neither of us were there for you when you needed it.”

For a long moment, none of them spoke, watching silently as Zia and Isaiah spoke to Myko. As Isaiah crouched to get on Myko’s level, it appeared both of them were deep in conversation.

Zia’s gaze drew up to connect with Jeremiah’s. “Go, take a walk. See your town again. We’ll be here when you get back.”

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